The Fireworks He Missed

“Luna, I’m sorry. You miscarried during the attack. The examination confirms the miscarriage is complete. ”

The healer laid the report beside my bed. “Would you like us to contact the Alpha? He can sign the acknowledgment with you, if you want him here.”

“No. I'll sign for myself.”

I picked up the pen and wrote my name on the patient's signature line.

Nora Bennett.

Luna of the Blackpine Pack. The woman Adrian Blackwood had sworn before the Moon Goddess to protect.

The healer left me under observation overnight. A heavy ache dragged at my lower abdomen. The healer changed the herbal dressings on my other injuries, and the bitter scent of cleansing fern covered the lingering smell of blood. My wolf was too weak to answer when I reached for her.

By morning, the bleeding had eased enough for the healer to discharge me. A clinic driver took me home. The house was empty.

I crawled into bed and slept.

I had no idea how much time had passed when the bedroom door opened.

“Nora, why haven't you answered your phone? I've been worried about you.”

Adrian crossed to the bed and pressed his palm to my forehead. When I opened my eyes, some of the tension left his shoulders. He tucked the blanket around me.

Selene lingered in the doorway, looking as fragile and blameless as ever.

Adrian glanced from my face to my stomach. “You’re so pale. Still being sick? I brought you some chicken soup.”

He opened the container and held a spoonful to my lips.

“I was in such a bad way last night,” Selene said from the doorway. “That’s why Adrian took me to see the fireworks. Then he told me you were angry enough to invent a rogue attack. Nora, I never meant to upset you.”

Selene stepped closer and caught his sleeve. Adrian stopped with the spoon inches from my mouth.

“Take it away. Both of you, get out.”

Selene's tears spilled over.

“Does she wish I had died instead? If it had been me, your brother would still be here. You two wouldn't keep fighting because of me.”

Adrian took my hand. “Nora.”

Then Selene's sobbing grew louder, and he let go. He set the broth on the nightstand and turned to steady her.

“Enough, Nora. First you make up an attack, and now you treat her like this? The penthouse in the heart of the werewolf clan is the safest place in our territory.”

I had been safe there. Adrian had arranged for me to stay in the penthouse in the heart of the werewolf clan while he spent the night with Selene. Then a message had arrived from his number: Meet me at the old cedar grove. Let me make up for last year’s anniversary. Come alone. I want it to be a surprise.

I had walked beyond the building’s guarded entrance believing he was waiting for me. Much later, I would learn that Selene had sent it from his phone.

I opened my mouth. His hand was already moving up and down her back. He had heard me begging over the phone and called it a lie. I closed my mouth again.

I rolled onto my side, turning my back on them.

“I'm tired. I want to sleep.”

Selene sniffled behind me.

Eventually, the door closed and their footsteps faded down the hall.

When Adrian returned, he sat on the edge of the bed and brushed his thumb over my cheek.

“Try a little soup,” Adrian said. “Yesterday was the anniversary of my brother’s death. Selene was barely holding it together. Please, let this go.”

I didn't answer.

“Nora.” His voice rose a little. “Please don't shut me out. Once things settle down, I'll make some time for us.”

“Your prenatal appointment is tomorrow, isn’t it? Selene has a stomach appointment too. I’ll make time to meet you both at the healing center.”

His end of the mind-link stayed closed. He had shut it before the fireworks, after I asked him to come back to the penthouse. He still called it giving us both room to calm down.

There was no baby left to check. My appointment was a follow-up now; the clinic had arranged to send the records directly to my healer.

I drew a breath to tell him. Before I could speak, he patted my hand and stood.

That satisfied him. He thought I was finally being reasonable.

He was already checking a new message from Selene.

“That's better.”

He left me there.

Downstairs, his voice softened again as he spoke to Selene. I opened my laptop and accepted the position I had been offered at the Silver Bay Wolf-Spirit Research Center in Oslo, Norway. The director sent the contract and confirmed that the team could have my work authorization ready for the following week.

One transfer at a time, I moved my savings and the money I had earned from earlier wolf-spirit research projects into a new overseas account.

Then I pulled a dusty box from the back of the closet.

Inside were Adrian's gifts, including the ring engraved with our initials. I sorted them, packed them, and booked a courier pickup for a charity well outside the city.

When I went downstairs for water, two maids were talking in the kitchen.

“The Alpha wants Selene moved in next month. Says she’s too unwell to be living alone.”

“Which room are we getting ready?”

“The main bedroom, apparently. He says it gets the best light.”

“But that’s the Luna’s room.”

“Keep your voice down. She might hear you.”

I walked past them and took a glass from the cupboard.

Both fell silent.

“Luna, we were just—”

“Excuse me.”

The maid stepped away from the sink. I filled my glass, took a sip, and went back upstairs.

They could give Selene the room.

By next month, I would be gone.