Chapter 3

After confirming with the guard captain the time we would depart, I returned to my room. However, the moment I pushed the door open and entered, I was shocked at the sight that greeted me.

The contents of my suitcase had originally been neatly organized, but now, my clothes, books, and documents had been taken out and scattered all over the place.

My heart sank as I rushed toward the open suitcase and dug through it frantically. Seconds later, I went deathly pale at a realization—the wolf-fang necklace was gone! Someone had come into my room while I was away and taken the necklace!

I immediately knew who the culprit was and sped out of the room.

Within moments, I burst through the door to Stella's room, only to see her standing before the full-length mirror. There, around her neck, was none other than the necklace I had been searching for!

My eyes reddened as I charged forward to demand the necklace back.

Stella wasn't the least bit surprised at my arrival, even going so far as to caress the pendant as she said smugly, "It's mine now, and I'm not giving it back. What are you going to do about it?"

Sheer rage had my entire body trembling violently. Finally losing my patience, I reached out to snatch the necklace back.

At that moment, Sebastian entered the room.

The smugness on Stella's face swiftly transformed into a pitiful look as she hid herself behind Sebastian. When she spoke, she sounded like she was on the verge of tears.

"Sebby, I have no idea why Rina hates me so much. She's even trying to snatch my necklace…"

Sebastian's face instantly darkened, and he said in a disappointed tone, "Irina, when you didn't kick up a fuss, I thought that you had finally grown to be more considerate and understanding. Stella is only staying for a few days and won't bother you, so why do you have to pick on her?"

Taking a deep breath, I forced the surging emotions in me down before explaining to him, "That's my necklace. It was a gift Matt personally made and gave to me on his fifth birthday."

That had Sebastian's face taking on a serious expression. He gazed down at Stella, his tone noticeably sterner as he asked, "Is that necklace actually Irina's?"

Stella chewed on her lip before ultimately taking off the necklace reluctantly. "Since you're so bothered by it, Rina… I'll just return it to you!"

She let go of the necklace before I could grab it, causing it to smash into the floor heavily. The metal chain broke and sent the wolf fang hurtling toward the table corner. Immediately, the fang shattered into countless pieces.

My mind went blank at the sight, and it was as though the entire world had fallen silent around me.

That was the last thing Matt had left me!

I lunged toward Stella, knocking her aside before dropping to my knees to pick up the shattered pieces.

Stella took advantage of the momentum and fell backward, her body slamming into the closet behind her. She cried out in pain. "It hurts so much! I-I think my injury got worse!"

Upon hearing that, Sebastian anxiously swept her into his arms before dashing for the front door.

Before leaving, though, he sighed and said to me, "Irina, Stella didn't mean to do that. Sure, the pendant is broken now, but I can always just buy you another one. Even ten of them, if that's what you wish.

"Whatever the case, you shouldn't have hurt Stella. She only got injured because she tried to save our pup."

Pausing briefly, he then added, "If Matt were still here, he wouldn't have wanted you to harm an innocent person over something he gave you."

That last sentence stabbed deep into my heart like a dagger.

I kneeled on the floor, entire body trembling as I carefully picked up the shattered pieces of the wolf fang.

After some time had passed, there was a ripping sensation from deep within my soul as agony blazed through me. Following that, the mate bond that had connected me to Sebastian all these years slowly vanished, bit by bit.

A beat later, the pain abruptly stopped, and all that was left was a hollow feeling in my chest. Slowly getting to my feet, I wiped away the tears on my cheeks and tucked the shattered wolf fang pieces into my breast pocket.

Outside the manor, the sky was gradually lightening.

The Temple guards were standing in neat lines, already waiting for me when I stepped out. The guard captain dipped his head at me in acknowledgement. "Ms. Sharpe, it's time we depart."

Pulling my luggage behind me, I left the manor behind, not even looking back once.

From today onward, neither Sebastian nor the Silverwolf pack had anything to do with me anymore.