I Abandoned Alpha Crush

I fell in love with my brother's combat training instructor, the Alpha of the Stormfang Pack. He was very kind to me. I pursued him for eight years, thinking that he wanted me to be his mate. But he betrayed my sincerity, ignored my efforts, and even used my love to pursue his childhood sweetheart. Realizing the truth, I chose to leave. But he regretted it and did everything possible to win me back, but everything was too late by then. Chapter 1 I fell in love with my brother's combat training instructor, the Alpha of Stormfang Pack. He was six years older than me, so I crushed on him from a distance, careful with every stolen glance. One night, I couldn't resist. In the dim lighting of his apartment, I leaned in and kissed his sleeping form. I was about to run when his eyes suddenly flew open. He lazily lifted his eyelids. "Looking for a kissing lesson? Sorry, I'm not interested in little girls like you." My face burned crimson, but I gathered my courage. "So you think I'm too young? That's okay, I'll grow up!" He froze for a second, then broke into a smile. "Alright then, when you turn 22, if you still feel the same way, I'll think about it." My heart hammered against my ribs. From that day on, I stuck to him like glue until my 22nd birthday. When I rushed to him to claim his promise, I stopped dead when I heard a baby's cries coming from the private room. I watched in shock as Stormfang Pack's Alpha, Liam Blackwood, the right person I had secretly fallen in love with for six years, held a wailing child, trying to soothe it. His pack members surrounding him covered their ears, looking tortured. "Liam, you're brutal," one of them laughed. "To reject the girl, you actually hired a baby to pretend it's yours?" My mind went blank. "What else was I supposed to do?" Liam's voice was the lazy drawl I recognized so well. "She turned 22 today. Came to collect on my promise." "You really don't like Sera? The girl's beautiful, sweet, and completely devoted to you..." "It's not about whether I like her or not," Liam's voice suddenly dropped. "You all know who's always been in my heart." The room fell silent for a moment before erupting into understanding laughter. "Sylvia! No wonder... If I were you, I'd just ask her out. With your looks, who wouldn't fall for you? It's just that you overthink everything." "I've never known how to tell her. I was worried it would ruin our friendship. At this time, Sera, whom I could make use of, showed up. Everything worked out perfectly." A smile played on Liam's lips. "I told Sylvia about a persistent girl I couldn't get rid of. Asked her to be my fake mate for a while. Then I'll show up with her and this baby, and we'll pretend to have a mating ceremony. " "That way, Sera will finally give up, and I can get closer to Sylvia. Right after the ceremony, I'll propose to her for real." Hearing Liam's brilliant plan, the pack members murmured their approval, laughing and slapping their backs. In the midst of all the noise, no one noticed me standing outside the door. The cake box slipped from my hands, hitting the floor with a dull thud. I couldn't bring myself to push the door open. Tears streamed down my face as I turned and ran. The rain pounded outside as I sprinted, uncaring as it drenched my carefully chosen dress. So that's how it was. Liam never liked me. It was all just in my head. I was fourteen when I first fell for him. During a pup hiking mission in the mountain territory, I'd wandered too far from the group and stumbled into rogue wolf territory. Three rogues cornered me. I was too young to shift. I screamed for my brother Damine as the largest rogue lunged at me. Just when I thought it was over, Liam burst through the trees like an angel. His massive black wolf form tore into the rogues with deadly precision, sending them fleeing with their tails between their legs. Afterwards, as I sat bleeding and shaking against a tree trunk, Liam shifted back and knelt beside me. My eyes were swollen from crying and terror. He shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around my torn shirt, then handed me two chocolate bars from his pack. "Little crybaby, your nose is running," he chuckled softly, his voice gentle despite the teasing words. "Your brother is handling the other pups. Come on, I'll carry you back to the pack house." That day, I tasted the sweetest chocolate of my life and fell for someone for the first time. Because of my brother, Damine, I saw Liam almost daily. My teenage love bloomed like summer vines. I learned to make packed lunches, preparing extra portions for my brother to share at pack meetings, all just so Liam might taste my cooking. I found out everything about his preferences and carefully prepared all kinds of gifts. , giving them to him whenever there was an occasion. I turned down a scholarship abroad to stay in the Stormfang Pack territory, all just to wait until I turned 22... I waited eight years, believing that finally, my dream would come true. But today I learned that my