Chapter 4

"Angie! Why are you leaving?"

My jaw tightened, and I cut the call without hesitation. There would be no apologies, no excuses—not now.

"Let’s get you home first before we face the Alpha," Allison said, his voice gentler. "Calm yourself, please . You can explain everything once we’re back."

I nodded, my throat thick. The thought of seeing Mother again clawed at my ribs. "I need to see her."

"She’s prepared a full breakfast feast," he replied, steering the car deeper into Black Widow territory. A faint smile flickered. "She’s desperate to meet little Iona. But—"

I inhaled sharply, tears spilling silently. Allison didn’t falter, driving on until the familiar house loomed ahead—the one we’d both fled as children.

As soon as I stepped out of the car, Mum came rushing towards me, her arms open wide. “Angie!” she called, her voice trembling with emotion.

“Mum!” I cried back, running into her embrace. Her warmth surrounded me, and I felt a lump rise in my throat. Tears welled up in my eyes—tears of relief, of overwhelming comfort. I was home.

“I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered, clutching me tightly as though she feared I might disappear.

“I’ve missed you too!” Allison chimed, throwing his arms around both of us in an embrace that was as strong as it was comforting.

Dad joined us at the doorway, his voice carrying a note of cheer. “Where’s my sweet little Iona? Is she asleep in the car?”

For a moment, Allison and I exchanged a glance. My chest tightened, and the tears I had fought so hard to hold back since yesterday threatened to spill. I had tried—desperately—to stay strong. Strong like stone.

Without a word, Allison gestured to the men standing by the car. They moved with solemn precision, lifting Iona’s small coffin.

Mum and Dad froze, their faces a portrait of disbelief, their joy shattered in an instant.

Mum let out a trembling gasp, her hand flying to her mouth. Dad stood motionless, his expression rigid, as if the truth itself refused to sink in.

Then, as though drawn by instinct, they both turned to me, their strength faltering. They held me close—Mum’s tears soaking my shoulder, Dad’s arms steadying me as we followed the men inside. Together, we stepped into the quiet house, trailing behind the coffin of little Iona.

As we sat together in the quiet of the living room, I recounted everything—every harrowing detail. I told them about the attack from the other pack, Nathaniel’s betrayal, and his cold indifference towards Iona all this time. I spoke of Yoan and his son, Hazel, and the role they’d played in it all. I held nothing back, letting the weight of my story spill out, piece by piece, until there was nothing left to hide.

Mum cried quietly, dabbing at her eyes as I reached the end of my tale. Allison, however, looked as though he was barely containing himself.

His fists clenched, his jaw tight, rage simmering just beneath the surface. It was as though he was already imagining storming the Pearl Harbour Pack, ready to rip Nathaniel apart with his bare hands.

I reached out, placing a firm hand on his arm. “It’s alright, Brother. I’m alive. That’s what matters. There’s no need for revenge.”

Mum sniffled, her face soft but her voice steady and weighted with emotion. “Just having you home is more than enough for me. You made the right choice, Angie. It’s no longer safe there. This is your home now, and we’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”

Her words brought me a sense of calm I hadn’t felt in days. I smiled at her, feeling lighter, as though the burden I had carried was finally beginning to lift. “You’re right, Mum. This is where I belong.”

From the doorway leading to the side garden, Dad stood silently watching us. His hand suddenly slammed against the wooden frame, the sound reverberating through the room. His face was dark, his voice tight with fury.

“Even so,” he began, his tone trembling with restrained anger, “Nathaniel has trampled on our pride—on our family. To think, he forced our daughter to be with him, only for them to harm her and neglect their own child, our Iona!”

His voice broke slightly at Iona’s name, and the raw hurt in his eyes made my chest ache.

Mum stepped towards Dad, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. Her voice was soft yet firm, carrying the weight of quiet resolve. “Mate, I know you’re furious. But please, don’t burden Angie with this right now. Let’s focus on giving our grandchild a proper farewell.”

Allison spoke next, his tone steady and composed. “I’ve already contacted the funeral director. The service will be held tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you so much, Brother,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I fought to hold back my tears.

But I noticed the slight furrow in Allison’s brow, a flicker of unease betraying the protector in him. Though he was clearly concerned, he chose not to alarm my mother further. Leaning in closer, his voice dropped to a low, measured tone.

“What about the attack, Angie? You mentioned it was an ambush, but… there are murmurs suggesting it wasn’t just some random act. Something larger might be at play.”

My chest tightened for a moment, my heartbeat quickening at his words. Still, I met his gaze with a steady nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. “We’ll discuss it further at the Alpha’s office, won’t we?”

Allison returned my nod, his expression hardening with resolve. “Yes, we’ll talk there. But rest assured, you’re safe now. We’ve got you.”

