I ran through the pack grounds, stopping only to check in with my men patrolling the borders. "Has anyone tried leaving?" I demanded, scanning their faces for answers. Each time they shook their heads, my chest tightened further. I told them to contact me immediately if anyone tried to leave before continuing my desperate search. I ran the entire perimeter twice, the sky above now swallowed by darkness, my hope flickering with every step. I prayed, begged silently to the moon goddess, that I would find them before my mate slipped from my life forever. I had searched every corner of the pack, yet they were nowhere to be found. The thought hit me like a punch: she could be gone. Completely. Somehow, she had evaded everyone—and worse, I had never even had the chance to apologize.
I felt the weight of the world crashing down on me, threatening to crush me into a thousand pieces for being so stupid. I had promised myself I would get to know her, to understand why the moon goddess had brought us together, to see what she saw in us. And yet, the first chance I got, I threw those promises out the window—clinging instead to my pride because her words didn't fit with the teachings I'd grown up with. I had vowed to be a better mate, and not even a few hours later, I shattered that vow as if my pride mattered more than her feelings. I felt like the worst mate in the world. After waiting so long to find her, after dreaming of this moment for years, I had failed her in the first real test.
As I stood there, catching my breath and hating myself, I suddenly noticed Luca walking slowly, his head down, looking like a sad, lost puppy. Without thinking, I ran toward him, and the moment I reached him, I grabbed his shoulders, forcing him to stop and turn to face me. He looked surprised, confused, even though I'd called his name multiple times as I ran. "What the—" His words trailed off as he took in my breathless face.
"You okay, man?" he asked. I nodded, still too breathless to speak properly. He glanced at me again. "When did you get here?" I ignored the question and gripped his shoulders tighter. "Have you seen my mate?" His eyes went wide. "What—" I cut him off, speaking slowly so he couldn't misinterpret me, and because I'd finally caught my breath. "Have you seen where my mate and your mate disappeared to?"
His mouth opened slightly, forming an O-shape as recognition flickered across his eyes—but just as quickly, his expression sagged back into the sadness he'd held moments ago. He sighed and looked down at the ground. "Yeah... I saw them." A flicker of hope bloomed in my chest. "Well?" I pressed.
He shifted from one foot to the other. "But she didn't listen to a word I said. I mean... seriously, I can't handle it. What if she actually goes to her parents' place? How am I supposed to see her then?" My irritation flared. "What are you talking about?! I don't care about that—I want to know where they are!" He let out a long, exasperated sigh and finally looked at me. "I saw them... at Ms. Chambers' bakery."
I dropped my hands from his shoulders and took a step back, ready to move—when he suddenly grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks. I spun around to face him. "What the hell—" "They're not there anymore," Luca cut in quickly. "They already left before I did. You're too late." I ran a hand through my hair, frustration clawing at my chest. "Do you have any idea where they went?" He sighed and shrugged. "Not for sure... but I think I heard Mia mutter something about watching a movie or something."
His words sank in, and suddenly everything clicked. I didn't wait another second. I turned and took off, already knowing where they'd gone. My men would have stopped them and contacted me if they'd tried to leave the pack borders—which meant they were still here. Still inside the pack. And Mia had always preferred watching movies on the big screen. I sprinted toward the house, my heart pounding. She loved my setup—the surround sound, the massive screen. She'd always said it felt more like a real movie theater than any place she'd ever been. If I was right... they'd be there.
I made it to the house. All the lights were off, and not a sound stirred—though that didn't matter; the place was supposed to be soundproof anyway. My hand hovered over the doorknob, heart hammering in my chest, a mix of fear and anticipation clawing at me. I silently prayed they were both inside, that she hadn't somehow slipped past my men and vanished from the pack entirely. I took a deep breath and forced the door open.
Immediately, the faint rumble of suspenseful music from the surround sound filled the room. Relief washed over me. My shoulders loosened, and I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. But the TV being on didn't mean she was here. It could be just Mia, sprawled on the couch, lost in the film. Yet for the first time all night, hope sparked in my chest. My breath came a little easier, and for the first time, I allowed myself to believe I might have a chance to find her.