feelings were just a burden to Liam. I don't know how long I ran before I finally calmed down. Shaking, I pulled out my phone and dialed my brother's number. "Damine," my voice choked, "I've thought about it. I'll go abroad for further studies. And that... good friend of yours you mentioned? I'd like to meet him." For years, everyone in our social circle knew I was pursuing Liam. My brother would watch me pine after him, always looking like he wanted to say something but held back. Then he'd subtly try to set me up with other wolves, hoping I'd finally give up on Liam. This good friend abroad was the 18th he'd introduced to me. My brother said this friend was tall and handsome, not a bit different from Liam. Since I studied design, studying abroad for a few years would be perfect... Now I realized he probably knew all along about Liam's feelings for Sylvia and was trying to get me to let go before I got hurt more. There was silence on the other end. "You... know everything?" I closed my eyes, rain mixing with tears on my face. "Does he really love Sylvia that much?" "...Yes." "Then I hope he gets his wish," I wiped my face. "And I'll do as he wishes. I won't love him anymore." Back home, I mechanically opened my suitcase and started packing clothes. My phone vibrated, the screen lighting up. [ Liam: Why didn't you come? ] I stared at the message for a long time until the second one appeared. [ Liam: Little girl, I have a mate now. We even have a child. We're having our mating ceremony soon. Stop loving me.] Then he sent two photos. One was of a tiny baby's foot, the other an elaborate mating ceremony invitation. I stared at the screen for what felt like an eternity before typing two words. [ Okay. ] After sending it, I threw my phone on the bed and pulled a metal box from the back of my drawer. Inside were movie tickets, amusement park passes, a basketball jersey I'd stolen from his locker, a doll he'd won for me at the pack festival... Eight years of memories all centered around Liam. I picked up the box, walked to the trash, and dumped everything without a second thought. Chapter 2 Meanwhile, Liam Blackwood stared at his phone screen, his brow furrowed. He'd expected me to cry or cause a scene, but he never imagined I would react with such calm. "What did she say?" one of his pack members leaned over, his eyes widening. "Just... just 'Okay'?" "That's not right," another rubbed his chin. "For a girl who was so infatuated with you, she wouldn't be this calm..." The ceremony site was confused, but then someone caught on, realization dawning on his face. "Damn, she must have been here earlier and overheard our conversation outside the door! She already knows the baby is fake and the ceremony is fake, that's why she's pretending to be so unbothered!" After their analysis, Liam's frown deepened. With my personality, after waiting all these years and learning he had someone else and even a child, I would definitely have made a huge scene. The only reason I was being so calm was that I must have discovered the truth and was playing hard to get, trying to make him chase her again. The pack members immediately agreed with this theory, offering their suggestions. "If that's the case, Alpha, you should keep up the act with Sylvia. This is a perfect opportunity to get closer to her. Anyway, the girl obviously hasn't given up yet. Once you two are actually together, she'll have no choice but to move on." "Exactly. What Sera thinks doesn't matter. What matters is that you should strike while the iron is hot and win over the heart of Sylvia. Once she's carrying your pup, all your problems will disappear." The pack was chatting excitedly when my brother, Damine, pushed through the door, his gaze locking directly on Liam. "Liam, step outside. We need to talk about Sera." Was I running to my brother to complain? Liam lazily lifted his eyes, about to speak, when his phone rang. "Liam? Are you free right now? Remember you said you needed to put on an act for your friend's little sister? I was thinking you could come with me to pick out some baby supplies. It would make the act more believable." Hearing Sylvia's gentle voice, Liam agreed without a second thought. He immediately stood up, leaving only one sentence for my brother. "Next time. I'm busy right now." "Just for a minute..." Seeing how eager he was, Damine tried to call him back, but a few pack members blocked his path. "Come on, Damine. Liam's in a hurry to see the girl he loves. Don't stop him." "Yeah, you know how he feels about Sylvia. After waiting for so many years, this is finally his chance to confess love. You shouldn't try to set your sister up with our Alpha anymore." Hearing their advice, Damine frowned. "That's not what I meant." He just wanted to tell him that I was going abroad and would no longer bother him. After resting for a day, I went out and applied for my visa. The officer told me it would take at least two weeks to process. After staying home for a couple of days, it was Damine's birthday. Damine loved