Chapter 3

"Take it. It's a gift from your father."

As soon as I finished speaking, Luke's eyes lit up.

Clutching one piece of the cake, he scampered back to his room.

I watched him disappear down the hallway before lowering my head and continuing to pack.

Silas stood beside me in silence for a long time.

"About Luke calling me Alpha today–"

I paused for a moment as I looked up at him.

Silas bent forward and placed the cream cake in front of me. There was an unusual look of guilt in his eyes.

"Elena, I know you're upset. You're upset because I've been spending so much time taking care of Julia and Aiden instead of you and Luke."

He took my hand and pressed it against his chest.

"But I swear, I feel nothing for Julia except responsibility.

"She lost her mate and has been struggling to raise her pup alone. As an Alpha, I can't just stand by and do nothing.

"Just give me a little more time. I'll make sure they settle down somewhere else as soon as possible. After that, I'll never let you or Luke down again."

I stared at him and was momentarily dazed.

When was the last time Silas had looked at me so earnestly?

Perhaps it was the day of our marking ceremony when he held my hand tightly and vowed before our Moon Goddess, "Elena, I love you. I'll spend the rest of my life protecting you and our family."

Or perhaps it was the day Luke was born, when he carefully cradled our newborn pup in his arms, kissed my forehead with tears in his eyes, and whispered with a trembling voice, "Thank you, Elena. I'll never let either you or our pup suffer even the slightest hardship."

The memories felt like they belonged to another lifetime. After a long silence, I finally spoke.

"Actually, Silas–"

"Oh, right."

As if suddenly recalling something, Silas cut me off.

"Where's the game console you bought Luke? Is it in the study?

"Julia said Aiden has really been wanting one lately. Let's lend it to him for a few days."

Without waiting for an answer, Silas walked into the study.

Moments later, he came back with the game console in his arms, grabbed his car keys, and hurried out.

The estate's front gate closed behind him.

I stared quietly at the shut door. Only after a long while did I softly finish the sentence I'd never had the chance to say.

"Actually, Silas, Luke and I don't want you anymore."

There were only three days left before we left Silvermoon Pack for good.

At midnight, after finally finishing all the packing, I lay exhausted on the bed.

My phone lit up. It was a message from Silas.

[Aiden really liked the game console. I played with him all evening. Julia asked me to thank you.]

My mate was thanking me on another shewolf's behalf.

I smiled. I didn't even have the energy to be angry anymore.

After all, it was already over between us.

I calmly replied to his message.

[You don't have to thank me. That game console was never meant for Aiden.]

[It was Luke's reward for coming in first place in his class.]

[He waited three months, hoping you'd play it with him.]

After sending the messages, I switched off my phone, tossed it aside, and closed my eyes to sleep.