Chapter 6

"Hey, Eric," Rae said as soon as she answered the call, dragging her suitcase through the airport.

Eric spoke leisurely from the other end. "Rae, C Entertainment just called to inform me that I've been eliminated, and Charles has been chosen as the General Manager."

Rae frowned slightly. "Really?"

"You didn't know about it?" Eric asked, raising a brow.

Rae shook her head before remembering that he couldn't see her. "No, I didn't."

She really didn't know much about the pack's affairs since she wasn't allowed to handle any Luna duties. But still...

She had been recommending Eric from the very beginning, yet with just a casual suggestion from Cindy, Eric had been eliminated.

Eric teased, "Now that you know, aren't you going to fight for me? You even recommended me to your mate. I wasn't interested in the position, but I remembered how you kept pestering me to apply. I only did it because of you. Now, isn't this embarrassing for my reputation?"

Rae's face reddened in embarrassment. "Eric..."

Eric burst into laughter. "Don't you know I'm messing with you? Look at you, falling for it so quickly."

His voice turned serious. "I hope your Alpha, Cassian, knows what he's getting himself into. Charles isn't a good person. There have always been rumors about him bullying the actresses under his management. There was even a newcomer he had taken advantage of. Because she had no connections, she couldn't speak up. Apparently, she became so depressed that she ended up taking her own life."

His tone became playful again. "Normally, I wouldn't even be interested in a position Charles was competing for. I only joined because I respect you that much. Who would've thought C Entertainment would still make such a terrible decision?"

"I understand, Senior. I'm sorry for wasting your time," Rae whispered.

Eric's brows furrowed. Knowing Rae, she would've told him she was going to demand an explanation from Cassian on his behalf. Or she would've tried to make excuses for him.

This time, however... Something felt different.

"What's going on? Did you and Cassian...?"

A rueful smile appeared on Rae's face. "We broke up, senior. I'm leaving. I'm sorry I can't give you an explanation."

Eric's voice immediately rose. "You broke up? That's great!"

"Ha?" Rae's lips twitched and she tilted her head in confusion. She had just told him about her relationship. Why was Eric so excited?

It immediately reminded Rae of Doctor Smith's reaction earlier at the hospital.

Why did everyone seem so happy that she had finally broken up with Cassian?

Eric explained, "Don't you know he isn't good enough for you? You've always been too good for him. Far too good, Rae."

Rae fell silent. Maybe everyone had seen it except her.

Maybe she had been the only one who couldn't.

Just then, the airport announcement echoed through the terminal, calling passengers to begin boarding.

"Oh, you're already at the airport?" Eric paused. "Then I won't keep you any longer. Have a safe flight."

"Thank you, Eric. Bye." Rae ended the call and slipped her phone into her trouser pocket.

Suddenly, Rae stopped in her tracks and looked around the airport.

Three years ago, Rae had left the Blackwood Pack without hesitation, placing everything she had into their relationship.

She had always been the one to bend. The one to compromise. The one to give in. But what about him?

What had Cassian ever done for her?

Eric was right. She had always been too good for him.

Sadly, it had taken Rae three years to realize it.

Suddenly, Rae's phone vibrated, snapping her out of her reverie. She took it out and saw a message from her mother.

'Rae, are you sure you want to go through with this? Are you sure it isn't because of the pressure?'

Rae's eyes softened. She understood why her mother was asking.

After all, she had refused the marriage proposal for so long, yet suddenly, she had agreed. Anyone would be surprised.

She quickly typed a reply. 'I'm already at the airport, Mom. I'm sure.'

Almost immediately, another message came through.

'Why don't you get to know Damon Hawke first? This is his number.'

Below the message was Damon Hawke's contact. Rae sighed and tapped on it.

Immediately, his profile appeared. The profile picture might as well have been blank.

It was simply the letter D against a dark background. Even Damon Hawke's display name was just a capital D.

Moreover, his profile was completely empty and there wasn't a single detail on it. It was as if he had never used the app before.

Rae sighed, and tapped 'Add Friend', then slipped her phone back into her pocket, pushing the matter to the back of her mind.

With such an empty profile, there was a good chance Damon Hawke barely used social media.

Someone as influential and powerful as Damon Hawke would naturally have countless people trying to obtain his number and social media accounts.

Many would do anything just to get close to him.

Yet somehow, they couldn't even get hold of his assistant's number, let alone Damon Hawke's.

Damon was famous for being unpredictable. There were even rumors that he hated socializing.

With a personality like that, there was probably no hope of getting to know him.

"All passengers traveling to the Blackwood Pack, please proceed to the boarding gate..."

Rae snapped out of her thoughts and slipped her phone into her bag.

Grabbing her suitcase, she hurried toward the boarding gate.

Once she settled into her seat on the plane, Rae leaned back and gazed out of the window.

She had once believed the Red Moon Pack would forever hold beautiful memories of her and her beloved.

That it would always be her safe haven. Her home.

But looking back... It had all been her delusion. Nothing more.

Rae shook herself out of her thoughts and put on her headphones.

Just as she opened her music app, a notification popped up.

You've added D. You can start chatting now.

Rae's eyes widened and she froze. Damon Hawke had accepted her friend request?

So quickly?

Just to make sure she wasn't imagining things, she opened his profile again.

And again.

Each time, the notification remained the same.

What was going on? Why had he accepted her friend request so quickly?

She tried to find a reason and she could only come to two conclusions. Maybe Damon happened to be online.

Or perhaps his assistant was using his phone.

Whatever the reason, Rae didn't know. All she knew was that she was relieved.

At least that was one less burden on her shoulders.

It was the afternoon of the following day when Rae finally arrived at Blackwood Pack International Airport.

As she stepped out of the arrival hall, her heart inexplicably softened.

Her grip tightened around the handle of her suitcase, and a faint smile appeared on her face.

Finally, she was home.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated. She took it out and saw an unfamiliar number calling.

Rae frowned in confusion and pressed answer. She placed the phone against her ear.

"Miss Lockwood, welcome back. I'm Mr. Hawke's driver, Harry. Mr. Hawke asked me to pick you up. I'm currently waiting at Exit Three."

"Huh?" Rae stopped in her tracks.

Damon Hawke had actually sent his driver to pick her up?