Without another word, he grabbed his keys and rushed out the door.

He didn’t even look back.

I stood there, the weight of everything crushing me. This was the man I had wasted ten years on—a man who would always choose someone else.

“Damon!” I called after him, my voice trembling with anger, “are you serious right now?”

“I’ll explain later,” he said over his shoulder, already halfway out the door.

The door slammed shut behind him, leaving me standing there, alone. Again.

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. There was nothing left to explain.

That night, I called my aunt.

“Aunt Lydia, I just wanted to thank you for everything over the years. I’ll be leaving soon.”

“Leaving? Where are you going?”

“I’m getting married,” I said simply.

“To Damon?” she asked, her tone hopeful.

“No,” I said firmly. “It’s an arranged match. Someone from another pack.”

She was silent for a moment before speaking softly. “Are you sure about this?”

“I’m sure.” My voice didn’t waver. “Damon and I have been stuck in this gray area for ten years. It’s time for me to move forward.”

Her sigh was heavy with emotion, but she didn’t argue. “If that’s what you want, then I support you.”

That night, I set a countdown on my phone: five days until the wedding.

The next morning, I finalized everything with my Dad. By evening, a truckload of gifts arrived at my aunt’s house as a thank-you for all she had done for me.

Damon and Serena walked side by side, carrying bags filled with books and office supplies. From where I stood, they looked exactly like a young couple preparing to start a new project together. Serena’s laughter echoed faintly as she nudged Damon with her shoulder, her delicate figure trailing closely behind him.

I clenched my fists at my sides and turned my attention to Aunt Lydia, who had come down to greet me.

“Dad sent over some gifts for you,” I said casually. “Make sure to check the expiration dates so nothing goes bad.”

Aunt Lydia opened her mouth, likely about to comment on Damon and Serena, but I cut her off. I didn’t want to hear it.

Damon noticed us and, for the first time in weeks, took the initiative to explain himself.

“Elara, don’t get the wrong idea,” he said, shifting awkwardly. “Serena’s old office was too far from the pack lands, so I helped her find a new workspace. I didn’t know it was near your aunt’s place.”

I didn’t even glance at him. “That’s none of my business. I’m here to deliver the stuff my Dad sent. We don’t know when we’ll be back, so she sent a lot.”

Hearing that, Damon visibly relaxed, relieved I wasn’t starting an argument.

“No problem,” he said lightly. “The Calastiral Territory isn’t far. Let me know whenever you want to visit.”

He still had no idea I wasn’t planning on coming back, and I had no intention of telling him.

Aunt Lydia frowned, glancing at Serena, who was now adjusting one of the bags in Damon’s hands. Her smile faltered when she noticed Aunt Lydia’s scrutinizing gaze, but she quickly recovered.

The four of us stood there in awkward silence until Serena spoke up, feigning exhaustion.

“Damon, this is so heavy. Can we take the elevator first? I’m getting tired.”

“Of course,” Damon said, turning to the delivery driver. “Hold off on bringing up the rest for now. We’ll go up first.”

I stepped aside without a word, letting them pass. Damon hesitated for a moment, maybe expecting me to protest, but when I didn’t, he hurried into the elevator with Serena.

As the doors closed, I couldn’t help but remember a time when I had been in her place. Back when Aunt Lydia first moved, Damon had been just as attentive to me—carrying my bags, setting up my things, smiling as he called me the “future lady of the house.”

Watching them now felt like looking at a version of myself I barely recognized anymore.

Aunt Lydia sighed beside me, breaking my thoughts. “Are you really okay with this?”

“There’s no misunderstanding,” I said flatly. “He’s never let one stay overnight. If he hasn’t explained, then it’s because there’s nothing to explain.”

She studied me for a moment, her expression unreadable, before nodding.

I delivered the gifts to Aunt Lydia and said my goodbyes, but Damon and Serena were still upstairs. Out of courtesy—maybe out of habit—I sent him a quick message asking when he’d be back.

His response came almost instantly, but it wasn’t a text. It was a voice message.

“Elara,” Serena’s sweet voice chimed in, “Damon’s helping me unpack some equipment and set up my new office space. It’s a lot of work, and there’s so much to do. Don’t wait up, okay?”