parties and always hosted a big celebration. I changed into a dress and went to attend. The ballroom was filled with guests and buzzing with activity. His pack members were all there. I didn't want to run into any of them, so I just stayed in the corner. After a while, Liam entered the room, one arm wrapped around Sylvia and the other holding the baby, immediately drawing everyone's attention. Seeing him looking so smug, everyone couldn't help but envy him, murmuring amongst themselves. "Who would have thought Liam would be the first to find his mate? I've heard he's had a thing for Sylvia for years. Now with a child and a mate, he's truly the lucky guy who has it all." "What a shame for all those girls who had a crush on him. Their hearts must be completely shattered!" Hearing these comments, I showed no emotion on my face. Moments later, Liam led Sylvia over to me, calling out to me nonchalantly. "Sera, I don't think I've introduced you to my mate and our pup." All eyes in the room fell on us. My expression remained unchanged as I forced a smile. "Nice to meet you." Sylvia, the excellent actress he'd hired, seeing this, took the initiative to extend a hand, a warm smile on her face. "You must be Sera? Liam has mentioned you a few times. You're so young, you just can't tell the difference between love and infatuation." She added, “Now that Liam has me and our pup, you can finally let go of those silly feelings. We're planning our mating ceremony for next month, and we expect you to attend." Chapter 3 I lowered my gaze. "I understand, Sylvia. You'll be our future Luna. I overstepped before, but I know my place now. I wish you both happiness." Hearing me say that, the pack members around us immediately started teasing. "What things are we talking about? The times you called Liam in the middle of the night, asking him to pick you up?" "Or when you got drunk in public and declared you was going to be Liam’s mate?" "What about when you went to the Blackwood estate and questioned the staff about his preferences?" "Sera, now that Liam is taken, if you keep clinging to him, you're just shaming yourself and your family's name. You need to be smart about this. Don't be the one cause to drive a wedge between your brother and Liam!" Every word felt like salt being rubbed into my wounds. I instinctively looked at Liam, standing just a few feet away, his expression cold and indifferent. For a moment, he seemed like a completely different person—no longer the Liam in my memories who always looked out for me. But then I thought, he'd always been this cold toward other girls, never giving them any false hope. It seemed his tolerance for my affections was only out of respect for Damine. He didn't want to make things awkward. Now that he was with the woman he truly loved, he had to draw a clear line between us. After all, in his heart, Sylvia was more important than anyone else, wasn't she? With that thought, a deep sense of bitterness washed over me. I just nodded and turned to leave. The birthday banquet was just getting started, and the late-arriving Damine was busy greeting guests. He didn't notice me at all. Meanwhile, Liam eagerly and openly introduced Sylvia to everyone as his future Luna. He took drinks meant for her, fed her tasty pastries, gently straightened her skirt when it got messy, and even massaged her tired shoulders... Everyone praised how doting he was on his mate, how lucky Sylvia was to be bound to him, calling them the perfect, destined couple. I watched from a distance, my mouth tasting bitter, forcing myself to look away. I sat alone in the corner until Sylvia, holding a wine glass, walked over and broke the silence. "It's your brother's birthday, yet you're sitting here saying nothing. Are you angry?" I didn't expect her to approach me and instinctively moved two steps back. "I'm not angry, Sylvia. I've let Liam go completely." Sylvia paused for a moment, her gaze becoming complicated. "Liam told me you've been chasing him for years, determined to be with him." "That was in the past. I gave up after I found out he'd loved you for so long. I truly wish you happiness." After saying that, I tried to get up, but Sylvia grabbed my arm. "You said Liam loved me for years? Where did you hear that? Did he tell you that himself?" I didn't feel like talking to her anymore, but still in friendly behavior "Everyone says so. Maybe you can ask him yourself." But Sylvia wouldn't let me go, insisting on getting a clear answer. As we struggled, the chandelier above us suddenly loosened and came crashing down. I looked up at the black shadow falling rapidly, my mind going completely blank. Before I could react, Liam's face changed drastically. He rushed forward to shield Sylvia and move her away, leaving me alone under danger. The heavy silver chandelier slammed into me completely, knocking me to the ground. The burning candles ignited my dress immediately. The fire and the silver prevented my wolf from healing. Blood gushed from my wounds, my body screaming in agony as if