I tried to keep my expression neutral, but my mind raced.
If he had seen the transfer letter, everything would fall apart. My plan would be over before it even began.
But, to my surprise, Branden’s next words had nothing to do with the letter.
“Did you see Quincy leave my room?” he asked, his tone unusually casual but with an undercurrent of tension.
Ah, so that was it. He wanted to know if I had caught them in the act.
I smiled innocently, feigning ignorance. “Oh, I just met her in the hallway. So, she was in your room just now?”
His shoulders stiffened, and his voice took on a defensive edge. “Yeah, there was something she needed to discuss.”
“Ah, I see,” I replied, my tone light and uninterested, though the fire of anger burned beneath my calm exterior.
Branden hesitated, his eyes searching mine. “You’re not jealous, right?” he asked, the question betraying his need for reassurance.
I smirked, letting a hint of bitterness seep into my voice. “If I were jealous, I would have broken our ties long ago, Branden. I’ve always known your friendship with Quincy was closer than most.”
His reaction was immediate. He shot up from his chair, his aura crackling with anger as his hand still gripped my wrist, preventing me from stepping back. “What did you say?”
His tone was sharp, his frustration palpable.
I could feel the air grow heavy, his presence imposing as he moved closer. His eyes bore into mine, and for a moment, I felt a pang of déjà vu.
That was too similar to the scene from the book—the one that was supposed to happen on his 20th birthday.
Had I accidentally sped up the story's timeline?
Branden’s voice was low, dangerous. “What makes you think you can talk like that?”
Before he could press me further, I pushed against his chest, forcing some distance between us. “I have to deliver these files soon, Branden,” I said, trying to sound indifferent.
He did not let me go so easily. “Then say sorry,” he demanded, his grip tightening slightly.
I paused, glaring at him. “For what?”
“For saying you would break our bond,” he snapped. “Never say that again. Do you understand?”
I stared back at him coldly, letting the tension hang in the air before responding flatly, “It depends.”
Then, without waiting for his reply, I yanked my hand free, took the file with me, and walked out of his office.
**
After returning to the academy teacher dormitory, I pulled out a blank journal. I needed to document everything I remembered about the original story, just in case my memories of the real world started to fade.
I scribbled furiously, listing every event, relationship, and detail I could recall. But as I wrote, one glaring issue became obvious, the maps.
The story never revealed any specifics about the geography or routes between packs.
I paused, frustration building as I muttered to myself, “Ugh, that makes me hate the story even more.”
Despite this setback, I did have one critical piece of information. It was the full name of Eleonor’s mother, Michelle Walsh, and her new husband, Arnold Orlando.
The book mentioned that Michelle had remarried Arnold, who was the uncle of the Alpha of the Whiteclaw Pack.
That connection gave me a glimmer of hope. If I could just reach the border gate and find someone who recognized those names, I might be able to get directions.
As I mulled over my plan, I did not realize how exhausted I was. At some point, I dozed off, my pen slipping from my hand.
When I woke up, sunlight was already streaming through the window. Panic set in as I realized I had overslept.
“Why do we have the same nature, Eleonor? We can’t wake up early,” I grumbled in annoyance as I rushed to pack my belongings.
It was the weekend, which gave me a perfect window to escape. I had originally planned to leave at dawn, but since I had woken up late, I decided it might be better to sneak out in the evening instead.
Once my bag was packed, I decided to jog to prepare for my upcoming escape. Running would likely be my only option once I crossed the pack’s borders, and I needed to ensure I was in good shape.
Luckily, in my real life, I had a habit of joining marathons, so I was no stranger to long-distance running.
“I hope your body can keep up with me, Eleonor,” I muttered, lacing up my shoes.
But as soon as I started running, I was stunned by how effortless it felt. My legs moved with precision, my breathing stayed steady, and I did not feel even the slightest bit tired.
“Uh? So, this is what it’s like to be a werewolf? It’s amazing to have a strong body and stamina.”
Selena chuckled in my mind. “Finally, you’re noticing the perks. But seriously, since yesterday, you’ve been talking to yourself a lot. It’s weird, Eleonor.”
I smirked, “Get used to it. I’ve got a lot to figure out.”
Then Selena’s tone shifted, becoming more serious. “But... I noticed something. You didn’t react much when I told you that our bond with Branden is weakening. Aren’t you upset? Or sad?”
I froze mid-stride, her words sinking in. She was right. Shouldn’t I be devastated by that?
“Are you sad?” I asked cautiously, curious about her feelings.
Selena seemed to pout in my mind. “Of course, I am. It’s not just Branden who’s attracted to Quincy—his wolf is too. And that hurts.”
“Oh.” I did not know what else to say. Her pain was clear, and it tugged at me.
But then an idea came to mind. Maybe I could offer her the same encouragement I was trying to give myself.
“You know, Selena,” I said gently, “if my mother could find a new mate after leaving my father, then I think we can too. Don’t you think? Let’s focus on the future instead of Branden. He doesn’t deserve us.”
Selena was silent for a moment, clearly surprised by my response. Then, her voice softened. “You’re right. If the Moon Goddess has another mate waiting for us, I’ll let you know the moment I sense him.”
“Deal,” I replied with a laugh, picking up my pace.
The rest of my jog was peaceful, my mind feeling clearer as I pushed aside thoughts of Branden and focused on my escape.
But that peace was short-lived.
As I reached the city hall, a large announcement board came into view. A group of pack members had gathered around it, murmuring to one another.
Curious, I approached to see what the commotion was about.
My heart sank as I read the notice, [To all Nightwalker Pack residents, movement outside pack borders is strictly prohibited during the Alpha’s banquet preparations. This restriction will remain in place until further notice.]
“What?” I whispered, disbelief washing over me.