I stared at my phone, unsure if I wanted to laugh or cry.

Then another message popped up.

“By the way, don’t overthink this,” Serena added. “Damon just felt sorry for me because I’m new here and don’t know anyone. He’s just being a good Alpha-in-training. You understand, right?”

My chest tightened, but I refused to let it show. Without replying, I closed the app and called a cab.

As I gazed out the window during the ride home, Damon called me. I debated ignoring it but picked up, curious what he’d say.

“Elara,” he began, his tone frustrated, “why are you being so harsh with Serena? She’s just a subordinate, and I was helping her get settled. It’s not a big deal.”

“Since when do you act like this?” I shot back. “At the pack's celebration party, you couldn’t even pretend to care about me. Now you’re bending over backward for her?”

“She’s new to the pack!” he snapped. “The company hasn’t arranged her workspace yet. Of course, I had to help. Why are you so insecure about this?”

In the background, I heard Serena’s soft voice. “Damon, don’t fight. I don’t want to come between you two, please?”

Her voice was dripping with sweetness, but I could see through it now.

I took a deep breath, my voice calm despite the storm inside me. “You’re right. My bad. Don’t worry—I’m already home. You don’t have to explain anything to me.”

When Damon heard the coldness in my voice, he hesitated, his usual confidence slipping. He tried to say something, but I hung up before he could finish. I could practically feel his frustration through the phone.

That was the last time I let Damon’s words affect me. I had a new future to focus on, one that didn’t include him.

Back at the apartment, my phone wouldn’t stop buzzing with notifications. I glanced at the screen and saw they were all from the pack chat. I hadn’t left it yet, even though I should’ve months ago.

At the top of the feed was a photo from Serena. She’d posted a picture of Damon assembling furniture at the new office. His sleeves were rolled up, hair slightly tousled, looking like some kind of corporate hero.

[Who else has an alpha this thoughtful?] she wrote, with a string of heart-eyed emojis. [Can I sign a lifetime contract already?]

The comments rolled in fast.

[Wow, Damon setting up furniture himself? Isn’t he always delegating everything?]

[He looks good doing it, though! Serena, you’re so lucky!]

[Looks like someone’s already the next Mrs. Damon.]

I scrolled through, my stomach turning at every message. Before Serena showed up, Damon used to do everything with me. He’d call me his partner, the one he trusted most. Now, it was clear that trust had shifted.

I didn’t bother reading the rest. I tossed my phone on the counter. None of it mattered anymore.

I went to my room to pack up my things. The apartment didn’t even feel like mine anymore—it hadn’t for a long time. While I was boxing up my belongings, I found a wooden box shoved to the back of my closet.

Inside were all the little gifts Damon had given me over the years: a silver bracelet, a necklace with the pack crest, handwritten notes about how much he cared. They used to mean everything to me, but now they just felt like weights holding me back.

I grabbed the box and headed outside. The clearing was quiet, bathed in the soft light of the full moon. It was the same place where our pack held celebrations and ceremonies, but tonight, it was just for me.

I set the box in the middle of the fire pit and lit a match. The flames caught quickly, swallowing the mementos one by one. The bracelet melted, the paper curled into ash, and with each piece that burned, I felt lighter.

This was my way of letting go.

The sound of footsteps made me glance over my shoulder. Damon was storming toward me, his eyes wide with disbelief.

“Elara, what the hell are you doing?!” he shouted.

I didn’t look at him, keeping my focus on the fire.

He came closer, his voice rising. “You’re burning everything? Are you insane? Those were our memories!”

I finally turned to face him, my voice calm. “Your memories, Damon. Not mine. This was all stuff you gave me to make yourself feel better. I’m done carrying it around.”

He stared at me, his frustration boiling over. “You’re seriously just throwing it all away? Like none of it ever mattered?”

I shrugged, keeping my tone even. “It mattered to me once, but not anymore. You made sure of that.”

For a moment, he just stood there, his chest heaving like he was about to explode. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.

I stayed by the fire, watching it burn until there was nothing left but embers. As the flames died down, I felt something inside me shift. For the first time in years, I wasn’t holding on to the past.

I was finally free.