every bone was being shattered. I lay in a pool of my own blood, unable to stop trembling and convulsing, listening to the terrified screams around me. Through the flames, my vision grew blurrier. The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was Liam holding Sylvia, whispering soothing words to her. I don't know how much time passed before I slowly woke up to see my brother, Damine, sitting by my bedside with red-rimmed eyes. "I'm sorry, Sera. It's my fault. I failed to protect you and let you get so badly hurt." I shook my head, my voice weak and hoarse. "It's not your fault, Damine. It happened too suddenly. You were too far away to help me." Hearing my words, my brother recalled the events leading up to the accident and felt even more guilty. "I couldn't help you, but Liam was right there. If it weren't for Sylvia keeping you talking, you could have avoided that disaster..." I shook my head, comforting him gently. "Damine, when he and the woman he loves are both in danger, it's instinct to save the one who matters most. I was just being foolish before, but after this, I've truly let him go." "Good. As long as you can move on, I'll support any decision you make." Damine tightened his grip on my hand and nodded firmly. I forced a faint smile and slowly composed myself. Once my condition stabilized, my brother, who hadn't rested in days, finally allowed himself to get some sleep. The quiet room returned. I took out my phone and booked a flight to Finland, departing in ten days. The airline called to confirm my reservation. I was listening carefully and didn't notice footsteps at the door. "Yes, it's the first flight to Finland on the 19th. First class." "What first class?" Chapter 4 I jumped when I suddenly saw Liam appear in the doorway. "It's nothing." Even though I denied it, Liam's instincts told him something was wrong. His gaze fixed on me intently. "When did you learn to lie? Where are you booking a flight to?" Faced with his probing questions, I was silent for a few seconds before answering in a hoarse voice. "You're about to have your mating ceremony. No matter where I go, it has nothing to do with you, does it?" Liam had been suspicious, but hearing this made him think it was just another one of my tricks. His face returned to its cold expression. "You're right, it has nothing to do with me. Sylvia was worried about you and asked me to check on you." "I'm fine, Liam. You can go now." This unusual, distant attitude caught him off guard. Just as he was about to speak, a healer knocked and entered, announcing it was time for my checkup. My leg was injured, and the silver dust in my system was suppressing my wolf's ability to heal, making it impossible for me to recover fully. I struggled to get out of bed and almost fell. Liam's reflexes were quick as he caught me. I murmured a quiet thanks and tried to push the wheelchair away myself. Seeing my covered in wounds and unable to move easily, he couldn't bear it. He took over pushing the wheelchair himself. "Where's the examination room? I'll take you there." "I can manage on my own." When I refused, Liam only became more insistent, pushing me out of the hospital room. Just as we got downstairs, we ran straight into Sylvia. The moment he saw her, Liam immediately let go of the wheelchair to go to her. It happened to be a slope, and the wheelchair, without time to brake, sped rapidly downward. "Ah..." Watching as it was about to crash into the flowerbed, my heart leaped. I forced myself to roll out of the wheelchair. I fell to the ground, my hands and knees scraping against the pavement, cuts beading with blood. I let out a pained groan, clutching my torn wounds as cold sweat beaded on my forehead. Sylvia was also a little frightened and hurried forward to see if I was okay. The wheelchair was smashed to pieces. She looked at my injuries and tugged on Liam's arm. "Liam, Sera is hurt badly, and the wheelchair is ruined. You should carry her to get it bandaged." Hearing this, a subtle change appeared on Liam's expression. He looked at the pained Sera, then his gaze fell on Sylvia, and he shook his head. "No. Since you are going to be my mate in few days, I am not supposed to touch another woman." Every word struck at my heart. I dug my nails into my palms hard enough to draw blood. Unable to persuade him, Sylvia could only tell him to get a new wheelchair. This time, Liam agreed. After watching his retreating figure disappear, Sylvia handed me a handkerchief. "That's just how Liam is. He only ever listens to me. Don't hold it against him. I also feel responsible for you getting hurt at the hotel, but our pup has been running a fever these past couple of days and I couldn't get away, so I had him come check on you in my place. I didn't expect another accident. Though unintentional, it's still our fault. I'm truly sorry." I didn't know what act she was putting on today. Ignoring the pain, I got up on my own. "Sylvia, I've already told you I won't fall for Liam anymore. Whether you're acting or really