(Marisel’s POV)
This kind of unfair treatment had already become normal ever since Frista returned to my life.
Trevian bought her expensive enchanted bags and rare moonstone watches, yet he forgot my birthday completely.
Because she had been insulted during a banquet, he broke his own rules for the first time and canceled an alliance that had taken months to build.
He even declared hostility against a powerful foreign pack just to protect her pride.
Meanwhile, I wandered through my brother’s funeral like an empty shell.
After scattering his ashes into the Moon Tide Sea, just as he wished, I finally received Trevian’s so-called reply.
Seven whole days had passed since the last time he hung up on me.
“Marisel, do not worry. A healer from the western kingdoms is already on the way. As for the healing resources that were redirected, I still urgently need them right now. Wait a little longer.”
Hearing his serious yet hollow tone, I laughed while tears ran down my face.
“You used an enormous amount of sacred herbs and moon healers just to save a useless animal. That’s what you call urgent?”
The bond stone fell silent except for the sound of his heavy breathing.
“Marisel, do not speak like that. Marcellus is my brother too. How could I not care about him?”
Yes.
Back then, when we were poor and struggling in the lower territories, Trevian used to secretly fight in underground wolf arenas just to buy one bottle of medicine for my brother.
But when Marcellus truly needed him the most, all he could tell me was to wait a little longer.
Just after he spoke, a bright female voice sounded from the other side.
“Trevian, the kittens finally opened their eyes! Come quickly!”
Footsteps echoed through the call. He was probably walking somewhere quieter. But I had already heard enough.Both the things I should have heard and the things I never wanted to hear.
“You don’t need to explain anymore.”
I cut him off before another one of his fake excuses could leave his mouth and ended the call.
Back in my chamber, I took out the locked separation agreement.
When we completed our mating ceremony, Trevian had signed it himself before placing it into my hands.
“You will always have the right to leave me.”
At that time, I laughed at his fear, believing that document would never be used. But now, that same agreement became the courage I needed to walk away.
I signed my name calmly.
Through special pack channels, the severing certificate would be completed within twenty days.
After sending the documents away, I finally returned to the old rental cottage where I once lived. Many of my brother’s belongings were still there. The dead should at least leave something behind for the living to remember.
What I did not expect was to see Trevian’s exclusive black moon carriage parked outside. I froze and almost stepped forward, until I noticed the carriage moving strangely. Disgust twisted violently inside my stomach.
When the carriage door finally opened, I quickly hid inside the alley like a guilty pup.
Inside, I saw Frista.
Her robes were messy, and she complained softly about wanting to get out.
Trevian’s cold voice ordered her to wait. Only after fastening the buttons across her exposed chest did he finally allow her to step down.
To keep her shoes from touching the dirty rainwater, he even removed his cloak and spread it across the ground for her.
Holding tightly onto his arm, Frista pouted. “Why did you bring me to a place like this?”
He rubbed her hair gently, full of indulgence. “Didn’t you say you wanted your own business within the territory? This old district will soon be rebuilt by the Silverthorne Pack. Once reconstruction begins, the profit will be enormous.”
Excited, Frista stood on her toes and kissed his lips.
But this so-called old district was more than broken buildings to me. It held seven winters of memories. It held my entire life with him.
And yet, to make Frista happy, Trevian never even mentioned the reconstruction plans to me. If I had not returned today, I might not even have been able to keep my brother’s belongings.
A sharp pain spread through my chest, as if the cold wind had ripped my heart wide open.
I turned around, desperate to escape. But beneath my foot, a plastic bottle cracked loudly.
The sharp sound echoed through the narrow alley and interrupted their embrace.
