After all, no matter how hurt I was in the past, I always waited for him to turn around.

He was used to me following him.

Everyone around him said Ivy could never live without him. Without an Alpha's protection, she would die.

He believed it too.

I grabbed my suitcases to leave.

Lila's soft voice chimed in, carrying the tone of a victor.

"Caleb, you're here."

She threw herself at him, clinging to his arm, pressing her body against his to rub her scent on him, marking her territory.

"Is the rash better?"

Caleb brushed the hair from her forehead, checking her skin gently, like he was inspecting a precious pup.

"Much better." Lila looked up, smiling. "Caleb, don't be mad at Ivy."

She shook his arm playfully.

"Actually, it's my fault for being useless. If I hadn't just shifted and been so weak, allergic to common herbs like Moonflower, the Council wouldn't have made us switch rooms."

"Then Ivy wouldn't have taken it out on me..."

"How is that your fault? She's small-minded. Like an uncivilized savage wolf."

Caleb glanced at me, then deliberately pulled Lila into his arms, releasing soothing pheromones.

"Let's go inside. You just recovered, don't catch a cold."

"Okay."

I watched them walk away, glued together.

My heart was like stagnant water. Not a single ripple. My wolf turned her back, refusing to watch the disgusting display.

After my mother's anniversary, my father never came to pick me up.

Caleb's full moon shift ceremony arrived in the blink of an eye.

In past years, I would have prepared herbs to soothe the Alpha's shift rage weeks in advance.

I would have organized the grandest feast and arranged the traditional rituals.

This time, I prepared nothing.

I wouldn't be celebrating him.

At 5:00 PM, I was in a car heading to the airport.

Messages started popping up on my phone.

My father was rushing me: "Why aren't you here? Linda, Lila, and I are already at the Pack House."

"Ivy, be the bigger person. Caleb is the future Alpha. We are allies."

"If you don't come, what will people think? They'll think there's conflict, and it hurts the family reputation."

I found it hilarious. I didn't type a single word. I blocked him.

As I prepared to board, I got a text.

From Caleb.

"Where are you? The whole Pack is waiting. My wolf is agitated. I need you to anchor me."

I smiled. I didn't reply. I blocked him and every contact method he had.

Then, I walked through the boarding gate and never looked back.