Freya
That evening,I worked late at the office,trying to lose myself in spreadsheets and security protocols rather than dwelling on what I’d witnessed earlier. The clock had just struck nine when my phone lit up with Elena’s na.
"Freya?" Her voice was slurred. "I need a ride... had a bit too much to drink."
My lips quirked into a small smile. At least soone still needed for sothing.
"Where are you?" I asked,already gathering my things.
After Elena gave the restaurant na,I quickly finished organizing the docunts on my desk,grabbed my car keys,and headed out. My wolf was restless inside ,sensing my emotional turmoil but having no way to fix it.
Twenty minutes later,I pulled into the restaurant parking lot. As I stepped out of my car and headed toward the entrance,a small figure erged from the side door,bouncing along the pathway. My heart stopped.
Isabella? My daughter?
My wolf surged forward in recognition,desperate to scent our pup. I froze mid-step,unable to process what I was seeing. Isabella should have been with Silvano in Country A,where he was handling territory negotiations. Their work shouldn’t have been completed yet.
I had assud Silvano was only back briefly to handle urgent pack business. Never had I imagined our daughter would return without even a text ssage to her mother.
The pain of this realization cut deeper than any physical wound. My hand tightened around my handbag strap as I instinctively followed her small figure,staying just far enough behind not to be noticed. My wolf whimpered inside ,desperate to call out to our pup.
When we reached the lobby’s corner,I caught sight of Aurora and several pack officials appearing at the end of the hallway. I quickly stepped aside behind a decorative column,concealing myself from view.
"Auntie Aurora!" Isabella’s voice rang out with pure joy as she raced toward the woman who had been in my mate’s office earlier today. My daughter threw herself into Aurora’s arms with an enthusiasm she rarely showed anymore.
I sank onto a nearby sofa,my back to them,using the large potted plants as additional cover while the bond mark on my neck burned with bitter recognition.
"Bella,you’re back in the territory too?" Aurora’s voice was warm,genuinely pleased.
"Because you ca back,Auntie Aurora! Daddy and I missed you so much that he finished his work early and brought back! We specifically returned the day before your birthday so we wouldn’t miss it!"
Each word was like a silver dagger to my heart. My daughter,who hadn’t called once since returning,had apparently been counting the days until she could see Aurora again.
"This is the necklace Daddy and I made for you by hand. Happy birthday,Auntie Aurora!"
"Wow,you and your dad made this yourselves? That must have taken a lot of effort. You’re amazing,Bella. I love it,thank you!"
My wolf howled in silent agony inside . When was the last ti Silvano and Isabella had crafted anything together for ? I couldn’t rember a single instance.
"I’m so glad you like it,Auntie Aurora~" Isabella’s voice was filled with adoration. "It’s been a week since I’ve seen you. I missed you so much. If I hadn’t been able to call you every day,I wouldn’t have been able to stay in Country A..."
"I missed you too,Bella."
The depth of affection between them was unmistakable. My daughter called Aurora every day,yet couldn’t spare a mont to let her own mother know she was back in town.
Then I heard footsteps approaching – footsteps I would recognize anywhere. My bond mark pulsed with recognition before my conscious mind could process who was approaching.
Silvano.
After seven years of marriage,I could identify his stride without seeing him. I had waited for those footsteps every evening,attuned myself to the rhythm of his movents. His gait was just like the man himself – deliberate,composed,and powerful. Even among family,he maintained that steady,almost indifferent deanor,as if nothing in this world could truly touch him.
I used to believe nothing could disturb his composure. Then Aurora appeared in our lives,and suddenly there was an exception to every rule I thought I understood about my mate.
Before I could sink deeper into painful mories,Isabella’s excited "Daddy!" pulled back to the present.
The pack officials all greeted him with respectful deference. He responded briefly,then said to Aurora,"Happy birthday."
Aurora’s voice was warm with familiarity as she replied,"Thanks."
"Daddy,didn’t you prepare other birthday gifts for Auntie Aurora? Quick,give them to her!" Isabella’s eager voice carried clearly across the lobby.
Sudden silence fell over the group.
Then,one of the officials burst out laughing and I heard him say to Isabella,"That’s a private gift your daddy prepared for Auntie Aurora. He’ll probably give it to her in private. We shouldn’t interfere,haha~"
The others chuckled knowingly,and my stomach twisted with nausea.
"I’ve already given it to her," Silvano stated simply.
"Huh? When?" Isabella sounded disappointed. "Daddy,you secretly went to see Auntie Aurora without again,hmph!"
More laughter erupted from the group while I sat frozen,rembering Aurora’s visit to headquarters this morning. My mate had likely given her the gift then,during the private eting I had interrupted.
"Let’s not stand here," Aurora said with a hint of shyness in her voice that made my wolf snarl. "Let’s go upstairs."
Their footsteps gradually faded away as they moved toward the elevators,leaving alone with my shattered heart. The bond mark on my neck throbbed with dull pain as my wolf curled into herself,no longer fighting but accepting the inevitable truth of our situation.
After what felt like eternity,I pulled myself together and went upstairs to help Elena. By cruel coincidence,the private room where my friend was dining was on the sa floor as Aurora’s birthday celebration.
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