"Are you sure you want to do this?" The person asked from the other end, "You betrayed your family, went against the whole pack and degraded your own bloodline just to be with Julian."
"My decision is final, Lucian." I replied, my voice never as confident as this.
"Alright. Taking you out under Julian's eyes is not easy. Give me two days. After that, you would have no choice, Bella."
"Even if the blood flows like a river in Scarlett Moon Pack, I'll have you with me."
After throwing out these words, almost a threat, he disconnected our mind link. I stood still at my place for a long time before I finally decided what I needed to do next.
I hired a cab and went home. Julian still stayed at the Pack's infirmary, feeding medicine and keeping entertain to Liam.
He didn't find it necessary to stay with his wife or at least say a few comforting words to her after she lost her child because of his fault. He just didn't care.
However, these things didn't hurt me anymore. I simply didn't care.
The first thing I did after arriving home, was stripping off the photo frames of our wedding pictures from the wall of our bedroom.
Each and every piece of evidence that showed us happy and in love, was thrown into the trash.
The curtains I had chosen for our home to make it lively was changed into the plain old curtain he had put in his home before meeting me.
The furnitures I had bought to fill his empty and cold villa was now burnt to ashes and the decoration I had done for years to make our home look beautiful was all removed.
My legs trembled for a moment as I stepped inside Kael's room. A small but beautiful room I had designed myself because Julian had no time for Kael's needs as he was busy taking care of Elara's crippled son.
There laid the baseball in the corner of the room, Kael had me bought to play with his Dad, but never once did he get the time to play with him.
There was also a collection of music notes he wanted to play for his Dad, to see the appreciation in his eyes for him. But, the only listener and appreciater he had was me, his Mom.
My gaze moved to the bed. It was small, neatly made with a dinosaur-themed comforter.
I pulled back the covers. Nestled on the pillow was a faded, one-eyed teddy bear—his constant companion.
He had once told me, he would not share his teddy bear with anyone but his little brother if I give him one.
He really wanted a little brother and I could not give him.
I lifted it, burying my face in the soft, worn fur. It smelled faintly of child, of sleep, and of a lingering, sweet innocence.
A single, hot tear finally escaped, landing on the bear's matted ear. It was the only tear I allowed myself.
The task had to be completed. Every item—the brightly colored books on the shelf, the small, painted wooden truck, the pair of tiny sneakers near the door—was cataloged not by its worth, but by the weight of the memory attached.
The truck: His first birthday, the one Julian missed for a Pack meeting.
The books: The ones I read to him every night, whispering tales of brave wolves and powerful heroes, that Julian never witnessed.
The sneakers: The last pair he wore, the soles dirty from the final time we played hide-and-seek, just two days before he was bitten.
I wrapped up the memories of my son, playing and laughing in this house on a wooden box.
I picked up the box, the weight of Kael’s small life heavy in my arms, and carried it out. The mechanical voice, 'Kael is still critical. Can't say anything now.' still echoed in my head.
I did not throw the box into the trash heap with Julian's possessions. This box would travel with me. It was the only memory I intended to keep, a silent witness and the physical anchor of my vengeful purpose.
I placed the box near the front door, next to my small backpack containing only the bare essentials—documents, a change of clothes, and a hidden hunting knife. Everything was ready.
Julian's home, the house he had built and that I had briefly made a home, was now utterly purged of my existence and Kael's memory.
It was back to being Julian’s sterile, solitary villa—the perfect setting for the Alpha who prioritized appearance and comfort over love and life.
Just as I finished my business, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me. I did not need to turn back to know who it was.
Even now his each gesture, every sound he made was imprinted to my mind. It was Julian.
I could feel the utter shock in his eyes as he asked, sweeping his gaze over his empty house, "Bella... What is this? Where is everything gone?"
I finally turned back to look at him. My eyes red with the tears I shed earlier. He frowned and immediately walked to my side. "Bella, are you... okay?"
I felt a pang of hurt and rage at his words. But, I remained neutral.
"I'm okay, Julian." I said, "I just don't want to remember the past."
"It's all right, Bella." He said, his voice ever so gentle and caring as he pulled me in his embrace, "Do whatever you want if that helps you ease your heart."
I didn't push him this time. Neither did I hug him back. I only let him hug me. It was good that he did not doubt anything, not knowing that he was hugging me for the last time.
It was our final good-bye.
