Chapter 3

Chapter 3

ANNALISA POV 

The pack school sat at the eastern edge of our territory. As I walked up the stone pathway, I felt something in my chest ease, as I was happy to be back in one of the few places that always brought me joy.

I'd always loved the school. Before my marriage, I'd worked here for six months, helping with the younger pups, organizing the library, assisting teachers with lesson plans.  But after the wedding, Brooke had made it clear that I was not to "embarrass the family" by being seen in public positions. So I'd retreated to the kitchens, the gardens, the background of pack life where I couldn't cause her any shame.

Now, walking through the front doors as the Alpha's wife even if it was just for a month felt like coming home.

"Annabella!" Principal Davies rushed forward, his wrinkled face breaking into a genuine smile as soon as he saw me as he walked closer to greet me. "I heard you'd be joining us today. The visiting educators are in the conference room. I'm so glad you're here—you always had such a way with these inter-pack relations."

The warmth in his voice made my throat tight. "Thank you, Principal Davies. It's good to be back."

"You should have been here all along," he said quietly, then cleared his throat and gestured down the hallway. "Shall we?"

The conference room held five visitors—three women and two men, all from various packs across the region. They'd come to discuss educational standards, curriculum development, and resource sharing between territories. It was boring to most people but I always found them entertaining. Education was the future of the packs. Strong minds made strong wolves.

"Everyone, this is Luna Annabella Greenwood," Principal Davies announced, and I tried not to flinch at the title, realizing he called me by my husband's surname. A name that I was still forbidden from using or acknowledging.

"She'll be representing the Greenwood Pack today."

"Actually, it's still Annabella Hills," I corrected gently, managing a smile despite the flutter of shame in my stomach. Even after two years of marriage, I'd never been allowed to take Antonio's name. Brooke had insisted it would be "premature" until I proved myself worthy. 

One of the men stepped forward with a smile on his face, extending his hand for a greet.

 "Marcus Thorne, from the Silverpine Pack. I remember you from the last summit. Your presentation on integrated learning for different wolf abilities was excellent."

I blinked, surprised he remembered. That seemed like a lifetime ago—before the marriage, before Antonio had found Christiana, before everything had fallen apart.

 "Thank you. I'm glad it was helpful."

"Helpful? We implemented half your suggestions." He smiled warmly. "Our pups with delayed shifting have shown remarkable improvement in confidence and pack integration. You have a real gift for this work."

The compliment settled over me as I felt my cheek grow warm with happiness. When was the last time someone had praised me for something other than how quietly I could scrub a floor or how well I could arrange flowers?

The meeting flowed smoothly after that. We discussed reading programs, physical education adaptations, and mental health resources for growing teenage wolves. I soon found myself lost in the rhythmn noffeeingbadvices, asking questions and proceeding suggestions.

"What about pups from mixed backgrounds?" asked one of the women, Elena from the Riverbend Pack. "Those who come from... complicated family situations?"

I felt everyone's eyes shift to me. They knew my story—everyone in the region did. The orphan raised by the Greenwood Alpha, married off to his son, tolerated but never truly accepted.

"Integration is key," I said carefully. "But so is acknowledging their unique experiences. These pups need to know their worth isn't determined by their bloodline or their past. They need mentors who see their potential, not just their circumstances."

Marcus nodded thoughtfully. "You speak from experience."

"I do." There was no point in denying it. "And I think that's valuable. These pups need to see that their beginning doesnt have to dictate the rest of their lives, they have the ability to change it.

Even if mine seemed destined to circle back to where it started—alone and unwanted.

The meeting broke for lunch, and I found myself walking the school grounds with Marcus and Elena, discussing mundane topics.

"Have you considered teaching?" he asked as we passed the training fields where older students practiced training forms. "You clearly have a passion for education, and the students respond to you."

 "I've thought about it. But my position in the pack is... complicated."

"Because you're Luna?" Elena's voice held no judgment, only curiosity.

"Because I'm not, really." The confession came easier than I'd expected. "And in a month, I won't even be that in name."

Marcus stopped walking, turning to face me with those eyes of his that seemed to understand more than the surface story. "I heard the Alpha found his fated mate. I'm sorry. That must be difficult."

"It's the way of things." I forced a smile, trying to ignore the ache in my chest. "Fated bonds are sacred. I won't stand in the way of that."

"Still," he said gently, "you deserve better than to be set aside like you're nothing."

The kindness in his voice nearly undid me. I blinked rapidly, refusing to cry in front of these near-strangers no matter how kind and understanding they were. "I should get back. Thank you both for a productive meeting."

As I turned to leave, Elena touched my arm. "If you ever need a fresh start, Annabella, the Riverbend Pack would be honored to have someone of your talents. Think about it."

I nodded, not trusting my voice, and headed back toward the pack house.

I'd barely opened the front door when a hand gripped my arm, spinning me around. Christiana Evans stood there, her perfect face filled with fury and her eyes were blazing with anger.

"How dare you," she hissed, her done nails digging into my skin through my sleeve.

I jerked my arm free, stepping back instinctively. "Christiana—"

"Don't play innocent with me." She advanced, backing me against the wall of the foyer. "You actually had the audacity to make that demand of Antonio? To force him to play house with you for a month while I'm pushed aside like I'm nothing?"

"I didn't—" I started, but she cut me off.

"You're pathetic," she spat. "Clinging to a man who doesn't want you, desperately trying to squeeze one more month out of a marriage that should have never happened. Do you have any idea how desperate that makes you look?"

"At least right now, I'm still his wife," I said quietly, finding the back strength that I didn't know I possessed. "At least for the next month, I'm still the Luna by pack law and Council decree. You can mock me all you want, Christiana, but that's the truth. Whatever you are to Antonio, it doesn't change what I am right now." Our argument was gaining momentum and voices were being raised but I was too upset at the moment to bother about it

Christiana's face flushed red. "You little—"

"Is there a problem here?''

Antonio's voice came from the top of the stairs. He descended slowly, his eyes moving between Christiana and me.

For a moment, no one spoke. Then Antonio's eyes settled on me, and something passed quickly across his face. Surprise, maybe. Or perhaps confusion.

"No problem," Christiana said quickly, her voice changing to that of something sweet and fake. "I was just welcoming Annabella home."

I didn't say anything as I walked away, shoving Christiana aside but I could feel his eyes boring into my back, probably painting me as the bad guy once more.