Adrian's words made my wolf snarl in my mind. I had to calm her as I shot back, "You really don't know why my Luna crown is still missing its gemstone?"

In my previous life, Hazel took the original jewel from my crown.

I was upset, but since she was Adrian's adopted sister, I let it go and spent most of my savings on a diamond to replace it.

This time, I couldn't care less. I wasn't about to waste the inheritance my parents left me on something so pointless, especially when I'd need every penny for Northbridge University's tuition.

I curled my lips in a thin smile. "A few days ago, I gave you 20,000 dollars to buy a hairpiece during your visit to the neighboring pack. I don't want it anymore. Just give the money back to me."

He hesitated, clutching the jewel more tightly in his hand. With a frown, he muttered, "Hazel wanted a bottle of limited-edition perfume, and I was a bit short on cash, so I used your money to buy it."

My wolf let out a mocking laugh in my mind, but I didn't say a word. I shot him a cold look and slammed the door in his face.

From the hallway, Adrian's angry voice followed, "We're about to have our marking ceremony. So what if I used your money? What's your problem? It's not like I'm not going to pay you back!"

I opened the door again, grabbed all the cheap little trinkets and gifts he'd given me over the years, and tossed them back at him.

"Why not give these to Hazel? See if she even wants them."

His face darkened, but he didn't say anything else.

I scoffed, slammed the door shut, and went to bed.

My wolf nodded in satisfaction. "That's more like it."

...

The next morning, I started clearing out old things, including the metal charm he gave me when we first met.

Now, it just looked like cheap scrap metal tainted by empty promises.

As I was sorting, Adrian came in and tossed a stack of bills onto my bed. "Here's your money."

I glanced over and counted the money. It came to exactly 20,000 dollars.

I nodded without even looking at him and kept packing.

He stood there for a while, frowning, clearly annoyed that I wasn't paying him any attention.

"There aren't a lot of seats on the trip to Southlands. I promised Hazel I'd take her." He paused and then added, "You don't need to pack."

I acted like I hadn't even heard him and just kept organizing my things.

He watched my cold, indifferent attitude and gave a frustrated huff. "What's with you lately? Didn't I say you don't have to pack? You're acting totally different these days."

I sighed, finally turning to face him.

I knew Adrian only wanted Hazel, but he had no idea I'd already put her name on the Luna registration form. If he found out before I left, it could get complicated. I wanted nothing more to do with him.

"I'm just getting ready to move," I said simply.

After the marking ceremony, Luna was supposed to move into the central packhouse. If he assumed that was why I was packing, I let him think so.

He relaxed a little and then added, "It's not that I'm leaving you out, but Hazel's never been outside the pack before...

"By the way, the Alpha King gave us one guaranteed spot at Eldren University. Let Hazel have it, will you? There will be more spots next year. I'll put your name down then."

I froze for a second. My wolf, though, was instantly on edge. "That was ours! Why should we give it away?"

I simply nodded, but my fists were clenched tightly.

That spot was meant for the Luna. It was never going to come around again. It was the Alpha King's way of making sure all Lunas received the right political training for easier pack management.

But now, Adrian just handed it over to Hazel.

In my previous life, I waited four years on his word, only to see Hazel marry the commander of the First Legion of Arlanta while Adrian came back alone.

Back then, I used to try so hard to keep the conversation going. But now, I kept it short and didn't waste a single word on him. It seemed to make him uncomfortable.

He tried again, a bit awkwardly, "Didn't you always want to look at wedding rings? How about we go take a look tomorrow?"

I didn't want to go at all. I was planning to spend tomorrow dealing with the fixed assets my parents left me.

As I was thinking of how to turn him down, Hazel walked in and asked, "Adrian, are you free tomorrow?"

He tapped her gently on the forehead, smiling warmly. "I'm going to the mall with Caroline tomorrow. You can come too."

I cut him off. "I need to see the High Priestess tomorrow, so I'll skip the mall."

Adrian's face turned impatient. "You can see the High Priestess another time. We're going to look at rings tomorrow."

His tone left no room for discussion. He was just as demanding as ever.

Hazel batted her lashes, acting pitiful again. "Caroline, is it because you don't want me coming along?"

I couldn't be bothered to argue. I just nodded and agreed to go.

The next morning, as soon as I came downstairs, I saw Adrian fussing over Hazel's breakfast, piling food onto her plate.

Just then, my phone buzzed. It was a reminder. Just five more days, and I'd never have to see either of them again.

I sat there silently, watching as Adrian eagerly carried Hazel's bag for her after breakfast.

In my previous life, I always thought that if I became his Luna, he would treat me the same way.

I was still lost in thought when Adrian handed me a small box. Inside was a bracelet adorned with gemstones.

"This is the token of the Luna. I'm handing it to you now," he said.

I didn't reach for it.

He'd never given me any so-called Luna token in my previous life.

Hazel was quick to snatch it from his hand, her eyes lighting up. "Wow, the stone on this bracelet is so sparkly! I wish I could have one too..."

