Chapter 3

The journey to Westwood pack was long, but I wasn’t tried at all.

Outside the car window, the scenery kept shifting, like my life, shedding layer after layer.

Westwood pack lay deep within a vast and emerald forest.

The air here felt different, lighter, almost alive, as if even the wind had been waiting to greet me. The car came to a stop in front of a grand wooden lodge, its windows glowing with warm light that spilled outward, gently pushing back the shadows.

Standing at the entrance was a woman with soft brown curls and a kind and open smile, Luna Elena, Aiden’s mother. She was nothing like Sarah.

The moment I stepped out, she wrapped me in an embrace that was neither formal nor forced, but warm, steady, and maternal.“Welcome, child,” she said, her voice wrapping around me like a blanket.

“We’ve waited a long time for you.”

I froze.

Aside from my own mother, no one had ever hugged me like that.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my throat tight.

She smiled gently. “Call me Elena.”

Then she took my hand and led me inside.

The lodge was full of Westwood’s core members.

I expected the usual stares, pity, judgment, disdain.

Instead, I found only quiet curiosity, kindness and respect.

Elena introduced me with quiet pride.

“This is Riley. Aiden’s mate. Our future Luna.”

No one questioned her.

No one sneered at my Omega scent.

Later, a housekeeper showed me to my room.

It was large, warm and beautiful. A sun-drenched space filled with thoughtful touches.

On the balcony, rare herbs lined a long planter.

Each one carefully tended.

“All prepared by Alpha Aiden,” the housekeeper said with a smile.

“He thought you might like them.”

My chest tightened.

Aiden, how did you know?

I stepped out, letting the wind run its fingers through my hair, inhaling the subtle fragrance of rosemary and silverleaf.

Something deep within me trembled, quiet and tender.

A part of me I thought had long since died stirred to life again, but the moment was broken by a sudden noise.

Raised voices drifted up from downstairs.

I walked to the window and froze.

Felix and Bianca were standing at the gate, as if they still belonged here.

My stomach twisted.

Like rotting and relentless flies that refused to die, they were back.

I went downstairs.

Felix and Bianca stood at the gate, blocked by two Westwood warriors.

“You’re not welcome here,” one of them said coolly.

The moment Felix spotted me, he pointed and shouted,

“Riley! You really ran off with another wolf? You shameless little Omega!”

Bianca stood beside him, dabbing at invisible tears.

“Sister, how could you do this to Felix?” she whimpered.

“He loved you. And you just left him for some stranger?”

“Loved me?” I let out a sharp laugh.

“You mean the way he loved my half-sister? That kind of love?”

“That’s not true!” Bianca shrieked. “We’re innocent!”

“Innocent?” I tilted my head, eyes cold.

“Then what are you doing here, staging another round of the ‘we’re just like siblings’ act?”

Felix’s face turned red with rage.

“Enough!” he barked. “Come back now, Riley. Don’t make me use force.”

He reached out to grab me, but before he could touch me, a figure stepped between us.

Elena.

Her voice was calm, but rang with steel.

“Young man, this is Westwood. Not a place for tantrums.”

Felix bristled. “I’m Silver Lake’s future Alpha! You dare lay a hand on me?!”

Then a low, steady, and icy voice cut through the tension.

“Throw them out.”

It was Aiden.

He stood beside me, dressed in black, casual and effortless, yet his Alpha presence swept through the room like a stormfront.

Even standing still, he made Felix and Bianca shrink back.

Two warriors stepped forward without hesitation, grabbing Felix by both arms.

“Let go of me!” he shouted. “Do you know who I am? My father is Alpha Robert!”

Aiden didn’t even blink.

“Take the girl too,” he added, his voice like a blade.

Bianca turned ghost-white.

“Felix! Help me!” she cried, clutching at him, but no one moved.

Like trash being taken out, they were dragged away and tossed beyond the Westwood gates.

Silence fell, bringing with it a rare and welcome peace.

Aiden turned to me, then reached for my hand, his palm was warm and steady, his fingers wrapping around mine like a silent promise.

A soft pulse passed between us, the unmistakable thrum of a true mate bond.

I looked up into his dark eyes and saw no doubt, no fear, only strength, and something I’d never had before: a future.