Chapter 4

Rae looked out at the bustling city with a blank expression.

For the three days she'd spent in the hospital, her beloved mate, Cassian, hadn't come to see her even once.

It was almost ironic that Rae had once thought Cassian's love was enough. That it was everything she needed.

She had been so naive. But no more.

Rae's expression hardened as she slipped a hand into her pocket and pulled out the familiar black ring box.

She opened it and peered at it. Inside were two rings engraved with their names.

Cassian. Rae.

Rae had kept them for so long, believing they symbolized their love. She clenched her palm, the edge of the ring pressing into her skin.

But maybe love wasn't about material things.

Maybe it was about whether someone's words matched their actions.

When had Cassian's words ever matched his actions anyway?

Perhaps only when it came to his precious adopted sister. She unclenched her palm and returned the ring to its box.

A sudden knock sounded at the door.

Rae straightened her back and turned toward the door. "Come in," she said, casually tossing the ring box into the trash.

Doctor Smith stepped into the ward. Unlike his usual doctor's attire, today, he wore a casual shirt and trousers.

He looked at Rae gently. "I've finished your discharge paperwork. You're free to leave."

The coldness in Rae's eyes softened, and a grateful smile appeared on her face. "Thank you, Doctor Smith. For everything. I can't thank you enough."

Although Rae had mostly recovered three days earlier, Doctor Smith had insisted she remain in the hospital so he could monitor her and make sure there were no underlying issues.

He had even prescribed medication to help Diamond recover faster.

Doctor Smith tucked his hands into his pockets. "So, where are you going now? Back to the Blackwood Pack?"

Rae's head snapped up. "How did you know I'm leaving?" She hadn't told anyone yet.

Not that there was anyone to tell anyway.

Doctor Smith pointed toward the trash can. "You look like you've made up your mind. And you've changed."

Rae fell silent, her chest tightening. How surprising that an outsider had noticed the change in her after knowing her for just six months.

Yet the mate she'd been with for three years hadn't known her at all, despite everything she'd done for him.

Rae didn't bother denying it. She said directly, "Yes. I'm leaving."

Yesterday, Kate had sent over a package containing Elena's identity and helped Rae prepare everything she needed.

All she had to do now was pack her belongings and leave the pack.

Doctor Smith nodded. "Good. Then you should hurry and pack."

Rae frowned slightly. Why did his voice somehow carry a hint of excitement?

Doctor Smith even seemed more excited than she was.

Still, Rae pushed the thought aside. Doctor Smith had seen everything she'd gone through over the past six months. That had to be the reason. He was probably just rooting for her.

She gave him one last bow. "Thank you, Doctor Smith. For everything. Really."

Doctor Smith shook his head. "There's no need to thank me. It's the job I've been assigned." With that, he tucked his hands into his pockets and walked out.

Rae watched him leave. Confusion flickered across her face. The job he'd been assigned? By whom?

Somehow, Doctor Smith was incredibly mysterious, and Rae couldn't figure him out at all.

Rae shook her head and straightened her back. There was no point in wasting her time thinking about it.

She had more important things to do. She still had things to pack.

She looked around the hospital ward, and her chest tightened. There was nothing to pack.

Throughout her stay, no one had come to visit her or even check on her. She'd worn the clothes provided by the hospital, eaten the hospital meals, and even had her medical bills covered. This was how insignificant she'd become in the pack.

Luckily, Doctor Smith had insisted on covering her medical expenses despite her protests.

Rae let out a bitter laugh. A deaf wolf dreaming of becoming Luna? That was all she was to the pack.

Nothing more.

Rae picked up her phone and the package her mother had sent before walking out of the hospital.

She headed straight to her apartment on the outskirts of the pack territory.

Although Rae had been destined to become Luna, the incident three years ago had stolen that future from her and turned her entire life upside down.

Cassian had promised that once she left the Blackwood Pack, they would get married immediately.

But because of the accident, they had postponed the wedding. After that, the subject of marriage was never brought up again.

Immediately after the accident, Cassian had arranged an apartment for Rae in a distant part of the pack so she could recover in peace.

She had thought that meant love. That it meant he cared. But now...

Rae's fingers trembled. If Cassian truly loved her, he would have brought her into his own home instead. She only needed a room, after all.

Rae's apartment was located on the outskirts of the pack territory, which meant leaving would be easy. She wouldn't have to worry about attracting anyone's attention.

Rae pushed open the apartment door, and some of the tension left her body. The apartment was empty.

Lucky her.

She stepped inside and looked around.

A feast she'd carefully prepared the night before still sat untouched on the dining table, most of the dishes being Cassian's favorites.

Melted candle wax stained the floor where she'd carefully arranged the candles.

Roses were scattered across the bed, and decorative ribbons still hung around the room.

A bitter smile touched Rae's lips as she remembered what she'd been thinking while preparing everything.

She'd thought the night would end up passionate. That Cassian would make love to her and finally complete their mating bond. She'd never imagined...

Her gaze fell on the TV cabinet. Photographs of the two of them were arranged there.

In every picture, Rae's eyes were filled with happiness, her lips curved into bright smile.

All of those pictures had been taken after she'd lost her hearing.

Even though she was deaf, Rae had believed she was the happiest woman in the world.

She walked into the bedroom and began packing.

Even after living there for three years, she didn't have much to take, so she finished quickly.

Rae picked up her suitcase and returned to the front door.

Three years ago, she'd abandoned everything for Cassian, and he'd promised she'd never regret it.

Yet it hadn't taken long for her to lose her hearing.

Rae, a wolf born with a natural talent for music.

For a pianist and singer to lose her hearing, how cruel was that? She could no longer hear the sound of a piano or the melodies she'd once composed.

The woman who had once shone brightly on stage had become nothing more than a deaf wolf, mocked by the pack for dreaming of becoming Luna.

But now, Rae straightened her back.

She gripped the handle of her suitcase and walked out of the apartment, quietly shutting the door behind her.