I just smiled and said, "Then it's yours."

Adrian's face instantly darkened. He softly reprimanded Hazel, "No. This is the Luna's token."

But Hazel had already slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, showing it off in front of Adrian. "Adrian, doesn't it look perfect on me?"

Adrian looked at her with a tenderness that didn't even try to hide itself and nodded right away. Only then did he seem to remember I was still there.

He turned and added in a softer voice, "Let Hazel wear it for a little while. I'll give it back to you on the day of the ceremony."

I just answered casually, "Sure."

Things like this happened so many times in my previous life. He never once returned anything to me.

At the mall, Hazel made a beeline for the ring counter and tried on every style, dragging Adrian along to look at other jewelry.

When it was finally my turn to browse, no matter which ring I picked up, Hazel had something negative to say about it.

The saleswoman looked apologetic. "Sorry, these are all the styles we have."

I couldn't help but laugh to myself.

Adrian was the Alpha of our pack, yet instead of custom ordering rings for his Luna, he'd just brought me here to pick from what was left in the display case. That said everything about how little he cared.

I stayed calm on the surface. "Forget it, I'll come back another day."

As we left the mall, Adrian suddenly pulled a train ticket out of his coat pocket and handed it to me. It was a non-reserved train ticket to the Southlands, departing in four days.

"I'm not leaving you behind," he said, "It's just that we only got one vehicle pass for this trip. Hazel and I will head to Arlanta first and get everything settled. Then, you can come join us."

Staring down at that ticket, I felt the smile on my lips grow colder.

It took three full days and nights for the Darkmoon Pack to reach Arlanta. How could he just buy me the cheapest ticket for such a long journey?

Besides, he had already given the only spot at Eldren University to Hazel. What did he expect me to do there? Be their housekeeper?

The answer was obvious.

When I finally took the ticket from him, Adrian seemed relieved. "Even if you've never gone to university, I'd never look down on you. You're my only Luna. I'll be with you till the end. What I feel for Hazel is just sibling love."

I glanced at him in surprise. He'd never said anything like that in my previous life.

Suddenly, a pack transport vehicle came speeding around the corner.

Adrian reacted immediately, pulling Hazel aside and accidentally stomping on my foot so hard I couldn't even move.

The next thing I knew, the truck swerved and slammed into me head-on. I was thrown several yards down the street, my body aching everywhere.

The driver jumped out in a panic, horrified. "Are you okay? I swear, I didn't mean to! Let me take you to the hospital!"

People in the crowd started calling for help.

Struggling to lift my head, I caught a glimpse of Adrian standing there with his arms wrapped protectively around Hazel. He looked shaken, but he had completely forgotten about me.

So much for his promise to stay with me until the end.

The driver took me to the clinic.

Thankfully, aside from some surface wounds, nothing was seriously wrong, but just to be safe, I had to stay overnight.

I lay on the hospital bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

That night, Adrian came by looking guilty. When he saw I was awake, his expression shifted in surprise.

"Caroline, are you okay? I'll handle your discharge papers tomorrow."

I looked at him expressionlessly.

He fidgeted. "Hazel was so scared. I've been trying to calm her down..."

His voice trailed off, barely above a whisper.

"It all happened so fast, and Hazel was right next to me, so I just reacted. I didn't know you'd get hurt."

I cut him off coldly. "When are you leaving for Arlanta?"

He replied in a low voice, "Tomorrow morning."

"Good. You can go."

I rolled over and closed my eyes, getting ready for sleep.

He stood there for a while before finally walking out.

...

The next day, Eleanor showed up at the clinic with a thermos of warm beef bone broth.

"Caroline, Adrian told me what happened. Are you feeling any better?"

"I'm already cleared to leave today. Thank you for your concern."

She set the thermos down and started to fuss. "You know, Adrian has never really taken care of anyone before. Hazel was so frightened..."

Suddenly, she seemed to realize she'd said too much and stopped talking.

Sensing the awkwardness, I spoke up. "Eleanor, the one who will bond with Adrian is Hazel."

She looked at me in shock. "What?"

"I wrote Hazel's name on the Luna registration form."

Eleanor's face lit up with joy. "Caroline, thank you for doing this. But what about your fated bond with Adrian..."

"I have my own way of handling it. Please don't tell Adrian or Hazel."

She grabbed my hand tightly. "I understand! So, where will you go?"

"I'll be leaving in a few days," I said, not offering any more details.

She seemed to want to ask more, but I closed my eyes and ended the conversation.

When I was discharged, I didn't tell anyone. Before leaving, I wrote a letter to Adrian.

"Adrian, I've already left. I'm on the train to the Northlands. I know Hazel is the one you truly love, so I'm letting you two be together. May the Moon Goddess bless you."

I included the unused train ticket to Arlanta and a copy of the Luna registration form, mailing both to his address in Arlanta.

Then, I boarded a train bound for Larkspur City.