Allison’s POV
I stood there, still in front of the fireplace, watching the last of the photographs curl and blacken into nothing.
Ryan and Warren didn’t move.
They stood just a few paces away, tense as bowstrings, both of them looking at me like they wanted to scold me, drag the words right out of me — demand to know why.
But I only smiled faintly, the faintest lift of my lips, and let the ash settle where it fell.
“It’s just some pictures,” I said lightly, my tone almost teasing. “And a few old gifts. We can always take new ones later… if you want, you can even give me new gifts in the future.”
They blinked at me, surprised, and I tilted my head toward them. “It’s been a long time since we’ve gone on a proper trip, hasn’t it? Now we finally have a reason to make new memories.”
Ryan latched onto the idea immediately, his eyes softening as he stepped closer. “You’re right,” he said, his voice steady now. “We should plan something. A trip… somewhere far.”
Warren’s shoulders dropped as if he’d been holding his breath. “Yeah,” he said quickly. “That’s a good idea. A break from the usual. And this time…” He hesitated just a beat before adding, “…we should bring Trisha along. You know she’s never been able to vacation like that before. Not after what happened to her family.”
For a moment, my breath hitched in my chest.
I let out a faint laugh — bitter and sharp — though they couldn’t hear the thorns in it.
And they mistook it for agreement.
Both of them visibly relaxed, as though my little smile and that hollow laugh meant I’d forgiven them.
I didn’t correct them.
Ryan even gave me a small, relieved grin. Warren ruffled his own hair and said softly, “Good. I hate when you’re mad at us.”
They stepped further into the room then, the tension draining from them like they’d passed some unspoken test.
But then they both froze. Their eyes landed on the stacked suitcases by the wall — neat and ready, like soldiers waiting for orders.
Those hadn’t been there this morning.
They spoke at the same time. “What’s that?”
I followed their gaze and then looked back at them, my tone just as casual as before.
“Oh,” I said. “I quit being your father’s strategist. Change of career path. Something different this time.” The words hung there, heavy.
Ryan’s brow furrowed deeply, and Warren’s jaw went slack as he stared at me. I could see the confusion in their eyes. I’d loved that job. Everyone knew it. I’d poured everything into it.
Why suddenly quit?
Why now?
They exchanged an uneasy glance, like two wolves who’ve caught the faintest scent of blood but can’t yet find the source.
Warren opened his mouth, clearly about to press me for more — but before he could, Ryan’s phone buzzed sharply in his pocket.
He snatched it up and answered, and the moment Trisha’s frantic voice came through, I knew what was coming. It was on loudspeaker — I could hear every soft, pitiful note of it.
“Ry… I don’t feel good. My wolf isn’t responding… I’m so scared. What should I do?”
I didn’t even look at them, but I heard the way Warren’s breath caught. He didn’t even wait for Ryan to answer. He shifted on the spot, fur rippling through his skin as his wolf form erupted out of him. He growled low, and then barked out —
“Don’t be afraid, Trisha! I’m coming right now!”
Ryan’s eyes darted to me briefly, his expression conflicted, but only for a second.
Then he shifted too, his golden fur catching the light of the dying fire.
They bolted out the door together, leaving nothing but pawprints and the faint scent of their wolves in the room behind them.
Neither of them spared me more than a passing glance. I stayed there, still as stone, staring at the doorway long after they’d gone.
When my phone rang, I already knew who it was before I saw his name.
I answered, pressing the screen to my ear.
“Allison,” Alpha Caden said, his deep voice somber. “I found your letter on my desk.”
I closed my eyes and sat on the arm of the couch, letting the quiet settle between us.
“You’ve always done good work here,” he continued. “You’ve kept my pack safe. And you never once asked for more than what you needed. So tell me… what happened? Why are you quitting?”
I drew in a slow breath, the words coming out steady.
“It’s time, Alpha,” I murmured. “It’s time for me to stop running from who I am… and go back to face it. Back to Plum Blossom. Back to… my duty.”
I didn’t mention the marriage.
Not yet.
“You’re really leaving?” His voice sounded heavy, tired. “So soon? Do Ryan and Warren know?”
“They don’t,” I admitted quietly. “And please… help me keep it a secret. At least for now. I don’t want to cause more trouble.”
He sighed — a long, resigned sound that reminded me just how old he really was.
“You know how those two feel about you, Allison. Everyone always thought you’d pick one of them in the end.”
I smiled faintly, though there was no joy in it.
“There’s nothing to pity, Alpha,” I said softly. “You know what I am. What I’ll always be. No Alpha would truly want someone like me at his side. And as for my fated mate…”
I let the words fade.
We both knew that was a dream long dead. He didn’t try to persuade me anymore.
“Come see me before you go,” he said finally. “We may not see each other again for a long time.”
“I will,” I promised.
Before we hung up, he added one more thing.
“You’ve earned more than my respect these past few years. Consider this a small gesture of thanks — your award for your service will be delivered this afternoon. Don’t refuse it.”
I smiled faintly again, though he couldn’t see it.
“I won’t.”
When the knock came later that afternoon, I expected a courier, perhaps one of the pack messengers.
But when I opened the door… Trisha stood there, holding the award meant for me.
