My mate Leon is the Alpha heir of Shadowclaw pack. Once again, he didn't spend my birthday with me this year. Because today is also his childhood friend Nora's birthday. I opened Nora's Ins, and sure enough, there was a new post. "Grateful for your company every year on my birthday. We promised to spend every future birthday together!" The photo showed two hands making heart signs in front of a cake. One of them was Leon's—I recognized the watch I'd given him. I hit like, set down my phone, and dumped all the dishes I'd lovingly prepared—all Leon's favorites—into the trash. Then I went to a restaurant, ordered what I liked, and celebrated my birthday alone. Leon didn't know I'd already made my decision—to break up with him and return to Frosthowl pack to become the Alpha heir. Halfway through my meal, Leon called, his tone somewhat anxious. "Rhea, did you see Nora's post?" "I did." "I'll come back after I finish celebrating with her. I'll spend it with you next year. Be reasonable and don't make a fuss, okay?" The old me would have cried and thrown a fit. But not anymore. I simply said calmly, "Okay." The next morning around seven, my phone woke me. It only rang a few times before stopping—probably because he didn't want to wait again. I picked it up and looked. It was Leon. He used to be too lazy to use his own key, so he'd always call me like this—let it ring a few times, then hang up. No matter what I was doing, I'd immediately run to open the door for him. But not today. I tossed my phone aside, pulled the covers over my head, and went back to sleep. The spare key was under the doormat. He knew that. I'd stayed up until three in the morning packing last night, and my head was still foggy. My phone rang several more times, but I didn't even bother looking. I don't know how long passed before I groggily heard someone opening the door. The door slammed against the wall with a loud bang, then the bedroom door was shoved open, accompanied by Leon's angry questioning. "Rhea, why didn't you open the door for me? I called so many times! You know I hate using keys!" I opened my eyes and looked at him without much emotion. "I was too tired. Didn't hear it." Leon opened his mouth, then finally just said, "I'm hungry. Get up and make me something to eat. I was up all night, and I need to catch up on sleep after I eat." In the past, I would've jumped up immediately to make him breakfast. But now I just said flatly, "I'm really tired too. Go buy yourself some breakfast downstairs." Leon was clearly angry, but he held it in. "You're still mad I didn't spend your birthday with you yesterday?" "No, you're overthinking it." Leon didn't believe me and explained unprompted, "Nora is like my little sister. Her dad died for mine. I've taken care of her since we were kids—if I don't stay with her, who will? Stop being so petty, or I'm really going to get angry!" "You're right, you should stay with her. I'm not mad." Nora's father was Leon's father's Beta. When Nora was seven, a Rogue attacked Shadowclaw pack, and her father died protecting Leon's father. Nora's mother died not long after from grief. Since then, Nora had lived with Leon's family. Unlike their childhood bond, Leon and I met through a friend's introduction. When we first met, we both realized we were fated mates. Leon blushed as he looked at me, said it was love at first sight, and asked if I wanted to date him. I blushed too and said yes. Later we fell in love and went on dates everywhere. I thought I'd be happy like that forever—until I met Nora and saw how attentively Leon cared for her. Later I accidentally overheard Nora's friends talking and learned that before meeting me, Leon and Nora had almost started dating. I was the one who'd come between them, forcing them to remain just friends. From then on, I kept thinking back to my first meeting with Leon. I couldn't help wondering—did Leon really fall for me at first sight? Or was the so-called love at first sight just an act, something he said because dating his fated mate would solidify his position as Alpha heir? My reminiscing ended. I couldn't sleep anymore, so I got up to go to the bathroom. Leon grabbed my wrist and reluctantly pulled a bracelet from his pocket. "Here, stop being upset. Your birthday present." Looking at that cheap bracelet, the decorative metal piece dangling and swaying with the movement, it seemed so perfunctory. Then thinking about the designer watch Leon wore in Nora's social media photos, I couldn't help but smile bitterly. I shook my wrist, revealing the watch my mom had sent a few days ago. "Thanks, but I have a watch now. Wearing this would be inconvenient. You keep it." Leon said angrily, "And you say you're not mad! You used to be so happy with whatever I gave you. Now you're turning up your nose at it, is that it?" Leon's income wasn't high. The things he gave me for my birthday in the past were never expensive either—little trinkets costing a few dollars or tens of dollars, sometimes he'd even forget to give anything. But I'd never minded. Every year on his birthday, though, I carefully prepared gifts. Last week for his birthday, I gave him a designer bracelet. I was tired. I really didn't have the energy to argue anymore. I took the bracelet and put it in my pocket. "Thank you." I changed clothes and prepared to leave. Leon asked urgently, "Where are you going?" "Meeting friends. Going to the gym together." Since getting together with Leon, I'd spent almost all my free time on him. Accompanying him, taking care of him, barely having any time for myself. But not anymore. From now on, I was going to live for myself.
