CHAPTER 003
1358 Words
: "Packing What's Left"
I pretended to be calm as I pushed the bulky suitcase behind me and said, "I'm just organizing the closet." A blouse that I hadn't worn in months and didn't intend to wear again was smoothed by my hands.
"All right. Lucien stated, as if he were enumerating tasks, "Tomorrow, Jonas and I are going to the Silver Alp Pack." "The attack is the issue." He spoke in a practiced, flat voice. "Pack my charcoal suit while you're here. The Brioni.
"Yes." I didn't even raise my eyes. I just continued to look at the fabric, concentrating on the straightforward silk folds rather than the icy gaze I sensed from him.
"I'm taking a shower. I'll be working late after that. Dinner is a waste of time. Before I could respond, the bathroom door clicked shut.
I remained silent. Allow the silence to linger like a dense mist. I folded his pants. The jumpers were neatly stacked. Each move was clean and precise. Give him a shower. Let him go. I folded his leftovers and let him crawl back to her. I had moved past my anger.
The front door creaked open once more, letting morning light filter through the curtains. Lucien stood with a rumpled shirt and weary eyes.
"Why is your suitcase packed while mine isn't?" His voice was tight and scratchy.
Slowly, I looked up. "I forgot. After breakfast, I'll finish yours.
"Be sure to do it." He threw some cash onto the table. "The kitchen is preparing breakfast. Prepare two lunchboxes. Since Mia's condition worsened, Jonas has not eaten.
I kept the money in my pocket. "All right."
As he left, he added, "And make sure mine is done by noon." "We have a big meeting later."
Before I could even think of a response, the door slammed shut. I gazed at the void he had left. It felt strange to have a man who used to whisper love into my skin in our house.
He would have gone crazy if I had remained silent for an hour back then. He used to bring bunches of flowers home from Bern Market. Unexpected excursions to Lucerne Hills. At night, his apologies got tangled in my hair. Now, he probably wouldn't blink even if I left.
Aurin whispered inside of me, "He's already left us behind." Her voice sounded faint and broken, like a cracked bell.
I muttered as I made my way to the restroom, "Then we don't owe him anything." I scrubbed him off my skin by turning the water as hot as I could.
The breakfast tasted like dust. I deliberately chose cuts at the butcher's: Lucien's ribeye. For Jonas, venison. A last supper, salted with silent fury.
With a dark sense of humor, Aurin said, "Let's go all out—meat lovers' dream."
"Obviously." I could already picture Lucien's expression when he discovered his desk drawers were hollow and his closet was empty.
I went by the training yard on my way home. The Gammas were shouting commands as the new pups, hardly more than children, lined up outside. My heart clenched. I would never again walk these grounds as though I belonged here.
I took advantage of every Bärli Biscuit and ChocoStab available at the snack kiosk. With joy on their faces and mud on their shoes, the pups ran to me.
They yelled, "Thanks, Luna!" One boy smiled broadly and pulled my arm. "You're very kind! Don't let anyone tell you that you're not!
I knelt down and straightened his tangle of curls. "Please pay attention to your Gamma. Additionally, you shouldn't feel guilty about eating more snacks.
Long after they ran away, I still had a lump in my throat. I muttered to myself, "Keep moving forward." I hoped they wouldn't notice that this was farewell.
I packed two lunch tins when I got home. For him, one. For her, one. We used to eat meals together in his office, laughing as we stole food from each other's plates and discussing work in between . I was merely his delivery girl for his indifference now.
When did things start to go wrong? As I carefully arranged the samosas, I . Was it following the death of her partner? Or was it earlier—when he looked away from me?
I felt as though I was portraying a loving partner in a play that I no longer wanted to be in during the phony walk to work. The final act would be this.
There was nobody in the office. On his desk was a coffee mug that read, "World's Best Leader" and was crusted with dried foam. Numbers. When I walked in, his new Beta hardly raised an eyebrow.
He shrugged and said, "He's with Beta Jonas." "Her daughter isn't feeling well today."
I said, "I'll wait." I spoke in a rigid tone.
I went over to the desk and pulled out the drawer. It was there. The wolf's head stamp in silver. I picked up the papers Alpha Silvan had handed me.
No signature is required. click.
I took a slightly trembling breath. I packed one copy into my bag and left the other on the desk. This was my escape route.
"The final—" My whisper was interrupted when I heard Jonas's voice over the pack bond.
*Selene, dear— You're hiding in Lucien's office, right? Bring lunch, darling. He's going hungry.
I clenched my jaw. The last "family dinner" came to mind. Mia's quiet. Jonas's phony pity. unsteady smile.
Alright. A final grovel. , I'm leaving.
With my boots slamming into the floor more forcefully than necessary, I said aloud, "Sure."
The scent of lies and fake flowers filled Jonas's home. Half-dressed and irritated, Bastian opened the door.
"Who said you were welcome here?" Fumbling with his belt, he snapped.
I ignored him. Jonas was relaxing like a queen in a silky robe.
"Am I disturbing you?"
"Obviously not," she remarked charmingly. "I invited you to come. Don't pout, Lucien, my dear.
Lucien was lying loose and without shoes on her couch. cozy.
Jonas took the lunch tin from me and said, "Come in, Selene." "Let's be polite."
I went inside after her. Her perfume and fake melancholy filled the air.
"How are you doing?" I pretended to care .
She pulled a face. " Really awful. However, wasn't Carl's passing the Alpine Moon Mother's will? That cannot be questioned. tear.
Carl, poor guy. passed away unaware that his wife and daughter enjoyed playing pranks on other people's husbands.
Jonas's gaze landed on my neck mark. "Lucien brought up that adorable little brand. How charming.
As I scooped rice onto plates, I remarked, "It's only temporary." " Yours with Carl was genuine. Mine? Only ink.
That didn't sit well with her. Her lips clenched. I continued plating the food until Soren's phone rang.
The rain was misting my face as I stepped out onto the porch.
"Selene. Does Silvan's report make sense? Over the static, his voice broke. "You're not acting in this way because he hit you or something?"
I took a deep breath. "The transfer has begun. How is Mom doing?
She is missing you. Everyone does. When will you be arriving?
"Tonight. or tomorrow. Soon.
I watched through the window as Jonas fed Lucien a samosa as if he were incapable of feeding himself. She kept her hand close to his mouth.
"Soon," I said again. More than anything, it felt like a promise.
The call was cut off. I'm still buttoning his shirt, Lucien emerged from behind the door.
"Who was that?" There was a sharp edge to his voice.
"Soren. To see if I'm alright.
As if it didn't matter, he nodded. "Then come back in."
"No thanks," I replied with a sardonic grin. "I need to be somewhere else."
"Anyway. Later, I will return home.
It is no longer your home.
I was waving down a cab when the drizzle hit my face. Where will I go next?
The High Council Tribunal of Zurich.
It's time to sign the final documents.
It's time to relax.
- Writer
