Nate turned to me as he reprimanded me, “Stop being jealous of Demi and be nice to her for once.”

“I'm not jealous of her!” I croaked out as I continued gasping, feeling my throat tighten even more as it started throbbing.

“Then stop being so toxic towards her!” Nate exclaimed as he scrubbed the mixing bowl that he was washing harder.

I felt anger bubbled inside my chest at their accusation and groaned as I replied in a strained voice, “I'm not!”

Morgan let go of Demi as he yelled, “Stop being rude to Demi and making her feel bad!”

I shook my head, unable to form words after hearing what he had to say about me.

“You're being unreasonable and unrecognizable, and I just realized this after you tossed her cake aside!” He added as he grabbed the broom and continued sweeping the kitchen floor.

I pointed at the cake on the floor as I explained, “It’s not that! You need to understand that I’m allergic to mango and there's mango inside the cake.

My mango allergy acts up whenever I have even an inkling of mango and it's very lethal. It can become very painful in only a few minutes and I won't be able to speak if I don't get treatment fast enough.”

They both stared at me with their eyes widened in surprise like they didn't expect me to say that.

Before they could reply, I continued, “You two used to protect me from anything that would cause me harm just like when I ate that chocolate with nuts and I didn't know that I have peanut allergy. You rushed me to the hospital and took care of me after I was treated.”

They both looked embarrassed and Nate was the first to speak up, “I'm sorry that you're going through so much pain right now.”

Morgan nodded as he also apologized, “Yeah, I'm sorry too, but you have to understand that the cake is important to Demi since she had put great effort into making it.”

I couldn't reply because my throat was throbbing too much, so I just watched them.

When they saw that I didn't reply, their expression turned sour.

“Why don't we take you out to cheer you up, Demi?” Morgan suggested as he threw the cake and dirt that he swept off the floor into the trash can.

Demi's eyes lightened up as she asked, “Really?”

“Yeah, come on.” He answered her as he walked over to her and took her hand in his.

“Nate, are you done?” He asked as he turned to Nate.

“I'm done!” Nate exclaimed as he washed his hands in the sink.

He walked over to Demi after drying his hands with a towel and wrapped an arm around her.

He smiled at her as he said, “I'm sure going out will cheer up.”

She put on a pitiful expression as she replied in a low voice, “I hope so.”

“Let's go!” Morgan said as he tugged her hand and started towards the door.

Nate took his hand off her shoulder and took hold of her other hand.

They walked out of the house, leaving me alone as I fell down, holding my throat while it swelled and throbbed.

I heard the sound of the ambulance and it didn't take long before they opened the door and rushed in.

A male paramedic was pushing a stroller and two female paramedics rushed to my side.

“Ma’am, can you talk?” One of the she-wolves asked.

I shook my head and they looked worried as they helped me up and led me to the stroller.

As soon as I laid down on the stroller, they pushed it out of the house and to the ambulance.

They pulled me inside as the one that asked me a question opened a first aid kit as she said, “It looks like an allergy reaction. She needs an EpiPen.”

“There's no EpiPen in the ambulance. She has to wait until we reach the hospital.” The other she-wolf replied as the man closed the ambulance doors.

So the first she-wolf turned to me with an apologetic expression as she said, “Hang in there, Ma’am. You'll be saved as soon as we reach the hospital.”

I managed to nod my head, and I hoped that we would reach the hospital soon as the ambulance started moving.

Two hours later, I was back from the hospital after I recovered from my allergy reaction.

I was now in my room, packing my bags as I decided to leave.

Having Demi feed me mango while knowing I was allergic, and having my childhood friends chastise me instead of saving me was the last straw.

I wasn't going to stick around and continue being mistreated.

Half an hour later, Morgan and Nate returned to the house. However, they were shocked to see a strange man sitting in the living room as he watched the TV.

“Who are you?” Morgan asked him.

“I'm the new owner of this house.” He answered him with a smile as he briefly glanced at them.

I have sold my father's house at a low price to one of his colleagues.

I knew that it was the right choice since I was leaving.

Morgan turned to me as a frown fell on his brows and he asked me, “Why would you sell the house?”

Nate looked just as angry as he scowled at me and asked, “Is selling the house over a minor allergy incident really necessary?”

Before I could reply, Morgan asked, “Are you feeling down lately? We can all go on a trip together to relax.”

I gave them a tight smile as I replied, “Selling the house has enabled me to buy a camper van which would be perfect for a road trip.”

“Demi would love a road trip!” Morgan exclaimed.

Nate nodded as he said, “Yeah, I'm sure she'll want to go on a road trip.”

They seemed to have realized that Demi needed this road and that must have been why they eagerly agreed.

