Before leaving, I applied to a music academy on the East Coast. Only after confirming all the admission requirements and fees did I return home with a peaceful heart.

Returning to the Blackwell family manor, I had just set foot in the garden when I heard Sienna's plaintive voice.

"Jaxon, will Alina be mad that you left her to come back and be with me?"

"No, Alina is obedient. She won't make a fuss. Your emotions have been unstable lately, and I was worried about you being home alone."

Sienna giggled shyly, then her voice quickly turned crestfallen. "After you and Alina become mates, will you still be this good to me?"

Jaxon answered without hesitation, "Of course. I'll always put you first."

After a pause, he added, "If Alina ever upsets you, I'll sever the mate bond with her."

I bit my lip, hard, to keep from crying out. Even though I'd been reborn, hearing my former mate speak such heartless words still felt like a blade twisting in my heart.

I took a deep breath, suppressed the sorrow, and walked into the house, pretending I hadn't heard a thing.

Jaxon emerged from Sienna's room, the mingled, possessive scent of their Scent-sharing still hanging in the air. He said, a little awkwardly, "Sienna's not feeling well. I was just comforting her."

In my past life, I would have immediately started a huge fight with him. Their excessive intimacy was unbearable, and I argued with him every time I sensed it.

This time, however, I just gave a noncommittal hum and turned toward my room. A flicker of surprise crossed Jaxon's face, as if he hadn't expected me to be so calm.

"Alina," he called after me.

After a long moment, he spoke hesitantly, "If you want, we can have a simple bonding ceremony here at the family manor."

I was surprised. He had never offered this in my previous life. It must have been his awkward attempt to compensate me for not causing a scene.

I calmly shook my head, rejecting his offer. "We don't need a ceremony. We can bond anytime."

He froze, clearly not expecting me to refuse.

"Alina, are you still mad that Jaxon left you to come back and take care of me?" Sienna came out of her room, looking at me with a pitiful expression.

She was wearing an exquisite veil on her head—the one I had prepared for my bonding ceremony, the Blackwell family's heirloom "Moon-Weave Veil." I had spent a long time repairing the fine tears in it and hadn't even had the chance to wear it myself.

Seeing my gaze, Sienna hurriedly explained, "I saw this beautiful veil by your bed and couldn't resist trying it on. I just forgot to take it off. You're not mad, are you, Alina?"

Jaxon instinctively started to say, "Alina, don't…"

I cut him off calmly. "It's fine. It looks beautiful on you. Keep it. I won't be needing it anyway."

Ignoring their stunned expressions, I returned to my room and locked the door.

I began to silently pack my bags. It was my dream to study at the Eastern Werewolf Music Academy. In my past life, I'd sacrificed that dream for Jaxon, giving up everything for this family.

Fortunately, it wasn't too late. I just wanted to live for myself.

I could leave in three days. I had to get everything packed quickly, because I had no intention of ever returning to this place.

Suddenly, a knock on the door broke the silence. After a long moment, I reluctantly went to open it.

"What took you so long? Come down for dinner. I had the chef make your favorite roasted lamb chops."

"No, thanks. I already ate."

"That's impossible. You're too frugal to waste money eating out."

A familiar ache bloomed in my chest. In the past, I saved every penny to buy him gifts, but every carefully chosen present ended up in Sienna's hands.

Jaxon looked at me, a complicated expression on his face, then his gaze fell on the luggage I was packing.

"I'm planning to take Sienna to the West Coast first. You don't need to pack."

I didn't stop, just nodded lightly. My detachment seemed to unsettle him.

"What's wrong with you? You're acting like a completely different person."

My hands paused for a moment, and I forced a stiff smile. "It's nothing. I'm just packing a few things. After you leave for the West Coast, I'm planning to move back to my old apartment."

After our parents died, Sienna and I had lived with the Blackwells. Our original apartment had been vacant all this time.

He let out a sigh of relief and explained, "It's not that I don't want you to come. It's just that Sienna has never seen the scenery there and wants to go. I'll come back for you in a few months."

I nodded distractedly. In my past life, he never came back for me—not for ten years. He only came crawling back, heartbroken, after Sienna got together with a Western Alpha.

Jaxon stole a few glances at me, clearly uncomfortable with my silence.

"Didn't you always want to get some photos taken? Let's go tomorrow," he said suddenly, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

I looked up in surprise, then refused. "Let's not. It's a waste of money."

I was planning to buy some musical instrument accessories for college tomorrow. I didn't have time for such a meaningless activity.

Jaxon frowned, his displeasure obvious. "We can afford to take some photos, Alina. You don't have to be so frugal."

Just then, Sienna walked in, linking her arm intimately with Jaxon's. "What are you guys talking about? Photos? I want to take pretty pictures too!"

Jaxon smiled and ruffled her hair. "Of course. We'll all go together tomorrow."

I wanted to refuse again, but Jaxon cut me off firmly. "There's nothing more important than taking mate photos. It's settled."

Sienna chimed in, fanning the flames. "Alina, you're not refusing just because of me, are you?"

I didn't want to argue, so I reluctantly agreed.

Early the next morning, I heard Sienna's cheerful laughter. She was wearing the "Moon-Weave Veil" I had given her, chattering away as she leaned against Jaxon.

Jaxon, dressed in a handsome suit, smiled down at her, the adoration in his eyes impossible to hide. They looked like the very picture of a happy couple in love.

I turned to look at the calendar on the wall. The red circle was a stark reminder: two days left.

In two days, I would be free of this miserable life.

I waited silently by the door. They took their time before finally emerging.

Jaxon carefully adjusted the hem of Sienna's dress. I smiled bitterly and looked away.

What had made me believe that after becoming Jaxon's mate, he would treat me with the same tenderness? That special treatment was reserved only for Sienna.

As I was lost in thought, Jaxon walked up to me, blushing slightly as he handed me a ring.

"My second told me rings could symbolize our bond. So… I had one made for you."

I stared blankly at the ring. In my past life, I had never received a gift with such meaning.

When Sienna saw the ring, her face fell. "What a beautiful ring! I want one too!" she whined.

I held the ring out to her. "If you like it, take it."

Jaxon's face immediately darkened. "Stop fooling around! That's our mate ring!"

Sienna snatched the ring, slipped it on, and waggled her finger smugly.

Looking helpless, Jaxon could only give an indulgent nod. Then he said to me guiltily, "I'll make you a new one next time."

I nodded nonchalantly. He had never kept a single promise to me, but what did it matter now?

I no longer cared.