I walked slowly toward the living room, my mind spinning with possibilities—what if she wasn't here? What if she had truly left my pack and me behind? The hope that had blossomed in my chest moments ago shriveled as those thoughts began to consume me, threatening to drown me in despair. Even with the room dimly lit by the TV, my night vision allowed me to see everything perfectly.
Mia was huddled in one of the recliners, a blanket pulled up to her chin, completely absorbed in the movie. She'd always been a chicken, yet she loved horror movies. Insisted on watching them, even though they scared her. And here she was, curled up exactly like I imagined, utterly captivated by the film while trying not to show how terrified she was.
I scanned the room and finally spotted my mate, letting out a long, relieved sigh. She was sitting at the end of the couch, her feet pulled up toward her, elbow resting on the arm of the couch, and her head propped on her fist. She looked completely calm—maybe even slightly unimpressed by the movie—unlike Mia, who was practically trembling in fear.
Without thinking, I blurted, "Artemis." Apparently, my timing couldn't have been worse. A jump scare hit on the TV at the exact same moment, and the combination of my voice and the screen caused Mia to scream and leap out of her seat. Both Artemis and I whipped our heads toward her, caught between amusement and exasperation. Mia clutched her chest, eyes wide with fright. "Gosh, Kayden, the least you could do is give me some warning that you arrived."
I rolled my eyes and glanced at my mate, who looked utterly indifferent to my presence. "Artemis," I said again, but she just rolled her eyes and turned back to the TV, as if to silently tell me to leave and that she didn't want to see my face. I could feel Mia's gaze on me. When I met her eyes, she raised an eyebrow, clearly judging me, her expression saying, "That's the best you got?" I sneered at her before turning back to my mate—but out of the corner of my eye, I caught Mia smirking.
"Artemis, I just... I wanted to apologize. I never should have blown up at you like that. I am so, so sorry." I paused, searching for the right words, but she didn't even turn to look at me. "I should have just listened to you. I was stupid—let my pride get in the way. If anyone understands the world you grew up in, it's you. And I was too blind to see it."
I could hear his voice grow heavy with emotion as he spoke, but I didn't take my eyes off the TV, even though I wasn't paying attention to it. My heart pounded in my chest, every muscle on alert, as if he were sitting right next to me. His scent filled the room, making it impossible to focus on anything else. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself not to turn and look at him. The anger still burned in my chest, and I had no desire to forgive him—not now, maybe not ever. I had already planned to leave as soon as the week with Hope's mother was up. I couldn't let him, or this mate bond, persuade me otherwise. I could never forgive myself if he—or anyone—got hurt because of me. I had to leave. No matter what.
"I let my anger get the best of me, and I am so sorry for attacking you. There's no excuse for it—none at all. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, and I understand if you can't give it. But if there's even the smallest chance... I want it. I want the chance to make this right, no matter how long it takes. Even if it takes the rest of my life. I want to hear the rest of your story. I promise I will listen this time—really listen. I won't get angry. I won't interrupt. I just want the chance to know you... to understand where you came from and who you are."
I knew she could hear me, yet Artemis didn't move—not even a flicker of acknowledgment to show she was listening. I glanced at Mia, who only shrugged, as hopelessness settled heavily in my chest. Then Mia tilted her head toward Artemis, a silent push telling me not to give up. I released a slow breath and took a step closer. "Please, Artemis," I said quietly. "Just give me one chance. I swear I'll do whatever it takes to earn your trust—no matter how long it takes."
I could hear his footsteps drawing closer, each one a quiet echo that made my chest tighten. I forced myself to stay still, to not even glance at him—I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much the mate bond was affecting me.
And then he was there. Just a foot away. My heart nearly skipped a beat at how close he was, at the sadness etched into his features. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his face, and my chest sank. Every instinct in me screamed to stand, to step into his arms—but I bit the inside of my cheek, holding myself back from doing something I might regret.
He suddenly knelt in front of me, catching me off guard, and I couldn't help but actually look at him. "I am so sorry, Artemis. I'll do anything for your forgiveness. I don't want to lose you because of my stupid actions. Please, Artemis, I'm begging you. I don't want to lose you without giving this a real chance—the way the moon goddess intended."
