Jaxon looked at me, a complicated expression on his face, then his gaze fell on the luggage I was packing.
"I'm planning to take Sienna to the West Coast first. You don't need to pack."
I didn't stop, just nodded lightly. My detachment seemed to unsettle him.
"What's wrong with you? You're acting like a completely different person."
My hands paused for a moment, and I forced a stiff smile. "It's nothing. I'm just packing a few things. After you leave for the West Coast, I'm planning to move back to my old apartment."
After our parents died, Sienna and I had lived with the Blackwells. Our original apartment had been vacant all this time.
He let out a sigh of relief and explained, "It's not that I don't want you to come. It's just that Sienna has never seen the scenery there and wants to go. I'll come back for you in a few months."
I nodded distractedly. In my past life, he never came back for me—not for ten years. He only came crawling back, heartbroken, after Sienna got together with a Western Alpha.
Jaxon stole a few glances at me, clearly uncomfortable with my silence.
"Didn't you always want to get some photos taken? Let's go tomorrow," he said suddenly, breaking the awkward atmosphere.
I looked up in surprise, then refused. "Let's not. It's a waste of money."
I was planning to buy some musical instrument accessories for college tomorrow. I didn't have time for such a meaningless activity.
Jaxon frowned, his displeasure obvious. "We can afford to take some photos, Alina. You don't have to be so frugal."
Just then, Sienna walked in, linking her arm intimately with Jaxon's. "What are you guys talking about? Photos? I want to take pretty pictures too!"
Jaxon smiled and ruffled her hair. "Of course. We'll all go together tomorrow."
I wanted to refuse again, but Jaxon cut me off firmly. "There's nothing more important than taking mate photos. It's settled."
Sienna chimed in, fanning the flames. "Alina, you're not refusing just because of me, are you?"
I didn't want to argue, so I reluctantly agreed.
Early the next morning, I heard Sienna's cheerful laughter. She was wearing the "Moon-Weave Veil" I had given her, chattering away as she leaned against Jaxon.
Jaxon, dressed in a handsome suit, smiled down at her, the adoration in his eyes impossible to hide. They looked like the very picture of a happy couple in love.
I turned to look at the calendar on the wall. The red circle was a stark reminder: two days left.
In two days, I would be free of this miserable life.
I waited silently by the door. They took their time before finally emerging.
Jaxon carefully adjusted the hem of Sienna's dress. I smiled bitterly and looked away.
What had made me believe that after becoming Jaxon's mate, he would treat me with the same tenderness? That special treatment was reserved only for Sienna.
As I was lost in thought, Jaxon walked up to me, blushing slightly as he handed me a ring.
"My second told me rings could symbolize our bond. So… I had one made for you."
I stared blankly at the ring. In my past life, I had never received a gift with such meaning.
When Sienna saw the ring, her face fell. "What a beautiful ring! I want one too!" she whined.
I held the ring out to her. "If you like it, take it."
Jaxon's face immediately darkened. "Stop fooling around! That's our mate ring!"
Sienna snatched the ring, slipped it on, and waggled her finger smugly.
Looking helpless, Jaxon could only give an indulgent nod. Then he said to me guiltily, "I'll make you a new one next time."
I nodded nonchalantly. He had never kept a single promise to me, but what did it matter now?
I no longer cared.
