cold, cheap jerky in the dead of night. I wouldn’t have to endure Luna Anya’s scornful looks or the nobles‘ bullying.
Most importantly—
I could finally let go of the part of me that stubbornly loved him, that craved his warmth.
The next day, around noon, I picked up my new passport and visa.
When I got back to the storage room, I saw Eric and Gianna talking in the middle of the main hall. A few Beta servants were carrying luggage to a guest room.
They both looked up when I came in.
Eric quickly hid the emotion in his eyes and started to explain, “Gianna’s parents are visiting Philadelphia. She felt uneasy staying home alone, so she’s staying here for a while. Dark Moon and Thunder Ridge are old allies; it’s my duty to look after her.”
He didn’t really need to explain anything to me.
Because starting today, there was nothing between us anymore.
I nodded, turned, and went upstairs, my steps lighter than before.
“Oh, by the way,” Gianna suddenly called out, her voice sweet as honey laced with poison, “there’s a Moon Goddess ceremony later. Eric and I are planning to attend. Would Miss Sera like to join us?”
Before I could answer, Eric replied for me, “Her hand is still injured. She should rest at the villa. Besides, she wouldn’t understand these rituals
anyway.”
I stopped, turned, and managed a pale smile. “Yes, I wouldn’t understand.”
Not long after they left, Ifinished packing my things. It was just one small bag with the few clothes I owned.
I stood in the middle of the room, looking at this place that had once held so many of my hopes. Now, it was just cold.
In the corner, there was still that little wooden wolf carving. Eric had carved it for me bit by bit when he had amnesia, saying it would protect me from harm.
I gently touched its surface, then shoved it deep under the bed.
I walked to the door, placed the insignia Eric had given me on the small table in the entryway, and then softly closed the door.
Three years ago, on a blizzard–ravaged night, I found a werewolf covered in blood at my apartment door. It was like finding a dim moon that warmed my lonely life.
Three years later, today, I left silently with my small, shabby bag.
The lights of the manor behind me gradually dimmed, as if that moon had never briefly shone in my life at all.
