chapter 23

The grand gates of Nightcrest creaked open slowly.

A procession of black carriages rolled into the palace courtyard, accompanied by dozens of Bloom Pack warriors dressed in ceremonial armor.

The Nightcrest guards immediately straightened, hands resting on the hilts of their swords.

An uneasy silence settled over the courtyard.

Elsie instinctively tightened her grip on Rowan's hand.

He noticed.

Without looking at her, he gently squeezed her hand back.

A silent reassurance.

I'm here.

The first carriage came to a stop.

Frank stepped forward, flanked by several elite Nightcrest warriors.

The carriage door opened.

Edward Blackwood stepped down first.

He wore the black ceremonial robes of Bloom Pack's Alpha, embroidered with gold thread. His posture was confident, but the moment his eyes landed on Elsie...

Everything else around him disappeared.

She looked different.

Healthier.

The dull sadness that had once clouded her beautiful green eyes had faded, replaced by a quiet peace he had never seen before.

And beside her...

Rowan still held her hand.

Edward's jaw tightened.

Behind him, Sara stepped down gracefully.

She looked just as elegant as ever, though her smile faltered the moment she saw Elsie standing beside Rowan.

Following them came Alpha Richard and Luna Evelyn.

The former Alpha looked noticeably older than when Elsie had left Bloom Pack only weeks ago.

His once-commanding presence seemed burdened by regret.

Elsie's parents stepped out last.

Her mother searched frantically through the crowd until she found her daughter.

Tears immediately welled in her eyes.

"Elsie..."

Elsie smiled politely.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

It was the kind of smile reserved for acquaintances.

Not family.

Her mother's heart broke a little more.

Frank stepped forward.

"Welcome to Nightcrest."

Edward nodded.

"Thank you for receiving us."

His eyes never left Elsie.

Rowan noticed.

"So," Rowan said calmly.

"You requested this visit."

"I did."

"Then I assume it's important."

Edward finally looked away from Elsie and met Rowan's gaze.

"It concerns both our packs."

"Then we'll discuss it in the council chamber."

The atmosphere inside the palace was tense.

Servants quietly served tea before disappearing, leaving only the leaders and their closest families inside the council room.

Elsie sat beside Rowan as his Luna.

For the first time in her life...

She occupied a seat of authority.

Edward couldn't help noticing how naturally she fit beside Rowan.

She looked...

Like she belonged there.

It irritated him more than it should.

After several moments of silence, Edward finally spoke.

"Rogue attacks have increased along Bloom Pack's western border."

Rowan leaned back.

"I'm aware."

Edward frowned slightly.

"You are?"

"My scouts monitor more than just Nightcrest."

Frank couldn't suppress the hint of pride on his face.

Edward continued.

"These aren't ordinary rogues."

"They're organized."

"They've destroyed two villages already."

The room grew quiet.

Even Rowan's expression became more serious.

"What do you want from Nightcrest?"

Edward met his gaze.

"An alliance."

Frank almost laughed.

"An alliance?"

"You've already rejected our previous proposal."

Edward nodded.

"I know."

"This time..."

His voice lowered.

"The situation is different."

Before Rowan could answer, Alpha Richard spoke.

"The rogues are gathering under someone."

"They're no longer acting independently."

"They have a leader."

That caught Rowan's attention.

"Do you know who?"

Richard slowly shook his head.

"No."

"But whoever it is..."

"He intends to unite the rogue packs."

The room fell silent.

Everyone knew what that could mean.

War.

As the meeting continued, Elsie remained mostly quiet.

She listened carefully, observing the way Rowan conducted himself.

He rarely raised his voice.

Rarely interrupted.

Yet every word he spoke carried authority.

People listened.

Not because they had to.

Because they wanted to.

She found herself admiring him.

Again.

Across the table...

Edward noticed.

He watched the way Elsie occasionally looked toward Rowan.

The soft expression on her face.

It wasn't love.

Not yet.

But it wasn't indifference anymore either.

Something inside Edward twisted painfully.

He had never seen her look at him that way.

Not even when they had been mates.

The meeting ended shortly before sunset.

Servants escorted the Bloom Pack delegation to their guest chambers.

As everyone dispersed, Elsie's mother quietly approached her.

"May I... speak with you?"

Elsie hesitated.

Then nodded.

They walked together through one of the palace gardens.

Neither spoke for several minutes.

Finally...

"I'm sorry."

Her mother's voice trembled.

Elsie stopped walking.

"For what?"

"For everything."

Tears rolled freely down her mother's cheeks now.

"I failed you."

"I should have protected you."

"I should have stood beside you."

Elsie remained silent.

"I kept telling myself it was for the good of the pack."

Her mother laughed bitterly.

"But what kind of mother sacrifices her own daughter?"

A long silence followed.

Then Elsie spoke softly.

"You already know the answer."

Those words hurt more than any accusation could have.

Her mother lowered her head.

"I don't expect forgiveness."

"I know."

"I only wanted you to know..."

She reached for Elsie's hand.

"...not a single day has passed without me regretting my choice."

Elsie looked at the hand resting over hers.

Slowly...

Very gently...

She removed it.

"I'm happy here."

Her voice wasn't cold.

It was simply honest.

"I've started healing."

She looked toward the palace.

Toward Rowan's study.

"So please..."

"Don't ask me to reopen wounds that are finally beginning to close."

Her mother nodded through her tears.

"I understand."

As Elsie walked away, she didn't look back.

Not because she hated her mother.

But because she had finally realized...

Some chapters of life were meant to stay closed.

From the balcony above...

Someone had witnessed the entire conversation.

Jessica.

She watched Elsie disappear into the palace before her gaze shifted toward the grieving woman left alone in the garden.

Then a slow smile spread across her lips.

"So..."

"You still have weaknesses."

She turned as another figure stepped out of the shadows behind her.

A cloaked man.

His face hidden beneath a hood.

Jessica didn't seem surprised to see him.

"Everything is ready?" she asked quietly.

The man nodded.

"The next phase can begin."

Jessica's smile widened.

"Good."

She looked toward the palace where Rowan and Elsie now lived as husband and wife.

"They think surviving one assassin means they're safe."

Her eyes gleamed with malice.

"They have no idea..."

"...the real game is only just beginning."