chapter 7

Simona's tone was slightly irritated. Seeing Dorian stay silent, she added, "Just go. I just want some time to be alone."

Dorian's face showed a struggle, but Simona didn't spare him a glance and briskly walked ahead on her own.

After hesitating for a long moment, Dorian finally turned and went the other way.

One headed east, the other west, each going their separate ways.

Unlike before, Simona didn't feel listless or unmotivated after Dorian left.

She finished touring the art exhibition by herself, had dinner, and watched a documentary about wolf pack history. Only after that did she take a slow walk back to the apartment.

Along the way, she received a message from Dorian. "Sorry, something urgent came up at the pack. I won't be back tonight. Go to bed early and don't stay up too late!"

Simona stared at it for a moment, then swiped through the "Pack Updates" on her communicator.

Rowena had just posted a new update with two side-profile photos of her leaning against Dorian's shoulder in front of a steaming pot of seafood stew, captioned, "A perfect night with you, eating my favorite deep-sea shellfish—this is the best time ever!"

Simona sent Dorian a single "Okay" back and slipped the communicator into her pocket.

She felt sorry for putting him in a tough spot, having to come up with an excuse to deal with her.

That night, Simona slept soundly, without a single troubling memory haunting her dreams.

Over time, the memories that once made her ache, cry, and clutch her heart seemed to fade away, as if she were waking from a long, restless dream.

She spent the entire morning tidying the apartment, satisfied that there was almost no trace of herself left.

After discarding the last two boxes, only a few small items remained—she'd toss them in a bag and throw them out before leaving.

No sooner had she returned from tossing the trash than the communicator buzzed again. It was Dorian's number, but opening it revealed a message from Rowena.

"Simona, Dorian always says your taste is the best and that you know traditional wolf pack patterns. Could you help me pick a gown for my bonding ceremony?"

She even added a cute smiley face at the end.

Simona frowned, about to decline, but another message came immediately after. "I told Dorian it's too much trouble, but he insisted on checking every tailor in the Southern Packs and picked so many styles. I really can't decide, so I shamelessly asked you for help!"

Then she sent over a dozen photos of gowns, not just the usual silver-white ones for wolf pack bonding ceremonies, but several in soft pink—the color Rowena loved most.

Even the hems were embroidered with her favorite lily-of-the-valley patterns, each one crafted with exquisite detail.

The last message carried a tone of flattery. "Thanks for helping, Simona! I'll make sure to properly thank you after the bonding ceremony."

Emma let out a disdainful snort in her mind. "Such an act!"

She couldn't help but smile at the blunt comment, deleted her refusal, and replied, "Okay, I'll help you take a look."

She carefully examined every gown—the stitching was meticulous, the patterns all hand-embroidered by master artisans, and even the moonstone embellishments were chosen for their clarity, showing just how much thought had gone into preparing them.

She had even pestered Dorian once, saying she wanted to take commemorative photos in her bonding gown—something every woman dreamed of, wearing a gown embroidered with pack symbols and holding her mate's hand to make their vows.

He had replied, "The most important part of the bonding is the bond itself. The gown is just a piece of clothing. You wear it once, and then it goes in the closet. No need to make it such a big deal."

At the time, she had comforted herself, thinking he was just a straightforward Alpha who didn't understand the subtleties of such ceremonial traditions.

Now she understood it wasn't that he didn't know—it was that his attention had never been on her. Judging by how he picked Rowena's gowns, every piece had been prepared to be perfect.

After a while, Simona picked two gowns and messaged back, "These two are perfect for you. Especially the pink one—the lily-of-the-valley embroidery really suits you."

There was silence for a long while, so long that Simona put the communicator aside to continue packing.

Finally, a reply came, "Thank you so much, Simona, for making my bonding wish come true!"

Simona smiled. Rowena and Dorian really were just as amusing as each other.

She sent back, "No problem."

Then she put the communicator away.

Half an hour later, a call came from Dorian, his voice tense. "Simona, Rowena is young and naive. She shouldn't have troubled you with the gown. I apologize on her behalf. Don't take it personally!"