Chapter 173: Abandoned Hopes

Nova’s POV

As I stood there, my hands tucked nervously in the pockets of my coat, I found my gaze constantly drifting back towards the Packhouse.

It was as if a part of me was desperately waiting for something — or someone — to emerge from those familiar doors.

I knew it was a foolish hope, one that I should have long since abandoned. Drystan had made it painfully clear that we had no future together, that our bond as mates couldn’t also change that.

Yet, a stubborn part of me clung to the wish that he would come rushing out to beg me to stay.

Mentally, I scolded myself for this lingering, foolish hope. I had already made the difficult decision to leave, to forge a new path for myself, away from the pain and rejection that had become my reality here.

Why was I still torturing myself, hoping against all logic that Drystan would change his mind?

With a renewed determination, I forced my gaze away from the Packhouse, focusing solely on the driveway where the car that would whisk me