The Alpha’s Temporary Mark

During my stay in the clinic, I didn't stop preparing for my transfer to the Silver Crest Pack.

All I wanted was to finish the handover quickly and leave this place of heartbreak.

Kade did visit once during this time.

He was dressed in black casual clothes and holding a bouquet of flowers.

"What are you doing here?" I looked at him coldly.

"To see your injury." He walked to the bedside, his gaze dropping to my bandaged arm.

"Seen enough? Then you can leave."

"Anya, about last night..." He paused, his gaze dropping to my bandaged arm. "You shouldn't have been at the festival."

I froze for a second, then let out a cold laugh. "So it was my fault?"

"I didn't mean that," Kade frowned. "But you know Selena isn't used to pack life. You should be more understanding."

"Understanding?" I could hardly believe my ears. "I'm the one who got burned, and you want me to be understanding toward the person who did it?"

"She didn't do it on purpose!" Kade's voice rose. "Why do you always have to be so difficult?"

"Get out." I closed my eyes. "Get out now."

Kade stood there for a few seconds before finally slamming the door on his way out.

We parted on bad terms, and he never showed up again.

As I was leaving the healer's office with my final test results, I ran right into Kade, who was carefully helping Selena out of the fertility healer's office, a service exclusive to Alpha bloodlines.

At the sight of me, a flash of panic crossed Kade's golden wolf eyes. He almost instinctively dropped his hand from Selena's waist.

Seeing his hesitation, Selena's expression faltered for a moment before she recovered and said,

"Our mother's birthday party is in a few days. You should come, sister. Mother has been missing you. She would be so happy to see you there."

I didn't say a word and turned to leave, but my wrist was suddenly grabbed.

"What were you being tested for?"

"Let go." I tried to pull away.

"Tell me, what were you being tested for?" His grip was strong, and my arm ached.

"Just an old injury," I said coldly. "Why the sudden concern, Alpha? I'm not a pup anymore. My wounds heal slower these days."

My retort left Kade speechless.

He couldn't understand why he always lost control of his emotions around me.

Perhaps he wasn't used to me being so prickly.

He even found himself missing the adoration that used to shine in my eyes whenever I looked at him.

"How long are you going to play this little game of hard to get? Take it too far, and it stops being cute."

I didn't answer and just turned and walked away.

I could feel Kade's complicated gaze following me, but I had no intention of looking back.

I finished all my transfer preparations ahead of schedule.

Just as I was about to go to the pack elder to say my goodbyes, he gave me another last-minute task.

"An invitation for your mother's birthday banquet has arrived, and it specifically requests your presence. If you refuse now, you'll be making things difficult for me..."

I knew my mother better than anyone.

On the surface, she valued so-called "family image" more than anything.

I understood that pack diplomacy was part of a warrior's duty.

I had no reason to refuse, so I agreed.

"After this banquet, I plan to head to the Silver Crest Pack early to get familiar with the territory."

"Fine. I originally gave you two weeks for the handover. Since you've finished your tasks early, you can take the remaining days as leave. Go relax."

I nodded and went downstairs.

On the day of the banquet, I wore the formal warrior's dress uniform and entered the grand hall.

I was never good at these situations. Social gatherings packed with the powerful and elite always made me uncomfortable.

It wasn't until a servant came to summon me to a side hall that I went as instructed. There, I saw my mother sitting in the main seat.

I stood a respectful distance away and offered a formal warrior's salute.

My mother ignored my distant attitude. Instead, she tried to pull me into small talk, leveraging our blood ties to dissolve the awkward tension.

I mostly remained silent.

This so-called mother felt like a complete stranger to me.

I didn't need a late performance of maternal love.

Especially since this performance was only to assuage her own guilt.

It wasn't until she went on stage to give a speech that my mother finally let go of my hand.

She hadn't aged a day over the years, looking radiant on stage.

I couldn't help but think of my own aging father, who had fought and bled for the pack, only to be left with a body full of scars.

As I was lost in thought, a shocked howl erupted from the crowd.

I snapped back to reality and saw that every wolf in the room was looking at me with strange eyes.