Chapter 8

Shortly after they left, Aria received a message from Julia.

"Aria, you must have felt it last night. I can't believe you can actually endure."

"Kane has promised to spend the next few days with me. Imagine your destined mate spending time with another wolf before the ceremony. You‘re the most pathetic woman in the world."

Aria didn’t reply. Instead, she instructed the servants to gather all her belongings from the villa and pile them in the backyard.

Once everything was collected, she set it all on fire.

She stood there silently, watching five years' worth of memories burn to ashes. When the last remnants turned to dust, so did her feelings from the past five years.

Two days remained before her departure.

Julia sent her a photo—a pregnancy test report.

"Can’t you believe that I’m pregnant?! This is Kane’s first pup, and he’s thrilled about it."

Aria still didn’t respond. She took out her mate ceremony gown and, with her claws, tore it to shreds piece by piece.

This dress, made for her, now held no meaning.

On the day of her departure, Julia sent another message.

"Kane and I are completing the mate bond. He promised me the same ceremony and said he’ll never let me or the child suffer."

"Aria, you’d better step aside and give up the Luna position. Kane doesn’t love you anymore."

This time, Aria replied.

"I hope your dreams come true."

Afterward, she pulled the villa’s surveillance footage. Kane had already brought Julia back multiple times for their little escapades.

She copied the videos and sent them to the ceremony planner.

"This is a surprise I decided to prepare for Kane. Make sure it plays during the ceremony. Remember, keep it a secret."

Later, Aria got a call from Kane. His tone carried a hint of guilt.

"Little wolf, things here aren’t wrapped up yet. I won’t make it back until tomorrow morning. Don’t worry, I’ll be there before the ceremony."

She let out a soft chuckle.

"Alright, I’ve prepared a surprise for you at the ceremony."

Kane seemed excited.

"What surprise did you prepare for me? I can’t wait."

"Little wolf, I’ve waited five years for you to become my mate. Tomorrow, you’ll finally be my Luna. I’m so happy…"

His voice suddenly cut off. Then a muffled gasp escaped his lips.

A flicker of mockery lit up in Aria’s eyes.

"Kane, I hope you’ll enjoy the surprise."

Before he could respond, she hung up and walked out of the villa.

The vehicle from the fake death agency was already waiting by the door.

At the airport, she typed a few things on her phone before handing it to the staff.

"Make sure this phone, along with the fake corpse, is delivered to the Alpha tomorrow. Tell him I died at six in the evening and left him a final message."

She wanted Kane to know that while he was mating with the beta, she ended her life in despair.

Those last words she left behind were meant to haunt him with guilt for the rest of his life.

The staff nodded, taking the phone and handing her new identification and a plane ticket.

"Phoenix, we will erase all traces of your journey. Safe travels, and may your future be filled with happiness."

Phoenix—it was the new name she had chosen for herself, symbolizing rebirth from the ashes and a farewell to the past.

From today onward, a new journey awaited her.