Chapter 5

Ella's POV

"I caught your scent." He didn't deny it. The corners of his mouth tipped up, that faint dimple showing again.

"A scent this forest hasn't seen in seven years. The aura of a golden-eyed wolf is pretty hard to ignore."

He took two steps forward, pulled a gold-embossed business card from the inner pocket of his suit, and handed it to me.

"About the rejection. If those old guys in the council try to give you a hard time, you'll need an attorney who knows the old laws and isn't afraid of Damien."

"Everyone in the werewolf world knows Nathan Locke is a top-tier lawyer," I said, ignoring the card. "I can't afford your sky-high rates right now."

"I won't charge you."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Remember my grandfather, James?" he asked. "You were the student he was most proud of back at the academy. His health hasn't been great the last couple of years, and he talks about you all the time."

James. That name was like a key, unlocking memories I had buried for seven years.

He was the top professor at the academy. He spotted my extraordinary talent for werewolf herbology and toxicology early on and took me under his wing, hoping I would stay on as his researcher after graduation.

But then I rushed into a mating bond with Damien and took on the duties of a luna. I had no choice but to abandon my research, carrying a heavy amount of guilt.

"Go see him," Nathan said, gently tucking the card into my pocket. "And I'll handle your case for free."

He took a step back, casually stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"Ella, your mating bond with Damien might just be a joke the Moon Goddess played on you. Remember, you always have the right to choose again, no matter what."

It was almost time for school to let out. I went to pick up Lily. The second she hopped in the car, she animatedly told me how Chloe had gotten slapped at school.

"Chloe brought another bag of silver-flake candy and told the teacher her friend made it specially for her, wrapped in real silver foil, limited edition."

Lily mimicked Chloe's smug tone, her little nose wrinkling up in disgust.

"Then the mom of one of the kids who choked on the candy marched right up and smacked her across the face!"

"What about Noah?"

"Noah tried to rush in and help Chloe," Lily snorted, puffing out her little chest.

"I grabbed him by the collar and dragged him back. He's pretty heavy, but I'm strong."

I reached out and ruffled her hair.

"We need to make a trip back to the packhouse today."

Her eyes lit up.

"Did you and Daddy make up?"

"No, sweetie. This is our last time going back. We're just getting our luggage, and then we're leaving for good."

Her eyes dimmed for a split second. Then she nodded hard, hugging her little backpack to her chest.

When we arrived at the packhouse, Linda opened the door for us. She breathed a heavy sigh of relief when she saw me.

"Luna Ella, you're finally back! Let me tell you, you've only been gone for a day and a night, and the pack is already a mess... Also, Chloe... is in the living room."

I nodded and led Lily into the living room.

Chloe was slumped on the couch, half of her face bruised and swollen. She was cursing through gritted teeth.

"Those damn bitches. If I shifted, I'd tear them all to pieces! Ouch!! Damien, be gentle!"

Damien sat beside her, holding a cotton swab and patiently applying ointment to her bruises.

I had burned my hands with hot oil. I had sliced my fingers open cutting fruit. My blood had literally pooled on the kitchen tiles, but when Damien saw it, he didn't even offer a single word of concern.

My wolf stood quietly in my chest, watching the scene unfold, like she was just confirming an answer she already knew.

Noah was huddled to the side, his cheeks puffed out and his eyes full of guilt.

"It's all my fault... I got Chloe hurt."

He turned his head, saw me, and immediately dropped his face, letting out a petty, angry huff.

Chloe looked up and noticed me too.

"Ella, you finally decided to come back?"

Damien didn't even look up. He just gave me a flat order. "Chloe's clothes got dirty. Go to the walk-in closet and get her some new ones to wear."

How ridiculous. In his eyes, the only reason I came back was to serve the other she-wolf he cared about.

I ignored him, taking Lily's hand and walking straight upstairs.

From behind me, Chloe's sticky-sweet voice drifted up the stairs.

"Damien, did you know Ella snores in her sleep?"

"I haven't touched her in years. How would I know if she snores?"

Then came Chloe's loud, bright laughter.

I walked into the second-floor master bedroom with Lily and slammed the door shut, blocking out their insulting conversation.

Packing didn't take much time. After all, I didn't have much that actually belonged to me.

A single suitcase held seven years of my youth.

Holding Lily's hand in one hand and dragging my suitcase with the other, I went downstairs.

When Damien saw us, his dark green eyes instantly turned to ice.

"Ella, what are you making a fuss about now? Do you realize only children pull this running-away-from-home stunt?"

I didn't argue with him. I just let my gaze sweep lightly over his and Chloe's wrists.

They were wearing identical watches.

I chuckled.

"Congratulations, Chloe. You're even wearing matching couple watches now."

Chloe immediately held up her wrist to show it off.

"Ella, these aren't couple watches. I treat Damien like my own older brother. The watches are a testament to our sibling bond! They mean a lot to me."

She quickly shifted gears and pulled out a gift box.

"Oh, by the way, Damien knew you were throwing a fit, so he specifically asked me to pick out a gift for you. Take it. Think of it as an apology for what happened at the birthday party."

Before I could even answer, she opened the box.

Inside lay a four-leaf clover necklace. The craftsmanship was rough, and the chain gave off a cheap, tacky shine.

Meanwhile, Chloe lifted her hair to reveal an identical necklace around her own neck.

Except hers was studded with precious sapphires and was clearly worth a fortune.