After an exhilarating workout with friends, we sat in the rest area drinking water. My friends joked half-seriously, "We thought you'd forgotten about us once you got a boyfriend. We almost didn't dare invite you anymore." I quickly apologized and promised, "I'm sorry! It won't happen again. If there's any activity, definitely invite me!" "That's more like it! Come on, let's go sit and chat at a café." After getting together with Leon, I'd always tried to fit into his circle, unknowingly distancing myself from my own friends. Every day revolved around him, putting him first in everything. Looking back now, I'd been such a fool. By the time I got home, it was almost midnight. I pushed open the bedroom door to find Leon sitting on the bed. He frowned. "Rhea, why are you back so late? I had to order takeout for lunch and dinner. It was terrible." I opened the closet to get clean clothes. "I ate out today too. It tasted pretty good, no worse than homemade." Leon's eyes widened in surprise. "Didn't you used to say you'd cook for me every day from now on, that you wouldn't let me eat takeout because it's bad for my health?" "I was wrong. Living in this era, if you can't cook, you have to get used to takeout." Anger flashed in Leon's eyes. "And you say you're not mad! Out all day, not a single call or message, and you didn't come back to cook!" I said calmly, "I'm really not mad. Just hanging out with friends. My phone died." Seeing me like this, Leon suddenly threw off the covers, got out of bed angrily, grabbed me as I was about to leave, and raised his voice: "Can you stop being so petty? I told you we're just like siblings! What exactly are you making a fuss about? Rhea, my patience has limits!" I pulled my hand free. "I'm really not making a fuss. I'm tired. I'll sleep in the guest room tonight." With that, I took my clothes to the bathroom, ignoring Leon's calls behind me. That night, I finally slept soundly through the whole night. The next morning, Leon sat in the living room with his arms crossed, his expression dark. I knew he was waiting for me to apologize first, to make him happy. In the past, whenever he was unhappy, whether it was my fault or not, I'd beg him humbly for forgiveness. Then he'd make a bunch of demands, and only after I'd done everything would he reluctantly forgive me. This had been the pattern for years. I was tired of it. I ignored him, washed up, and left. I had important things to do today. I found a café and made a video call home. My father is the Alpha of Frosthowl pack. Since dating Leon, I'd moved to Shadowclaw pack to live with him, only returning to Frosthowl pack during holidays. This time, I told my parents I was planning to return to Frosthowl pack and wouldn't be leaving again. I saw the tears of joy in my mother's eyes. My father was clearly relieved too, saying I should come back to help him share some of the pack responsibilities. Frosthowl pack is located in a quiet northern town with a cold, damp climate. Leon grew up in a warm region and never adapted to the weather there. He'd always refused to go back with me, which is why I'd left my parents to live with him here. That evening, I met my friends for dinner and told them the news. Someone asked, "What about Leon?" I was silent for a moment, then smiled bitterly. "We... should be breaking up soon." I used to think I'd build a family with Leon here. But now that home no longer existed. I was going back to the home with my parents—the one that would never abandon me. When I got home, I saw Leon wearing a white dress shirt, his hair carefully styled, holding his phone on a video call with Nora. Nora's voice came through the phone. "Leon, you look so handsome! Even a simple white shirt looks so good on you!" Leon laughed happily, his voice full of mirth. "Really? You always know what to say." I stood quietly without speaking. This expensive white shirt was also a gift from me to Leon. When Leon turned around laughing and saw me, his face immediately fell. He turned back to Nora and said, "I have to go. I'm heading out soon and will be there shortly. Eat something to tide you over first." Leon could greet Nora with smiles and thoughtful care, but couldn't spare even a smile for me. He glanced at me with annoyance, walked past me, changed his shoes, and left. He was starting to give me the silent treatment again. Over the years we'd been together, he'd often ignored me over things related to Nora. Each time I'd been anxious, trying every way to make him happy. But this time, I wasn't worried. I just took the groceries I'd bought and went to the kitchen to make myself a late-night snack. I'd been too busy chatting with friends at dinner and hadn't eaten much. Now I was a bit hungry. Over the next few days, I busied myself packing. My belongings in the house gradually decreased. Leon didn't notice.