His words hit me with a weight I couldn't resist. Then he reached out, gently taking my hand. Sparks shot through my skin, racing up my arm, and my entire body screamed to melt into him, to let the world vanish and exist only in this moment. My heart thudded violently in my chest, each beat pounding with both anticipation and longing.
But I knew I couldn't—not if I wanted to keep everyone safe. Staying here carried too many risks, and I couldn't bear the thought of him getting hurt because of me. His thumb rubbed the back of my hand, sending another wave of heat up my arm. He looked at me with those pitiful, pleading puppy-dog eyes. "Kitten... please." I bit my lip, forcing myself to stay in control. Then, steeling myself, I stood up. Kayden's eyes widened, and he leaned back on his heels, clearly caught off guard.
I watched her walk away without a word, each step slicing through my chest. My heart ached as if it were being crushed beneath the weight of her silence. I glanced at Mia, and even she looked stunned, her usual mischief replaced by genuine confusion. She opened her mouth to call after her, but Artemis didn't so much as glance back. Moments later, the faint click of a door opening and shutting upstairs confirmed she was gone.
Mia let out a soft sigh. "I'm sorry, Kayden... well, at least you tried." I stared at the floor, my voice barely audible. "I don't... get it." I could hear Mia approach, and before I knew it, her hand was on my shoulder, squeezing gently. "It's okay." I shook my head, my voice tight. "No... I really don't get it. Her eyes—they were softening. So why did she just leave like that?"
Mia let out a small sigh and shrugged. "I don't know, Kayden. Maybe something else was holding her back." I stepped closer, searching her face. "What do you mean? What could possibly be holding her back?" "How should I know?" Mia said, her tone gentle but firm. "I'm not Artemis. The only way to know that... is to ask her."
"And how am I supposed to do that? She hates me." Mia rolled her eyes. "She doesn't hate you." I gestured toward the open doorway where my mate had just disappeared. "I think her leaving not too long ago was a pretty obvious sign that she does."
Mia shook her head, rolling her eyes at the same time. "The mate bond makes it nearly impossible to truly hate your partner. You can be angry, yes, but hate? Not really. You just need to keep trying—earn her trust. Make her willing to talk to you. Don't give up. And don't use the mate bond to pressure her—use it to show her you care. Then, maybe... just maybe, she'll take a chance on you and tell you the truth."
I sat there for a long moment, processing Mia's words as she walked toward the door. Just before stepping through the doorway, she turned her head to look at me. "Trust me," she said softly. "Don't give up yet. If you don't want to lose her, you're going to have to try—because if you don't, she will walk out of your life forever."
Her words made my heart clench painfully. I stood as Mia disappeared from view, the room suddenly feeling far too empty. I tried to think of ways to do what she'd said—ways to earn Artemis's trust, to make her believe in us—but the weight of it all pressed down on me. No matter how hard I tried, hopelessness still crept in. How was I supposed to convince her to forgive me? To believe that this time, I wouldn't fail her again? To give us a real chance?
*
*
My eyes drifted open with effort. My head rested against the chair's cushion, staring aimlessly at the ceiling. A heavy, unrested weight pulled at my lids—I couldn't even remember when I'd finally passed out the night before. Now, the morning sun flooded the room, an intrusive brightness that stirred a flicker of annoyance in my chest. At first, I wasn't sure what had woken me. Then the soreness hit. Every muscle protested as I tried to shift. I'd fallen asleep with my legs pulled to my chest, but somewhere in the night, I'd rolled onto my side, tangling myself into a painful knot.
My body screamed in protest as I untangled my limbs and forced myself upright. As I rubbed the back of my neck, the real reason for my wakefulness finally clicked: shuffling footsteps on the other side of the door. I stiffened instantly. A wave of self-criticism washed over me. My mind and body were trained to be on high alert—to react before a threat even drew breath—yet I had sat there, dazed, for seconds. But as I prepared to bolt, my instincts dialed back.
It was my mate. His presence radiated through the wood of the door, and my shoulders lost their tension. He was pacing—two steps away, a pause, two steps back—hesitant. I simply sat there, silent as a ghost, watching the handle and wondering if he would find the courage to knock.
