Fragments of a Vow

Caelum and Liam answered in unison, "We're not tired at all!"

Liam held her hand. His eyes were sparkling. "It's something I'm doing for you. I could never be tired, Mom."

Caelum gently pinched her cheek with affection. "Sera, no matter how busy or exhausting pack affairs are, the moment I see you, all my fatigue disappears. Besides, today is our anniversary. We celebrate it every year. No matter how busy I am, I'll still come back."

Seraphina simply smiled and said nothing more.

Caelum set down the cake and immediately went to the kitchen. He had given all the maids the day off and planned to personally cook several of her favorite dishes for their anniversary.

Liam refused to be outdone. He pulled over a small stool. Then, he began to cut some fruit to make juice.

They busied themselves the whole morning. By the time all the dishes were finally placed on the table, it was already afternoon.

Caelum lit the candle shaped like a seven. He held her hand with eyes filled to the brim with love.

He said appreciatively, "Sera, if you hadn't stayed by my side back then…"

Liam clapped enthusiastically beside them. "Wow! This is so romantic, Mom and Dad!"

Then, Caelum's shrill ringtone shattered the warm atmosphere.

Seraphina retracted her hand and handed him the phone. The name Rayna flashed repeatedly on the screen.

Caelum smiled and said he wouldn't answer anyone's calls today, but Seraphina still insisted on giving it to him. When he saw the name, he hesitated for a brief second before finally picking up.

"Sera, it's my assistant. I'm worried there's a pack emergency. Give me a moment," he said.

With that, he stepped aside to take the call. And when he returned, he wore the familiar and predictable apologetic expression.

"Sera, I'm sorry. Something urgent happened in the pack. I have to go," Caelum said.

Liam didn't know what the caller had said, but he had seen Rayna's name on the screen. So, he jumped off his chair and ran to Caelum.

"Mom, I want to go too! I can help you supervise Dad so he finishes faster and comes home sooner!" Liam made up an excuse.

As she looked at the pair who were secretly eager to leave, Seraphina nodded lightly.

"Go on, then."

Caelum let out a silent breath of relief. He picked Liam up, and the two kissed her on each cheek.

"Wait for us to come back," he said.

"See you soon, Mom!" Liam chirped.

They hurried out the door and didn't even notice Seraphina's odd silence.

Caelum and Liam had no idea that this would be the last time the three of them would ever be together.

Once Seraphina saw that Caelum's car was out of sight from the window, she threw the burnt-out candle and the cake into the trash. She then went to the bedroom, picked up the prepared folder, and stepped out of the mansion.

Ten years ago, Seraphina had first met Caelum at a sanatorium on the outskirts of the city.

The sanatorium had long since become abandoned. Creeping ivy covered the desolate building.

Seraphina followed the route engraved in her memory. She would take a few steps and stop along the way. Various memories of her time with Caelum flashed through her mind.

When they first met, Caelum ignored her existence completely. Gradually, he grew used to her presence. Then, at long last, there came the moment he held her tightly in a torrential downpour and refused to let go.

Seraphina stopped beneath the large oak tree in the garden at the back. The tree that had been lush a decade ago still stood tall and vigorous now.

Her fingers brushed the trunk where two names were carved. By now, they had faded so much that they were almost invisible. In her mind, she saw again that nervous young man who had a stubborn look in his eyes that was full of love for her.

He had said that he would only ever love her in this lifetime. He had also said that he wouldn't let her leave him and that they would be together forever.

After that, he had carved their names carefully on the tree trunk with an intensely serious expression.

However, as time went by, he split his heart into two. Half of it still belonged to her, but the other half had gone to another she-wolf. His so-called "forever" lasted no longer than ten years.

The 19-year-old Caelum would never know that his 29-year-old self would lose Seraphina forever.

Seraphina dug a small hole bit by bit using a stone. She placed the folder she brought inside and covered it carefully with soil.

With that done, she used her transmission crystal to send Caelum one last message.

He answered almost immediately. His voice was as gentle as ever. "Sera, what's wrong? Do you need something?"

She looked at the oak tree and asked softly, "Do you still remember the oak tree at the sanatorium?"

Caelum had a smile on his face when he responded, "Of course. I remember confessing my love to you under that tree. Time really flies. It's been almost ten years since then."

Seraphina smiled as well. "Good. I buried a gift for you and Liam under that tree. Don't forget to come get it."

"Liam heard what you said and got all excited. I'm looking forward to it too. Once we're done with the pack matters, we'll go get it. Tonight, the three of us can look at it together at home," Caelum said.

Seraphina didn't respond and simply ended the call.

There would never again be the three of them. She knew they would not return home that night.

And she would never return.

From this moment on, the Blackwood pack would no longer have a Luna named Seraphina.

At long last, she heard the Will of the Moon Goddess, who had been silent all the while, speak to her telepathically. "My child, preparations for the separation ritual have been done. Are you sure you want to leave?"

"Yes," Seraphina whispered.

The moment the word left her lips, a blinding column of moonlight descended from the sky and formed a glowing sky corridor. A fierce wind rose, shaking the oak tree and sending its leaves swirling through the air.

Without a moment's hesitation, Seraphina stepped into the light.

She thought solemnly, "Caelum and Liam, we shall never meet again."