Chapter 8

Time flew by, and so did the selection trials.

After countless rounds of simulated combat, I handled the challenges in the trial arena with ease. Once the tests were over, I estimated my scores—I had a good feeling about them.

My goal was clear: I wanted to enter the Royal Enforcer Academy as the top-ranked "Alpha Wolf."

The day after the exams, the school held its graduation ball.

But instead of excitement, I received a message on my phone.

—The Blackwood Family Elders have rejected your travel application to Europe.

I stared at the screen for a moment.

To make Liam believe I was truly leaving the country, I had indeed submitted a formal application to go to Europe.

Clearly, Liam was looking forward to seeing me grovel tonight.

I clenched my fist, slipped the phone into my pocket, and headed off to pack.

I had already booked a flight to Europe connecting through New York. The departure was scheduled at the exact time the ball would begin.

On my way out, I passed by Liam. I paused and placed a bracelet on his desk.

Liam frowned. "What's this?"

I answered flatly, "The flawed camellia bracelet you made once."

He had spent half a month crafting that bracelet, only to toss it away because he thought it wasn't good enough for Chloe. He started over without a second thought.

But I had been foolish enough to dig it out of the trash and keep it safe for six whole months.

Now, it was time to return it.

Liam's eyes trembled slightly as he looked at the flawed bracelet. "Why did you still have this?"

"I just thought... a friend's gift should be taken care of."

I took a deep breath. "But now, there's no need."

Liam's lips tightened. "Why?"

"Because it's over."

I looked at him one last time and said hoarsely, "We've graduated, Liam. I wish you... great success in this pack."

As soon as I finished speaking, I turned and walked away.

Liam's expression shifted, and without thinking, he grabbed my wrist.

I turned back and forced a smile.

"What? Can't let go? Won't we see each other tonight?"

Liam froze for a second, seeming to realize he'd overreacted, but still didn't release me.

His lips pressed into a tight line. "You..."

"Chloe's watching."

I cut him off. Liam blinked and immediately let go.

He'd been pretending for a whole year, but his instinct was still to avoid Chloe's misunderstanding.

I couldn't tell if he was just a poor actor or truly devoted.

I swallowed the last bitter sting in my chest and turned away without another word. "Goodbye."

Liam furrowed his brows and watched me walk further and further away until I disappeared from sight.

Somehow, something about me today felt off to him. But before he could think it through, Chloe's voice called him from behind.

He hesitated for a moment, then turned to go to her.

That evening, I finished packing.

I didn't have many things—just one suitcase was enough.

As I was about to head downstairs, I ran into Chloe coming home.

Our mother immediately walked over to her. "Now that the trials are over, why don't you sort through the birthday gifts you received? This one's from one of your classmates, yes?"

She opened one of the boxes as she spoke. Inside lay the camellia bracelet Liam had made.

Chloe glanced at it with disdain and tossed it straight into the trash.

"Only low-blood wolves give out junk like that. Mom, look at the gemstone Liam gave me instead—gorgeous, right?"

After they left, I finally stepped downstairs.

I stared blankly at the trash can, at the camellia Liam had spent a whole month making, and suddenly, I laughed.

This was the girl Liam liked. This was the one he tortured me for, bent over backward to please.

I was a fool. And so was Liam.

I looked away, dragged my suitcase to the front gate of the Evans estate, and found the taxi already waiting outside.

I got in without a backward glance.

"To the airport," I said, without the slightest trace of sentiment.

---

The graduation ball was a major event at the Werewolf Academy—an opportunity for many young wolves to find potential mates.

That evening, everyone arrived early. As members of the board, the Blackwood couple naturally made their appearance.

Liam stood on the second floor, leaning against the railing, his lips curled into a smirk as he looked down at the crowd.

Spots at the Royal Academy in Europe were extremely limited every year.

He had completely blocked Harper's path to Europe. If she wanted to go, she'd have to beg the Blackwood family.

The performance was about to begin.

Just then, one of the elite wolves nearby asked, puzzled, "Liam, why isn't Harper here yet? Did she get lost?"

Liam froze and scanned the crowd below. Sure enough, Harper was nowhere to be seen.

He frowned and called her.

No answer.

A heavy feeling settled in his chest.

Harper had never ignored his calls before.

Even during class, if he called, she would walk out to answer.

Just as Liam was about to try again, his mother, Luna Maria, approached.

"Liam, I have some good news to share with you today."

He blinked. "What is it?"

Maria opened her mouth, excited to tell him, but before she could speak, the host's voice rang out.

"Welcome, everyone, to this evening's ball. Before we begin, Board Member Maria would like to share two announcements. Let's welcome Ms. Maria to the stage."

Maria had no choice but to hold her words and head downstairs. She stepped onto the stage with a smile.

"As a member of the Blackwood family and the school board, and since so many of you study alongside my son, I believe these two announcements are worth sharing with all of you."

Liam looked down at his phone, still showing no answer. An unexplainable unease crept through him.

Then Maria's voice echoed again.

"First, on behalf of the Blackwood family, I'd like to apologize to the Evans family. Harper and Chloe were swapped at birth. We had originally broken the engagement with Chloe because we insisted on the high-bloodline Harper."

Liam froze, his head snapping up.

Maria continued, "Second, Harper came to the Blackwood estate a few days ago and officially dissolved the engagement. We agreed. So now, our engagement partner has reverted back to Chloe."

Gasps erupted across the ballroom.

"What? Harper isn't half-human? She has a high-ranking wolf bloodline?"

"What?! Harper actually rejected the Blackwood family?"

Liam's eyes widened in shock.

Just then, his phone finally connected to Harper.

He answered immediately. "Harper, where are you?"

He gripped the phone tightly.

A calm voice came through the line.

"Liam."

Just two syllables, yet Liam felt as if he'd been frozen on the spot.

As his heart nearly stopped beating, he heard my voice, quiet and steady.

"Liam, this is the ending I leave you... for your little hunting game."