The memory of our professor brought a bittersweet smile to my face. "I saw in the news that Professor Blackwood came back for the celebration. How is the old wolf doing these days?"
Johnny’s eyes lit up with amusement. "He’s well,just extremely annoyed by what he calls ’disgraceful former students’ like us showing up in his territory now and then. Still has that same growl when someone challenges his theories."
I laughed,feeling my wolf stir with nostalgia for those days when our mentor would prowl around the lab,demanding excellence from every line of code we wrote. Those late nights had forged something special in me—a strength I’d almost forgotten I possessed.
Johnny leaned forward,his eyes serious now. "Come back to us,Freya. The pack—I mean,the company—needs you."
I gripped my teacup tighter,feeling the warmth seep into my palms. My wolf,who had been so subdued for years,suddenly perked up her ears,interested. After taking a deep breath,I nodded.
The word felt both terrifying and liberating as it left my lips. I’d given up that part of myself for six years because of my bond with Silvano,surrendering to the role of Luna and mother. After being away from the field for so long,catching up would require considerable effort,but my wolf and I both felt the same certainty—it wasn’t too late.
"When can you return to headquarters?" Johnny asked,barely containing his excitement.
"I need to wait for someone to take over my current responsibilities in the pack," I explained. "It might take some time to ensure a smooth transition."
What I didn’t say was that I needed to complete the mate-bond severance ritual—something that hadn’t been done in the Shadow Pack for generations.
"That’s fine," Johnny nodded. "There’s no rush. The code you wrote years ago is still running systems across multiple territories. A few more weeks won’t matter."
After chatting a while longer about technological advancements in hybrid-interface systems,Johnny checked the time on his phone.
"My development team introduced me to a genius in quantum algorithms who just returned to the country. We’re meeting shortly—since you’re already here,why not join us? They’ve been working on some fascinating applications for pack border security."
My wolf retreated slightly at the thought of meeting strangers. "I’m not familiar with your team members. Maybe next time when I’m officially back."
"Fair enough." Johnny stood,leaving some bills on the table. "I’m just glad you’re coming home,Freya."
Just as Johnny departed,my wolf tensed. A familiar scent reached me before I saw her—Aurora Howlthorne,Silvano’s cousin,approaching with her usual graceful stride.
"Hello,Aurora," I greeted her,keeping my voice neutral despite my wolf’s instinct to either submit or challenge.
Aurora didn’t respond immediately,her eyes narrowing as she assessed me. "Why are you here?" she finally asked,not bothering to mask her disapproval.
"It’s Crescent Moon’s centennial celebration," I replied evenly. "I came back to visit my alma mater."
I could see the slight surprise in her eyes—she’d forgotten I was also a graduate of this prestigious university. Among today’s attendees were mostly current faculty,students,and specially invited honorary alumni like herself. For more chapters visıt 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⟡𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚⟡𝘯𝘦𝘵
But she quickly composed herself,smoothing the irritation from her tone.
"Adrian says he’s craving your venison stew," Aurora announced lightly,as if delivering a message from a superior. "I’ll let him know to visit the Shadow Pack lodge later this week."
Adrian—son of Jackson,the Beta of the Howlthorne Pack. His grandfather had once been Luna Victoria’s childhood guardian,and now the boy was being groomed as the next Beta,Aurora’s future second-in-command.
And,like any good future Beta,he’d already learned to mirror his leader’s attitude.
The rest of the pack followed suit. To them,I was little more than a glorified caretaker—someone useful for cooking,hosting,and keeping the Alpha’s household in order. Not a strategist. Not a leader.
Certainly not a Luna to be respected.
Previously,for Silvano’s sake and to maintain pack harmony,I had accepted this treatment. But now that I was preparing for the mate-bond severance,I no longer felt compelled to compromise myself.
"I’m sorry,Aurora,but I’ll be busy this week," I replied firmly.
Since I was returning to my professional field,I needed to focus my time and energy on what truly mattered. After the severance,I would have no formal connection to either Silvano or Aurora. I wouldn’t waste any more of myself on their politics.
Aurora’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. After all,I had never refused her before. For years,I had lowered myself to please Silvano’s family and maintain pack harmony.
However,she quickly masked her shock with disdain. "With neither Silvano nor Isabella by your side,what important matters could you possibly have?"
I felt my wolf bristle at her words,but kept my composure. The assessment was fair in its way. For years,I had abandoned my own identity,centering my existence around Silvano and our daughter,constantly orbiting them like a moon trapped in their gravity.
Before I could respond,several well-dressed wolves approached us. "Aurora!" they called out cheerfully.
They were clearly part of her academic circle. Seeing me,they gave me a curious once-over before asking,"Aurora,who is this?"
Aurora didn’t introduce me as her cousin’s mate,the Luna of Shadow Pack. Instead,she said coldly,"An acquaintance."
"Oh,just an acquaintance..."
They,like Aurora,were all distinguished guests at the centennial celebration. When they first spotted Aurora talking to someone,they assumed I must be important. Now,reading Aurora’s dismissive body language,a few male wolves couldn’t help but glance appreciatively at my figure,but the others barely acknowledged my presence.
They clustered around Aurora and quickly moved away,their animated conversation fading as they disappeared into the crowd.
Aurora’s refusal to acknowledge my position might have wounded me deeply in the past. But now,my wolf and I felt only relief. After they left,I gathered my belongings and departed as well,my steps lighter than they had been in years.
Just past ten that night,as I was reviewing some of Johnny’s recent research papers,my phone pinged with a notification that Silvano and Isabella’s flight had arrived at the airport on schedule. For the first time in our relationship,I felt no compulsion to rush to greet them. My wolf,instead of pining for our mate,simply settled more comfortably on the couch beside me as I continued reading.