Chapter 19
At first, the public merely mocked Damon’s search–and many, tempted by
the reward, sent in fake tips and false leads.
But eventually, someone submitted real information.
Once people realized the reward was genuine, the hunt exploded.
Werewolves everywhere threw themselves into the search with feverish
excitement.
Even Ariel heard about it.
But instead of being moved, she felt… irritated.
She had erased every trace of her connection to Alpha Damon. Was that not
clear enough?
She wasn’t the kind of woman who went crawling back. She’d never intended
to forgive him.
Reading his pathetic apologies only made her want to laugh.
1/5
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Chapter 19 A Game of Goodbyes
If he truly understood what he did wrong, why had he been so capable of
pretending nothing had happened?
So many times, she’d hoped he would at least be honest–tell her he’d fallen
out of love, that someone else had taken her place.
Then maybe, just maybe, they could’ve parted cleanly.
But no–he’d split himself in two.
He gave his body to Isabelle while insisting his heart still belonged to her.
Was deceiving her supposed to be some kind of game?
Fine. Then she would play, too.
Ariel deliberately fed a few people clear photos and detailed locations–just
enough for them to report back to Damon.
She sneered coldly, timing everything perfectly, and boarded a plane bound
for Country A just ahead of his arrival.
D
Chapter 19 A Game of Goodbyes
Across the ocean, Damon received the high–resolution photos and
coordinates.
チ
Tears welled in his eyes. His hands trembled as he clutched the images.
“She’s forgiven me, hasn’t she? She must be waiting for me!”
Without delay, he ordered Thornfang Pack’s private jet to take him to the
reported destination.
Two planes lifted off almost simultaneously–but their flight paths couldn’t
have been more different.
As Damon landed in Frelandia, nerves surged within him. He felt like he was about to return home, yet he was terrified of what he might find.
He had his beta double–check his appearance multiple times, smoothing
every wrinkle in his clothes. He forced himself to calm down, then made his way toward Ariel’s private estate.
A gentle sea breeze swept past, warm and fragrant. His heart pounded faster
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Chapter 19 A Game of Goodbyes
than it had when he first confessed his love to her.
Would she forgive him?
She had to.
They had loved each other for so long–real love didn’t fade so easily, right?
He clung to this self–deception, choosing to ignore Ariel’s every act of finality.
He kept repeating it like a prayer: She still loves me. She’s just waiting for me
to apologize.
བ་
As long as I mean it, everything will be okay. We’ll
go
back to how it was. We
have to.
Damon bought a bow of sunflowers and walked up to the estate.
Wind chimes sang gently in the breeze, their soft tones bright and melodic.
The garden was beautiful–dreamlike, filled with romantic charm.
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Chapter 19 A Game of Goodbyes
If Ariel were beside him, he might’ve stopped to admire it.
But right now, he couldn’t see anything beyond the door he was about to
knock on.
Knock knock-
Damon rapped nervously.
Before the door even opened, he had already rehearsed his apology a dozen
times.
But time ticked on, and no one answered.
“Maybe she’s sleeping… Didn’t hear it.”
ि
He murmured to himself, forcing a hopeful smile, then knocked again. Harder
this time.
Still–nothing. Not a sound.