Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Countdown · Day Five

Summer' POV

Countdown · Day Five

I woke to the sound of furniture being moved.

Felix was still asleep in my arms, his small body curled tightly, his brows slightly furrowed as if he couldn't find peace even in his dreams.

I slipped out of bed carefully and walked to the door. When I opened it, I could hear Suzanna's bright, cheerful voice floating up from downstairs:

"These curtains are way too old. Let's swap them out for the ivory ones I brought-they'll match the overall aesthetic better."

"And this rug-Moore is allergic to wool. Let's put it away."

I slowly descended the stairs and found that the living room had been completely transformed.

The warm, muted tones that once made this place feel like home had been replaced by a parade of new items: rose-gold ornaments, scented candles, soft beige cushions. even the central vase had been swapped for one filled with Suzanna's favorite hyacinths.

I stood on the staircase, watching a group of Omega servants expertly place her things into the space I had lived in for years.

I had never realized there were so many Omega servants in this house.

I stood there for a moment longer, then turned to go back upstairs-only to catch Moore peeking at me from behind the couch. He suddenly made a face at me, then stuck out his tongue smugly.

I shot him a cold glance.

He immediately burst out crying.

"Mommy! Luna Summer's being mean! She glared at me!"

"There, there, baby," Suzanna said, lifting her chin with a smug smile.

"This is going to be our home now-no one can bully you here."

She looked directly at me, her tone syrupy sweet.

"Right, Luna Summer?"

She wore a tight-fitting beige dress today, her waist cinched unnaturally thin. Her makeup was flawless, her hair styled in voluminous waves, and her ears adorned with glittering pearl earrings that sparkled harshly under the morning light.

"Since we're all going to be under one roof now," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "you'd better get used to it."

I raised an eyebrow slightly, lips curling into a faint smile.

"Then I hope you enjoy your stay."

Truthfully, her provocation didn't stir me one bit.

A woman who fights over what I've already thrown away-her words are laughable at best.

I turned to head back upstairs.

Just then, the front door opened.

Alpha Foster walked in.

His gaze landed immediately on me standing at the staircase-then shifted to Suzanna, who stood nearby with a delicately aggrieved expression, her head slightly lowered.

His brows furrowed.

"What happened?"

Gosh.

Here comes Suzanna's bargain-bin performance.

Sure enough, Suzanna shook her head gently, her voice soft and laced with just the right amount of vulnerability.

"It's nothing. It's my fault, really. I might've disturbed Luna Summer. I just changed a few things in the living room, and I think. she wasn't too happy about it."

She paused, gently stroking Moore's hair.

"I understand, though. This used to be her home. I'm moving in all of a sudden-it must be uncomfortable for her."

Who else but Foster would fall for such a cheap act?

I scoffed silently.

As expected, his expression darkened, and his voice turned cold.

"Summer, Suzanna is part of this pack too. Moore's still recovering. I'm not asking you to help them settle in, but as the Luna of this pack, I expect a little more grace from you."

My gaze flickered slightly. I looked at him calmly.

"So. the reason you didn't return to the pack last night-was that because you were spending the night at this new pack member's home? You really are taking good care of Suzanna and her son."

He froze for a second. His expression faltered, as if I'd hit a nerve.

"I was just helping them get settled. Moore had a fever last night, and I didn't think Suzanna could handle it alone."

His eyes were evasive.

"Besides, didn't you agree to let them move in?"

I nodded, my voice steady.

"I never said I didn't."

He blinked, clearly surprised by how easily I admitted it. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face.

"You. really don't mind?"

"Of course not."

I looked straight at him and smiled.

He opened his mouth but said nothing.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

I looked down-

A message from Evelyn: Evidence so far is insufficient. We need something more concrete.

I pressed my lips together and typed a calm reply: "I'll find it."

"You texting someone?"Foster suddenly stepped closer, his voice low and edged with suspicion.

I put my phone away, expression calm.

"A friend."

"What friend?"

I looked up at him, fluttering my lashes just a little. My tone was nonchalant.

"Someone you don't know."

He looked like he wanted to ask more, but before he could, Suzanna called out from behind him:

"Alpha Foster, could you help me for a moment? These boxes are too heavy for me to carry alone."

He glanced back at me. then turned and walked toward her.

I immediately turned and went upstairs.

When I opened the bedroom door, Felix was just waking up, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

"You're up?" I walked over and gently ruffled his hair.

"Felix, can you do Mommy a favor? Go to your room and start packing the things you want to take with you."

He looked up at me, his eyes filled with unease.

"Mom. are we moving?"

"Yes," I knelt down to meet his gaze.

"We're going to stay somewhere else for a while. This place. isn't really right for us right now."

Looking at his innocent little face, my heart twisted painfully.

That picture-perfect little family downstairs-I didn't want Felix to see it.

Not when he still longed for a father's love. That image would be far too cruel.

"Go ahead and pack," I said softly."Just take what matters most to you."

He nodded and left the room quietly.

I turned back to my own packing.

There wasn't much to gather.

A few sets of clothes, scattered skincare products. even with everything in the suitcase, there was still space left.

I stood still for a moment, staring at the room I'd lived in for years.

A strange hollowness crept into my chest.

At last, I walked over to the vanity and opened the drawer.

Inside was a jewelry box, everything arranged neatly.

All of it had been gifts from him.

After the accident, every holiday, every anniversary-even random mornings without any reason-he would give me something.

Necklaces, earrings, bracelets-all different styles, always beautifully packaged.

Werewolves are supposed to choose only one mate in their lifetime, to whom they offer all their loyalty.

I thought I was that one.

Those gifts had once been proof of my hope in love.

I thought they meant he was learning to love.

I thought his silence was just his way of showing tenderness.

Now I know-those weren't gifts of love.

They were guilt offerings.

How ridiculous.

I closed the drawer and kept packing.

Just then, I heard muffled crying from upstairs.

Felix.

My heart clenched. I shot to my feet and rushed out the door.