“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!”

I chuckled at Sasha's reaction and replied, “I don't know.”

“Girl, I need to know your deepest, darkest secrets ‘cause I'm your best friend!” She exclaimed, making me chuckle again.

I smiled as I replied, “Okay. I'll tell you what I really think, if they hadn't discarded me after Demi appeared, I would have probably chosen one of them.

But it would be really hard to choose between the two of them, so taking both of them as my mate would be easier.”

She laughed and said, “That's what I wanted to hear!”

“Why don't we share a final farewell meal, Sasha?” I asked as I glanced at her.

Her laughter died down and her lips tugged up into a smile as she answered me, “Sure, that sounds great. I know a restaurant on the way to the airport, we can dine there.”

“Okay.” I replied with a nod.

It didn't take long before we arrived at the restaurant. It was called Heiser.

As she shut the car's engine, we climbed out of the car and made our way into the restaurant.

We walked to an empty table in the middle of the crowded restaurant and sat down.

A waiter immediately approached our table and I saw that it was a he-wolf.

He greeted us, “Good evening.”

“Hi!” Sasha and I replied at the same time.

“Have you decided on what to order?” He asked as he looked between the two of us.

“Give us a minute.” I answered him as I picked up the menu from the table.

Sasha also picked up her menu and started looking through it.

“Alright.” He replied and waited patiently for us to decide.

After a moment, I said, “I'll have the grilled chicken and potato goulash.”

Sasha ordered next, “And I'll have the grilled salmon and saffron rice.”

“Alright, your order will be ready in a moment.” He announced then turned around to walk through the double doors that were at the back which I assumed were the doors to the kitchen.

“I'll miss you terribly when you're gone, Ariel. Who will I train with after you're gone?” Sasha asked as she looked down.

I gave her a comforting smile as I replied, “Don't worry, we'll talk everyday while I'm in London.”

“But we can't even mind link each other anymore once you arrive at your new pack in Italy!” She exclaimed as she pouted.

I placed my hand on hers and gave her a comforting squeeze as I said, “It doesn't matter, we can talk on the phone.”

She sighed, “Okay, but I'm still glad that you're leaving Morgan and Nate behind. They don't deserve your friendship.”

“Yeah, you're right.” I replied as I nodded.

The waiter walked out of the restaurant’s kitchen and approached our table, holding two plates of food in each hand.

“Here you go, Ma’am's.” He said as he placed them on the table then walked over to another table to take their order.

We dug into our food as we talked here and there.

After our meal, Sasha drove me to the airport.

As we arrived, I felt a mix of emotions. Excitement for my new life in Italy, but also sadness at leaving behind the only home I had ever known.

Sasha hugged me tightly as she said, "You're doing the right thing, Ariel. Start fresh."

My phone rang, breaking the moment. My mother's voice filled the line, weak but warm, "Hey, honey. What time does your flight arrive? Someone will pick you up."

“Hi, Mom! My flight will arrive at 9:30 pm.” I replied in an excited voice.

“Alright, honey. Be safe.” She said in a soft voice, sounding amused.

“Don't worry, Mom. I'll be safe.” I said as I smiled, feeling grateful for her love and care.

She hung up the call and I placed my phone back into my handbag.

That was when I noticed Morgan and Nate lingering nearby. Curiosity made them approach me.

"Who's that?" Nate asked, his tone curious.

I shrugged as I said in an indifferent tone of voice, "None of your business."

Their expressions faltered, stunned by my coldness.

Morgan spoke up, "Ariel, we need to talk."

I raised an eyebrow. "What's there to discuss?"

He explained, "You might notice that we are not paying much attention to you now. It's because Demi needs more attention than you. She's been through a lot."

Nate nodded, “Yeah, she has no one, but you at least have your mother.”

I scoffed and asked them, "Why do you feel the need to justify yourselves? You've made it clear where your priorities lie."

Morgan's face reddened in embarrassment as he accused me, "You're just jealous, Ariel. We understand your feelings completely."

A frown fell on my brows and I clarified, "I don't care. You're just friends to me. Nothing more."

Nate's eyes locked onto mine, pleading as he murmured, "But we want more than friendship, Ariel.”

Morgan nodded as he added, “Yeah, and we want you to recognize your feelings."

I remained calm, unmoved as I said, "I've made my choice. Let's drop it."

“Okay, at least let us carry your luggage.” Morgan insisted.

Nate glanced at my luggage and said, “It looks too heavy for you to carry.”

“Okay.” I replied, knowing that they wouldn't back down.

The tension between us was palpable as they carried my luggage.

Demi walked over to us, pulling her luggage behind her.

Her voice was laced with sadness as she said, "I have to take a different flight. I'll miss you, Ariel."

I wouldn't miss her, so I couldn't say that I wouldn't. Instead I said, “We can still talk on the phone.”

As soon as Morgan and Nate saw Demi, they dropped my luggage and rushed to help her carry her luggage.

“Let me help you with that.” Nate said as he grabbed her traveling bag.

“And I'll take that.” Morgan said as he took her small suitcase’s handle from her hand.

When I saw that, I seized the opportunity. I pulled out my phone from my handbag and blocked their numbers, removing all contact.

I turned away, my heart pounding in my chest.

I quickened my pace, eager to leave the past behind.