5. Leaving Home

I spent most of the night packing and pretending I wasn't leaving.

I had always known finding my mate meant leaving home. I just never imagined I would be leaving for three months... with three different mates.

"You'll enjoy the Moonshadow Pack," my mother said as she folded another dress and tucked it into my travel bag.

I answered with a noncommittal hum while slipping my journal and favorite pen between the clothes. If everything else changed over the next three months, at least those would stay the same.

"I've heard they have the most beautiful beaches along the western cliffs." She smiled to herself. "And their festivals are supposed to last an entire week."

She rolled her eyes. "I can't imagine wasting that many supplies on a celebration."

I laughed. "That's because you're Veilborn."

"So are you." She sat on the edge of my bed and patted the space beside her. I joined her.

She studied me for a long moment before sighing. "I know this is frightening."

I nodded.

"But..." She smiled sadly. "Let's be honest… you've always been a little different."

"Oh no…” I groaned “Not this speech again."

She laughed softly. "Yes, this speech."

Our clan prized knowledge above all else.

Wisdom before judgment. It was the first lesson every Veilborn pup learned.

Reading.

History.

Medicine.

Ceremony.

Politics.

Every lesson reminded us that knowledge was our greatest weapon.

Most girls spent hours studying in the Archives or praying in the Moon Temple, hoping to be seen as graceful, wise, and worthy of a good mate.

I had certainly spent my share of time in the Archives. Not because I cared who saw me. Because I genuinely loved learning. I wanted to know everything.

The history of every clan.

Every medicinal herb growing in our forests.

Every forgotten Moon ritual tucked away in dusty books no one else bothered to read.

The library never judged me. Books never whispered that I was strange.

Unfortunately… books couldn't teach me how to throw a punch.

So I learned that elsewhere. Usually by sneaking into the warriors' training grounds and trying very hard not to get caught.

My mother shook her head. "I still remember the day your father found you sparring with boys twice your size."

"They were terrible," I muttered.

She laughed. "You were twelve."

"I won."

"You got grounded."

"Worth it." I smiled.

She rolled her eyes affectionately. "Most girls worried about dresses. You worried whether your trousers would split if you kicked someone."

"I had priorities."

That earned another laugh. Then her smile slowly faded. "I've always wondered if you would be happier somewhere else."

My heart squeezed. I reached over and took her hand.

"It's not that I don't belong here." I looked around my room. The overflowing bookshelves. Pressed flowers drying above my desk. My father's carved wooden practice sword hanging beside the door. "This is home."

I smiled.

"I love you."

"I love Dad."

"I love the Archives."

I hesitated. "I've just... never quite fit inside the picture everyone else expected."

Her eyes shimmered. "I know."

I leaned my head against her shoulder. "And now..." I laughed quietly. "Now I have three mating bonds pulling on my soul."

She squeezed my hand. "I don't know what the Moon Goddess is doing."

"Neither do I."

A smile tugged at my lips. "But… If those beaches are half as beautiful as everyone says…

…maybe this won't be so terrible."

She pulled me into a hug. "I'll miss you, my dearest."

A knock interrupted us. The door creaked open. My father leaned against the frame. His smile looked almost as forced as mine. "Ready to go, Pumpkin?"

I looked around my room one last time. There was nothing left to pack. Only memories to leave behind. I drew a slow breath.

"Yeah." I drew one last breath. "I think I am."

Together, my parents walked me to the front door of our modest home.

Waiting outside...

...was Darian.

The moment his amber eyes found mine, a warmth spread through my chest. The bond.

Unlike the wildfire Kael ignited...

Darian's felt like stepping into sunlight after a long winter.

He smiled. "Morning."

He took my bags before I could protest and secured them to the horses with practiced ease. Then he turned back toward me. His hand stretched out between us. "You ready?"

I looked back once. My mother waved from the doorway. My father rested one arm around her shoulders.

Home.

Then I looked forward. Toward the Moonshadow Pack. Toward Darian. Toward whatever the Moon Goddess had planned for me.

Darian's hand remained outstretched.

His fingers never closed around mine.

He waited for me to choose.

I smiled.

Then I slipped my hand into his.

"Ready."