Before leaving, I applied to a music academy on the East Coast. Only after confirming all the admission requirements and fees did I return home with a peaceful heart.
Returning to the Blackwell family manor, I had just set foot in the garden when I heard Sienna's plaintive voice.
"Jaxon, will Alina be mad that you left her to come back and be with me?"
"No, Alina is obedient. She won't make a fuss. Your emotions have been unstable lately, and I was worried about you being home alone."
Sienna giggled shyly, then her voice quickly turned crestfallen. "After you and Alina become mates, will you still be this good to me?"
Jaxon answered without hesitation, "Of course. I'll always put you first."
After a pause, he added, "If Alina ever upsets you, I'll sever the mate bond with her."
I bit my lip, hard, to keep from crying out. Even though I'd been reborn, hearing my former mate speak such heartless words still felt like a blade twisting in my heart.
I took a deep breath, suppressed the sorrow, and walked into the house, pretending I hadn't heard a thing.
Jaxon emerged from Sienna's room, the mingled, possessive scent of their Scent-sharing still hanging in the air. He said, a little awkwardly, "Sienna's not feeling well. I was just comforting her."
In my past life, I would have immediately started a huge fight with him. Their excessive intimacy was unbearable, and I argued with him every time I sensed it.
This time, however, I just gave a noncommittal hum and turned toward my room. A flicker of surprise crossed Jaxon's face, as if he hadn't expected me to be so calm.
"Alina," he called after me.
After a long moment, he spoke hesitantly, "If you want, we can have a simple bonding ceremony here at the family manor."
I was surprised. He had never offered this in my previous life. It must have been his awkward attempt to compensate me for not causing a scene.
I calmly shook my head, rejecting his offer. "We don't need a ceremony. We can bond anytime."
He froze, clearly not expecting me to refuse.
"Alina, are you still mad that Jaxon left you to come back and take care of me?" Sienna came out of her room, looking at me with a pitiful expression.
She was wearing an exquisite veil on her head—the one I had prepared for my bonding ceremony, the Blackwell family's heirloom "Moon-Weave Veil." I had spent a long time repairing the fine tears in it and hadn't even had the chance to wear it myself.
Seeing my gaze, Sienna hurriedly explained, "I saw this beautiful veil by your bed and couldn't resist trying it on. I just forgot to take it off. You're not mad, are you, Alina?"
Jaxon instinctively started to say, "Alina, don't…"
I cut him off calmly. "It's fine. It looks beautiful on you. Keep it. I won't be needing it anyway."
Ignoring their stunned expressions, I returned to my room and locked the door.
I began to silently pack my bags. It was my dream to study at the Eastern Werewolf Music Academy. In my past life, I'd sacrificed that dream for Jaxon, giving up everything for this family.
Fortunately, it wasn't too late. I just wanted to live for myself.
I could leave in three days. I had to get everything packed quickly, because I had no intention of ever returning to this place.
Suddenly, a knock on the door broke the silence. After a long moment, I reluctantly went to open it.
"What took you so long? Come down for dinner. I had the chef make your favorite roasted lamb chops."
"No, thanks. I already ate."
"That's impossible. You're too frugal to waste money eating out."
A familiar ache bloomed in my chest. In the past, I saved every penny to buy him gifts, but every carefully chosen present ended up in Sienna's hands.