getting bound, I couldn't care less." With that, I dragged my weary body and tried to leave. But Sylvia still wasn't finished. She stepped forward to chase after me. "So you know Liam and I are just acting..." Her words were cut short by the sound of a huge splash that made me turn my head. Seeing Sylvia had accidentally fallen into the pool and was struggling and calling for help, I hesitated for a few seconds before reaching out my hand. The returning Liam saw this scene, sprinted over, and jumped into the pool to rescue Sylvia. Looking at her pale, weak form as she coughed, he turned his furious glare on me. "I was only gone for a few minutes, and you deliberately pushed Sylvia into the water?" I never imagined that Liam would blame me for this. Seeing his furious expression, I was about to explain, but he gave me no chance. He cradled Sylvia in his arms, then roughly shoved me into the pool. "I've tolerated your obsession with me all this time, but Sylvia is my limit. If you dare hurt her again, don't expect me to show you any mercy!" His cold, stern tone mixed with the icy water flooded my ears. The blood flowing from my body spread through the water, creating a pinkish-red haze. When I was a child, I almost drowned, so I have a deep fear of water. I couldn't swim. I kicked and struggled with all my might but couldn't reach the shore. The oxygen in my lungs gradually depleted, my face turning purple as my heart slowed. A dizziness washed over me, pulling my consciousness down into an endless darkness... Chapter 5 When I opened my eyes again, I heard a heated argument coming from outside the door. "Sera is my own sister, the one I watched grow up. How could she possibly push someone into the water? You deliberately retaliated and almost had her drown. Shouldn't you be the one apologizing?" "You want an apology? Fine! Then you make your sister apologize to Sylvia first! If she hadn't acted out of jealousy and hurt Sylvia first, would I have lashed out out of the blue? You care about your sister, but I care about my mate! If anything happens to Sylvia, even if Sera died a hundred times, it wouldn't be enough to make up for it!" Hearing Liam's furious shouts, a chill washed over me, as if I had been plunged into an ice cellar. After all the times he had rejected me, I had never felt this desperate. I thought that even if we couldn't be together, after getting to know each other for so many years, there would still be some small friendship between us. It turned out that as soon as his true love was involved, I meant nothing to him. The two men outside didn't know I had woken up and continued arguing. "You have no evidence to blame all this on Sera. You won't even give her a chance to explain? Just because she's been in love with you for years gives you the right to hurt her without restraint?" "I've put up with her obsession for all these years, and I've given her face only out of respect for you! How much more decent do you want me to be to spare her feelings? You complain that I hurt her, but have you ever considered how long I've endured?" The anger that had been building up in Damine finally burst into flames. He could no longer stand it. He grabbed Liam by the collar and threw a punch. Liam didn't hold back, and they began to fight. Hearing the commotion, my heart trembled. I forced myself to get up and go out to stop them. I saw their faces bruised and purple as they threw ruthless punches at each other's bodies. I immediately threw myself between them. The tears I had held back for so long finally burst forth as I cried hoarsely. "Stop fighting, please stop. Damine, come back with me, please, I'm begging you!" Seeing my tears, the rationality that had left my brother finally returned. His nose stung, and he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before letting go of Liam. He took my hand and wearily turned to walk back to the hospital room. As the door closed, they both heard Liam's icy voice through the crack. "Don't think playing the victim will make me forgive you. I'm warning you one last time: stay away from Sylvia from now on." The anger Damine had just suppressed began to flare up again. I hugged him tightly, my voice filled with pleading. "Let it go, brother, just let it go. I'm leaving soon, and I'll never appear in Liam's world again. You don't need to alienate yourself from him or his pack because of me." The more I urged him, the more it pained him to see me like this. The siblings looked at each other in silence. For a long while, the room was quiet before my brother finally broke the silence, his voice low. "Sera, it's my fault. Liam only has Sylvia in his heart; he'd even give up our friendship for her. I should have told you the truth when I first realized you had feelings for him. Then you wouldn't have fallen this deeply." I slowly shook my head, my eyes filled with weariness and helplessness. "I know you had your difficulties to consider, and I've never blamed you. Besides, what's done is done. Regret won't change anything now. I'm