5

On my way to the border, Ethan called again.

"I'm sorry, Aria. Some Alpha representatives from neighboring packs suddenly showed up to discuss next quarter's healing crystal gem cooperation. I can't get away."

"I'll have my beta pick you up and take you to the restaurant. Didn't you always want me to design a ruby amulet for you? I've finally created one. The power will suit you perfectly."

"Okay, sure," I replied flatly.

After hanging up, my attention fell on two young she-wolves nearby.

They were huddled around a phone, looking at photos and exclaiming with envy:

"Oh my goddess, not only is Alpha Ethan handsome, but his healing crystal designs for pregnant wolves are incredible too. I almost want to get pregnant just to wear one."

"You think you could get one even if you were pregnant? All the crystals in today's exhibition were specially crafted by Alpha Ethan for his pregnant sister-in-law. Each piece is unique, infused with the rarest energies. There must be hundreds of gems—probably more than she could use before the pup arrives. I'm so jealous."

"I heard Alpha Ethan didn't want to disturb his mate, so the exhibition isn't open to other packs. Your mate is amazing to be a high-ranking beta in Silver Crest Pack and get us these insider photos. We wouldn't get to see these powerful artifacts otherwise."

In the images, Sarah was holding Ethan's arm, examining all the elegant crystal gems crafted specifically for her, laughing with unbridled joy.

The Silver Crest Pack was renowned for their healing crystal magic, and Ethan's crystal crafting talent was exceptional.

I used to playfully beg him to design a ruby amulet for me.

He always claimed he was too busy, that his energy was too depleted from pack duties.

Yet he had crafted hundreds of powerful gems for Sarah.

Remembering how he had just boasted about designing a single ruby amulet for me as a "surprise," his tone seeking approval, I couldn't help but find it bitterly ironic.

When I reached the border, I saw Derek waiting. He rushed over, lifted me up, and spun me around in circles: "Little wolf, welcome home."

He shifted into his wolf form and let me ride on his back, carrying me through the entire forest.

Meanwhile, after finishing the crystal selection with Sarah, Ethan headed to the birthday celebration at the restaurant.

He imagined Aria wearing the ruby amulet he had crafted, certain she would look like a powerful goddess.

But Aria never arrived. Instead, his panicked beta rushed in:

"Alpha Ethan, something's wrong! Your mate is gone!"

Ethan stared at the ruby amulet he'd sent with his beta, returned completely untouched.

Not immediately comprehending, he frowned:

"What do you mean, gone? She's not at the den?"

"I'm afraid it's more than that..."

The beta handed him the Alpha Council's mate bond dissolution decree with a complicated expression.

Ethan froze in shock.

Before he could speak, Sarah waddled over, supporting her pregnant belly. Seeing the decree, she snickered:

"Aria is so ridiculous. How old is she, playing these breakup games? Does she think she's still a teenage wolf?"

"Ethan, she's just angry that you defended me yesterday. She knows you planned this special moon celebration for her, so she's being difficult on purpose, trying to make you howl apologies. Aria's always been like this, stringing males along. I know her too well."

"Seriously, she attacked me first, and now she's the one with an attitude? Doesn't she realize how much magic you poured into crafting that ruby amulet for her? She's so heartless."

"Don't worry, Ethan. If you ignore her, she'll show up on her own soon enough. She's nearly thirty, has miscarried so many times, and can't have pups anymore. Which pack would accept her if she left you? She's desperate to cling to you. All those omega devotees are the same—you just can't indulge them, or they'll get too full of themselves."

Ethan remained silent, his eyes fixed on the mate bond dissolution decree. It stated that the bond would automatically sever in just three hours.

In the space for the female's signature, "Aria Blackwood" was written with such force that it nearly tore through the paper, revealing her unwavering determination when signing.

He knew Aria well enough to understand she would never joke about something this serious.

Shortly after their wedding, when Aria had first become pregnant with their child, she had looked at him with complete seriousness and said:

"Ethan, now that I've mated with you, I will never casually mention dissolving our bond. But if one day I do say it, it means I truly intend to leave you."

At the time, he had been preoccupied with figuring out how to terminate Aria's pregnancy because Sarah had come to him in tears, saying Alexander couldn't father children, and if he couldn't become the next Alpha of Silver Crest Pack, she would suffer.

So he hadn't taken Aria's words to heart. Now, remembering them, Ethan felt an uncontrollable panic rising in his chest.

After Sarah's comments, the guests around them gave contemptuous looks.

Their disdain wasn't directed at him, but at Aria.

Because of her multiple miscarriages, pack members secretly called her "the Mother Wolf Destined for Solitude."

Ethan had heard these rumors before and had always dismissed them with an indifferent smile.

Now, however, these judging eyes bothered him intensely, and he began to feel dissatisfied with Sarah as well.

Today was Aria's birthday. Did Sarah really need to speak about her like that in front of so many people?

Others might not know why Aria had miscarried, but didn't Sarah know the truth?

Ethan's expression darkened slightly:

"Sarah, Aria is your sister-in-law. Is it appropriate for you to speak about her this way?"

Sarah was taken aback, looking somewhat embarrassed:

"I-I'm used to it. After all, Aria is my friend too."

"Is she? I've known Aria longer than you have. From childhood to adulthood, she has never been anyone's desperate follower, nor has she ever strung any male along. Even when you took Alexander from her, she never clung to him. Why would you say such things about her? Is this how you treat someone you call a friend?"

Ethan looked around at the gathering:

"Today's celebration is canceled. I need to find my mate. Please, enjoy yourselves."

Sarah quickly grabbed his arm, using her familiar tactic:

"Ethan, my stomach feels uncomfortable. Don't leave."

Ethan, who had always given her whatever she wanted, didn't fall for it this time. He had always believed Sarah was fragile, in need of his protection.

But her words just now had completely shattered that image.

Ethan pulled his arm away, saying coldly:

"If you're unwell, see a healer. Alexander should be returning today. You should seek your husband's company. I am, after all, only your brother-in-law."

"I've done everything I could for you. From now on, you and Alexander must walk your own path. What's between us ends here. I need to find Aria now."

"And those things you said earlier—I never want to hear them again. Stop taking advantage of Aria and then slandering her. Consider yourself warned."

With that, he left without looking back.

As soon as he reached home, the pack healer called:

"Alpha Ethan, wasn't the crystal exhibition for Sarah supposed to be private? How did images spread throughout all the territories? What if your mate sees them? She just miscarried recently and shouldn't be subjected to such stress."

Ethan realized then that someone seeking attention had secretly photographed him with Sarah and shared the images online.

Had Aria seen them too?

His email suddenly chimed with a notification—a voice message from Aria.

Ethan opened it eagerly, but upon hearing the contents, the color drained from his face.

That night, Aria had discovered everything. No wonder she had pleaded so desperately for him not to make her drink that milk.

And what had he done?

"Hello? Alpha Ethan, are you listening? When you have time, remember to bring your mate in for a follow-up examination."

"She won't be coming..."

"What?"

Ethan's voice caught with a trace of a sob:

"Aria knows everything. She's gone..."