I dusted myself off, standing in the soft glow of the fire. The warmth on my face didn’t match the icy tone of my voice.

“It’s fine,” I said flatly. “I found a bunch of bugs crawling in the box—probably cockroaches—so I burned it.”

Damon froze, his anger shifting to confusion as he stared at me. After a moment, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair, his tone softening.

“Elara, are you okay? I know I overreacted just now, but seriously, why would you burn everything? Those were memories. Weren’t we saving all of that for our mating ceremony? Why didn’t you wait for me to come back or at least message me? I could’ve handled it.”

I didn’t even look at him. This wasn’t the same Damon I used to trust, the one who swore he’d protect me no matter what.

“You’re always so busy,” I said casually. “Figured you wouldn’t want me bothering you over something so small.”

He stepped closer, his eyes flicking between the dying flames and me. “Small? Elara, that box held everything—our memories, our bond. Why are you acting like none of it matters?”

Bond? Pff. I shrugged, my face unreadable. “Because it doesn’t anymore.”

His shoulders slumped as he stood beside me, watching the ashes scatter in the night breeze. The scene was painfully ironic—he was the one who’d wrecked our bond, yet here he was, acting like he still cared.

I turned to head back toward the packhouse, but Damon reached out and pulled me into his arms. His familiar cologne overwhelmed me, making me sneeze. He didn’t let go, though, holding me tighter like he was desperate to fix everything with a single hug.

“Are you sick?” he asked softly, his voice filled with concern. “I’m sorry, Elara. I know I’ve been distant lately. Let me make it up to you. We can start over—build new memories, even better ones.”

If this had been months ago, I might’ve melted at his words. But after everything—after watching him prioritize Serena and her needs over me—I couldn’t pretend anymore.

When he finally let go, I stepped back, putting space between us. My voice was calm, but firm.

“No need to apologize, Damon. If you want to make it up to me, throw me a proper anniversary party. You’ve missed every single one since we’ve been together, so I’d like at least one before I leave.”

Surprise flashed across his face, but he quickly nodded. “Of course. Whatever you want.”

Before he could say more, his phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, his expression shifted, guilt flickering in his eyes.

“It’s urgent,” he muttered. “Pack business. Don’t wait up—I’ll take care of everything tomorrow, I promise.”

I watched as he hurried off, already answering the call. He didn’t realize I knew that ringtone—it was the one he set for Serena.

The next morning, preparations for the party began. Pack members bustled around the clearing, setting up decorations and tables. Among them was Serena, directing the workers like it was her own event.

By the time they were done, I noticed something strange—the setup looked awfully familiar. It was almost identical to pack celebration from a few weeks ago, just... simpler.

When the workers left, Serena sauntered over, her smug smile making my blood boil.

“Well, Elara,” she said sweetly, “everyone’s been working so hard to make this perfect for you. What do you think? Does it suit your taste?”

I glanced at her, my eyes landing on the hair ornament she wore. It was mine—one I thought I’d lost months ago. My jaw tightened as I looked back at her, my voice cold.

“A secondhand setup for a secondhand person. Yeah, it suits you perfectly.”

Her smile vanished, replaced by a flicker of anger. Without a word, she grabbed a glass centerpiece and smashed it to the ground. A shard cut her foot, and she let out a pitiful cry.

Before I could react, Damon appeared out of nowhere. His eyes burned with fury as he stormed toward me.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Elara?” he snapped, his voice like a whip. “Serena spent the whole day helping with your party, and this is how you thank her? If you don’t like it, do it yourself!”

I stared at him, stunned, as he scooped Serena into his arms and carried her away. He didn’t even give me a chance to explain.

By the time the sun set, the clearing was empty. No one showed up for the party—not that I expected anyone to. Damon had always been my only friend, and now, even that was gone.

When the cake arrived, I cut a small piece, stuck a candle in it, and made a quiet wish under the moonlight.

“May we never meet again.”

I couldn’t eat the cake because of my allergy, but that didn’t matter. My suitcase was already packed.

On the way to the airport, I sent Damon one final message.

“Let’s end this here. No need to stay in touch.”

No breakup speech, no dramatic farewell. Just the quiet end to a chapter of my life.

As I turned off my phone before boarding, he was already calling me like a madman.