UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

The two colleagues walking beside me stiffened and quickly pressed themselves against the wall, sneaking glances at Emma like she was royalty.

Emma’s gaze swept across them—but never once landed on me. Her indifference stung more than if she’d acknowledged me. Without a word, she turned and entered the elevator, surrounded by a pack of senior executives like a crowned Luna returning to her throne.

The elevator doors closed with a soft chime. My colleagues both exhaled deeply.

"That had to be Alpha Darius’s partner, right?" one of them whispered, her voice buzzing with awe. “She’s gorgeous! And did you see that rune-enchanted battle robe? It’s probably worth more than my yearly salary.”

“Seriously,” the other gushed. “She totally gives off noble blood vibes.”

Then they turned to me. “What did you think, Rae?”

I dropped my gaze and said evenly, “She’s… exactly what you’d expect.”

What they didn’t know was that Emma was my half-sister.

Well—technically not even that. When Emma was eight, my father left my mother to marry her mother. It wasn’t just scandal. It was betrayal wrapped in entitlement. He claimed it was to "spare them from hardship” as if shattering one family to save another made him some noble martyr.

After the divorce, my emotionally fragile mother and I moved in with my grandmother. My uncle tried to help, but his business slowly fell apart over the years. Meanwhile, Emma’s side flourished like they’d never known loss.

I heard my father spoiled her relentlessly to make up for the childhood she didn’t have. Private tutors. International schools. Expensive training in etiquette and arcane theory. Everything I dreamed of once. And to her credit, Emma rose to meet every expectation.

She’d been groomed for greatness, and she wore it well.

I used to think we’d never cross paths again. But the universe had a twisted sense of humor. Despite all the effort I poured into Darius—years of loving him, building a home, bearing his children, his heart had never truly belonged to me.

But Emma? One look was all it took.

“Rae? Are you okay?” one of my coworkers asked gently.

I blinked and pulled myself out of the storm cloud. “I’m fine.”

I told myself none of this mattered anymore. The divorce was practically signed. Darius could give his heart to whomever he wanted. It wasn’t my concern. Not anymore.

Later that evening, I stayed at work far too long. Nine o’clock slipped by before I realized it. Just as I was about to leave, my phone buzzed. Zoe, my best friend, was slurring through the line. She’d had too much to drink and needed a ride home.

I finished the report I was working on, grabbed my keys, and left the building.

Twenty minutes later, I pulled into the restaurant parking lot. I was just locking my car when a small figure darted across the entrance, lit by the glow of the streetlamps.

My heart nearly stopped.

Lyra?

She was skipping along in her usual carefree way, her tiny backpack bouncing behind her. But she was supposed to be in Dallas, studying at Moon Claw Academy.

Had she returned with Darius?

I hadn’t received a single call, a single message. No “Mom, I’m back.” No “Can we meet?”

Nothing.

I clutched my bag tightly and followed her at a distance, my pulse hammering in my ears. My daughter. Just a few feet ahead. And yet… so far away.

She rounded a corner toward the main lobby. I hesitated—then froze.

Emma appeared, surrounded by a few familiar faces from Darius’s inner circle. I ducked behind a planter and slid into a nearby lounge chair, turning my back to them.

“Aunt Emma!” Lyra’s voice rang with joy. She ran up and threw her arms around her.

Emma bent down, smiling sweetly. “Lyra! You’re back?”

“Yup! Daddy brought me early—just in time for your birthday!” she chirped. “We made you a necklace together. Look!”

I pressed my palm hard against my chest. I couldn’t breathe.

“A handmade gift? From you and Daddy?” Emma gasped in mock surprise. “It’s beautiful, Lyra. Thank you. I love it.”

Lyra’s voice turned pouty. “I missed you so much. If I couldn’t call you every day, I don’t think I could’ve survived Dallas…”

Emma laughed softly. “I missed you too.”

Then I heard his footsteps.

I didn’t need to see him. I’d memorized that stride over the years, the quiet power in his step, the deliberate weight, like the world could crumble and he’d keep walking.

“Daddy!” Lyra squealed.

“Happy birthday,” Darius said, his voice low and steady.

“Hmm.” Emma responded with a gentle smile.

“Didn’t you prepare another gift for Aunt Emma, Daddy? Give it to her!”

Before anyone could answer, another voice sliced through the moment like a blade.

“I wonder what kind of aunt enjoys destroying families.”

Luca.

I turned just enough to see him, leaning against a pillar like a miniature sentinel. He was holding the shield pendant I’d fixed for him, his expression unreadable, his voice cold and distant.

“Lyra’s too naive to see through your act,” he said, eyes locked on Emma. “Stop pretending your care.”

Silence.

Emma’s smile faltered. Everyone looked uncomfortable, shuffling their feet. Except Lyra, who blew a raspberry at her brother.

“You’re no fun!”

Luca didn’t even flinch. He turned and walked to the far end of the hallway, his shoulders tense.

A few seconds passed. Then one of Darius’s friends chuckled, breaking the tension.

“Guess that gift was a private one, huh?” he said, nudging Darius. “Didn’t want us stealing your thunder?”

The others laughed knowingly.

“It’s already been given,” Darius said simply.

Lyra huffed. “You saw Aunt Emma without me again?! Rude!”

Another round of laughter. Emma just offered a tight-lipped smile. “Let’s head upstairs.”

They walked away, their footsteps echoing down the corridor.

I sat frozen, the ache in my chest growing unbearable. Lucy, my wolf, had curled into a tight ball deep inside me, quiet and still. As if she, too, had nothing left to say.

My fingers were numb. My eyes burned. I rubbed them roughly, desperate not to cry, and forced myself to stand.

I wasn’t part of their story anymore.

Not the birthday. Not laughter. Not even the heartbreak.

I took the elevator to the second floor to collect Zoe. Coincidentally, her private dining room was right next to theirs. As I helped her out, arms slung around her shoulders, the door across the hall opened.

Joe, the same Joe from the research team—stepped out.

His eyes met mine.

And in that single, suspended moment, I couldn’t tell if he was surprised… or if he had expected me all along.

*********