“Mr. Harold, can you take care of the house while I'm gone? I need to visit my grandfather.” I asked my father's colleague whom I had sold the house to, Mr. Baker.

“Yes, don't worry.” Mr. Baker replied as his lips tugged up into a smile.

I felt relieved that I have found a reliable person to entrust the house to.

He has always been there for my father and when my father passed away, he was there for me.

He was just like our Alpha except that Alpha Ryan helped me even more before and after my father passed away.

I nodded at Mr. Baker and turned around to make my way out towards the front door.

As soon as I was out of the house, I walked to the side of the road and raised my hand, making an incoming taxi stop.

I took the taxi to the nursing home where my grandfather lived.

He was the Alpha before my father took over and he ruled the pack fairly.

For the past two years, he has regularly sent me money, taught me how to manage my father's company and guided me in design.

So we were close and I missed him. Besides, I needed to say goodbye to him before I left.

Soon, I arrived at the nursing home and paid the taxi driver before climbing out.

I walked into the nursing home as Quinn murmured in my head, “I miss grandfather too.”

I chuckled in my head and replied, “Well, you'll see him now.”

I walked over to the front desk and glanced at the lady sitting behind it as I said, “I'm here to visit Victor Rowland.”

She glanced at me then nodded as she recognised me and gave me a small smile, “Okay. Go right in, sweetie.

“Sure.” I replied and I turned around to make my way down the long hallway.

It felt familiar as I walked past the ward room doors, looking for room A22 since I usually regularly visited my grandfather in the nursing home.

A22.

My eyes caught the number and I stopped in front of the ward room.

I knocked on the door and I heard a gruff, “Come in.”

I walked in to see my grandfather lying on his bed as he read a book with his glasses on.

When he saw me, he kept the book aside on the bedside table and sat up.

His lips tugged up into a smile as he opened his arms wide and exclaimed, “Ariel!”

“Grandpa!” I exclaimed as I ran over to hug him.

He squeezed me tightly and I hugged him back just as tight.

After a few moments, I pulled back.

“You haven't come to see me in a while, Ariel, and I was starting to get worried.” He murmured as he placed his hand on my shoulder and caressed it.

I smiled at him politely as I replied, “Don't worry, grandpa. I was just so busy that I didn't get to see you.”

“Well, you're here now and that's all that matters now.” He muttered as he smiled back at me.

“Yes, you're right!” I exclaimed excitedly, feeling happy to see him again.

However, sadness tugged at my heart as I remembered how I would be leaving soon.

I felt my heart break as I tried to explain to him, “But the thing is… I wanted to tell you that I'll be leaving this country to go live with my mother.”

His smile dropped and a sad expression showed on his face as he asked, “Why?”

“Mom has been diagnosed with leukemia and she has very little time to live, so she wants me to visit her.

Seeing that Dad's gone and I've given his studio away, I realized that it's better that I move to Germany to live with Mom instead of only visiting her and returning here.” I answered him as I took his hand in mine and gave him a comforting squeeze.

He squeezed my hand back as he smiled at me faintly, “I believe that you've made the right choice.”

“Me too. I've even filled out the pack transfer form after I requested it from Alpha Ryan. I've sent it to my mother's Alpha.” I said as excitement showed in my eyes.

“When will you be leaving?” He asked me, looking curious.

“Today.” I answered him as I gave him a comforting smile.

He looked sad again as tears welled up in his eyes, “I'll miss you, Ariel.”

“I'll miss you too, grandpa! Goodbye.” I said as tears welled up in my eyes too and I hugged him again.

He hugged me back and then I pulled back as he whispered, “Goodbye, Ariel.”

I turned around and he watched me go with tears in his eyes, but then I was stopped when Morgan and Nate walked into the room along with Demi.

When they noticed the redness in my eyes and grandpa's eyes, Nate asked me, “Why were the two of you crying?”

I rubbed my eyes and sniffed as I answered him, “It's just that we were talking about my traveling to London for the jewelry show and started saying our goodbyes.”

I didn't want them to suspect that I was living, that was why I had to lie again even though I hate lying.

My grandfather didn't bother explaining anything to them, so he didn't deny my fake reason.

I felt sadness grip me at seeing Demi with them. I had hoped for a quiet private reunion with my grandfather.

“Ahh, I see. Traveling and leaving family behind can be quite dreadful.” Nate replied to me as his expression softened.

Morgan's expression softened too and he nodded as he added, “Exactly.”

“Yeah, I'm glad you understand.” I replied as I gave them a tight smile.

I turned around to walk out of the room and go home, but Morgan grabbed my arm as he said, “Wait!”

I turned back around and pulled my arm out of his grip as I asked, “What?”

