“Congratulations. You have been chosen to study Fine Arts with our academy. We will be expecting you in Melbourne in one month.”
I leaned back against the wooden chair, letting out a long, steady breath. The words on the screen blurred for a moment as memories of my graduation day crept back into my mind.
That day, when every she-wolf was supposed to be surrounded by her pack—by the one who claimed her—my boyfriend, Kael Blackthorne, hadn’t been there.
Instead of standing proudly at my side, instead of watching me cross the stage as my supposed Alpha-to-be, he was halfway across the world, basking under the Bali sun like nothing important was happening.
In his place came flowers… and an envelope filled with cash. As if money could replace presence. As if that could replace a mate’s duty.
Whenever I tried to confront him, he would brush it aside so easily.
“Railey, it’s only graduation,” he would say. “I had a very important meeting with a client in Bali. You should understand.”
Understand.
The word felt like poison on my tongue. I had spent years adjusting, forgiving, excusing him like a loyal she-wolf waiting for her Alpha to finally claim her properly.
But not anymore.
Last night, I saw Selara’s Instagram post. She was still in Bali. Still with Kael. Still smiling.
It wasn’t just the two of them in the pictures—but on the third slide, my chest tightened.
Selara sat on Kael’s lap, her arms looped around his shoulders, her lips pressed to his in a kiss that was anything but friendly. It wasn’t light. It wasn’t harmless.
It was territorial.
Kael’s hands gripped her waist possessively, like she belonged to him. Like he was marking her. And even through his swim shorts, his reaction to her was obvious.
So that was his “important meeting.”
I had always known about Selara Duskfang. His childhood sweetheart. The she-wolf who lingered around him like a shadow that refused to fade.
Every time I questioned it, they would laugh.
“We’re just friends, Railey.”
And like a fool, I believed them for three years.
Not anymore.
Right then and there, I decided I would never tell Kael about my acceptance. He didn’t deserve to know. He had no claim over my future, not anymore.
After all, during my graduation, the only one who stood proudly in the crowd—eyes glistening as I stepped onto the stage—was my mother.
Only she deserved to hear my decision.
I set my phone down and turned toward her. She had just placed a plate of warm cookies on the table, the scent filling the air.
“You still remember the Ashclaw pack, don’t you?” she asked casually, nudging the plate toward me.
I picked up a cookie, pausing for a moment before answering, “Yes, of course I remember them.”
“Good,” she said with a satisfied smile. “They’ll be taking care of you in Melbourne.”
I blinked, confused. “Wait… what do you mean?”
“You are not staying alone, Railey,” she said firmly. “I will only feel at ease if you stay with them. Besides, you and Ronan grew up together. You used to run in the same territory when you were pups. There’s nothing to be shy about.”
Here we go again.
My mother had always found a way to bring up Ronan Ashclaw—as if the Moon Goddess herself had written our names side by side long before we were born.
“Mom, I was planning to rent a small studio apartment,” I said carefully. “It’s only for one year—”
“No, that will not do.” She waved my words away. “The Ashclaws are a respected pack. And Ronan is a strong young Alpha. Think of this as an opportunity to get to know your future mate before the Moon recognizes your bond.”
“Mom!” I nearly choked on my cookie.
She laughed, clearly enjoying my reaction. “What? It makes perfect sense. You were accepted into a university in Melbourne, and Ronan just happens to be there. Doesn’t that sound like fate? Like the Moon Goddess guiding you?”
I sighed and pressed my fingers to my temple. “Fine. But if Ronan and I don’t get along, please don’t bring this up again.”
“Alright, alright,” she said lightly, though the amusement in her eyes told me she didn’t take that seriously at all.
My mother didn’t even know I already had a boyfriend.
Kael had insisted we keep our relationship hidden while I was still in college. He promised that once I graduated, he would finally make things official—announce me as his Luna.
But he didn’t even show up on the day that mattered most.
What kind of Alpha breaks a promise like that?
That evening, when I returned home, I wasn’t expecting to walk into my own living room and feel like an outsider.
Kael and Selara were already there, laughing together like a perfectly mated pair.
Kael’s arm was draped around her waist, his hand resting on her hip as if it belonged there. The familiarity of it—the ease—made something twist painfully inside me.
Selara was packing a suitcase, pretending not to notice his touch, but the intimacy between them was undeniable.
“Railey, you’re finally back,” Kael greeted brightly, as if nothing was wrong.
He quickly pulled his arm away from Selara and walked toward me, calm and practiced—as if I hadn’t just seen everything.
Selara smiled sweetly. “I just dropped by to bring some souvenirs. We packed everything in one suitcase to save space. You don’t mind, do you, Railey?”
Her tone was so light. So innocent. As if she wasn’t standing in my home, touching my boyfriend, acting like she had every right.
I looked straight at her, my expression blank. “Do whatever you want.”
Kael didn’t even react to my cold tone. “You must be tired,” he said smoothly. “Go rest first. I’ll help Selara finish up.”
Selara added quickly, “Yes, don’t worry. I’ll leave once we’re done.” Her voice carried that soft, guilty sweetness—as if she was the considerate one.
I exhaled slowly, keeping my face unreadable. “Take your time,” I said, colder than before.
Then I turned away and walked into the bedroom, closing the door behind me.
But even with the door shut, I could still hear them.
Their laughter. Their teasing. Their closeness.
Selara’s giggle floated through the air. “Stop it, Kael. It’s already late. I should finish quickly so I don’t disturb Railey.”
Kael chuckled. “Alright, alright. Just don’t take my underwear as a souvenir.”
“Kael!” she squealed, laughing.
They sounded so comfortable. So natural. Like two wolves who had already accepted each other as mates.
By the time Selara finally left, I had already gone to bed.
Not long after, the bedroom door creaked open. The mattress dipped as Kael climbed beside me.
“Railey,” he murmured, his hands sliding along my body like nothing had changed. “I brought you plenty of souvenirs. Want to see them?”
There was a time when his touch would have softened me, when my wolf would have responded to him instinctively.
But not tonight.
I pulled away, my body stiff.
Kael paused. “What’s wrong?” he asked, letting out a careless chuckle. “Is it your time of the month or something?”
I didn’t answer. I reached for my phone, unlocked it, and held the screen up to him.
His face went pale.
Then he forced a laugh. “Railey, come on. That was just a truth-or-dare game. You know how those things are.”
He leaned closer, his voice dropping into that coaxing tone. “Don’t be upset, baby. You know you’re the only one I—”
I didn’t let him finish.
I threw the blanket aside and stood up abruptly.
“I’m sleeping in another room,” I said coldly.
And I walked out.
He didn’t follow me.
Of course he didn’t.
I let out a bitter whisper to myself, “What was I even expecting?”
Kael had never been the type to chase unless it benefited him. In his mind, I was probably just being emotional—something that would pass by morning.
But deep down, I had always known the truth.
I had just been too loyal… too hopeful… too in love to accept it.
But it didn’t matter anymore.
In thirty days, I would leave his territory.
And this time, I wouldn’t come back.
