Chapter 7: Leaving Ashvale

The next morning, I left Ashvale before sunrise.

I carried only one suitcase and the small box containing the documents I had collected during the past few days.

Lily drove me to the edge of the territory.

Neither of us spoke much.

When the Ashvale boundary disappeared behind us, I looked through the rear window one last time.

That was where I had grown up.

That was where I had loved Noah.

And that was where my family had taught me that I was always supposed to accept less than Scarlett.

I closed my eyes.

I was not going back.

By noon, we reached Grayhaven.

Unlike Ashvale, Grayhaven was a large and independent territory filled with businesses, universities, and wolves from dozens of different packs.

No one there knew my family.

No one cared who Noah Calder was.

For the first time, I could exist without being compared to my sister.

Lily helped me move into a small apartment near the business district.

It was nothing like the house I had shared with my parents.

The furniture was old, the kitchen was tiny, and the bedroom window faced another building.

But it was mine.

I stood in the middle of the empty room and smiled.

I finally had a place where nobody could tell me who I was supposed to be.

That afternoon, I received an unexpected call from Grayhaven Consulting.

The position they had offered me was still available.

They wanted me to begin work the following Monday.

I accepted immediately.

For the first time in years, my future did not depend on Noah.

That evening, my phone began vibrating repeatedly.

Noah had called six times.

Then came a message.

Ruby, we need to talk.

I stared at it for a long time before deleting it.

Another message appeared.

You cannot just disappear after what happened.

I deleted that one too.

Then Scarlett called.

I almost ignored her, but something made me answer.

Ruby, please listen to me.

Her voice sounded exhausted.

I am not calling to fight with you.

Then why are you calling?

There was a long silence.

Because Noah has been looking for you all day.

I laughed softly.

He knows where I am.

What?

He has people everywhere. If he really wanted to find me, he would.

Scarlett hesitated.

He says he wants to apologize.

I looked out the window at the unfamiliar city.

Tell him I do not need his apology.

Ruby, I know you hate me.

I do not hate you, Scarlett.

That surprised her.

I used to think I hated you. But hatred still means you matter to me.

I am simply done caring what you do.

She began crying.

I never wanted to hurt you.

But you did.

I ended the call.

For several minutes, I stood completely still.

My wolf was unusually quiet.

Then a strange sensation moved through my chest.

Warmth.

Not the pull of a mate bond.

Not the familiar ache of longing for Noah.

Something different.

Freedom.

The following Monday, I walked into Grayhaven Consulting wearing a simple black suit.

The receptionist greeted me with a smile.

Ms. Mercer? Your new department head is waiting for you.

I followed her upstairs.

The company was modern and bright, nothing like the rigid Calder offices in Ashvale.

My new supervisor shook my hand.

We have reviewed your previous work. Your analytical skills are excellent.

Thank you.

We are expecting you to lead a major project within the next six months.

I almost laughed.

In Ashvale, I had spent years being told that Scarlett was better suited for everything.

Here, someone had looked at my work and seen my ability.

I sat at my new desk and opened the first project file.

For the first time in a long while, I felt excited about tomorrow.

That night, however, the past found me again.

When I returned to my apartment, a familiar scent lingered outside my door.

My wolf immediately became alert.

I stopped walking.

Someone was inside.

The door was unlocked.

I slowly pushed it open.

The apartment was dark.

Then a voice came from the living room.

You really thought you could leave without saying goodbye?

Noah stepped into the light.

My heart stopped for one second.

But this time, it was not because I wanted him.

It was because I finally understood that leaving Ashvale did not mean Noah was ready to let me go.