Ch. Ch 11 Don’t come back Ch 11

The day I officially prepared to enter the classified research institute was my third day after arriving at the neighboring pack.

The institute’s Director Chen took us all out for lunch.

After several rounds of drinks, everyone was a bit tipsy.

By the end, many sitting around the table had reddened eyes.

Director Chen told us to make one last call to family or friends, then added seriously:

“If you’re afraid or reluctant, it’s not too late to back out now.”

People around me began taking out their phones to dial, with occasional muffled sobs breaking the silence.

I sat quietly for a long while before finally taking out my phone and opening Facebook.

I checked and saw that Axel had updated his status.

They had taken Willow to the Caribbean.

In the photos, the ocean was stunningly beautiful, like an enormous spilled palette of colors.

Willow wore the beautiful Moon Goddess dress.

She looked back at the camera from the endless beach, her eyes crinkling with happiness.

Director Chen’s voice interrupted my thoughts: “Ember, make a call.

“After this, who knows how many years will pass before you get another chance.”

I clutched my phone tightly, my knuckles turning white.

After a long while, I finally dialed.

But it was Willow’s cheerful voice that answered: “Sister, do you need something?”

My voice was hoarse: “Where are they?”

Willow replied brightly: “You mean my brothers?

“They told me to answer the phone. They said they don’t have time to talk, and I should just take a message.”

From the background came Axel’s raised voice: “Turn off your phone and come here.”

Willow’s voice took on a pleased tone.

Pretending innocence, yet unable to hide her triumph and satisfaction due to her young age.

“Sister, what did you want anyway? I can pass along a message.”

“By the way, didn’t you put a box at home? My brothers said they didn’t need the birthday presents from you, so I threw the box away. You won’t be angry, right?”

My heart gradually grew calm, finally feeling free of any lingering attachment.

I said flatly: “Nothing.”

I ended the call.

After everyone finished their calls and lunch, we began entering the research institute.

Just one door separated us from the outside world.

I removed my SIM card, broke it in half, and tossed it into the trash can.

I stepped through the doorway without looking back.

After only a week in the Caribbean, Axel decided they should return home.

As the Full Moon Festival approached, Willow insisted they stay for the holiday, saying there would be special celebrations in the Caribbean.

Axel instinctively wanted to refuse.

Even though the pack had started their holiday break and he had no work left for the year,

For reasons he couldn’t explain, this trip abroad felt like something was missing.

Though they’d only been away for seven days, it felt like they’d endured a much longer period.

He tried to think of a good excuse to go back.

Before he could formulate one, Ryker spoke up gently:

“We can come back another time if you want to play more.

“I have pack business to handle that can’t be delayed any longer.”

Willow, still caught up in the excitement of the trip, protested:

“But just recently you told Ember that you wouldn’t be handling pack business during the Full Moon Festival!”

Ryker fell silent, seeming guilty as he looked out the window.

Willow sneered, dropped her new stuffed toy, and ran out.

Axel looked at the teddy bear abandoned on the floor.

Somehow, he remembered that this was the exact style Ember had loved as a child.

What had Ember been like when she was little?

Axel tried to recall but realized he could barely remember.