When I stepped into the Alpha’s office, a wave of nostalgia swept over me. Memories unfurled like a familiar story—those days when Allison and I would run around here as children, bringing lunch to our father when he served as Beta. The room, though the same, now bore the weight of everything that had changed.

Amidst the warm glow of the packhouse, I first encountered Malcolm, though my memories cast him in a vastly different light - a mere lad, the Alpha's son, darting through the corridors alongside us. The sight of him now, commanding and resplendent in his authority, struck me as rather extraordinary.

As I drew near, Malcolm's countenance brightened considerably, his features softening into a welcoming expression. "Angie, you've returned to us at last," he proclaimed, his voice resonating with the unmistakable gravitas of his position as Alpha.

I couldn't resist a playful response, my lips curving into a gentle smirk. "Hello, Malcolm. Oh, dear me - perhaps I ought to address you as Alpha Malcolm these days?"

Standing beside me, Allison released an undignified snort, his arms firmly crossed against his chest. "Still quite the mischief-maker, aren't you? Come along then, Angie. We've pressing matters to discuss. Do tell us everything about this dreadful attack."

The transformation in Malcolm's demeanour was instantaneous and striking. The earlier playfulness evaporated, replaced by an expression of utmost gravity. For the first time since my return, I felt myself wholly enveloped by the formidable presence of his Alpha essence.

"This situation has become rather dire for all packs in the vicinity," he stated, his voice measured yet laden with concern. "These attacks have proliferated across numerous territories near Pearl Harbour Pack. Whilst the Black Widow Pack remains untouched thus far, it's merely a matter of time before we find ourselves in their crosshairs. What's your assessment of the situation, Angie? Would you say this was a personal vendetta? Perhaps an act of revenge? Or might we be dealing with something far more sinister?"

I thought back to everything that had happened. “As far as I’m aware, in my three years as Luna, Pearl Harbour never provoked another pack. Our relationships with neighbouring packs have been strong—even cooperative.

“But these rogues… there was something unnerving about the attack. I don’t know their motive, but it felt deliberate, not just random violence. The less clear their intentions, the more sinister it seems, don’t you think?”

Malcolm nodded thoughtfully. “Agreed. An undefined threat is far more dangerous than one openly declared. Allison, contact the other Betas. We need to convene a council as soon as possible.”

Allison’s expression hardened, all traces of his earlier humour gone. “Understood, Alpha. I’ll reach out to them immediately.”

Watching the two of them work, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride—and a sharp stab of realisation. It turned out these two men had grown, changed in ways that suited their roles better than I’d ever imagined.

Allison shot me a glance, his lips curving into a smirk. “Do behave yourself with Alpha Malcolm while I’m gone, yes?”

I rolled my eyes, laughing softly. “Off you go, then. I’ll be fine.”

As Allison left to handle the preparations, Malcolm and I finalised the last steps of my transfer back to Black Widow.

We chatted idly afterwards, mostly about my future role as an agricultural consultant and how I’d been managing things since the attack.

His tone softened as we strayed from heavier subjects, the conversation growing lighter, almost effortless.

When we finished, I rose to leave, intending to head home and rest. But as I stepped outside, my mobile rang.

Glancing at the screen, I paused. It was Nelly, Nathaniel’s sister. Part of me resisted answering, but I knew she’d persist until I did.

I sighed and picked up. “Hello, Nelly.”

Her voice crackled, frantic and tearful. “Angie, you need to return to Pearl Harbour now!”

My stomach twisted, but I forced calm into my words. “Why?”

“It’s Nathaniel,” she gasped. “His wolf turned feral last night. He shifted and tore through half the packhouse. He’s in the woods now—no one can find him. He’s… completely lost control.”

For a moment, I said nothing. I hadn’t anticipated my leaving would destabilise his wolf so severely. A flicker of pity stirred, but it was smothered by cold satisfaction.

After all he’d done, he deserved a taste of the pain he’d inflicted on me.

I drew a steadying breath. “Listen, Nelly. I won’t return to a man who feels nothing for me. I’ve already relocated to the Black Widow Pack. Don’t contact me again.”

The silence down the line was sharp. When she finally spoke, her voice wavered. “How can you say that? Nathaniel is still your husband!”

“Not anymore,” I replied coolly. “From what I gather, he’s already bound to his true mate. Perhaps she can help him.”

Before she could protest further, I ended the call, tucking my mobile back into my bag with a weary sigh.

Sky, my wolf, stirred faintly in my mind. Despite it all, her bond with Nathaniel’s wolf lingered—his anguish seeped into hers like poison.

“Don’t fret, Sky,” I murmured inwardly. “We’ll carve out a new path. We’re worth more than this.”

“I know,” she replied, her voice thin with sorrow. “It still aches. Even after all this time.”

I lingered in that quiet exchange, still soothing her, when the icy prickle of a presence crept up behind me. My pulse spiked. I gripped my bag, feigning a search for something inside, every sense taut as a wire.

Someone was watching.