Chapter 6

Ella's POV

I watched as his face softened at Anna's little act. He reached out, ruffling her hair with a fond smile. "You little munchkin," he murmured.

The sight made my stomach turn. My wolf was itching to lunge, furious at how close she was to our mate. I knew it was time to get out of there.

I turned to leave, but Alpha Carson called out, and I forced myself to stop and turn back.

"Yes, Alpha Carson? I've given Miss Secretary her chips. Anything else you need?" I pasted on a fake, cheerful smile.

"You're welcome to stay," he said, as if he were doing me some huge favor by offering it.

Probably didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea, or start rumors about why he didn't want me here.

"Thanks, but I've got errands to run," I replied, my voice polite but distant. "I'm sure my mate wouldn't want me lingering around." I caught the flicker of irritation in his eyes before I turned to Anna. "Happy birthday, Anna. See you around."

With my head held high, I left the room, ignoring the tremor in my hands. Once outside the restaurant, I broke into a run, and the second I hit the cover of the trees, I shifted into my wolf form. I tore through the forest, needing to release the anger clawing at me.

When I reached the edge of a cliff overlooking the city lights and glittering buildings, I stopped. I tilted my head up to the full moon, letting out a long, raw howl, pouring out all the agony and frustration. Did the Moon Goddess even know what I was going through?

For the first time, I allowed myself to be honest with myself, I was done. No more pretending. No more giving him everything, only to be dismissed. When I leave, I'm leaving everything behind, my mate, my life here, all of it.

Eventually, I walked back to the estate, feeling the dirt on my pants and the chill of the night air in my messy hair. I probably looked as much of a mess as I felt.

My phone buzzed, it was my mom, the Luna of the Hansen Pack in the East. I had told her I was coming home soon.

"Hello, Mom," I said with a smile, suddenly missing them. I hadn't heard from them since I left to join my mate.

"Hello, my sweet! When are you coming home? You didn't tell us the exact date. Your brother Asher is planning to come and get you with your father," my mom's cheerful voice rang through the phone.

"Mom, tell them they don't need to come. I'll be coming next week. I just have some things to do before I leave," I replied. I wished I could have her embrace right now, but it would take a full day's train trip to the East.

"Is that my little princess?" I heard my dad's deep voice on the line. "Hello, Princess! Your father misses you so much. Why did it take you seven years to contact us?" He still sounded upset that I hadn't reached out sooner. My world had revolved around my mate, and I'd forgotten about the people who truly mattered.

"Sorry, Dad. I'll make it up to you when I get home." Just then, my phone pinged with a message from my mate, saying he wouldn't be home because Anna was sick from something she ate and was in the hospital.

"Little Princess? Why are you quiet? Is everything okay?" Dad's voice was filled with concern.

"Yes, Dad, I'm fine."

I chatted with my family for a while before heading inside the estate and going straight to our room. I cleaned myself up and started packing the last of my clothes from the closet.

My phone rang again, it was my brother Asher. He must've asked my parents for my number once he heard I called.

"You, pumpkin! Don't tell me you didn't plan on calling your handsome brother?" he joked, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Stop calling me pumpkin, Brother! I'm not that little sister of yours anymore," I teased, grinning.

My brother always treated me like his princess, always my knight in shining armor.

"When are you booking your ticket? I can ask a friend to get you on the early train," he said.

"You don't need to do that, Brother. I'll book it in a few days," I replied, sensing my mate's presence behind me as he walked into the room.

"I'll call you later," I whispered before hanging up. "I thought you weren't coming home?" I raised an eyebrow, confused.

"You're booking a ticket?" he asked, walking closer.