only 22, so young. Everything can be a fresh start." Seeing the forced smile on my face, Damine reached out and stroked my hair. "That's right. Our Sera will have a brand new life ahead of her. You'll definitely meet someone better." For the next few days, I continued to recover in the hospital. During this time, I often overheard bits of gossip from the healers doing their rounds. "I heard the VIP suite upstairs was booked by the Alpha of the Stormfang Pack? No wonder he's so generous. The patient in there must be his fiancée. No wonder he's guarding her bedside every moment, feeding her water and meat, and buying gifts to keep her happy." "It sounds like they had a child before they are bound. Apparently, they're hold mating ceremony in a few days. I heard the mating dress and ring cost hundreds of millions. He's going to all this trouble to prepare a global broadcast of a century mating ceremony, giving the bride such status. It seems this Alpha Blackwood truly loves her to his very bones." Listening to their envious chatter, I remembered the plan I had overheard at the hotel entrance and closed my eyes. Liam was making this mating ceremony so grand and spectacular, it must mean he was absolutely sure Sylvia would accept his proposal. He had waited for so many years, using all his effort and scheming to put on this act, and now he was finally getting what he wanted. And that clingy girl he disliked most would disappear forever after this mating ceremony, never to appear again. What a perfect situation, truly worthy of a great celebration. As I was lost in my thoughts, my phone buzzed a few times. I came back to my senses and saw the name on the screen. I stared for a few seconds before answering the call. "Sera, I heard you were hospitalized. How have you been feeling lately?" It was Lucas the friend for Damine and Liam on the phone. After beating around the bush for a while, I could tell something was wrong. Finally, he stammered and explained his purpose. "I heard your brother and Liam got into a fight? Their relationship has become pretty strained. What's this all about? We tried to mediate but couldn't. Do you know what's happening?" I was silent for a long time before I briefly explained the situation. After hearing the whole story, Lucas sighed. "Brothers for so many years, fighting over such a misunderstanding... it's embarrassing to even speak of it. Sera, could you help us? We're gathering the key members tonight. Can you get Damine to come? We can clear up the misunderstanding right then and there." I knew that besides family, the one thing my brother valued most was his friend I didn't want him to become distant from them because of me, so I agreed to his request. Chapter 6 After finishing my hospital discharge papers, I used celebrating my discharge as an excuse to bring Damine to the gathering. The moment we walked into the private room and saw Liam and Sylvia sitting in the center, his face darkened, and he turned to leave. I strained to hold him back and pleaded with him for a moment before he reluctantly took a seat. Their pack members watched their expressions closely, occasionally cracking jokes to lighten the mood. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Sylvia approached my brother with an apologetic tone. "Damine, what happened at the hospital, me falling in the water was just an accident. Liam was just too worried about me, which is why he reacted the way he did when he was angry. It pains both Sylvia me and Sera to see you two brothers holding a grudge over something so small." Hearing Sylvia's words, Damine's expression softened, though his tone remained cold. "I'll let it go if he apologizes to Sera." Liam's cold gaze swept over us, his attitude just as unyielding. "I'll apologize to Sera if she apologizes to Sylvia first." Seeing they were about to clash again, several pack members quickly stepped in to mediate. "Come on, you've all known each other for so many years. Why quibble over such a small thing? Let me be the judge. You both drink a glass of wine together, and let bygones be bygones, how about that?" Sylvia was the first to pick up her wine glass. Seeing this, Liam frowned, immediately stood up, took her glass from her, and drank it all in one go. Then he placed the empty glass in front of my brother. Only then did my brother follow with his own drink, and the atmosphere in the room finally became more harmonious. "Liam, you're so obedient to Sylvia. Does that mean in the future, if we want to call you out for together, we have to ask your mate for permission first?" Teased by them, Sylvia's face flushed as she playfully pushed Liam's shoulder. A faint smile finally appeared on his face as he spoke leisurely. "No matter where I go or what I do, it's only right to report to her. What's the big deal?" Hearing him say this, the people in the room all began to snicker behind their hands. "Sylvia has a way with you. She's tamed our unapproachable, wild Alpha into a henpecked man. You two are so sickeningly sweet in