Before he could, a second set of lighter footsteps approached. He paused, whispering, "Mia?" She chuckled, a soft sound just inches from him. "Yeah, it's me. You should get to the training hall. Your men are waiting."
"But—"
"I'll talk to her," Mia interrupted gently. "Go." A long minute of silence followed before his heavy footsteps finally receded down the stairs. Then came a sharp, cheerful knock. "Hey, Artemis, it's me. Can I come in?" I sighed, pushed myself to my feet, and opened the door. Amelia stood there, looking like she'd stepped out of a corporate fashion magazine. Amelia stood there, immaculate in a black pencil skirt and blazer over a wine-red blouse. Her hair was pinned in a flawless updo. "Thank you for opening the door," she said. "I wasn't sure you'd answer after last night."
"Why wouldn't I? I'm not mad at you. You didn't do anything." She smiled. "I know, but I wasn't sure you'd be up to visitors after that." I shrugged and opened the door wider. "I'm fine." She smirked as she stepped inside. "Well, I'm happy to hear that."
As I closed the door behind her, she began scanning my room like she was hunting for clues. When I turned around, her gaze pinned me. "I see your bed is still perfectly made, just like yesterday. Did you even sleep last night?" I rolled my neck, trying to ease the stiffness. "I don't know when I fell asleep, but I did, eventually." She hummed thoughtfully, glancing around the room. "Where did you end up sleeping, then?"
I furrowed my brows. "Why does it matter?" She turned fully toward me, curiosity written across her face. "I just find it strange. For two days now, you've had a comfy bed to sleep in, yet you still refuse to touch it. I'm just curious... why?" I shrugged, the familiar ache in my shoulders flaring. "I'm not used to sleeping on a bed." Her eyes widened, shock and disbelief flashing across her face. "How could that be? Your family is one of the wealthiest in the world. They didn't give you a bed? Were you... abused growing up?"
I raised my hand to stop her before she could ramble on. "No. They didn't abuse me. I love my family very much. If it were up to them, I'd be with them right now. But circumstances have kept us apart for a while. I'm fine. And honestly... when you're always on the move, never sure when you might have to leave, sleeping in a bed isn't as simple as it seems."
Why would you need to leave at a moment's notice?" I sighed and shook my head. "It's a long and unimportant story, so I'd rather not get into it right now." She studied me skeptically, a hint of disbelief in her eyes, letting out a thoughtful "mmhh."
"Very well," she said. "But you really should try sleeping on the bed. I guarantee it'll feel a lot better than the chair."
"I didn't sleep on the chair," I said, trying to defend myself. She rolled her eyes. "It's the only thing in this room that looks unkempt, so I know that's where you slept. Plus, it explains the discomfort in your neck—that's why you keep rubbing it."
I sighed and shrugged. "I'll think about it." She gave a dramatic sigh. "These beds are specially made to hold a lot. Even if you decide to sleep in your animal form, the bed won't break. So why don't you try it next time instead of just saying you'll think about it?" I couldn't help but smile at her concern—it was both amusing and sweet. "Okay, I'll consider it. Now, why don't you tell me why you came here in the first place?"
She smiled. "Well, as I'm sure you've heard, Kayden will be out for the time being, training some of our warriors." I nodded, and she continued, "The only place we didn't cover in our tour the other day was the house. I was thinking I could show you around, so you can navigate it while you're here." I opened my mouth to object, but she spoke before I could get a word out.
"Come on, it'll be fun. Besides, Kayden won't be back for much longer, so we have plenty of time. I'll even warn you when he should be getting back, so if you want, you can go back to your room to avoid him." I sighed. "Okay, fine." She grinned. "I thought you'd see it my way." I rolled my eyes and walked to my closet to get changed.
I quickly changed into a pair of light jeans and a tan sweater with rounded, double-long sleeves that moved when I moved. As soon as I finished dressing, Mia came over and began fiddling with my shirt. She grabbed one side and tugged it so it only covered one shoulder, leaving the other bare. I raised an eyebrow. "Are you happy now?" She looked up at me and nodded with a smile. "Yes, much better."
