From Luna to Warrior Never Again

The day the offer came from the Royal Talons for a permanent position, my best friend, Alicia, stared at me in shock.“Permanent? Serena, that means leaving for good. Leaving Damien?”I shook my head, my voice soft. “It’s just for five years. I want to learn their advanced pack management and strategies. When I come back, I’ll be able to help Damien even more.”Alicia sighed and dropped it.She knew. Everything I did, I did for one name—Damien.I said goodbye and rushed back to the manor, my heart soaring. Five years was a long time, but it was a small price to pay for the strength of his pack.I couldn't wait to tell him. I could already picture it: him pulling me into a tight hug, his deep voice a rumbling whisper against my ear, telling me he couldn’t bear for me to leave.My flight was in three days—on our mating anniversary.Maybe, in our last few days, he’d be like he was when we first bonded. Claiming me in the most primal way, over and over. Branding his scent into my skin, try

I stopped packing and turned to face him. If I was leaving for good, I might as well get it all out in the open."I think we should—""Here we go again," Damien sneered, cutting me off. "Another tantrum, another packed bag. How many times are you going to pull this stunt, Serena?""It's not a stunt!" I tried to explain. "I received an—""I don't want to hear your excuses." He waved his hand, like he was shooing away a fly. "If you want to leave, then leave. I won't stop you this time."I won't stop you.The words pierced my heart.My wolf let out a mournful cry. The bond between us didn't just crack. It splintered. A wave of nausea washed over me, but on his end… nothing. He felt nothing."Fine," I said, turning back to my clothes. "I'll go stay at a friend's for a few days. We can both cool off.""Whatever," he muttered, and the door slammed shut.I collapsed onto the side of the bed, the tears finally breaking free.The next day, I went to the Elders and quickly filed the request to

Damien's POVAs soon as the sun was up, I was in my car, speeding away.The Claws… Silver City… That was a place I couldn't just walk into.A permanent contract meant she’d burned every bridge.How could I reach her? How could I get her back?The first person I thought of was Alicia, Serena's best friend.Maybe… maybe she could help.I raced to Alicia's apartment building and slammed my fist on her doorbell, over and over.The door opened. When Alicia saw the state I was in, her eyes held no sympathy. Only cold fury."Alicia, please," I grabbed her arm, my voice raw. "I know she's at The Claws. Can you help me contact her? Just let me say one thing to her. Just one thing!""Let go of me!" Alicia yanked her arm away. "You want to talk to her now? Damien, where were you when she was getting hurt by you, over and over again, for Lila? Where were you when she gave up everything and left, enduring the pain of her soul being ripped apart?"Her words were daggers in my heart."She's where she

Serena's POVTen years later. Silver City.I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in my top-floor office at The Claws headquarters, looking down at the city that never slept.The neon lights below flickered like stars scattered across the night."Ms. Serena, congratulations on winning 'Security Strategist of the Year' again," my assistant, Maya, walked in, holding a heavy invitation. "That's the fifth time."The fifth time.In ten years, I’d gone from a heartbroken girl to a legend in the world of werewolf security.The systems I designed protected the world's most important pack leaders. The strategies I developed saved countless lives.Wolf Business Weekly called me "The Iron Rose." Security Age magazine named me one of the "Top Ten Women Changing the Industry."But no amount of awards could fill the void in my soul.Ten years. That feeling of having a piece of me ripped out was still there."Also, this is your personal mail," Maya handed me an envelope. "Marked urgent."I took it. T

Serena's POV"I'm not staying here tonight," I stood up and grabbed my purse. "I've already booked a hotel in the city."Damien's face went white. He shot to his feet, his right leg stumbling from the sudden movement."Why?" his voice trembled. "The room upstairs… I've kept it just as you left it. The sheets are new…""Damien," I cut him off. "We're not… that… anymore."His expression was like he'd been slapped. He froze completely."I… I understand," he lowered his head, his voice almost inaudible. "I'm sorry. I overstepped."Seeing him so dejected, a strange sourness rose in my chest."Echo, come here," I knelt down and stroked the little pup's head one last time. "You be a good boy, you hear?"Echo seemed to sense the farewell. He nudged my palm with his wet nose and let out a low whine."I'll drive you," Damien said quickly."No, it's fine. I'll call a car." I already had my phone out."Please," his voice was thick with pleading. "Just let me take you to the hotel. One last time."