Chapter 3
Elowen's POV
A knock. The door opened. Luna Ella stepped in—Cindy's mother, the Luna of Thornwood Pack. Elegant, dark hair swept back, kind eyes that saw everything.
My father died before I could walk. My mother, Beta Jessica, has always been cold. Luna Ella was the one who fed me honey cakes, braided my hair, and called me hers.
"Girls," she said softly. "Is everything alright? I heard crying."
Cindy looked at me. I nodded. She could tell her.
"Elowen left Drake," Cindy explained. "He cheated on her. She needs a place to stay."
Luna Ella's expression hardened. "That boy never deserved you." She walked closer. Sat on Cindy's other side. "You're welcome here, Elowen. Any member of our pack who's been hurt will always find sanctuary in this house."
My throat tightened. "Thank you, Luna."
"We protect our own," she said firmly. "Drake Reid will answer for his actions. I promise you that."
The weight lifted slightly. I wasn't alone. I had Cindy. Had the Luna's support. Maybe I could survive this.
"Now," Luna Ella stood. "Get some rest. Both of you. Tomorrow is a big day."
Right. The wedding. Cindy's wedding. I'd almost forgotten.
"I'm sorry," I said quickly. "This is your special time. I shouldn't—"
"Stop." Cindy cut me off. "You're my best friend. You come first. Always."
Luna Ella smiled. "Goodnight, girls."
She left. Closed the door softly. Cindy turned to me. Grinned.
"See? Told you my mom's the best."
I managed a small smile. "Yeah. She is."
We talked for another hour. About Drake. About the wedding. About everything. Cindy lent me pajamas. We climbed into her massive bed together. She fell asleep fast. I stared at the ceiling. My mind raced.
I was free of Drake. Free of his control. His lies. His cheating. But what now? Where did I fit? In this pack. In this world.
You fit with us, Juno murmured sleepily. We're wolves. We're strong. We'll figure it out.
I hoped she was right.
The next morning, I woke to sunlight. Cindy was gone. A note on her pillow said she had bride stuff to do. I got up. Found the bathroom. Showered. The hot water felt good. Washed away last night's tears. Drake's touch. Everything.
I dressed in clean clothes from my bag. A silk dress—the only thing I'd grabbed that looked remotely presentable. Wearing it made me feel less like a victim, more like someone who still had control. Pulled my hair into a ponytail. Stared at myself in the mirror. My amber eyes looked brighter somehow. Less clouded. Maybe leaving Drake had already changed me.
A knock on the door made me jump.
"Miss Hartley?" A woman's voice. "Luna Ella requests your presence for breakfast."
Oh god. Breakfast with the family. The Alpha family. I wanted to hide.
"Coming!" I called.
I opened the door. A house staff member smiled at me. Middle-aged. Kind face.
"Follow me, please."
She led me down the halls. The pack house was beautiful in daylight. Huge windows. Natural light everywhere. We entered a formal dining room. My breath caught.
Alpha Austin sat at the head of the table. Massive. Commanding. His dark hair streaked with silver. Luna Ella beside him. Casper on one side. And Cassian on the other.
All eyes turned to me.
I froze in the doorway. This was a mistake. I didn't belong here.
"Elowen." Luna Ella gestured to an empty chair. Between the twins. "Please, join us."
I walked on shaky legs. Slid into the chair. Casper smiled at me. Warm. Reassuring. Cassian's ice-blue eyes watched me. Studied me. I felt pinned under that gaze.
"Good morning, little wolf," Casper said quietly. His hand brushed mine on the table. Brief. Electric.
I pulled back. "Morning."
"Sleep well?" Cassian asked. His voice was smooth. Cold honey. Nothing like Casper's warmth.
"Yes, thank you." I kept my eyes on my plate.
Staff brought food. Eggs. Bacon. Fresh fruit. Everything looked amazing. I wasn't hungry. My stomach was tied in knots.
"So," Alpha Austin spoke. His deep voice filled the room. "Cindy tells me you've left young Reid."
I swallowed. "Yes, Alpha."
"Good." His eyes met mine. Sharp. Assessing. "He was never worthy of you."
My mouth went dry. "Thank you, sir."
"My son tells me Reid was... unfaithful." Austin's gaze shifted to Casper. "Is this true?"
"Yes." Casper's jaw tightened. "I saw it myself."
"And you intervened?"
"I protected her." Casper's voice was firm. "As any pack member should."
Austin's eyebrow raised. "Hmm."
The air felt thick. Tense. What was happening here?
"Drake won't bother you again," Cassian said suddenly. His eyes locked on mine. "We'll make sure of it."
"He threatened her," Casper added. His hand clenched around his fork. "Said he'd ruin her standing in the pack."
"Did he now?" Alpha Austin's expression darkened. "We'll see about that."
Luna Ella touched her mate's arm. "Let's not discuss this over breakfast. Elowen needs peace right now."
"Of course." Austin nodded. "Elowen, you're welcome to stay as long as you need. This is your home."
"Thank you, Alpha." My voice came out small.
Breakfast continued. The twins argued about pack business. Something about border patrols. I stayed quiet. Ate small bites. Tried to disappear.
Casper's thigh pressed against mine under the table. Warm. Solid. I didn't move away. His presence grounded me. Made me feel safe. I shouldn't rely on that. But god, I needed it.
After breakfast, everyone scattered. Alpha Austin to his office. Luna Ella to wedding preparations. I stood in the hallway. Lost.
"Elowen."
I turned. Casper stood close. Too close. His amber eyes were soft. Concerned.
"You okay?" he asked.
"I don't know," I admitted. "This is all... a lot."
"You're stronger than you think." His hand lifted. Cupped my cheek. His thumb brushed my skin. Gentle. "You know that?"
My breath caught. His scent wrapped around me. Pine. Smoke. Something darker. My wolf stirred. Interested. Way too interested.
"Casper, I—"
"You look beautiful today," he murmured. Stepped closer. His chest almost touched mine. "Do you know that?"
Heat flooded my face. My heart pounded. This was wrong. I just left Drake. I shouldn't feel this way. Not this fast.
But god, I did.
His eyes dropped to my lips. Darkened. Gold bled into the amber. His wolf was close to the surface.
"I should go," I whispered. Didn't move.
"Should you?" His voice was rough. Low.
Kiss him, Juno urged. Claim what's ours!
Ours? What did that mean?
Footsteps echoed. We jumped apart. Cassian appeared. His ice-blue eyes flicked between us. His jaw tightened.
"Brother," he said coolly. "Mother needs you."
"Right." Casper stepped back. Ran a hand through his hair. "I'll see you later, Elowen."
He walked away. Left me alone with Cassian.
The silence stretched. Heavy. Uncomfortable. I shifted my weight, suddenly aware of how narrow the corridor felt. Cassian hadn't moved. Just stood there, watching me with those ice-blue eyes that never blinked.
My skin prickled. Something had changed in the air—thicker, charged, dangerous.
"You should go too," I said. Tried to sound casual. Failed.
"Should I?" He echoed his brother's words. But where Casper's voice had been warm honey, Cassian's was winter frost. He took one step forward.
I took one back. My spine hit the wall.