“Why don't you stay to have a meal with us?” Morgan asked as hope showed in his eyes.

Nate nodded as he added, “Yeah, it will be just like old times.”

I shook my head and replied, “No can do, guys. Remember that I need to leave for the jewelry show and I can't be late.”

“Oh, okay.” Morgan said, the hope in his eyes vanishing.

“Yeah, you're right. You need to catch your flight early.” Nate said, looking like he understood my excuse.

“Yeah.” I replied as I turned around to walk out of the room, and this time, they didn't stop me.

My heart beat faster and my senses heightened.

I was finally leaving this painful place behind to embrace a new future.

As soon as I reached home, I walked upstairs and went straight to my room.

I wanted to finish packing my bags since I was leaving today. So I made my way to my dresser and grabbed my makeup then walked to my suitcase and two traveling bags.

I unzipped my traveling bags and started gently placing my makeup inside.

Next were my toiletries, so I walked into the bathroom and grabbed them.

I walked back to my traveling bags and placed them inside one by one.

Just as I finished, I heard Demi's cheerful voice through mind link.

“Hey, Ariel! I'm so excited to tell you the good news that I've just received!”

Knowing Demi, I knew that good news to her wouldn't be good news to me at all.

So I sighed as I asked, “What's the good news?”

“Our grandfather is considering leaving me the entire nursing home!” She exclaimed as she giggled.

Our grandfather owned the nursing home, and I was shocked that he was leaving it to her even though I had felt closer to him.

“Oh, that's good news indeed.” I muttered as I realized that she was trying to show me that he loved her more than he loved me.

However, I didn't care because I knew that he still loved me and we have a special bond.

“And that's not all.” She said, still sounding excited.

“Okay, tell me the rest of the good news then.” I urged her even though I was dreading what she was about to tell me.

“Morgan and Nate have been very kind to me by taking me out to eat and shop, and they even introduced me to their families!” She said in an overly excited voice and I knew that she was putting on a show to make me jealous.

“Well, good for you. Maybe they'll even ask you out.” I said in a steady voice.

She giggled and I said in a firm voice, “Anyway, I need to go. I have to get ready for my flight.”

“Alright, see you when we come back.” She replied and giggled again.

It sounded like she was mocking me as she laughed at me. My grandfather and I have always been close, yet he was leaving her the nursing home, and Morgan together with Nate have always been around me, but now, they were always around her.

She came here and tried taking everything away from me. She thought that she had destroyed my life, but she hadn't because I’m still standing strong since I didn't care whether my grandfather loved her more or Morgan and Nate cared about her more.

After Demi went quiet, I grabbed my phone from my bedside table and dialed my friend, Sasha Blake's number.

She was my best friend and also a warrior. She has always been there for me whenever Morgan and Nate decided to mistreat me for Demi's sake.

"Hey, Sasha. I need a ride to the airport." I said in a soft voice.

“Ariel, are you leaving?!” She asked, sounding shocked.

“Yes, my mother has been admitted to their pack hospital in London and she wants me to visit her. So I decided to move to London and live with her.” I explained as I thought of how I would miss pack training with Sasha.

Alpha Ryan has traveled, so that was why we haven't been training recently. He was our coach and he wanted us to wait until he was back to train.

I was itching to train since I was a natural warrior and I hoped that I would be able to after I arrived in London.

“I'm so sorry that she's sick, Ariel. I'll come pick you up right away.” She replied, sounding sympathetic.

Fifteen minutes later, Sasha arrived and helped me drag my suitcase down the stairs and to her car while I held up my two traveling bags.

After loading my things into the boot of her car, we climbed into the car.

She started driving as she said, "Morgan and Nate have always chased away anyone who's ever shown interest in you. So I always thought that you stayed because of them."

I chuckled as I shook my head, "Oh no! That's not why I stayed. I stayed because my father's studio is here and I wanted to run it for a while before saying goodbye to it, but now, I'm ready to leave for good."

“Woah! I had no idea, and you know, with how Morgan and Nate have always been around you, I thought you would choose one of them to be your mate.” She said as she glanced at me.

“Well, they're not always around me anymore.” I replied as I sighed.

Her expression changed as a frown fell on her brows, “Oh, right. They changed after Demi arrived and they're now all about her.”

“Exactly and I actually prefer it that way since none of them truly liked me for real.” I said as I looked out the window.

“But tell me honestly. If Demi had not appeared, would you have chosen one of them as your mate or even both of them?” Sasha asked me as her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

I nodded, “Probably.”

“Ooohhh, spicy drama! Probably both of them, right?” She pressed on and when I stayed quiet, she added, “Come on, girl. Tell me all the spicy details!”