第8章

Six months later, I went to Elias's office of my own accord and knocked.

He was working through a border resettlement list.

The moment he saw me, he closed the file and strode around the desk to meet me.

I gave him my answer.

"I'm ready to accept our mate bond."

His breath stopped for a beat.

The next second, he pulled me hard into his arms.

Cedar flooded around me, carrying pure, unguarded joy.

"Elena, do you know how long I've waited to hear that?"

He lowered his head and pressed his forehead to mine, his eyes impossibly bright.

"From today on, everyone will know you're the mate I spent six months wooing."

His heat made me laugh.

"Mate only. The Luna question can wait."

"Deal." He held me tighter. "Today we're just celebrating that you finally want me."

Two years later, I became Luna of Silver Ridge Pack.

I first joined pack governance as head of the recovery program.

Through border resettlement, medical reform, and the member protection initiative, I earned the recognition of Silver Ridge's members.

Later, the Silver Ridge council publicly asked whether I was willing to take on the duties of Luna.

Elias was the first to stand.

Before the entire council, he made no effort to hide the pride in his eyes.

"I want her standing beside me at the highest point of Silver Ridge.

"Not just because she's my mate. Because over these two years, the people she's saved, the systems she's reformed, and the trust she's earned have long since proven she deserves the Luna's place more than anyone."

In the end, I walked to the council table myself and accepted the position.

After the celebration that day, I received an invitation from Black Pine Pack.

The invitation was for a cross-pack program treating wolfsbane trauma and silenced wolves, and it asked me to return as lead director.

It would be held in the very city I had left behind.

I stared at the invitation for a long time.

When Elias finished reading it, the cedar scent around him turned cold.

"I'm going back with you."

I shook my head.

"It's just work."

He stared at the Black Pine crest on the invitation.

"I know.

"But I don't want Adrian anywhere near you when I'm not there to watch."

I smiled a little.

"I can't spend my whole life hiding from one territory."

The day I returned to Black Pine, the airport was crowded.

I walked out of the arrivals corridor with my luggage.

The familiar scent of fir washed over me.

I thought I would grieve.

I didn't.

Black Pine was still the same Black Pine.

I just wasn't the acting Luna waiting for Adrian's acknowledgment anymore.

On the day of the project meeting, Black Pine Pack was one of the partners.

I wasn't surprised to see Adrian's name on the list.

At three in the afternoon, Adrian arrived.

He was much thinner than I remembered.

His suit was still crisply pressed.

But dark hollows ringed his eyes, and even his Alpha presence had weakened.

He stood at the conference room door.

When he saw "Luna of Silver Ridge" printed before my name, he stopped short.

"Elena."

My name on his lips sounded as though it came through distant fog.

I closed my file.

"Mr. Cross, please come in."

His breath hitched.

As if he had never imagined a day I would address him that way.

The meeting went smoothly.

I covered budgets, treatment plans, cross-pack responsibilities, and protections for affected members.

Adrian watched me the entire time.

I didn't avoid him, and I didn't spare him a second glance.

When the meeting ended, he finally stopped me.

"Your wolf—"

I cut him off.

"I don't discuss anything but work."

His fingers curled.

"I just want to know if you're doing well."

"I am."

His eyes slowly reddened.

"I'm not."

I nodded.

"That's your problem."

The words seemed to nail him where he stood.

I walked around him toward the exit.

Behind me came his voice, pressed very low.

"Elena, I'm sorry."

I paused for a second.

I didn't look back.

The elevator opened in front of me.

I walked straight in.