love." I sat quietly to one side, listening to their jokes, and realized I no longer felt the pain I used to. Seeing my Damine's concerned gaze, I gave him a light smile to reassure him that I was fine. After a while, everyone wanted to play drinking games. Sylvia didn't know how to play and lost more than a dozen times in a row. When it came to her penalty—a table full of drinks—Liam showed no impatience, smiling and drinking it all himself. Watching him drink glass after glass without showing fatigue, I silently stood up and went to the bathroom alone. When I came out after washing my hands, I was about to return to the private room when I heard a familiar voice coming from the hallway. "My love, do you know? The first time I saw you, I fell for you instantly. But you were always so cold to me. I thought you only saw me as a friend, so I never dared to confess my feelings. I could only stay by your side. Year after year, I've realized that loving someone really makes you so fearful of loss..." Liam was drunk, leaning his head on Sylvia's shoulder. She supported him, her eyes full of shyness as she spoke in a flirtatious tone. "So you came up with this plan, deliberately using Sera as a cover to make me your mate? You like me that much?" "Yes, like... really like..." "My phone is full of your pictures, and my notes have all your likes and dislikes. I've had your contact number pinned at the top for over a decade. Every time you text me first, I'm so excited I can't sleep all night. I've even written you so many love letters. Would you like to read them someday?" After knowing Liam for eight years, this was the first time I'd seen him with such an expression of young love. I quietly listened to his drunken truths, and for a moment, I was reminded of my own confession and his. He stared at me with clear eyes, showing no sign of being moved. Back then, I believed that if I persisted, one day I would be able to warm his heart. But now I understood that even if I waited another eight years, eighteen years, or twenty-eight years, I could never achieve that. How could I possibly move a man who loves another woman? I didn't stay any longer and returned to the private room alone. Damine knew I wasn't comfortable in this kind of situation, so after saying goodbye to everyone, he took me home. As we were about to get a taxi downstairs, Sylvia suddenly grabbed Liam's sleeve, her voice wistful. "Oh, I wish I could get a moonflower from Mount Sacred. They say it only blooms under the full moon and grants wishes to true mates." Damine immediately frowned. "Sylvia, that's too dangerous. Mount Sacred is treacherous, especially at night. The thorns alone could shred a wolf to pieces." But before anyone could react, Liam was already striding toward the mountain path, his Alpha determination evident in every step. "Liam, don't!" Damine called after him, but it was too late. Liam's eyes were fixed on Sylvia's hopeful face. Without another word, he turned and shifted into his massive black wolf, bounding toward the mountain trail. We followed at a distance, Damine cursing under his breath. When we reached the base of Mount Sacred, I gasped at the sight before us. The entire mountainside was wrapped in a maze of thorns. And there was Liam, already halfway up the mountain in human form, his clothes hanging in shreds. Blood streamed down his arms and chest where the thorns had raked across his skin. Each step forward brought fresh wounds as the vines seemed to reach for him like living creatures. I watched in horror as a particularly vicious thorn pierced deep into his shoulder, and he bit back a scream of agony. When he finally stumbled back down, his entire body was covered in blood, his skin pale from toxin and blood loss. But his eyes shone with triumph as he placed the moonflower in Sylvia's trembling hands. My heart gave a painful lurch. It wasn't until this moment that I finally believed Liam's love for Sylvia truly had reached the point where he would sacrifice his life for her. I was lost in a daze for a long time. When I came to my senses, I realized I was in the hospital. The operating room light had just gone out. The healer wiped sweat from his brow, his tone full of relief. "The surgery was successful. By the way, is Sylvia the patient's mate? He kept calling her name even while unconscious. We recommend that the lady stay in the ICU with him and talk to him more. The patient's attention can help him wake up faster." Hearing this, all the pack members urged Sylvia to hurry to the hospital room to stay with him. After seeing her off, I tugged on Damine's sleeve. "Damine, let's go home." Damine paused for a few seconds, then nodded and led me away. Once we were home, I took out my suitcase and began packing my things. Seeing me so busy, Damine couldn't help but worry, staying nearby to help and observe my condition. I knew he was worried about me, but I remained calm. "Brother, stop staring at me. I'm fine. I'm leaving in a couple of days, and we won't see each other for a long