Chapter 5

For an entire week, Vincent didn’t come back.

But I knew exactly what he was doing. It was impossible not to, thanks to a certain she-wolf who loved sharing everything on Instagram.

They took a private yacht out to sea together. They dined at a cliffside restaurant in Positano. They kissed at sunrise on Capri Island, capturing it all in perfectly framed photos.

On her social media, I saw a completely different Vincent.

He could be like a wolf in love—wrapping his arm around his partner’s waist, smiling warmly for the camera, gently fixing her windblown hair.

Just not with me.

I didn’t linger on their posts, only giving them a quick glance before scrolling past. My wolf no longer howled in agony at their images. The bond between us was nearly severed, only a faint, fragile thread remaining.

I kept busy during those days. There was so much to clear out of the apartment that it took me several days to finish.

I also took time to visit my parents in the suburbs. I told them I was about to join a secret project with the Elder Council and that I wouldn’t be able to contact them for a very long time.

My father looked worried. “But you and Vincent are about to complete the ceremony. If you go, won’t you two be separated for years?”

My mother, equally concerned, held my hand and said softly, “Ellie, think carefully about this. You two have come so far. I’m afraid if you leave for this project, Vincent won’t agree…”

I understood what they meant.

They had seen my devotion to Vincent over the years, just as they had seen how he treated me—cold and distant, as though I were nothing more than a useful member of the pack, not his true partner.

Before we decided to become bonded, they had gently advised me against it, saying I didn’t hold enough weight in Vincent’s heart.

But back then, I believed I could change him, that I could make him love me.

So, they had reluctantly given their blessings.

Now, with the ceremony so close, they feared my sudden departure would anger Vincent, that he might even cancel the bond entirely.

They were afraid I would get hurt.

I took a deep breath and decided to tell them the truth—at least part of it.

“Mom, Dad,” I said calmly, “I’m the one who decided to cancel the ceremony. Not him.”

They were stunned, speechless for a moment.

I didn’t tell them about Seraphina’s pregnancy—I didn’t want them to feel the anger and humiliation that I did. I simply said that I wanted to further my research career and that Vincent couldn’t accept his Luna being away from the pack for so long.

My parents exchanged a glance. Finally, my father sighed and patted my shoulder.

“As long as you don’t regret it.”

Back at the apartment, I invited Chloe over to help me deal with the packed boxes.

We carried them downstairs in several trips, finally dumping everything into the building’s trash compactor. The room felt empty afterward, cold and hollow, just like when I first moved in.

Chloe looked around and shook her head.

“God, Eleanor,” she said. “Two months ago, when you told us you were getting bonded, we drank champagne all night to celebrate. You said you’d finally gotten what you always wanted. And now…”

She turned to face me, her expression serious. “Now, just two months later, you’re throwing it all away. Tell me what’s really going on. Don’t say it’s because of research. I know you, Eleanor. You wouldn’t give up on a bond you’ve waited twenty years for just because of work.”

Maybe it was because I was about to leave, or maybe I just needed someone to talk to.

I told Chloe everything that had happened over the past month.

I told her about Seraphina’s pregnancy.

I told her about Vincent taking her to the Amalfi Coast to fulfill her dreams.

I told her about how he never intended to ask for my consent, only wanted to ease his own conscience.

Chloe was silent for a long time after I finished. Then she burst out with a string of extremely rude wolf curses.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” she nearly shouted. “You’ve been so good to him, Eleanor! And he goes and gets some other she-wolf pregnant before the ceremony, then expects you to just accept it? What the hell is wrong with him? Is his brain made of Moonstone?!”

I shook my head, swallowing the bitterness that threatened to overwhelm me.

“Who knows,” I said softly. “He says Seraphina saved his life, and he wants to grant her every wish.”

Chloe’s face was filled with fury, her voice trembling as she pointed at me.

“But you saved his life too, Eleanor! Six years ago, on Halloween night! That silver bullet was meant for him, and you jumped in front of it! You spent three days in the ICU because of him! Why doesn’t he feel the need to ‘repay’ you like that?!”

I didn’t respond.

Maybe it was because he just didn’t love me.

But it didn’t matter anymore. Soon, I would be gone.