Chapter 8

Everyone in the room seemed to be thinking the same thing, yet no one spoke.

Because in the end…

Neither Zephyr nor I had done anything wrong.

I had been abused.

And he helped me.

It might have looked strange—

But it wasn’t wrong.

Darren was the first to break the silence. “Then the situation is clear,” he said. “But something like this won’t stay hidden for long.”

“I have no intention of hiding it,” I replied firmly. “Let my ex-husband find out.”

Zephyr Lloyd was too influential to keep something like this a secret.

And as for me…

My name still carried weight among humans because of my past in the entertainment industry.

Rowan would find out eventually.

Better sooner than later.

“You heard her,” Zephyr said. “Inform the other packs that I’ve chosen my mate.”

Eleanor scoffed. “Ridiculous. You’re only ruining this family’s reputation further.”

Zephyr shrugged. “What reputation? It was already ruined by my father. I’m just continuing his legacy.”

Darren pressed his lips together, clearly holding back laughter. “Very well. I’ll spread the news.”

Eleanor let out a harsh sigh before storming out of the room.

“Oh, Eleanor, don’t be childish!” Mona called after her, then turned to me. “Don’t mind her, dear. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

I didn’t understand their relationship.

They shared the same husband…

Yet they didn’t seem to hate each other.

“That’s all from me,” Zephyr said, ignoring the interruption. “If there’s nothing else, we’ll begin the meeting.”

He allowed me to stay.

I had the right now.

So I sat quietly and listened.

It was my first time truly understanding how the Silver Claw Pack operated.

The Northern Faction handled external threats—protecting the territory and hunting rogue werewolves.

The Southern Faction, led by Darren, focused on internal matters—training younger wolves and maintaining order.

They also dealt with politics.

The Nocturnal Order.

Human authorities.

Even matters involving mates and marriages.

“I believe that concludes our reports,” Darren said, organizing his documents. “If the Northern Faction has nothing further to add, we can adjourn.”

Theodore shook his head. “Nothing from my side.”

I let out a quiet breath.

The meeting had lasted over an hour.

At first, I was interested.

But halfway through…

I almost fell asleep.

Not because it was boring.

I was just exhausted.

“Then the meeting is adjourned,” Zephyr said.

One by one, people began to leave.

I stayed seated.

I didn’t know where else to go.

The only place that felt even remotely safe… was beside him.

“You can sleep in my bedroom tonight,” Zephyr said once the room emptied.

I blinked in surprise.

Just because we slept together last night didn’t mean I was ready for that.

Every night?

No.

He seemed to understand my hesitation.

“I won’t be home,” he added. “I’m leaving town today. Tomorrow, you can move into another room once it’s prepared.”

“When will you be back?” I asked before I could stop myself.

There was a hint of panic in my voice.

I didn’t want to be alone.

Not here.

Not yet.

“Before breakfast,” he replied. “Don’t worry. No one will dare trouble you.”

I nodded slowly.

Now that I was his mate…

His Luna…

No one would risk crossing that line.

“Thank you, Zephyr,” I said softly. “If it weren’t for you, I’d still be trapped.”

“You’re wrong,” he said gently. “You got out because of yourself.”

I bit my lower lip.

“No… someone like me wouldn’t survive alone.”

“You’re not a fool, Samantha,” he said, lifting my chin so I had no choice but to meet his eyes. “You stayed because you were afraid. That’s normal.”

“I was afraid because I’m weak…” I murmured.

If I had a wolf…

If I had strength…

I would have torn Rowan apart myself.

But that was just a fantasy.

“Even the strongest wolf loses when fear controls them,” Zephyr said, patting my head. “What matters is learning to overcome it. And you’re doing that now.”

Maybe I didn’t have a wolf.

But I wasn’t someone who gave up.

Just standing here—

I had already won something.

“Zephyr…” My voice trembled. “Can I hug you? Just for a moment?”

He didn’t answer.

He simply pulled me into his arms.

Warm.

Steady.

Safe.

And suddenly—

I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

Tears slipped out before I could stop them.

I had held everything back for so long.

Refused to cry in front of others.

Refused to look weak.

But with him…

It felt different.

Like I didn’t have to pretend.

Like I could finally breathe.

Like I had found somewhere safe.

“You’re safe here, Samantha,” he murmured, gently stroking my hair. “No one will hurt you again.”