---- My fingers trembled as I exited the group chat and logged into his email, withdrawing the Alpha Council bonding application. The moment I finished, I finally felt a sense of relief. Early the next morning, I carried my suitcase and prepared to leave. Damon happened to wake up just then. Seeing me standing by the door, he was still half-asleep. "Baby, where are you going?" "To pick up my brother," I said calmly. Damon glanced at my suitcase, seeming confused. " Just picking someone up-why bring luggage?" "These are northern territory specialties I prepared. I want my brother to take them back south." Now I seemed to have learned from Damon-lying came so naturally. Sure enough, I fooled Damon. He didn't ask more questions, just got out of bed and hugged me. "Wait for me, I'll go with you." ---- I shook my head. "I'm afraid my brother won't be able to accept it. You go to the birthday celebration first. Let me meet with my brother and calm him down. After all, we haven't seen each other in a long time." Damon thought about it and seemed to agree it was too rushed, so he ruffled my hair and nodded with a smile. "Alright, but come over early. I'll be waiting for you at the birthday celebration." After washing up, he drove straight to the celebration venue. I stood there watching his car disappear before hailing a taxi to the airport. Check-in, baggage claim, boarding-everything went smoothly. Only after getting on the plane did I open Damon's chat window. The last message I wanted to send him-I had thought about it so much beforehand. ---- I wanted to tell him that I knew about all his schemes and manipulation. I wanted to ask him why he treated me this way. But now, when it was truly time to end things, I only typed a short sentence. [Damon Blackwood, I, Sage Rivers, refuse to accept you as my mate. I don't love you anymore.] After sending it, I deleted all contact information. The plane slowly took off, carrying me home. Never to see Ironwood Pack again. And never to see Damon Blackwood again.