Chapter 5: The Day I Walked Away

What I didn’t expect was that my recent coldness had been misinterpreted.

Sebastian thought I was sulking.

“Faye, I know you’re upset, but an Alpha’s promise is absolute.”

“Wait for me.”

“When I have full control of the pack, I’ll bring Leo back for you.”

When I didn’t answer, just kept stuffing his jacket into a suitcase, Sebastian’s brow furrowed.

He gave me the exact same promise as last time.

His tone was even gentle.

But I wouldn’t be the girl who waited year after year in an empty house for a man who would never come.

“Mm. Fine. I know. I understand.” I zipped the suitcase shut, brushing him off.

Seeing that I had nothing more to say, Sebastian’s expression grew complicated.

His intense, possessive eyes swept over me one last time before he finally turned and left.

Early the next morning, I was woken by the sound of engines outside.

I opened my eyes and remembered. Today was the day Sebastian and Leo were leaving.

It was also the day I was leaving.

Voices drifted up from the yard.

The scent of pancakes and bacon hung in the air.

I walked outside and saw Elena in the kitchen, making breakfast.

Leo stood beside her, his small body tense with excitement, his eyes fixed on the fresh pancakes.

Elena smiled gently, speared a piece with a fork, and fed it to him.

“It’s so good!”

“Aunt Elena, you cook even better than Mom!”

“Do I?”

“Then when we get back to the territory, you can make them for me every day.”

The smile on Elena’s face deepened.

As they spoke, Sebastian walked over.

“Elena, you’re a sworn loyalist of the pack. You don’t need to be in the kitchen.”

Elena blinked her long lashes and answered softly, “We’re returning to the territory soon. I’m just getting used to my duties.”

“After all, with Faye gone, someone has to take care of you and Leo.”

At that, Sebastian fell silent.

After a long moment, I heard his low reply. “Thank you.”

His back was to me, so I couldn’t see his expression.

But I could hear the warmth that had crept into his voice.

Just then, Leo took both their hands.

“Dad, Aunt Elena, don’t worry.”

“I’ll take care of myself. I won’t hold you back.”

His earnest, childish words brought a ripple of laughter to the yard.

Until my appearance shattered the moment.

This time, all three of them noticed me at once.

Elena was the first to speak, her eyes full of a shallow, smiling warmth.

“Faye, you’re awake. Come try the bacon I just made.”

She stood there as if she were the mistress of the house.

And from where I stood, it looked as if Sebastian and Leo were flanking her, protecting her.

It brought back a rush of old memories.

The truth was, I had always hated Elena’s constant presence in our home.

But Elena was their savior.

And Leo adored her, always begging her to come over and play.

Back then, seeing them so close, I was sick with jealousy but couldn’t bring myself to say it.

So I secretly asked Sebastian to have a word with her.

He’d only blamed me for being unreasonable.

“The wolf in Leo needs guidance. Elena is the best teacher he could have. Why would you stop that?”

“Instead of being jealous, why don’t you think about why you can’t run through the forest with him the way Elena can?”

His words were like a bucket of ice water over my head.

I was speechless.

Later, I gradually understood. Why?

Because my bloodline was too weak.

And they were true werewolves.

Leo had worshiped his father since he was small.

He knew Sebastian was no ordinary man.

He dreamed of the day he could be a powerful warrior just like him.

Sebastian, in turn, placed all his hopes on Leo.

Father and son often sparred in the woods behind our house.

I wanted to join them.

But I didn’t understand their talk of Mind Links, Mate Bonds, and Alpha Commands.

As time went on, they had less and less to say to me.

Leo even said, “Most werewolves are fragile, but Mom is even more fragile.”

He seemed to forget he was born from the womb of that same fragile woman.

Hurt, I stopped asking about their training.

When they went hunting, I’d trim the lawn and bake pies nearby.

The days were peaceful enough.

Until one day, Sebastian took Leo deep into the mountains to train.

A grizzly bear attacked Leo.

Sebastian was badly injured protecting him.

And Elena, who just happened to be passing by, saved them both.

Her bloodline carried a powerful healing ability.

After she learned Sebastian’s identity, she decided to stay in our town to seek his protection.

She began training with them.

Once, when Elena came over, I tried to ask her about healing.

I figured if I couldn’t fight, I could at least learn to bandage wounds and identify herbs.

But Elena just smiled, a mocking light in her eyes as she looked me up and down.

“Faye, a werewolf’s healing ability comes from the power in their blood. ”

“Your bloodline is barely detectable. Don’t waste your time.”

I was furious.

I realized she wasn’t the kind, beautiful person Leo thought she was.

I didn’t want him near her anymore.

But my attempt to keep them apart only made Elena leave.

And both Sebastian and Leo blamed me for it.

Especially Leo. He screamed and cried at me.

“It’s all your fault! It’s all your fault!”

“You chased Aunt Elena away!”

To comfort his son, Sebastian drove into the mountains that night and brought Elena back.

Back then, the two of them had stood around her just like this.

A stark contrast to me, standing all alone.

I ignored the faint arrogance and satisfaction in Elena’s expression.

I only said, “I’m not hungry,” and walked toward the door.

Only then did Sebastian notice the large canvas bag on my shoulder.

His expression changed.

“Faye, where are you going?”

There was a flicker of panic in his voice. His tall frame moved to block my way.

I kept my face perfectly still. “To the convenience store on the edge of town. I need to pick up a few things.”

“You’re going on a long trip. You’ll need sandwiches for the road, won’t you?”

Leo curled his lip.

“Mom, we’re taking a private jet. We don’t need sandwiches from a convenience store.”

He seemed to think I was being ridiculous again.

Of course I knew that.

But I wasn’t going to buy sandwiches.

Sebastian, however, visibly relaxed.

“Then come back soon.”

“Okay.”

As if.

I walked toward the highway.

Behind me, the misty evergreen forest of the Pacific Northwest swayed in a light breeze.

With every step, the Mate Bond deep in my chest tore at me.

But I didn’t look back.

Even if the pain twisted my stomach into knots, I would never look back.

They had their ancient estate, and I had my own destination.