I rolled my eyes and snorted in amusement. Without another word, she turned and disappeared into my closet. When she came back, she was holding a pair of tan knee-high boots. I raised an eyebrow. "And why do I need those? It's not like we're going outside. Aren't we just taking a tour of the house?" She sighed. "Yes, but you never know—you might feel like going outside later. Plus, these boots will make the outfit all the better." She held the boots up like she was auctioning them off. When I didn't budge, she began to pout. I rolled my eyes and stretched out my hand. She immediately handed them over, a huge grin spreading across her face. I sat down on the bed to put them on. The moment I did, she handed me a pair of socks to wear.
Once I had both shoes on, I looked at Mia. "Are we happy now?" She smiled and nodded. "Yes, much better." I rolled my eyes. "What, are you the fashion police?" She smirked. "No, but that might be a good career change." I rolled my eyes again and chuckled at her quick retort, then clapped my hands together. "Well, since Kayden is busy playing drill sergeant. I'll show you the house now, and I promise to warn you when he's coming back so you can hide out here if you want." I smiled slightly in amusement before following her to the door. She held it open for me, and I stepped out.
*
The highlight of the tour was the library. It was massive—floor-to-ceiling shelves that smelled of old ink, parchment, and peace. "And this is practically like Kayden's own personal library." I couldn't help but stare in awe. I've always loved reading, and being in a library has always felt like a second home. I took a deep breath, letting it soothe my aching body and calm my racing thoughts, as my brain tried to fully process Mia's words from just a moment ago.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked, looking at Mia. She smiled, probably amused by my reaction to the library. "Well," she said, "even though this is built like a pack house and could be used as one, the only people who stay here are Kayden, myself, and Luca. Other than that, the only time anyone stays here is when we have visiting packs or when Kayden's family decides to drop by." She paused thoughtfully. "Kayden prefers living on his own, although most people in this pack have their own buildings, even though there's another pack house on the property. A few people do stay there, but most enjoy their privacy." I nodded. "You mentioned something about Kayden's family?"
Mia looked at me and smirked smugly. "Yes, Kayden's family still lives in the pack. Now that Kayden has taken over as alpha, his parents go on vacation together more often. When they're home, they live in their family house near the pack house. Kayden also has two younger sisters and a younger brother. His siblings are all adults living their own lives, but when they're here, they stay in the family home with their parents." I nodded as she spoke, though I felt a pang of jealousy. I'd always wanted a sibling, but I understood why my parents never had another child.
"What about you? Do you have any siblings?" I sighed and shook my head. "No, I've always been an only child. You?" Mia shrugged. "Same here. Although growing up, Kayden and Luca were kind of like siblings I never knew I had—or wanted, for that matter." I nodded. "I'm sure they were quite a handful." She smiled. "You have no idea."
We both chuckled for a moment, then she looked at me seriously. "While you're staying, feel free to use the library whenever you want." I glanced around the shelves before looking back at her. "You sure you should be telling me this?" She smirked, confident. "I know Kayden doesn't mind. And if he gives you any grief, tell him to come to me—I'll deal with it."
I chuckled as I walked toward one of the bookcases, browsing the shelves. "Are you sure you aren't the alpha? People might start to suspect you're the real alpha instead." Mia laughed. "God, no. I would hate all the stress that comes with that job. I have enough on my plate just being his glorified secretary. But I can threaten to stop doing my job if he starts acting up—and trust me, you don't want to see that outcome. It's happened before, and he's terrified it will happen again, especially since Luca is hardly any help." I chuckled at the thought. "I can believe it."
I heard Mia's soft footsteps and the light clicking of her heels as she walked closer. Just as I picked up a book to examine it, she was standing right beside me. She peeked over my shoulder. "Why did you pick a history book when we have so many other, more interesting books you could read?" I smiled, amused—it wasn't the first time I'd been asked this question. "Haven't you heard the saying that knowledge is power? There's no greater weapon than learning one's history."
I looked down at the book in my hand, and just from one look at the book, you could tell it was old. The spine was worn like the book had been opened many times, and the book was quite thick with its abundance of pages trapped inside. You could also tell from the binding that it has been rebound at one point in time, but despite its dinged-up appearance, you could tell that someone has been trying to take care of this book.
