Without another word, he grabbed his keys and rushed out the door.
He didn’t even look back.
I stood there, the weight of everything crushing me. This was the man I had wasted ten years on—a man who would always choose someone else.
“Damon!” I called after him, my voice trembling with anger, “are you serious right now?”
“I’ll explain later,” he said over his shoulder, already halfway out the door.
The door slammed shut behind him, leaving me standing there, alone. Again.
I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. There was nothing left to explain.
That night, I called my aunt.
“Aunt Lydia, I just wanted to thank you for everything over the years. I’ll be leaving soon.”
“Leaving? Where are you going?”
“I’m getting married,” I said simply.
“To Damon?” she asked, her tone hopeful.
“No,” I said firmly. “It’s an arranged match. Someone from another pack.”
She was silent for a moment before speaking softly. “Are you sure about this?”
“I’m sure.” My voice didn’t waver. “Damon and I have been stuck in this gray area for ten years. It’s time for me to move forward.”
Her sigh was heavy with emotion, but she didn’t argue. “If that’s what you want, then I support you.”
That night, I set a countdown on my phone: five days until the wedding.
The next morning, I finalized everything with my Dad. By evening, a truckload of gifts arrived at my aunt’s house as a thank-you for all she had done for me.
Damon and Serena walked side by side, carrying bags filled with books and office supplies. From where I stood, they looked exactly like a young couple preparing to start a new project together. Serena’s laughter echoed faintly as she nudged Damon with her shoulder, her delicate figure trailing closely behind him.
I clenched my fists at my sides and turned my attention to Aunt Lydia, who had come down to greet me.
“Dad sent over some gifts for you,” I said casually. “Make sure to check the expiration dates so nothing goes bad.”
Aunt Lydia opened her mouth, likely about to comment on Damon and Serena, but I cut her off. I didn’t want to hear it.
Damon noticed us and, for the first time in weeks, took the initiative to explain himself.
“Elara, don’t get the wrong idea,” he said, shifting awkwardly. “Serena’s old office was too far from the pack lands, so I helped her find a new workspace. I didn’t know it was near your aunt’s place.”
I didn’t even glance at him. “That’s none of my business. I’m here to deliver the stuff my Dad sent. We don’t know when we’ll be back, so she sent a lot.”
Hearing that, Damon visibly relaxed, relieved I wasn’t starting an argument.
“No problem,” he said lightly. “The Calastiral Territory isn’t far. Let me know whenever you want to visit.”
He still had no idea I wasn’t planning on coming back, and I had no intention of telling him.
Aunt Lydia frowned, glancing at Serena, who was now adjusting one of the bags in Damon’s hands. Her smile faltered when she noticed Aunt Lydia’s scrutinizing gaze, but she quickly recovered.
The four of us stood there in awkward silence until Serena spoke up, feigning exhaustion.
“Damon, this is so heavy. Can we take the elevator first? I’m getting tired.”
“Of course,” Damon said, turning to the delivery driver. “Hold off on bringing up the rest for now. We’ll go up first.”
I stepped aside without a word, letting them pass. Damon hesitated for a moment, maybe expecting me to protest, but when I didn’t, he hurried into the elevator with Serena.
As the doors closed, I couldn’t help but remember a time when I had been in her place. Back when Aunt Lydia first moved, Damon had been just as attentive to me—carrying my bags, setting up my things, smiling as he called me the “future lady of the house.”
Watching them now felt like looking at a version of myself I barely recognized anymore.
Aunt Lydia sighed beside me, breaking my thoughts. “Are you really okay with this?”
“There’s no misunderstanding,” I said flatly. “He’s never let one stay overnight. If he hasn’t explained, then it’s because there’s nothing to explain.”
She studied me for a moment, her expression unreadable, before nodding.
I delivered the gifts to Aunt Lydia and said my goodbyes, but Damon and Serena were still upstairs. Out of courtesy—maybe out of habit—I sent him a quick message asking when he’d be back.
His response came almost instantly, but it wasn’t a text. It was a voice message.
“Elara,” Serena’s sweet voice chimed in, “Damon’s helping me unpack some equipment and set up my new office space. It’s a lot of work, and there’s so much to do. Don’t wait up, okay?”
I stared at my phone, unsure if I wanted to laugh or cry.
Then another message popped up.
“By the way, don’t overthink this,” Serena added. “Damon just felt sorry for me because I’m new here and don’t know anyone. He’s just being a good Alpha-in-training. You understand, right?”
My chest tightened, but I refused to let it show. Without replying, I closed the app and called a cab.
As I gazed out the window during the ride home, Damon called me. I debated ignoring it but picked up, curious what he’d say.
