Thaddeus almost took me home by the time I woke up, and I stopped just before we entered."This has nothing to do with anyone else, Orion," I said. "I simply don't love you anymore."With that, Thaddeus carried me back to my room, and I shrugged free as I apologized, "I'm sorry. He's going to bear a grudge against you now."However, Thaddeus wrapped his arms firmly around me. "But what if I wanted it so?"I have loved you since we were kids, but you found a mate before I could tell you how I feel."So please allow me to win your heart now. Will you let me be your mate?" His scalding breath rustled against my ear, while the scent of pine wood and a cool spring swirled around his stiff body, completely shrouding me.My wolf, which had been dormant for so long, once again howled in delight.-I did not see Orion again, until the Blood Moon Hunt.Thaddeus was holding my hand and leading me to the clearing in the woods, while the rest of the Red Moon Pack had already been waiting
Orion's appearance caught me stunned for a moment.His usually neatly groomed hair was left disheveled and dangling over his brow.Despite his loving gaze, his eyes were sunken and his chin was filled with stubble—a shadow of his formerly attractive self.Still, I remained silent and returned inside my house.Orion grabbed my wrist, right then, "It's been so long, Elara. Don't you have anything to say to me?"I stopped and said, "I have nothing to say to you, Orion."However, just hearing my voice left him at once thrilled, "Then just listen to me, Elara. I've sent Dahlia and Emery far away, and I understand I've made a mistake."Just give me a chance, and things will go back the way it was. That's why I came for you."I took a step back as I flung off his hand. "And where are you going to take me? And for what? To see you being happy with your family of three?"Orion shook his head and sighed, "Don't say that. It hurts me that you saw us, but I was really just taking care of
Even as Dahlia struggled violently, she cried, "Please, Orion! I know you're worried about Elara, but you should watch your words!"I am Emery's mother! You're insulting my love for my own son!""Love?!" Orion laughed sardonically and suddenly assumed his wolf form, sinking his razor-sharp claws into Dahlias' shoulder. "Don't bother trying to fool me! I knew something was strange about what happened that day, and my friends investigated it!"You told Emery to go into Elara's room and jump out of the window, and then blame it on Elara! Did you think I wouldn't find out just because you ran outside? Now, you're just being naive!""You would hurt your own son just to chase Elara away! You have no business calling yourself a mother!"Knowing that there was solid evidence against her and nothing she would say could persuade Orion, Dahlia burst into tears right then. "I didn't mean it! I wouldn't want to hurt Emery—not when he's my only pup! And I've checked, he'd walk off with just a
Elara's P.O.VWhen I got home, I cheered up considerably with my dad's company and comfort.I eventually took out my phone, and found a bunch of missed calls and texts—all from Orion.[Where did you go, Elara? I know you're in a bad mood, but just come back. I can explain everything.][It's okay if you don't want to see me. Just come home and I'll stay outside like a Beta. I'm begging you, don't go disappearing on me.][Did you return to the Red Moon Pack? Just talk to me, okay? I'm worried.][Come home soon, okay? It's going to be the Blood Moon Festival soon, and we're supposed to get marked on that occasion.]I stared at the texts, remembering the night before Orion left three years ago.He just won gold at the hunters' category, but while everyone was howling excitedly around him, he got away to reach me, kissing me passionately as he rasped, "Wait for me, Elara. We will mark each other here—and you will be my wife.]I was melted by the fiery love in his emerald gaze.But
After sending the text, I was going to close my eyes and nap, only for Orion to call me."Can you give it a rest already?" he demanded as soon as I answered. "I get it—you don't want Dahlia and Emery to live with us, so I promise to send them away once Emery's better. Okay?"I'm sorry—I know I shouldn't get upset with you, but Emery's just a pup and you shouldn't hurt him. Don't you think so?""I just got back from a mission and I'm really tired, so stop being unreasonable, okay?""You know I never do, and I'm not joking," I eventually said. "I'm really leaving you."I really didn't want to argue because my hip really hurt, and hung up and set my phone on mute, closing my eyes as I really didn't care what he would say.- Orion's P.O.VI felt uneasy for some reason after Elara hung up on me, as if I just lost something important.I called her again, but she never answered, so I contacted my packmate Cuthbert. "Head over to my place to check on Elara. She's in a bad mood—I thin
Orion took Dahlia by the arm and dragged her outside, while Emery was bawling in fear.However, I couldn't spare the effort to care—the ring was all I cared about.Unable to hold back, I buried myself beneath the blanket and sobbed, crying myself to sleep after relieving all the tension.That was, until I was woken up by the knock on the door.I opened the door, but there was no one to be seen… only to notice everyone else sitting in the living room.Orion was on the couch, having his back to me while he carried Emery in one hand and read a storybook to him.Dahlia was lying on the couch beside Orion, listening to him reading with her eyes closed.They were the picture of a happy family, while I was just a stranger staying in the same house.As I started back to my room, I suddenly noticed that Dahlia was leveling a provoking glare at me.I understood everything then—she meant for me to see them as a family, to notice what was really going on between them.I simply hung my he
It was noon the next day when I saw Orion again.He had a guilty look on his face as he took my hand and kissed it, while my heart skipped a beat with a foreboding sensation.To no surprise, he said quietly, "Sorry, Emery's so clingy he kept crying when I tried to send them away. This place is huge anyway—can't we just let them stay with us?"I closed my eyes in disappointment, and worked hard to fight back the bitterness swelling in my heart.He had just promised yesterday to send them away this morning so that they wouldn't affect our lives, but now he was letting them stay?If he was family with Dahlia and Emery, what did that make me? And what were the three years I had spent waiting for him for? Even as pain, indignation and rage churned inside me, I had to bite my tongue and fight back my tears.When I opened my eyes again and was about to speak, Dahlia and Emery barged in, with Dahlia happily relishing my pale face while bragging endlessly to provoke me."Oh, Elara—plea
Panic showed in Orion's eyes when he saw Dahlia and Emery. He unconsciously turned to look at me to gauge my reaction.He quickly explained, "Please don't misunderstand, Elara—Dahlia is a hunter too, and her mate was killed trying to save my life. That's why I'm taking care of them." That explanation was really forcing it—the boy had Dahlia's eyes, but Orion's face.Just one glance was enough for me to be sure the pup was his.And before I could speak, Dahlia entered, crying with the pup in her arms, "I'm sorry, Elara—I didn't want to impose while you're preparing for your marking ceremony, but Emery keeps crying himself hoarse, asking for daddy every night. There's nothing I can do—" "It's a child's nature to look for their father. Are you his father, Orion?" I asked Orion, cutting Dahlia short."Of course not," he replied, shaking his head and shooting a warning glare at Dahlia. "We aren't even marked—how would we have a pup? I took care of them after Emery's dad saved me. An
Elara's P.O.V"Elara, my dear… What happened? Orion finally returned—shouldn't you be happily preparing for the marking ceremony and become his mate? Why would you want to come home instead?"My tears were flowing before I knew it when I heard my father's voice of concern.After all, every member in the Bright Moon Pack and the Red Moon Pack were well aware that I loved Orion very much.Before he left on a top-secret mission, he told me to wait for his return, after which he would mark me.Even though there was no word from him for three years, I was steadfast as I waited for him, and prayed to the Moon Goddess for him to be safe.What I couldn't have known was that the secret mission he went on—which he used as an excuse to stay out of touch—was a big fat lie that deceived everyone.Even though I bit my lip to not cry out loud, my father still noticed my distress and sighed."It's alright," he assured me mildly. "You're my daughter. I'd never let you get hurt—and you have my s