time. I'll miss you. You should come visit me often." My brother's heart ached. As usual, he reached out and rubbed my cheek. "Of course. I'll visit when I have time. And I'll have to see how you're getting along with my friend!" Chapter 7 For the next few days, I stayed home, busy preparing to leave the country. I barely went out. The day before my departure, my brother, Damine, got drunk at Liam's bachelor’s party. When I received the call, I went out to pick him up. I quickly made it to the Blackwood family estate and pressed the doorbell. After a moment, the butler opened the door and led me to find my brother. I used to follow my brother here whenever I could, just for a chance to see Liam, so I knew the place like the back of my hand. But after a month away, stepping back into the villa felt strangely unfamiliar. The entire estate was bustling with preparations for the grand mating ceremony, filled with a festive atmosphere. The few ancient pine trees that once stood in the courtyard were gone, replaced by vast rose gardens. The black and white decor had been completely replaced by fresh aqua and green tones. Mating ceremony supplies and countless adorable plush toys and ornaments were displayed everywhere. The butler knew me well. As he led me through the halls, he cheerfully explained, "Miss Sera, Alpha has been incredibly busy preparing for the mating ceremony. It's been a while since you've visited, are you having trouble finding your way around? You mentioned you loved how lush the pine trees were, didn't you? It's a shame, but our future Luna doesn't care for them. Alpha had them cut down. Such a pity, don't you think?" He added, "All the furniture and room styles have been changed to the colors the new Luna prefers. Isn't it much more beautiful now? Alpha even said he'll let her make all the decisions for the household from now on. I never thought the Alpha would change like this after getting married. It seems he truly adores the Luna." I listened quietly, my voice soft and indifferent. "Yes, he loves her. It's obvious to everyone." Walking through the long corridor, we reached the lounge, which was filled with noise. I didn't want to go in, so I called my brother to let him know I had arrived. After a moment, the door opened. Liam supported my brother, who was completely drunk, as he stumbled out. His expression tightened slightly when he saw me. Sera's expression remained as calm as water as she politely greeted him. Damine rubbed his bleary eyes and waved a dismissive hand, his voice thick with drunkenness. "Tomorrow... tomorrow your mating ceremony... I won't be able to attend... I have to see her off... send..." His words trailed off as he slumped into unconsciousness. Liam frowned, "What does your brother have to do tomorrow? Is he not even coming to my mating ceremony?" I knew Damine was planning to see me off at the airport. But I didn't want him to know I was leaving, so I shook my head, pretending not to know. "He probably has something important to do, or maybe he's just talking nonsense in his drunken state." After saying this, I went to support my brother to leave. We had only taken a few steps when he called out to us again. "And you? Will you be coming to the mating ceremony tomorrow?" I stopped in my tracks, my gaze turning distant. There was a sense of relief in my voice. "Damine doesn't want me to go, and I'm sure you don't want to see me there either. So I won't be coming. I'll just wish you both a happy mating ceremony and a lifetime of happiness from here. I might not have another chance to offer my blessings." When I finished speaking, Liam's heart gave a strange lurch. What did I mean by "I might not have another chance"? He couldn't understand. He instinctively wanted to call her back and ask, but Sylvia's phone call came through. He hesitated for a few seconds but ultimately chose to answer the phone. "Liam, you're not allowed to drink too much tonight, or you'll be late for the ceremony tomorrow, and I won't forgive you..." "Alright, alright, whatever you say." Listening to his gentle, coaxing tone, I smiled silently to myself and helped Damine home. I slept without dreaming. When I woke again, it was already eight o'clock. After eating breakfast, my brother drove me to the airport. The plane would take off at eleven o'clock. Seeing I still had time, I specifically reminded Damine. "You should go to the mating ceremony now. They're probably still waiting for you. I'll call you to let you know I've arrived safely." Damine glanced at his watch, sighed, and nodded. After watching him leave, I walked through the gate alone and boarded the plane. As we were about to take off, I was about to turn off my phone when Liam's call suddenly came in. I froze for a second, then pressed the end call button. I proceeded to block all his contact information. As the plane began its ascent, I took one last look at the city where I had spent the first twenty-two years of my life. Then I closed my eyes, with no more regrets or longing in my heart.