Chapter 3

Vivienne

5 years later

The Moonlit Gathering held a sacred place in the hearts of the pack members, a yearly event where leaders converged to celebrate their heritage beneath the full moon’s luminous gaze.

As I walked alongside my five-year-old son, his small hand firmly clasping mine, memories of the past five years flooded my mind. I had fled to another country, driven by the need to conceal my pregnancy instead of the lie that I made to my friend that I will be there to become a journalist, just to hide everything from Darius, the man who had been my everything until circumstances forced me to leave it all behind. I had made excuses, buried my feelings, and built a new life in New York City.

Now, returning for the gathering, it wasn’t to reveal to Darius that he had a son—a secret I had guarded fiercely—but rather to honor a promise to the pack who had once welcomed and supported me — The Lunar Fang Pack. Their belief in my skills as a warrior and their unwavering loyalty touched me deeply, especially knowing their Luna Daisy, my childhood best friend, stood beside them.

Yet, as I contemplated the evening ahead, there lingered a bittersweet scenario. Would I encounter Darius amidst the festivities? After five years, would he even recognize me, or had his heart been firmly claimed by Princess Celestria, as rumors suggested? I heard whispers that they now had a child together, their love seemingly sealed by fate and duty.

Under the luminescent glow of the full moon, the pack’s gathering will began like a ritual from ages past. Leaders, adorned in ceremonial attire, socializing amidst a backdrop of ancient trees, their forms cast in silvered light. And there’s a possibility that the Alpha of Moonshadow Pack who had already imprinted someone else will bump into me, but I don’t think he will still remember me knowing that Princess Celestria is a woman you would be bewitch to see her beauty.

“Mummy, will I see Daddy tonight?” Alistair’s innocent query pierced through my thoughts, tugging at my heartstrings. I met his hopeful gaze with a tender smile, I find it hard to say something . . .

I gently placed my hands on his cheeks, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my fingertips. “We’re here to reconnect with everyone, love,” I murmured softly. “You’ll meet old friends and new faces who will be glad to see us.” My words were meant to reassure him, though inside, I wished I could confess that I had truly moved on, that thoughts of him had become distant echoes in the past.

‘He’s young and clueless,’ I thought, looking at my son, oblivious to the uncanny resemblance he bore to his father—the same blond hair, the piercing eyes. It was almost comical to deny the truth staring us in the face.

“Oh my God, Vivienne Fox?” a voice exclaimed behind me. I turned, my fingers clasped around my son’s hand, and there she was—Daisy, the Luna of the Lunar Fangs, as I had anticipated.

“Daisy!” I greeted her warmly, and she responded with a hug, planting a kiss on my cheek as she always did. Her gaze then shifted to my son, who looked at her with wide-eyed innocence.

“You came with . . .?” she spoke in a gentle murmur, her voice a soft breeze. Confusion knitted delicate lines across her brow, her eyes searching mine with tentative curiosity.

A smile crept onto my face, warm and tender, as I turned to glance at my son standing beside me. “My son,” I began softly. “Alistair. I didn’t get a chance to tell you that,” I chuckled. Her expression betrayed no suspicion, only a gentle smile that softened her features as she turned to face him.

“Alistair,” she greeted with a warm smile that lit up her eyes. “I’m Luna Daisy. Your mother and I grew up together,” she explained, her voice carrying a nostalgic lilt. “I’m sure you’re going to be friends with my son as well!” Her enthusiasm bubbled over, punctuated by a genuine eagerness.

Alistair, though curious, met her greeting with a shy glance.

She chuckled softly, a light, melodious sound that filled the space between us. “It’s fine. And also, you have such beautiful eyes. It reminds me of . . . “ Her voice trailed off as she met my curious gaze, a playful shrug accompanying her unfinished thought. “He got your shyness when we were young,” she continued, her words carrying a gentle reassurance. I understood her implication—that Alistair and I didn’t resemble each other—and I simply smiled, shaking my head in response.

“He’s cute. You didn’t even bother to tell me—“

“Daisy . . .” I gently interrupted her, my voice barely above a whisper. “Can’t we discuss that later?” I glanced toward Alistair, who was lingering nearby, his expression unreadable as he pretended not to listen. I didn’t want him to think I was keeping him a secret.

Her expression shifted, understanding dawning in her eyes as she processed my situation. She nodded silently and whispered an apology. “Shall we move on to the base now?” Her hand smoothed over the folds of her vibrant red dress, steering the conversation away from the sensitive topic.

“Absolutely,” I exclaimed, squeezing my son’s hand gently as we followed her through the clearing, heading towards the heart of the Moonlit Gathering.

Torches cast flickering shadows on the ground, creating a mystical ambiance under the canopy of ancient trees.

As we approached the central clearing, where a large bonfire blazed and wolves of all ages mingled, I caught sight of him. Alpha Darius, I thought I would feel nothing to see him again. Still looks so gorgeous.

He’s standing there, and everything about him is just so perfect but I didn’t even realize that he stood beside a woman whose beauty was ethereal even from a distance. She had long blond hair that shimmered like moonlight, and her presence exuded a quiet strength that marked her as Luna Celestria, and there’s a little girl at the middle of two of them.

My heart sank as I watched them from afar, their heads close together in conversation, their hands occasionally touching in a gesture of intimacy that cut through me like a knife. Alistair tugged on my hand, sensing my tension.

“Mommy, who are they?” he whispered, eyes wide as he watched the pair with innocent curiosity.

I swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words. “That’s… that’s Alpha Darius, sweetheart. He’s… someone important here.”

“Is he my dad?” Alistair asked, full of confusion and naivety.

Our eyes met abruptly, a sudden intensity locking us in a momentary connection. I quickly averted my gaze to my son, but before I could gather my thoughts, Daisy placed a reassuring hand on Alistair’s shoulder.

“Would you like me to introduce you to some friends?” Her voice brimmed with enthusiasm, and Alistair eagerly nodded in response.

“Yes!”

I stole another glance at him, only to find his eyes fixed on Luna Celestria, captivated by her presence.