Chapter 3

Chapter 3 – The Shadow at the Window

“What are you all hiding from me?” I demanded, my voice trembling with anger. “Why have I never heard of the Moonborn heir? Why tonight? Why right after we severed our bond? How is any of this connected?”

My questions echoed through the corridor, swallowed by the storm raging outside.

Vaughn didn’t answer.

He kept walking through the manor, rainwater dripping from his dark hair and broad shoulders, his expression carved from stone. I hurried after him, desperate for answers, so consumed by my own panic that I barely noticed the Moon Council agent remained behind in the courtyard.

Only when I glanced back did I realize he was gone.

Vanished.

As if he had never existed.

“Alpha Nightfang!” I snapped. “I’m talking to you. Answer me!”

Frustration finally exploded from my chest in a sharp roar. The sound rippled through the corridor, and Vaughn stopped for a single heartbeat.

Then he spoke without turning around.

“Don’t involve yourself in this. It’s none of your business.”

The coldness of his voice stung worse than the rain.

He stepped into his chamber, grabbed a black shirt from the closet, and pulled it over his head in one swift motion. Without sparing me a glance, he disappeared into his study.

I stood there, soaked and shaking, trying to understand what had just happened.

“Look,” I began, forcing myself to remain calm. “Whatever happened out there, I understand if you don’t want to talk about—”

A furious growl exploded through the room.

The air trembled.

I froze.

Vaughn turned, his golden eyes blazing.

“No, Diana. You listen to me.” His voice was low and dangerous. “Whatever happened tonight is not your concern. Take Vanessa and leave this manor as soon as possible. Do you understand?”

The words hit me like a blade.

Take Vanessa and leave.

Not stay safe.

Not I’ll protect you.

Leave.

Pain twisted through my chest.

Had I really loved this man once?

Had my Vaughn ever truly existed, or had I spent three years loving a stranger?

I swallowed hard and looked away.

None of that mattered anymore.

Only Vanessa mattered.

I would protect my daughter even if I had to walk away from this pack forever.

“Fine,” I whispered.

Vaughn didn’t look at me again.

I turned and walked out, slamming the study door behind me.

---

Earlier – Three Years Ago

The memory struck without warning.

Vaughn’s hand tightened around mine as he pushed open a pair of carved oak doors. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, bathing the room in gold. The new mating ring on his finger glimmered, and mine sparkled beside it.

“This will be our room from now on,” he murmured near my ear. “Do you like it?”

The deep warmth of his voice sent a shiver through me—not fear, but the intoxicating pull of a newly formed bond.

“It’s beautiful,” I laughed.

He swept me into his arms effortlessly, carrying me across the threshold before pressing a gentle kiss to my lips.

A promise.

A vow beneath the Moon Goddess.

Never to break this bond.

“And what else is beautiful?” he whispered, his breath brushing the sensitive skin of my neck.

My cheeks burned as he lowered me onto the bed and hovered over me with a tenderness that made my heart ache.

“You,” I breathed.

His smile had been soft then.

Real.

For that brief moment, I had believed happiness could last forever.

---

A violent bang shattered the memory.

I jerked upright.

The nursery window slammed repeatedly against the frame as the storm intensified outside. Moonlight flickered through the clouds, illuminating Vanessa sleeping beside me.

She trembled in her sleep.

I hurried to her side and stroked her silver hair gently.

“It’s all right, sweetheart,” I whispered. “Everything will be fine. I promise.”

The words tasted like a lie.

I leaned down and kissed her forehead, and in that instant I made my decision.

Tomorrow, I would take Vanessa and leave the Nightfang Pack forever.

No looking back.

No second chances.

Just freedom.

Just then a sudden scent drifted through the room.

Wild.

Ancient.

Dangerous.

The same scent from the gates.

Ice raced down my spine.

My wolf rose instantly, snarling.

Vanessa.

Nothing could happen to her.

I slowly lifted my head.

A shadow stood beyond the nursery window.

Tall.

Motionless.

Watching.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

I reached for the mind link instinctively.

Vaughn!

Silence.

The bond was gone.

I had been shut out completely.

Panic clawed through me. I forced myself to stay calm for Vanessa’s sake and slowly rose from the bed. The shadow remained perfectly still while rain streamed down the glass.

Then lightning flashed.

The figure wore a black cloak.

And in its hand was a silver dagger etched with the crescent symbol of the Moon Council. The same one that I saw earlier tonight. But he is certainly not that man from council. He is someone else.

My blood turned to ice.

The Council agent.

Hadn't he disappeared? Or was he killed?

And who is this now?

The shadow lifted one finger and pressed it against the glass.

A silent warning.

Vanessa whimpered in her sleep.

I grabbed her immediately, clutching her against my chest as another crash of thunder shook the manor. The nursery door burst open before I could move.

Vaughn stormed inside.

His gaze swept the room, landing on the figure at the window.

For the first time since I had known him, genuine fear crossed his face.

“Diana,” he said sharply, “get away from the window!”

The cloaked figure smiled.

Slowly, impossibly, it stepped through the closed glass as though the barrier were made of water.

Vanessa woke with a terrified cry.

The stranger lowered the hood.

Dark hair spilled over pale shoulders.

Red eyes met mine.

My breath stopped.

I was staring at a man I had never seen before, yet something in his presence felt disturbingly familiar—like a memory I had never lived, or one I had been forced to forget.

The rogue’s expression was calm, almost sorrowful, as if he had finally reached the end of a long hunt.

“Don’t be afraid,” he whispered. “I am not your enemy.”

Vaughn’s wolf growled violently.

The rogue’s eyes shifted to Vanessa, and something sharp flickered across his face—possession, intent, certainty.

“She has her mother’s scent,” he murmured.

My arms tightened around my daughter.

“Who are you?” I whispered.

The rogue looked directly at me.

Lightning split the sky.

And the man in black stepped forward.