Mia groaned. "I don't understand how people can read those—they're so boring." I smiled at her off-handed comment, finding it amusing. "History can be fun if you know where to look." Mia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right." I opened the book as she stepped back and leaned against the table in the center of the room. I turned to her and smiled at her bored, disappointed expression. "It's always interesting to see just how different everyone's history is. You can compare it to your own and discover a new perspective—broaden your horizons."
Amelia groaned. "God, you sound like a history teacher trying to sell the joys of learning to a child." I snorted, amused, and looked at her. "You're not that far off, actually." She looked confused at first, then her expression slowly shifted to realization. Her eyes lit up as she blurted excitedly, "You are a teacher!" I smiled and nodded. Her excitement was contagious. "No wonder you're so good with kids. Why didn't you tell me yesterday?"
"It's not really that important. Besides, it's not a big deal." Her eyes went wide. "Are you kidding me?! I could never be a teacher. That's seriously hard work, and I know I don't have the patience for it." I nodded. "What subject did you teach?"
Amelia's eyes sparkled with intrigue and joy, making my chest feel warm at how much she cared. I held up the book in my hand. "I thought that would be obvious." She nodded, understanding dawning. "Makes sense why you're a history buff." I rolled my eyes. "I wouldn't say I'm a history buff, but learning other people's history is a great way to connect with them. It shows you're interested in their culture and beliefs. Plus, history can give us a broader outlook on life—it helps us avoid repeating the mistakes of the past."
"That's what I call a history buff," Amelia said, sounding exasperated. I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Okay, whatever you say." Amelia smiled wickedly. "I like the sound of that. You should have just agreed with me in the first place." I picked up one of the pillows lying on the chair closest to me and tossed it at her playfully. "You would like that." She giggled, picked up the pillow, and set it on another chair nearby. Then she looked at me. "I'll get you back for that—but you won't know when." I chuckled. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots."
We both burst into laughter. When it died down, she looked at me. "I think the only place I haven't shown you yet is the kitchen." At the mention of the kitchen, my stomach gave a little jerk. Sheepishly, I admitted, "I'm a little hungry." Amelia smiled. "Me too. I haven't eaten anything yet, and I was kind of hoping you'd eat with me. That's why I saved it for last—so we could work up an appetite." I chuckled at her honesty and decisiveness. "Okay, what would you like to eat?"
She tapped the tip of her chin with her index finger and looked up, thinking. Then she said, "I could really go for an omelet right about now, but I'm a disaster in the kitchen. I could probably burn water." I smiled, finding her honesty both amusing and endearing. "Well, then it's a good thing I'm a decent cook and know how to make omelets." She smiled and linked her arm through mine. "See? I knew we were going to be best friends."
I rolled my eyes and chuckled at her lighthearted comment, though my heart felt lighter hearing her say it. The thought made me happy—I'd finally made a female friend. It was a shame that I'd have to leave soon. I would've loved staying here with her longer, but I knew it was for the best—for everyone's safety. She began leading me toward the kitchen, and I let myself bask in the simple joy of having a friend, even if it was only for a short while.
*
I sat down across from Amelia, who was joyfully enjoying the omelet I'd made her. I picked up my fork and took a bite of my own, smiling as I savored the light, fluffy ham-and-cheese omelet—cooked perfectly. Even as I ate, my hand remained resting on the worn cover of the history book. Amelia suddenly looked at me. "You haven't put down that book the whole time you were cooking. Is it really that good?"
I swallowed a bite and smiled. "It's always nice to get a refresher course on things every once in a while." She raised an eyebrow. "A refresher, huh? So, you've already checked up on our history?" Amelia put the last bite of her food in her mouth, chewing slowly but still watching me with interest. "Yes," I said, "I've reviewed your history many times in the past. I'm well-versed on the subject, though I wouldn't call myself an expert."
She nodded at my words and watched as I took another bite. Then she asked, "And do pray tell, what exactly is it about our history that you find so interesting, enough to read it more than once?" I took a sip of ice water before replying, "There are many things about your history that I find fascinating." Amelia raised an eyebrow, silently prompting me to continue.
"Well," I said, "for one thing, I find it curious that your history textbooks never explain why tiger shifters and wolf shifters don't get along." I noticed Amelia's eyebrow twitch before she asked, "And what do you think that reason is?"
