Chapter 6
I was yanked along, and as I glanced back at her, for a brief moment, I had the strange illusion that she actually cared about me.
I paused, waiting for her to say something, anything.
But in the next instant, she grabbed the trash from the maid and handed it to me.
Since you’re leaving, take this out,” she said flatly.
I scoffed, grabbed the trash and my luggage, and left the house,
After throwing the trash away, I stood in front of the packhouse, looking up at the place where I had spent countless days feeling unloved.
“L, Luciana Blackthorn, refuse to be a member of the Everbowl Pack,” I said aloud.
In that moment, it felt like something inside me that had been holding me back finally snapped.
I turned and walked away.
This time, no one stopped me
Not even Aldric’s muttered “Why aren’t you making a scene?” mattered
anymore.
Back Back at the training grounds, I switched my phone to airplane mode and secluded myself in the training area for a full thirteen days.
It wasn’t until the day before I was set to leave that I finished my training and walked out of the grounds.
The instant I turned on my phone, messages flooded in–family, Julian, and some of my friends.
I opened a message from a friend first. She was clearly furious, with nearly seventy or eighty messages, all cursing Julian and Vivienne
1 glanced at the picture she had sent: a screenshot from Vivienne’s Instagram.
It was a family portrait.
Mom and Dad, Aldric, Vivienne, and even Julian were in
He was standing next to Vivienne, staring at her with an intense look of affection, as if he were her knight in shining armor.
Vivienne’s caption read: “With my most beloved family.”
This move made my friend furious. She vented to me a lot, and even commented on Vivienne’s post.
“Though your sister isn’t in the picture. Funny how your sister’s mate takes better care of you than her.“”
I soothed her before checking other messages–all blaming me for the comment.
I apologized to each one, just as I was about to lock my screen, Aldric called.
“Luciana, what’s going on? Why haven’t we been able to reach you? Do you know how worried everyone has been these past few days?
Just as he finished, Vivienne’s bell–like laughter suddenly echoed in the background.
“Dad, Mo, Julian, come see this carousel! It’s amazing!”
They were at an amusement park
Lasked, “Were yo
you really that worried?”
Aldric froze, caught off guard. After a long pase, he said, “It’s just that we couldn’t get in touch with you. If you were around, you could have come too,”
“It’s all because of your friend. Vivienne cried for hours because of your friend! We’re just cheering her up!”
“I’ve already apologized”
Aldric fell silent, seemingly unsure of what to say next,
After a long while, he finally muttered, “I guess you’ve really learned your lesson.”
The next second, Julian snatched the phone from Aldric.
His deep voice came through, tinged with anger.
Luciana, did you tell your friend to leave those comments? Why is your thinking so twisted?
D
Dreame D
“I’ve told you countless times, Vivienne is your sister, and I’m just taking care of her as her mate, that’s all.”
“You should know, your whole family has been doing this. I know you think everyone loves Vivienne more than you, and you’re jealous of her, but that’s not her fault. You need to reflect on why no one likes you!”
Hearing his words, I clenched the phone tightly in my hand.
After becoming mates with Julian, I had confided in him about some family matters. At that time, he had promised me that he would always favor me
Now, he was telling me to reflect on myself.
But I wasn’t upset.
A few days ago, I’d learned the truth–Julian only pretended to be my mate to stay close to her.
Although Julian’s mate was supposed to be me, the one he truly loved had never been me. He had wanted to reject me, but for the sake of the Alpha position, he had just been putting on a show.
Once the show was over, he would be free to stay by the side of the one he loved, to protect and pamper her forever.
What I had thought was destiny was, in reality, just a play they had staged together.
Sometimes, I wanted to ask why, but there was no need.
Not being loved was just that–no reason, no explanation, whether in family or love.
I heard Julian’s frantic apologies on the other end of the line. It seemed like he had realized his words were inappropriate.
But it didn’t matter. I no longer cared.
I glanced at the train ticket Luna Roxan had sent me, then quietly spoke.
“Julian, 1, Luciana Blackthorn, reject you, Julian Langford, Beta of the Everhowl Pack, to be my mate.”
My wolf let out a mournful howl, and I could feel something inside me snap.
Although it was painful, I felt a sense of relief.
I didn’t want to be a tool for anyone anymore.
I was leaving
