Lizzie brought me three empty suitcases. She probably assumed that as Luna, I would have a lot to take. But in the end, I only filled one.
I opened the wardrobe, intending to clear out my clothes, but it was filled with Elias's suits and shirts, all neatly arranged. I had ironed each one myself until it was crisp, organizing them by color and occasion so he could grab whatever he needed at a moment's notice. His ties were stored separately because I liked tying them for him every morning. Elias always complained it was a hassle, but he'd stand there and wait for me anyway. I used to think his indulgence meant he cared for me. How naive I had been to feel happy about that for so long.
My own clothes took up very little space, and most were gowns Elias had given me in the name of the Vernal pack. I knew those were standard-issue Luna attire, not personal gifts for Serenity the person. The same went for the expensive jewelry, which mostly sat gathering dust in the safe. Aside from balls and ceremonies, I almost never touched any of it.
Now I had no intention of taking any of it with me.
In the end, I packed only some cosmetics from the vanity, a few books I read often, some casual clothes, and toiletries. That was everything. It was startling, really. Only now did I realize how much I had neglected myself, both before and after the marriage.
Being Luna came with a living allowance, but I had never spent it on myself. I loved cooking and grinding coffee, so I had put all my money into ingredients and coffee beans, constantly experimenting with new dishes for Elias.
To make sure Elias enjoyed his meals, I had thrown myself into studying nutrition. I'd searched high and low for ingredients that met his nutritional needs while also pleasing his palate. All those cold numbers—vitamins, compounds, intake levels—had given me headaches. But watching Elias devour my cooking with a surprised look on his face made every bit of effort feel worthwhile.
My family had always dismissed my interests as cheap and useless. But those skills had eventually helped Elias accept me.
No matter how busy he was, he always made it home to eat with me. We'd talk about our days over the dinner table. No matter how boring my little stories were, he'd listen as attentively as if I were presenting the most important financial report.
Those moments had been the happiest moments of my day.
But after Liv fell into the sea, Elias refused to eat anything I made.
Maybe in his mind, I was a suspect who might poison his food. Since that was how he saw me, I should clear out all the uselessjunk from the kitchen before I left. There was no reason to leave reminders of myself behind.
How foolish I had been. All that "happiness" between us was just my one-sided fantasy.
"Goodbye," I said softly. I wasn't sure if I was saying it to this house full of memories or to my past self.
Alfred kept his word.
When I dragged my suitcase through the mansion doors, the guards at the entrance glared at me but didn't stop me like before.
"Enjoy your 'reprieve,'" Alfred said, looking down at me. "But you'll report to me every month, and you can't leave Vernal territory. If you try to run with the child, you know what happens."
"I understand," I replied flatly. Then I turned around. Lizzie, who'd come to see me off, had tears welling in her eyes. Her voice was choked. "Luna, are you really leaving? When will you come back?"
When would I come back?Probably never. I had no desire to return to this cage.
But I couldn't say that out loud. This past half year, Lizzie was the reason I hadn't felt completely alone. So I was vague. " I don’t know. I need some time to clear my head. I've been in this house too long. But don't worry, Lizzie. I can take care of myself."
"Then at least tell me where you'll be staying in the city…"
"I can't." I shook my head gently. "I can't tell you. I can't tell anyone. I'm sorry, but I don't want anyone from the Vernal family to find me."
"But Luna, if no one knows where you are, what if the Alpha asks?—"
"He won't look for me." I cut her off and forced a smile. "My leaving is what makes Elias happiest."
Lizzie finally broke down crying. She rushed forward and grabbed my hand, refusing to let go. "Then I'm coming with you! You're pregnant—you can't be alone with no one to look after you! I'm your maid. Wherever you go, I go!"
I sighed, set down my suitcase, and pulled her into my arms, patting her back.
"No, Lizzie. You have to stay." I refused her gently but firmly.
In ten months, after I gave birth, I would leave the Vernal pack. With the traitor label on me, the Keller pack certainly wouldn't take me back. Homeless, I would become a banished rogue wolf. I knew that. I'd accepted it.
But Lizzie was a good person. Precisely because of that, I couldn't drag her into a wandering life with me.
"Why?" Lizzie was frantic. "Do you hate me, Luna?"
