Chapter 4

"Put Irene's name on the house or estate you buy. Consider it my apology to her."

Assuming the document was a property transfer agreement, Cole didn't bother to read the contents carefully. Holding Mae nervously, he turned to me and explained, "Mae was just discharged from the hospital. She has no one to look after her, so I asked her to stay with us for a few days."

I nodded numbly, watching my mate and our pups cautiously help Mae into our house. Then, without looking back, I left his territory and delivered the signed agreement to the council.

After meticulously reviewing it, the clerk stamped it with the official seal. "Ms. Brown, your pair bond with Mr. Grimaldi has been officially terminated. The mind link between you two is also dissolved."

At last… it was all coming to an end.

I returned once more to the Dark Forest and dropped to my knees before Irene's grave, gently wiping the dust from the photo of her smiling face.

"I'm sorry, Irene. I fell in love with the wrong person." My voice was barely audible. "I'm leaving. I don't want them in my life anymore. I'll leave the Blackmoon Pack, find a new pack that will accept me, and start over."

Just then, a gentle breeze brushed through my hair, as if she were answering me.

I smiled through my tears. "Don't worry about me. Many years from now, I'll come and find you at the Moon Goddess' side. When that day comes, I'll still be your big sister!"

On my way back to the pack, I passed by the oldest sacred tree in the forest. It was beneath that very tree that Cole and I had carried out our bonding ceremony. He had given me a wolf fang necklace embedded with a blood crystal and sworn his loyalty to me before the Moon Goddess.

However, after only six years, that vow had already lost its meaning.

I took off the necklace and hung it on one of the tree's branches, along with the moonflower bracelet from my wrist. The pure white blossom that symbolized eternal love had been tainted by our broken bond, its petals already turning yellow and brittle.

I left everything that reminded me of Cole in the place where our story had first begun.

When I returned to his territory, his car slowly pulled up and stopped beside me. Cole awkwardly scratched his nose and said, "Mae's birthday is tomorrow. I promised to take her on a trip for a few days. Since you were planning to spend time with Irene, I didn't tell you."

The back window rolled down, revealing Naveah and Caspian's bright, smiling faces. "Mom!" My pups waved excitedly at me, dressed in matching shirts.

Mae poked her head out between them, and that was when I noticed she was wearing the same outfit as them. Realization dawned on me—the four of them were wearing matching family outfits.

"Soleil, the pups were so excited and wouldn't stop asking to go on a trip with me, so I agreed. Please don't be upset!" she grinned, clearly intending to provoke me.

Yet, to her surprise, I wasn't upset or sad. Instead, I smiled faintly and said, "Happy birthday! I'll sit this one out. Have fun without me."

Cole's eyes widened with surprise before he nodded in approval. "You've finally become more sensible, Soleil. This is great. When I get back, I'll bring gifts for you and Irene!"

Caspian clapped his little hands and chirped, "Mom's good now! She won't hurt Mae anymore!"

I watched their car disappear into the distance, my heart as still as stone. If my love had become a burden to them, then I would take it back. I didn't want them anymore.

After packing up my belongings, I left Cole's territory without a backward glance.