Chapter nine

Three weeks later, Caroline returned to the only place that still felt like hers.

The waterfall at the edge of the territory.

Its endless roar drowned out everything the whispers, the commands, the expectations. Here, she didn’t have to pretend. Here, she didn’t have to be strong.

The water crashed violently against the rocks below, relentless and wild, much like the storm she kept buried inside.

This place had seen her at her worst.

It had witnessed her break apart in ways no one else ever would.

It had heard her screamsraw, shattered, desperate as she hurled her pain into the empty air. It had listened to her questions whispered to the Moon Goddess, questions that remained unanswered. It had held her sobs when her chest felt like it would cave in from the weight of everything she had lost.

Here…

She was not the obedient wolf.

Not the outcast.

Not the discarded mate.

Here, she was just Caroline.

And she was hurting.

While she struggled to breathe through her pain, the rest of the pack was alive with excitement.

The crescent moon Pack had thrown itself into preparations for the mating ceremony.

Laughter echoed through the halls. Decorations were being arranged. Wolves moved with purpose, eager, energized. The air buzzed with anticipation as everyone looked forward to the union of their future Alpha and Luna.

Klaus and Bonnie.

The joy only grew stronger knowing Bonnie carried the future heir.

To them, it was a blessing.

A promise of strength.

A future worth celebrating.

Everyone was happy.

Everyone

Except Caroline.

Her days had become a quiet torture.

The cruelest part?

She had been assigned to send out the invitations.

One by one, she sealed letters meant to announce a union that should have been hers.

Every name she wrote.

Every title she inscribed.

Every careful stroke of ink

Felt like carving into her own heart.

The first time she saw it

Klaus and Bonnie.

Side by side.

Permanent.

Official.

She had frozen

Her hand had stilled mid-motion, her breath catching as something inside her fractured beyond repair. Her wolf had whimpered, broken and aching, clawing against her chest.

But she didn’t cry.

She couldn’t.

Not there.

Not in front of them.

“Are you alright, Caroline?”

Luna Mandy's voice had broken through her thoughts that day.

Caroline had looked up to find her standing there, composed as always, a fresh stack of invitations in her hands. Beside her stood Bonnie,radiant, confident, glowing under the quiet admiration of the pack as she continued her training as the future Luna.

There was no secrecy anymore.

No hiding.

Bonnie’s role was now a source of pride.

A spectacle.

Caroline forced herself to meet their eyes.It felt like swallowing glass.

“I’m fine, Luna,” she replied smoothly, her voice steady despite the chaos inside her. She gestured to the stack. “I’ll ensure these are delivered to the neighboring packs.”

“I’m sorry if this is hard for you,” Bonnie said softly, her expression gentle almost sympathetic.

Hard?

Caroline almost laughed.

Almost.

Instead, she smiled.

Polite.

Controlled.

Empty.

“This is my duty, Future Luna,” she said calmly. “There’s nothing to apologize for.”

Not a tremor.

Not a crack.

Not a single hint of the devastation beneath her composure.

“Is there anything else you require, Luna?” she asked, turning back to Mandy.

For a moment, it seemed like the Luna might say something more.

Something personal.

But the door opened before she could.

Alpha Magnus entered, followed by Beta kaleband Klaus.

They were deep in discussion final details of the ceremony.

Caroline’s stomach twisted painfully.

But she didn’t move.

Didn’t falter.

This was her role now

To stay.

To listen.

To assist.

To help plan the very event that would shatter her completely.

So she did.

She sat quietly, pen in hand, recording every detail as they spoke of flowers, rituals, seating arrangements, and honored guests.

She answered when spoken to.

Her tone respectful.

Her face unreadable.

Professional.

Unbreakable.

But inside

Her wolf was raging.

Clawing

Howling.

Demanding justice for what had been taken.

Klaus sat only a few feet away.

Bonnie leaned into him, his arm wrapped around her in quiet protection.

Every time Caroline’s gaze flickered in their direction

Something inside her cracked.

Again.

And again.

And again.

That should have been her.

It was meant to be her.

“Do you have any suggestions, Caroline?”

Luna Mandy's voice cut through the moment.

For a second, Caroline didn’t respond.

Didn’t understand.

Suggestions?

For this?

The room fell silent.

All eyes turned toward her.

Some filled with concern.

Others with pity.

Caroline felt it all pressing in.

Waiting.

Watching.

Expecting her to break.

She inhaled slowly.

Steadily.

And answered.

“No, Luna. I don’t.”

Her voice was calm.

Detached.

Controlled.

And just like that

She had won that moment.

“I’m sorry, Caroline,” Beatrice said softly, her brows knitting together. “I only wanted to include you. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for, Luna,” Caroline replied immediately. “I understand.”

But she saw it in their eyes.

They were waiting.Waiting for her to shatter.She wouldn’t.She refused.

“Is there anything else you need from me?” she asked, her gaze moving across the room.

Alpha Magnus looked at her.

And in that instant

She knew.

Whatever he was about to say…

Would hurt.

“Caroline,” he said, his tone heavy, “you will attend the ceremony.”

The words struck like a blade.

Not enough to take her mate.

Not enough to strip her future.

Now

She had to stand there.

Smile.

And watch him bind himself to another.

Her heart screamed.

But her face remained composed.

“Of course, Alpha,” she replied evenly. “How would you like me to behave during the ceremony?”

Silence fell.

No one wanted to answer.

But she forced it.

Forced them to confront what they were asking of her.

Magnus exhaled slowly.

“Be happy for your future Alpha and Luna.”

A faint smile touched her lips.

Cold.

Brittle.

Perfect.

“Of course, Alpha.”

She dipped her head slightly.

“If that is all… may I be excused?”

He nodded.

Caroline bowed respectfully, turned, and walked toward the door.

Each step steady.

Controlled.

Unshaken.

Only when the door closed behind her

Only when she was finally alone did her hands begin to tremble.