Silvano
I felt my wolf stir as soon as Isabella’s call ca through. No matter where I was or what I was doing,her voice always triggered my protective instincts.
"Dad,did you know about this?" Her voice trembled over the line.
I continued flipping through the territorial reports on my desk,keeping my voice steady despite the tension building in my chest. "Yes."
"When did you find out?"
"A while ago." I deliberately kept my answers short. My wolf paced restlessly inside ,sensing the distress in our pup’s voice.
"You... Dad,you’re so an..." Isabella’s sobs tore at as I pictured her clutching that ridiculous pink pig plushie I’d bought her last moon festival. "Why didn’t you tell ? I can’t bear to part with Aunt Aurora. If she’s not here,I don’t want to study here either. I want to go ho,Boohoo-"
I set down the border dispute docunt I’d been reviewing. The Northern Territory had been stable enough lately. The full moon had passed without incident,which ant my presence wasn’t as critical anymore.
"It’s being handled," I replied,my voice calm despite the decision I’d already made.
"W-what do you an?" Isabella hiccupped.
"We’re going back to the Shadow Pack next week."
Her squeal of delight nearly deafened ,and I found myself smiling despite the complications this return would bring. "Really?!"
"Mm." The affirmative rumble ca from deep in my chest.
"Then why didn’t Aunt Aurora tell earlier?"
"The matter just got settled. Haven’t told her yet." In truth,I hadn’t even inford the pack council. My Beta would be furious at the short notice,but that couldn’t be helped. My daughter needed this.
"Dad,don’t tell Aunt Aurora about this yet. Can we give her a surprise when we get back?!" Isabella’s voice had transford from devastation to excitent in seconds,reminding how quickly a child’s heart could heal.
"Alright." I agreed,though my wolf tensed at the thought of Aurora’s reaction. My cousin had been indispensable during our ti here,but her growing attachnt to Isabella—and her subtle digs at Freya—were beginning to concern .
"Dad,you’re the best! I love you so much!"
After ending the call,I leaned back in my chair,pinching the bridge of my nose. The Northern Territory would survive without for a while. We’d established enough alliances to keep things stable,and my Second would handle any minor issues.
But returning ho... returning to the space Freya had once filled...
My wolf whined softly inside . The mating bond between us had grown so quiet lately that sotis I could barely feel it. At first,I’d attributed it to distance,but deep down,I knew better. Bonds didn’t weaken with re miles. They weakened with neglect.
And I had neglected her. Not intentionally,never that—but I’d allowed pack duties and political necessities to co before her needs. Before Isabella’s needs too,if I was being honest with myself.
Pulling out my phone,I stared at Freya’s contact. When was the last ti I’d called her,rather than waiting for her daily check-ins? When had I last told her I missed her? That I loved her?
Before I could press dial,my office door opened. Aurora stood there,elegant as always in her tailored suit.
"Alpha Howlthorne is waiting in the conference room," she said,her voice professional though her eyes lingered on a mont too long. "He’s brought the treaty andnts you requested."
I nodded,tucking my phone away. "I’ll be there in a mont."
She didn’t move imdiately. "Is everything alright? You seem... distracted."
"Fine," I said curtly. "We’re returning to the Shadow Pack next week. Make the necessary arrangents."
Her composure faltered for just a second—a slight widening of eyes,a subtle catch of breath. "I see. And should I prepare to accompany you,or...?"
The question lingered in the air,heavy with things left unsaid.
"That won’t be necessary," I said evenly,my voice leaving no room for argunt. "Once the docunts are signed,you and Uncle Enzo can leave. You’ve done enough for today."
Alpha Enzo Howlthorne—my mother Victoria’s brother. Our bloodline ran the sa,intertwined through generations,binding ,him,and Aurora in ways the world often forgot. I needed to remind her of that.
For a fleeting second,sothing shifted in Aurora’s gaze—disappointnt,perhaps,or defiance carefully disguised as obedience. But she was quick to compose herself,lowering her lashes with practiced grace.
"Of course," she said smoothly. "I’ll make the travel arrangents right away."
As she closed the door behind her,I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Aurora was family,and she’d been invaluable during our ti in the Northern Territory. But sotis the way she looked at Isabella—like she was claiming her—set my teeth on edge.
And the way she spoke of Freya,always with that subtle undertone of judgnt...
My wolf growled softly. Freya was my mate,my Luna,the mother of my child. No matter how distant we’d grown,that bond couldn’t be broken. Wouldn’t be broken.
It was ti to go ho and remind both of us of that fact.
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