"The whole feud started because of a disagreement over differences in beliefs." Amelia pressed her lips together and let out a thoughtful "mmhh." "And what belief would that be?"
"Well," I began, "as you know, wolf shifters—like yourself—believe the moon goddess granted your abilities and paired you with your fated mate. For all wolfkind, the moon goddess is the only deity." Amelia crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, silently saying, And what about it?
Over the years of dealing with wolves, I'd learned just how prickly they could be—especially when the moon goddess was involved. I took a deep breath and continued. "Not all animal shifter species believe that. In fact, only wolf shifters do. The majority of animal shifters believe it was the Greek gods and goddesses who blessed them with their powers. Each of our first ancestors was gifted by a different god, which is how these abilities came to be."
"For the wolves, it was the goddess of the hunt, Artemis, who presides over the moon. Lion shifters believe the sun god Apollo granted them their blessing." Amelia pressed her lips together as I spoke, and when I paused, she nodded. "And which god do you believe created tiger shifters like yourselves?" I smiled at her question. Most wolves I've met get defensive or dismissive when this topic comes up, so her curiosity was a good sign.
"Well," I said, "that's actually a great question. There are many beliefs and theories, but the most common is that it was the goddess of life, Persephone. Some disagree, of course, but it's the most widely accepted. There are even paintings depicting her with tigers by her side, so it has a strong standing in tiger shifter folklore. Of course, there's no way to know for certain, but it makes the most logical sense. Still, everyone is entitled to their own beliefs."
"And why would that be the cause of the feud between our species?" I smiled at her question, feeling a wave of nostalgia, almost like I was back in front of my students again. It was a nice feeling. "Well," I began, "many shifters—and people, too—don't like having their beliefs questioned. It can make them feel threatened, which often leads to conflict. We believe that was the reason behind the initial feud between our species, and that idea is even supported by some other species' history books. Of course, there's no way to know for sure—you'd have had to be there thousands of years ago—but these ancient texts are all we have to support our claims and ideals."
Amelia sat quietly, listening as I spoke, occasionally nodding in understanding. I was surprised—most wolf shifters would have lashed out by now. Their beliefs are so deeply ingrained that they can't tolerate someone questioning or dismissing them. I'd seen it so often in my life that it felt strange for it not to be happening. "You do realize," Mia said in a matter-of-fact tone, "that if you told anyone else in this pack what you just told me, they might lash out in anger. Most people here don't like hearing someone question their beliefs—or imply there's another god besides their own."
I nodded. "I'm aware. Trust me, I've experienced it multiple times in the past. I find it a little strange that you're taking all of this so calmly." Amelia smiled. "I'm known to be a bit more open-minded than others. I don't freak out when I hear about someone else's beliefs, whether they're the same as mine or different." I nodded again at her words. She tilted her head slightly. "Will you tell me about those past experiences you're referring to?" I smiled at her question, then shook my head. "It's not important. Nor is it any good for you to know about it."
Amelia sighed. "Always such a mystery. Are you ever going to trust us enough with your past?" I smiled slightly. "If I think the knowledge will do you any good, then I will tell you. But trust me—you don't need to know. I don't want to put anyone in unnecessary danger, and it's better if you don't know." Amelia grabbed my hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "We can protect you if you're in any danger or trouble. All you have to do is tell me, and we'll help you." I smiled and squeezed her hand back before gently removing it. "I'm fine. There's nothing you need to worry about. Trust me."
Amelia groaned before standing. "Fine, be that way. Unfortunately, I do have to get back to work, but you're welcome to go anywhere in the house or within our pack borders. You're not a prisoner here, so do try to enjoy yourself while you're here." I smiled at her kind words. "Thank you, I appreciate it." She returned the smile. "If you need me, I'll most likely be in the office all day—I have quite a bit to do. As I'm sure you're aware, Kayden will be at the training center with his men for a while. If you want to see him for anything, feel free to head that way."
I gave her a tight-lipped smile. "Thank you, but I doubt I'll have any need to see him anytime soon." She smiled sadly at my words but nodded. "That's understandable. But there's a nice spot near the training center that gets a lovely amount of sunlight. There's even a bench swing, so if you want to watch from a distance, you certainly can. Kayden's mother had it installed a long time ago so she could watch her husband train without disturbing him. It's definitely a nice spot to read and enjoy yourself."