Today, Leon went out to see Nora again. I sat at the dining table, eating while looking at my phone. Nora had posted: "Whenever I feel lonely, you're always there. It's wonderful. Grateful!" In the photo, Leon and Nora had their heads together, making peace signs at the camera. Leon's buddies all liked and commented, envying their relationship. All along, they'd thought Leon and Nora were better matched—childhood sweethearts, how nice—while I was like a third wheel inserting myself between them. Looking at that post, I suddenly felt those friends were right. The two of them did look more like a couple. In the past, after holding back for a long time, I'd carefully remind Leon to keep some distance from Nora. His buddies would mock me for being too controlling, saying I had control issues and wouldn't let Leon have freedom in his friendships. Leon never spoke up for me. Instead, he'd join them in criticizing me, telling me not to restrict him and to give him more space. Leon had also commented below: "You've always been there for me too!" I calmly exited the app and got up to clear the dishes. Thunder rumbled outside. It was going to rain. I went to the balcony to bring in the clothes. Bean-sized raindrops immediately began pelting the windows. In the past, whenever it rained, I'd rush to call Leon asking where he was, wanting to bring him an umbrella so he wouldn't get wet. He and his friends would laugh at me for worrying too much, managing too much, preventing them from having fun. I showered early, lay in bed watching videos, and fell asleep without realizing it. The sound of Leon forcefully pushing open my bedroom door woke me. Seeing me asleep, he questioned angrily: "Rhea, it's raining so hard, your boyfriend isn't home this late, and you're not worried at all? If it were my buddies' girlfriends, they'd already be calling nonstop asking where they are, personally bringing an umbrella to pick them up! And you?" I was somewhat surprised, not understanding why he was so angry. Once before when he was with Nora and it rained, I'd called several times asking where he was and when he'd be back, wanting to pick him up. He'd gotten very angry, saying I was worrying needlessly, that he was with Nora and needed to take her home first. He also said I just didn't want him with Nora, that I was making excuses for him to come home early, that my need for control was suffocating him. Now I'd given him freedom, yet he was questioning why I didn't pick him up. I really didn't understand what he wanted from me. I answered with a heart like still water, "You were with Nora, so I wasn't worried. You two can hang out longer, then take her home." Leon's eyes widened in disbelief. Perhaps he was wondering how I could so calmly mention Nora and even allow them to stay out this late alone. After a while, he seemed to think of something and explained, "Today... was the anniversary of Nora's father's death. She was very upset. As a friend, I couldn't leave her alone. Don't read too much into it." I expressed understanding and nodded in agreement. "I get it. You should definitely spend more time with her on a day like this." My reasonableness left Leon at a loss for words. He studied my face carefully, trying to find a trace of anger, but found none. Leon softened his tone. "Rhea, I need to shower. Can you run the hot water for me?" I looked at him in surprise. This was almost like him initiating reconciliation. In the past, he was always so superior, making me beg and plead before he'd reluctantly make up with me. I pretended not to understand his hint and just said, "No, I'm tired. Run it yourself, then get some rest in your room." Leon looked at me in disbelief, then angrily turned and left. I got up and closed the door myself, then went back to sleep. A peaceful night's sleep.
Early the next morning, my friend Vivian called to invite me to dinner. She'd just returned from a business trip. Hearing I was returning to Frosthowl pack, she wanted to get together again since there wouldn't be many more chances. I felt a bit sad hearing this, but agreed. Before hanging up, she added, "Oh, bring Leon too. I won't contact him separately." Right—Vivian wasn't just my friend, but Leon's too. She was the one who'd introduced us in the first place. But this way, I couldn't hide my return to Frosthowl pack anymore. I'd originally wanted to wait until everything was settled before saying anything, to avoid complications. After hanging up, I saw Leon coming out of his room. I hesitated, then spoke up. "Vivian wants to have dinner with us tonight." He looked at me, seeming somewhat hesitant, about to speak when his phone rang. I didn't know what the person on the other end said, but Leon soothed them gently, "Nora, don't worry, it won't be lost. I'll come right over to help you find it." Leon hung up and hurried toward the door, efficiently changing his shoes while saying to me, "Rhea, Nora has an emergency and needs my help. You go to dinner by yourself tonight. I won't make it. Let Vivian know." That evening at a restaurant, Vivian and I had just raised our glasses when Leon walked in with Nora by his side. The moment our eyes met, Leon looked somewhat surprised and embarrassed. Nora beside him gave me a slightly provocative smile. Leon stepped forward, his expression somewhat unnatural. "What a coincidence, you're here too." Nora said with false apology, "Leon saw I was hungry and said he'd bring me here to eat. We're not interrupting, are we?" Vivian seemed to have forgotten Leon's earlier refusal to join us for dinner. She enthusiastically invited them to sit together and had the server add more dishes. Leon wanted to sit next to me. I got up and moved next to Vivian, leaving the opposite seats for him and Nora. Leon's buddies were right—he and Nora did look more compatible. I shouldn't squeeze myself in the middle. Leon's face showed some nervousness. Several times he seemed about to explain to me but was interrupted. I chatted with Vivian on my own. My phone kept buzzing with notifications. I took a moment to glance. They were from Leon. "Rhea, don't misunderstand. After I helped Nora find her things, she said she wanted to eat at this restaurant, so I brought her." "I really didn't know you'd be here too." "If you're unhappy, I'll be more careful next time." "After dinner, let's go home together, okay?" I looked down and replied, "No need. You two go ahead. I want to chat with Vivian a bit longer." I put down my phone and focused on talking with Vivian, ignoring the subsequent messages. After a few drinks, Vivian was a bit tipsy. She put her arm around me, her eyes slightly red. "Why are you suddenly going back to Frosthowl pack? You're my best friend here. When you leave, I won't have anyone to chat and shop with." My heart ached too, my nose tingling with emotion. "My parents are getting older and struggling to handle pack affairs. I need to go back to help them. Come visit me there, and I'll treat you well." Vivian ultimately didn't say more, just raised her glass to toast me again. Leon seemed to have heard something. His eyes widened as he stared at me in shock.
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