I did not know when I lost consciousness.When I finally woke up,I was already inside the healer hall.
My mother kept complaining beside me.
"You just went through surgery,and he still left for pack duties?Darion is truly unbelievable!"
"Mom,stop worrying.I'm alright now,aren't I?"
"Darion has always been like this.His entire heart belongs to moon research and ancient wolf magic.So serious and devoted.That was what made you fall for him in the first place."
Back then,I was still making excuses for him,forgetting that I was the one lying sick in bed,the one being ignored and abandoned.
Pain tightened around my heart like claws crushing everything inside my chest.
I slowly walked toward the ice chest and took out the mooncake I had bought for myself.
I blew out the candles alone.The sweetness of the cake mixed with the bitterness of my tears as I swallowed both together.
From this day onward,I would place my own feelings first.Always.
A birthday.
And a completely new beginning.
The next morning,I woke up and discovered Darion's hidden moon journal had been updated during the late hours of the night for the first time in four years.
“After all this time,you are still the only one who can stir my wolf's heart.”
The picture beneath the words showed Briona asleep peacefully with her eyes closed.
She was wrapped in the fur blanket I had left inside Darion's carriage.The healing crystal connected to her arm rested carefully in his hand while he used his warmth to keep it from turning cold.
The woman looked peaceful while the man beside her looked gentle and attentive.They truly looked perfect together.
If only that man had not been my mate…
I swallowed the pain rising inside my chest and took a carriage toward the kingdom office to apply for my travel permit and overseas residency seal.
This assignment beyond the sea would keep me away from the werewolf kingdoms for a very long time.I likely would not return anytime soon.
Before leaving these lands,I planned to settle every remaining matter completely,including ending my mate bond with Darion.
Inside the carriage,a message crystal suddenly lit up.
I'll be traveling overseas for a week soon.There will be an exchange meeting with another moon research tower.
I glanced at the message before putting the crystal away without replying.
When I arrived at the permit hall,I saw them through the glass doors.
Darion and Briona.
They kept a careful distance between them,never touching each other openly.Yet their eyes continued searching for one another,and every glance carried emotions too deep to hide.
My fists tightened as I forced myself to stay calm,but something bitter and burning spread through my chest.Before I realized it,my feet had already moved closer.
"Darion,your research tower is already busy enough.You truly don't need to accompany me to Whisperpine Territory."
My breathing stopped for a moment before I heard Darion answer softly.
"Watching the Aurora Moonlights together was a promise I made to you long ago.Back then,I lacked the power and status to fulfill it.Now I finally can.Why would I not keep that promise?"
"Briona,once this journey ends,I will return to being a proper mate and Alpha.Don’t worry."
A sharp pain pierced through my chest instantly.Every word cut into me again and again like silver blades.
When we first completed our mating ceremony,I had once made the same request.
"Darion,look at these pictures.The Aurora Moonlights in Whisperpine are so beautiful.Let's go there for our bonding journey."
He had gone still for a second before rejecting me immediately.
"No.Whisperpine is too far from the pack territories.I cannot leave my duties for that long."
I had pulled on his sleeve while trying to persuade him playfully,but all I received was his sudden anger.
"I already said no,Isara!Choose another place,or we cancel the bonding journey completely."
So it was never because Whisperpine was too far away.It was never because he could not leave work behind.
The truth was simple.
The person Darion wanted to watch the Aurora Moonlights with had always been someone else.
A silent laugh escaped me as I wiped away the cold tears on my cheeks.
Good.
One week was more than enough time for me to finish everything.
By the time I walked out with my travel permit and residency seal,the sky above the territory had already turned dark.
I returned home by carriage and saw Darion and Briona standing downstairs.
Briona seemed ready to leave,yet Darion still held onto her arm while the two stood close together beneath the moonlight.