"Thanks, but I doubt that will be necessary." Amelia raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing me, before clapping her hands together. "Alright then. I'll go get started on work, but do let me know if you need anything at any point. And don't forget to try and enjoy yourself while you're here." Without another word, she turned and left the kitchen. A moment later, I heard her footsteps on the staircase. I shook my head in disbelief and shoved the rest of the cooling omelet into my mouth. Once I finished chewing, I downed the rest of my drink, then gathered our dirty dishes and placed them in the sink to wash.
After I finished washing the dishes and dried my hands, I picked up the book and debated where I might like to read it. Just as I was deciding, I glanced out the window above the sink—and that was when I made up my mind. The weather was still warm, and I wanted to enjoy it while I could, before the cold settled in. With that thought, I smiled to myself and headed outside in search of the perfect spot to enjoy my book.
I wandered through the pack grounds, looking for somewhere quiet to sit and read. At some point, though, my steps became absent-minded as I took in the scenery and enjoyed the warmth of the sun. I didn't realize where I was headed until I suddenly found myself near the training facility Amelia had mentioned. The large, garage-like doors were open. Inside, I could see warriors lifting weights while others sparred nearby. But none of that was what truly caught my attention. It was my mate.
I immediately noticed Kayden standing at the center of the room, commanding the others with effortless precision and confidence. His shirt was off, and my heartbeat quickened as my eyes traced the hard lines of his sculpted chest and broad shoulders. I froze where I stood.
The pull of the mate bond surged through me, urging me toward him, and I had to bite my lower lip just to stop myself from staring. Even that small act of restraint felt fragile. I forced my gaze upward—and our eyes met. My breath caught. My lower lip trembled beneath my teeth as I saw it—the same hunger, the same desire burning openly in his gaze. I inhaled sharply, my heart skipping a beat. That single look was enough to ignite everything I'd been trying to suppress. Heat curled low in my body, and every instinct screamed at me to go to him, to close the distance between us and kiss him—and it took everything I had not to obey.
I could tell he felt the same pull I did. Just as the urge to move toward him surged through me, he took a step in my direction—his eyes never leaving mine. My heart raced, desire and excitement flooding through me, but it was quickly followed by panic. I couldn't let him come any closer. If he did, it would make leaving that much harder—maybe impossible. The thought settled like a stone in my stomach, and for a split second, the urge to turn and run crossed my mind.
Then he stopped. I watched as he took a slow, steady breath, his eyes closing as if he were gathering himself. When he opened them again, the swirling hunger I'd seen moments before was gone. His gaze was calm—controlled. Sad. He gave me a small nod, a quiet greeting, before turning away and addressing one of the men beside him as if nothing had happened. As if that single step hadn't shaken us both.
Guilt hit me hard, my heart sinking as I realized he must have seen the panic flash across my face. The thought made my chest ache. I wanted to go to him—to explain that it wasn't his fault, that he hadn't done anything wrong, and that the turmoil I was feeling had nothing to do with him. But I couldn't.
Telling him the truth wouldn't help him. It would only put him—and his pack—in danger. So I swallowed the words I longed to say and turned away instead. I made my way to the bench Amelia had mentioned and slowly sat down. I wasn't sure if I chose it out of guilt—for hurting him—or simply because I couldn't bear to leave. Maybe it was both. After seeing him again, I found I didn't have the strength to walk away. So I allowed myself this small indulgence—this quiet moment of closeness—even if it had to be from a distance.
Amelia was right—this spot was lovely. The light shade from the trees softened the harsh sunlight, keeping it from becoming overwhelming, while still allowing the warmth to filter through just enough to envelop me in its gentle glow. The breeze nudged the swing back and forth, rocking me in a slow, soothing rhythm. With each sway, the sounds from the training grounds—grunts of exertion and the metallic clank of equipment—drifted through the air, carried on the wind until they blended into something oddly calming. Between the steady motion of the swing, the warmth of the sun above me, and the familiar cadence of activity nearby, it wasn't long before my eyelids grew heavy, lulled by the comfort of it all.