Chapter 6

They were sitting on the sofa, speaking in low voices. Seraphine laughed brightly, her smile blooming like a flower.

Raelor noticed the wooden box in my hands and asked instinctively, "What are you carrying that box for?"

"Just some discarded medical records," I replied casually. "I brought them back to burn."

Raelor nodded. His gaze swept across the now-empty room, confusion flickering in his eyes. "I’ve only been gone a week. Why does it feel like so many things are missing?"

I placed the box in the corner and answered calmly, "I just cleared out some unnecessary clutter."

Raelor seemed about to say something, but Seraphine spoke first, "Freya, thank you for being so generous. Thank you for agreeing to let Raelor accompany me to human territory, and for letting him try on the ceremonial robes with me. You helped me fulfill a dream."

There was a faint trace of pride in her tone.

"To thank you for taking care of us, I’d like to treat you both to slow-roasted stag haunch tonight. Oh, and Raelor asked me to move in. I hope we can get along well."

I glanced at the luggage stacked in the corner. I had only just emptied the space, and she was already moving in.

My nose stung slightly, but I still nodded. There was no point in engaging in meaningless conflict.

In five days, I would be leaving this territory forever. Right now, I only wanted to finish the loose ends before I left.

Seeing my silence, Seraphine’s eyes reddened instantly. Tears shimmered along her lashes.

"Raelor, is Freya upset? If she doesn’t want to join us, it’s fine. After all, you two are about to complete your Marking Ceremony. It really isn’t appropriate for me to move in…"

At her words, Raelor’s brows drew together at once. He looked at me with displeasure. "Seraphine sincerely wants to thank us. Why are you making that face? It’s just a meal. She can’t handle emotional stress in her current condition."

Before I could even speak, Raelor had already judged me guilty.

In the end, he dragged me along to the pack’s grillhouse.

The server came to ask what cuts of meat we preferred.

Before I could open the menu, Raelor spoke first, "No strong herbs. Cook the meat thoroughly. And none of the dishes should be bitter."

When the dishes were served, Raelor carefully cut Seraphine’s meat into small pieces with a knife. Then he pushed a plate of freshly grilled fish toward me.

"Seraphine can’t have river-caught fish while she’s carrying. I ordered this for you."

I looked at the steaming plate and set down my fork.

"I’m allergic to river-caught fish," I said.

Raelor’s hand froze midair.

In the five years we had been together, I had broken out in rashes more than once from accidentally eating river-caught fish. Once, I even went into shock. Each time, I treated myself.

I thought he knew. Now I understood. He had never remembered.

Yet he knew Seraphine’s dietary restrictions by heart. Even small details like avoiding bitter food were etched into his memory.

How ironic.

Raelor hesitated. When he looked at me, a trace of awkwardness flickered across his face. He called the server back and ordered several more dishes.

I did not touch my fork again and simply drained the water in my cup.

Raelor assumed I was sulking and did not bother with me.

After the meal, we walked out of the grillhouse.

The wolf communicator at my waist vibrated.

It was Master Eryndor.

"Freya, I need to confirm once more. Have you decided to participate in this research as planned? This project involves countering the damage silver weapons cause to werewolves. If successful, you will be remembered in our history. But the cost is that you will have no contact with the outside world for six months."

My gaze settled on the two figures walking side by side ahead of me.

Raelor was carefully guiding Seraphine down the steps, his hand hovering protectively at her waist.

My voice was calm. "I’ve decided."

Eryndor exhaled in relief. "Good. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to part from your Alpha."

I withdrew my gaze and turned in the opposite direction. "I haven’t told you yet. The Marking Ceremony has already been canceled. I’m ready to leave."

The words had barely left my mouth when a confused voice sounded behind me.

"Who’s leaving?"

Raelor had just helped Seraphine into the carriage and happened to walk back in time to hear my last sentence.