Chapter 4

EVELARA

“Are you sure about this, Eve?” Selene's soft voice rolled out as I was packing my bags.

I looked up at her. She was standing on the other side of the bed, holding her favourite coffee mug where her coffee had perhaps turned cold by now.

Her expression was calm, but her eyes betrayed her worry…

“I mean, you can stay here with me, right?” She suggested, her lips trembling with hesitation. “Make your career while ignoring those—ungrateful pigs.”

Sigh—she's reluctant to let me leave the pack and be away from her. Zipping my bag, I went toward her, keeping the coffee mug aside. I held her hands… “If there's anyone to call family, that's you for me, Selene. You've always been my greatest support, and I know you'll always support me no matter what. But this time, I must leave,” I said with surety.

A soft sigh slipped from her lips, her gaze lowered, “I-I'm just worried for you.” She murmured.

Honestly, I know her concerns. Since I have stepped into the skirts of the Shadowfang Pack, I have never stepped outside. My entire life grew here with few people around, until those same people decided to claw out my soul.

Without a word, I pulled her into a hug. “Don't worry about me. I'll always be in touch with you. Besides, you've already arranged my stay in the city.”

I've decided to leave for the capital of the Kingdom and pursue my career there with a new beginning. While Selene, through her connections, has kindly arranged for my accommodation, and the savings I have accumulated over the past five years would, in fact, sustain me for several years, I am uncertain about how to begin. Nonetheless, I am optimistic that a path will reveal itself to me.

Selene hugged me tightly. “I'll miss you bitch…”

As our emotional moment carried on, a sudden call broke the ambience. It was my Dean and mother-like mentor, Healer Rebecca Duskbane.

I received the call, only to— “how dare you decide to leave without even informing me!? You little ungrateful brat!” And I got scolded.

I chuckled softly; even in her scolding lies her care and warmth. “I was about to visit you before leaving.”

“Whatever! I'm very disappointed! Come to my office right now!” She snapped at me and hung up.

“Wow, you'll have a long class dude,” Selene muttered in amusement.

“Well, it seems so…”

After a while, I stood before her office with a tight heart. I wasn't scared about the scolding I was about to get, but it's the goodbye I fear that's awaiting me after that.

Inhaling a deep breath, I knocked on the door before pushing the door open and going inside. Dean was sitting behind her desk, her brows furrowed over a few reports of the patents.

She glanced up at me, and her brows furrowed even more tightly. Immediately she stood up from her seat and stormed toward me.

Oh no, here she comes…

I expected a motherly beating, but—she pulled me into a tight hug, almost melting me immediately.

“Thank Goddess, you didn’t leave.” Then breaking the hug, she crossed her arms, back to her dean mode. “How can you just leave like that, girl? Did you not even bother about this old Dean once?” She sounded pretty upset.

“It's not what you think. It happened all of a sudden.” I tried to explain. “I would have visited you anyway.”

Her eyes squinted, and then her arms dropped to her sides. Sighing, she held my hands. “It was a shock to me when Sister Carol handed me your resignation. How did it happen? How did—your mate agree?” She looked unsettled at the last question.

A very few people knew about my marriage to Callum, and one of them was her. However, although Callum was the Alpha of the pack, she never really liked him, and certainly not as my mate. She never said it too clearly, but her actions and expressions had given it away.

I smiled at her, holding her hands tightly, “I don’t need his agreement anymore. I’ve walked out of that bond. I rejected him.”

“What!?” She gasped out, her eyes turned wide, “Really? Yo-you rejected him!? The—” She swallowed down her tone, and whispered, “the Alpha?”

“Yes, I did.” I gave a firm nod.

She stared at me for a few seconds and then pulled me into a deeper hug, “Oh my Goddess! Finally, you've made the best decision! I've always known he's the biggest barrier in your life!” Her excitement knew no bounds at the moment.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

Breaking the embrace, she watched me with her glinting eyes. “This means you're completely able to take up the offer!”

“Offer?” I raised a brow, slightly confused.

“Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention.” She steadied herself, turning back her Dean mode and went to her desk. She picked up a paper and came to me again.

“A few days earlier, the city hall arranged for a Healer’s programme all over the kingdom. The seat was open for only five candidates…”

I remember this and I had an urge to apply as well after Dean informed me, but at that time, I was blinded by Callum and Alex, thus the opportunity was missed.

A bitter bile rose into my throat. What a pathetic fool I was…

“However,” Dean continued, “even though you denied, I have applied for you and—”

My jaw dropped. She applied for me!?

“—And you've been selected.”

As her words rolled out, I stood like a statue. “What?” My tone shook, barely a whisper.

Dean's lips curled softly, "Yes, Eve, you've been selected to join the program. I was hesitant to tell you because I knew you would reject it. Still, I thought about speaking after returning from my last conference, but as I returned, I heard that you're leaving, and trust me, I couldn't be happier with that news…”

“Dean…” My voice choked with emotions and I embraced her tightly this time. “I'm so grateful I've met you!”

She caressed my back, "Yeah, yeah, I know. But now, don't be late! Tomorrow is the last date to join the program! You must leave today!”

Tears spilt down my face as I nodded with a grin, “I… I won’t disappoint you,” I promised and dropped a kiss on her chubby cheeks before hurrying out….

Half an hour later, I stood before the taxi as the driver helped put my suitcase inside.

Clutching the invitation paper in my hand, I glanced at it. My name was written in bold words… I still couldn't believe my eyes that it was actually happening!

Seems, Goddess truly wants me to start over. Perhaps a better one…

“Finally,” Selene spoke, her worry had dissipated a lot once she had learned about my selection. “I'm so happy for you!”

“Yeah, finally…” I muttered. Removing my gaze from the paper, I turned to her and hugged her for the last time.

“You’ve carried too much for too long. Go… and take the world by storm.” She said.

“I'll miss you so much, bitch.” I whispered.

“I know and I'll sue you if you don't!” Her voice choked, yet she tried her best to hide it.

“Keep your heart strong, Eve. And don’t let anyone dim your fire.” Those were her last words…

After bidding farewell to Selene, I looked around at the place I grew up. And then, with a heavy heart and a broken soul, I entered the cab.

As the cab drove far away from the familiar entrance of Shadowfang Pack, Dravara’s presence hummed through my consciousness as she padded around in my mind.

Dravara flickered behind my vision, her fluffy tail brushing her spine. ‘Dreams… finally yours to chase.’

With a final glance at the city skyline, I nodded with a whisper, “New dreams, new life, a new beginning, and certainly, no man…” I vowed determinedly.

At that moment, I wished I knew that a much bigger and more intense storm was waiting ahead for me in the city centre; perhaps I would have changed my mind…