جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 10

Four years ago, on the night of my first shift at eighteen, my two older brothers brought home an eight-year-old orphaned Omega. My Alpha brother seized the rare healing herb I'd spent all my savings on and gave them to her instead. My Beta brother snarled with fury, "Get out! Don't come back!"Four years later, after I finally left, they took the orphan girl on an international vacation to the Caribbean islands I'd always dreamed of visiting. Many days later, when they returned to the pack, they were shocked to discover I'd accepted a position required fifteen years of isolated herbal research.I could never return home.That night, they went crazy.…The day I accepted the Head Healer's offer happened to be the Full Moon Festival—the most sacred day for werewolf families to reunite and celebrate together.My mentor walked me to the door of the healing chambers, her voice gentle as she offered her final advice:"In five days, you'll begin your fifteen years of isolation, Ember. Reme

I turned around.Only to find Axel standing right behind me, his arrival completely silent.His expression was ice-cold, his gaze fixed on my fully packed suitcase.Ryker leaned against the bedroom doorframe, looking at me with an equally frigid stare.Willow had followed them in and was quietly staring at my luggage.The barely concealed anticipation in her eyes was impossible to miss.For a moment, I considered telling them the truth.But then I remembered Axel's impatient words: "Those things aren't our concern. You don't need to tell us."Suddenly, I didn't dare speak openly anymore.This way, when I finally left, I could at least lie to myself.I could pretend they simply didn't know I was leaving, rather than admit they didn't care.My hand slipped into my coat pocket, knuckles aching from how tightly I clenched my fist.I spoke with feigned casualness: "I'm just moving my things to change rooms. Like I said, the master bedroom is for Willow."Axel's expression softened slightly.

It's okay, it's okay.Soon I wouldn't see them again, wouldn't disturb their perfect little family with Willow anymore.I returned to school, moved into the dormitory, and continued perfecting my herbal research notes.The next day, while heading to the library with Derek, I ran into Axel and Ryker.I pretended not to see them, found a seat, opened my notebook, and continued writing word by word.Willow dragged them to sit not far from me.I could hear the girl's giggling voice from time to time.Axel and Ryker patted her head: "Be good now. In a few days, we'll be off to the Caribbean."Hearing their words made it hard for me to breathe, so I got up and went for a drink of water.When I returned, my notebook was in Willow's hands.Axel and Ryker had gone to get books from the shelves.Willow was alone, tearing pages from my notebook.Alarm bells rang in my head as I rushed forward and snatched the notebook from her hands.She immediately threw herself dramatically to the floor, hittin

The housekeeper shook her head: "Miss hasn't come back at all."Axel frowned: "It's been over a week. Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice—how could she not be back yet?"The housekeeper, who had worked for the family for many years and had a soft spot for Ember, replied coldly: "I wouldn't know."Axel wanted to ask more.Willow rolled her eyes impatiently and clung to his arm, whining:"She'll come back eventually."Brother, forget about that. "Come see the new storybook I bought. You can read it to me tonight."Axel suddenly felt irritated.He remembered how Willow had spoken Ember's name with contempt in the Caribbean.Now she clearly didn't care that Ember had been gone for days.How much sincerity was there in her constant use of "Sister"?The housekeeper turned back toward the kitchen, muttering:"Since the master doesn't care about Miss anymore, why even bother asking?"Those words pierced Axel's heart like an invisible thorn.Willow complained under her breath: "She's a grown woman

Axel desperately clawed back a shred of rationality from the overwhelming fear, despair, and bewilderment.He instinctively objected: "No, she didn't contact me."Yes, they had been siblings for over twenty years.Even if things had grown distant between them, even if her heart was filled with resentment,She should have at least said goodbye before entering a fifteen-year closed research program.So, she must not have gone.Professor Bennett replied confidently: "That's impossible."I was in the private room and saw it with my own eyes when I stood up—she dialed your number."It was... last Saturday, around noon."Axel was about to deny it again.But in a flash of realization, he suddenly remembered something.Last Saturday, around noon.That would have been around midday in the Caribbean.That day, around midday, he had just finished taking photos of Willow on the Caribbean beach.Willow had insisted on taking many photos and excitedly played on the beach before returning to the hote