Rosalie
I took the engagement ring off my finger and raised my hand, holding it against the setting sun. It was a simple white gold band with a large princess-cut diamond in the middle. One might say that there was nothing particularly special about that ring, but there was a lot.
The light blue hue shimmering inside the rock looked almost as if there were millions of tiny snowflakes trapped inside it.
"Moon Godess' Tears" was the name of that diamond and it was passed down from one generation to another within the Windham family as a token of true love given during the mating ceremony.
I treasured this ring and had only worn it once during our wedding ceremony, scared to damage such an important family heirloom. And all for what? Now, it felt like all the things I had treasured were crumbling underneath my feet.
Hiding the ring back in its velvet box, I shut the lid and caught myself sighing again.
Somehow I felt like with this ring, something far more important had been torn away from me.
Was I really that subtle?
'You never loved me anyway.'
Christopher's words echoed in my head and for a moment, I heard my heart beat faster as I thought he was standing right behind me.
I loved you. I had loved you for as long as I could remember. You and you alone.
From the moment I realized that I had fallen for you, everything I had done I did for your sake.
Both my body and mind knew no rest at all. From the exhausting and taxing physical training to countless lessons on various subjects––I excelled in everything just so that if there was even the slightest chance of becoming your Luna, I would be the perfect one, and you would always be proud of me.
I dedicated both my body and soul to that little chance and when my father told me I had to marry you, even though I was genuinely surprised, at the same time, without a doubt, I was happy.
So how come after so many sacrifices and efforts, you still failed to notice all my love?
How come it was that easy for you to discard me?
Have you really been that scared all along?
Now, it did not really matter anymore. It was not the end I wanted but it was the end nonetheless.
Having packed the remainder of my things, I wiped the tiny beads of sweat that formed along my hairline and took a seat on the plush sofa in the middle of our bedroom. I took one last brisk look around and my heart filled with unpleasant heaviness again.
Christopher was not here to see me off. It was already far after midnight, but he insisted that he was too busy handling the aftermath of our divorce, but deep down I knew that even if he was free, he would not want to be here to say his last goodbyes.
So, I wanted to leave as soon as possible not because I now hated this place, but because it was the affection I harbored for it that would not let me stay there to soak in the remnants of that short-lived married life I shared with the man I truly loved.
'You never loved me anyway.'
Once again, Christopher's harsh words rang in my ears and I could not stop a shudder from shaking up my body like an earthquake. My mind drifted back to that very moment and my now ex-husband's handsome face stared down at me with the look I had never seen before.
'You are right,' now my own voice was screaming at me from inside my head. 'I never loved you, Christopher. You are right...'
Was that really for the best?
I bit my lips and clenched my fists on top of my knees, my sharp fingernails digging at the soft skin of my palms.
'It's fine,' my mind tried to reason with me, 'there is no use mulling over this anymore. Take your things and take your leave, Rosalie. From now on, live your own life, without any regrets.'
My phone buzzed with a brief notification that my taxi was waiting for me at the entrance. I wiped off what seemed like the beginning of tears that started forming at the corners of my eyes and finally rose to my feet.
I grabbed the handles of two large suitcases––all I could take on my own without making any commotion––and left the room as quietly as I could.
As expected, no omega servant came to escort me out as well.
Once the car began to move, I took my phone out again and checked the messages. Everything had been already prepared for my arrival; my grandfather was surprisingly efficient.
I locked the screen and leaned back in the car seat, my eyes shut firmly and I steadied my breathing while the strong plastic aroma mixed with a hint of leathery scent clung to my nostrils.
Once I left the Silverlight pack's territory, I would have a car waiting for me which would then lead me to my grandfather's whereabouts. I felt like a runaway criminal, seeking refuge in my hidden relative's care. That thought brought a light smile to my tired face.
'Am I really a criminal for doing whatever everyone wants me to do?'
I repeated that question inwardly, hoping that my wolf would give in and give me an answer, but just as always, she wasn't there.
Disappointed, I opened my eyes once more and saw a moving blur of colors outside the car's window. It had begun to rain.
A sudden urge to turn around and look back enveloped my body so I had to make an effort and steel myself, preventing my muscles to move my body on their own.
There was no use of those sentiments. From now on, I am completely alone.