Chapter 8 – No Choice But To Let Go

• Isadora’s POV
• “Isadora,” Caleb whispered in my ear, “he’s here.”
• I turned to look, and indeed, Kael was standing at the door, staring at me intently, his features frozen in a grim and terrifying expression.
• So what if he’s here?
• In fact, I had already spotted him in the mirror across the room. Pretending not to notice, I brushed my messy hair aside and smiled lightly at Caleb. “I’m a bit hungry. I’ll go grab something to eat first.”
• Caleb released me and followed as I walked toward the dance floor.
• As we passed Kael, I pretended not to know him, holding Caleb’s hand as we walked straight past.
• “Isadora, stop right there!”
• At the sound of my name, I paused, turned around with a smile, and said, “Alpha Kael, what brings you here? If I remember correctly, I didn’t invite you, did I?”
• Kael glanced at Caleb, narrowed his eyes slightly, and then said to me with a serious expression, “I think you should pay attention. We just broke the destined bond between us, and already you’re stirring up gossip. It may not matter to you, but we still have to consider the reputation of the Nightfang Pack.”
• I found Kael’s words ridiculous. “You have no right to lecture me, do you? Besides, who I choose to be with is none of your business.”
• “You’re mistaken. I don’t want to meddle, but your high-profile actions have already reached the ears of the Matriarch.”
• He stood there with a cold expression, his gaze melting into the night.
• My face froze instantly. “The Matriarch is back?”
• “Yes. She wants to see you.” His lips curled coldly, and he glanced at Caleb behind me, his tone implying something. “Of course, if you’re too busy dating men, you can choose not to go.”
• With that, Kael turned and left without looking back. My heart felt conflicted. Even though Kael had always been indifferent to me for the past six years, the Matriarch had always been kind.
• After a moment of thought, I decided to follow.
• “Sis.”
• Seeing Caleb about to come with me, I turned back to reassure him. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
• Soon enough, I found myself sitting in Kael’s car, though the journey was silent.
• Before long, we arrived at the old mansion of the Nightfang Pack.
• The Matriarch lived in the suburbs, enjoying a peaceful life and often visiting the ancestral shrine to pray, with only a few omega attendants by her side.
• From a distance, I could hear her coughing.
• “Stand at the door,” she instructed.
• The Matriarch looked pale and unwell. She first said something cold to Kael before bringing me into the house.
• “I didn’t expect such a big thing to happen while I was away. Isa, you are too impulsive.”
• I knew she was referring to me breaking the destined bond with Kael.
• I approached her slowly, took her slightly cold hand as I always had, and smiled faintly. “Matriarch, you should be happy for me. I can finally be myself, right?”
• She glanced at Kael outside the door with a hint of reproach, then turned back, her expression tinged with sadness. “Ah Ting, this child is confused. Missing out on such a good mate… and now you call me ‘Matriarch’ so formally.”
• I froze for a moment, warmth stinging my eyes, and whispered softly, “Grandmother.”
• She patted my hand gently. “Isa, I’ve seen your feelings for Kael over the years. Can you really let go?”
• “Besides letting go, I have no choice.” My heart tightened with bitterness. What else could I do if I didn’t let go?
• Freya had already woken up, and there was no point in fighting anymore.
• She drew me into her arms, gently patting my back as she comforted me. “You broke the destined bond with Kael, and Grandmother doesn’t blame you. I knew this day would come sooner or later. Ah Ting simply wasn’t fortunate enough.”
• I leaned quietly against her embrace.
• During all my years in the Nightfang Pack, the Matriarch had been the only one to show me kindness.
• With her around, Kendra and Ryder dared not act recklessly, always behaving cautiously. In my heart, I had already regarded her as family.
• Honestly, I didn’t regret severing my ties with Kael. What I regretted was not being able to remain by the Matriarch’s side to repay her kindness.
• “Isa, I have watched Kael grow up since he was a child. I know his temperament well. If one day he tries to win you back, will you return to him?”
• I understood her meaning. She liked me dearly and naturally hoped Kael and I would be together in the future.
• But I wasn’t naïve. Deep down, I knew only Freya could change Kael’s heart, not me.
• “Grandmother, he doesn’t like me. I should have realized that six years ago.”
• She also seemed to realize something, her expression darkening into silence.
• “Grandma, whether or not I am considered your family, I am still Isadora, the one who respects you.” I couldn’t bear to see her so upset, so I reached out and smoothed her hair, gently comforting her. “You need to be happy, take care of yourself, and not worry about anything else.”