Chapter 2

Astrid's POV

When I was left all alone, I realized how painfully long a single day could be. I kept myself busy for what felt like forever, only to realize that just one day had passed since last night.

When I returned home, the room felt unbearably empty. For a moment, I felt as though I were the only person left in the entire world.

A bowl sat on the table, with half a bowl of bone broth inside. A note was tucked underneath it. It was from Sten.

"I have a meeting today, so I won't be home in time. Eat something light for now. I'll bring you something delicious when I get back."

I carried the bowl out to the doorstep, sipping the warm soup while the cold wind bit at my skin. I glanced at the corner of the yard.

I used to stand there with a bowl in my hands. There would always be a familiar silhouette at the door, keeping me company and chatting with me. Every now and then, he would do something to make me smile.

However, no one was left now.

I set the bowl down on the table and went out to take a walk. It was pitch-black outside.

I trekked across the frozen, hardened dirt until I reached the fork by the river. Then, it struck me that today was Maeve's birthday.

Since Ronan had invited me, there was no reason for me not to go.

Maeve's house was at the bottom of the slope at the fork in the road. It was sheltered from the wind, and it used to be the place where the four of us often hung out.

Back when we spent our winters there, the four of us would sit inside the house and chat around the fireplace. We were all too reluctant to get up to add more firewood. In the end, Dorian was always the one who rose to his feet, grumbling under his breath.

I stopped at the doorstep and knocked on it.

Dorian was the one who answered the door. He noticed how thinly I was dressed, and his expression cracked for a fraction of a second.

Before I could pin down what it was, he asked apathetically, "What are you doing here?"

"It's Maeve's birthday. I came to celebrate with her."

After hearing that, he stepped aside and opened the door a little wider. There was no one inside. "The birthday party is already over. You're too late."

He had changed so much. He never treated me like this in the past.

Dorian was the very first wolf to ever come into my life. He was sharp-tongued, hard to please, and fiercely protective of his own. He wouldn't waste his breath on someone he disliked.

Back when he still liked me, he would criticize me from morning till night. No matter what we were talking about, he always ended up lecturing me.

"Astrid, what were you thinking, going into the forest by yourself? You're way too reckless! If you run into Rogues and can't outrun them, don't you know to hide first and then call us? You act like you've never been taught any better!"

Every single word out of his mouth dripped with exasperation, yet whenever real trouble hit, he was always the first to throw himself in front of me. Sometimes, before I even realized what was happening, he would already have me sheltered behind him in a completely safe spot.

Other times, he would be so harsh with me that I wouldn't want to speak to him anymore. Then, he'd turn around and give me jewelry he knew I liked.

"Where did those two go?" I asked.

"Maeve's pup wanted to set off some fireworks, so Kieran and Ronan took the two of them out to do it."

I nodded and was just about to head home when Ronan returned.

"What are you doing?" Ronan frowned. "It's a good thing Maeve isn't back yet."

His tone toward me was cold. "This is Maeve's home now. Don't come here anymore unless you have a good reason. She isn't fond of you."

"I won't come again." I looked up at him. "There's one more thing I need to do before I leave."

I pulled a small cloth pouch out of my pocket and handed it to Ronan. "These are the things the three of you gave me in the past. I've already converted the food and drinks into cash, and all the jewelry pieces are in here. You can split them among yourselves when you have time."

Dorian's expression changed drastically. "Do you have any idea what you're doing?"

He said in a low voice, "Come inside. We can't have this conversation out here."

"That won't be necessary. Maeve will be unhappy if she comes back and sees me here." With that, I turned and left.

There were two days left before the members of the Moon Guard Pack arrived.