I had just settled into bed when my phone buzzed with a message from Beta Elias Franklin:
"Luna Winifred, knowing everything I do about you, I need to ask again—are you genuinely committed to relocating to the northern territory?"
"Even though I truly want you to go, you've turned me down so many times because of Alpha Jack Harvey. I feel uneasy, so I'm checking once more."
I chuckled softly and replied, "Don't worry, Beta Elias."
"This time, I'm truly determined."
A year ago, our pack expanded into the northern territory, but the leadership position has been vacant ever since. Beta Elias has suggested it to me countless times, insisting it's an incredible opportunity not to be missed.
The prospect has tempted me for some time, as relocating would mean not only a promotion to Alpha but also greater influence over pack affairs. Yet, the thing holding me back was Alpha Jack Harvey.
When Jack was a pup, his mother left the pack, abandoning him, and his father rarely paid him any attention. When they joined the Silver Crescent Pack, Jack was only eleven.
It was the night before the full moon celebration, and he sat quietly at the edge of the gathering, all alone. As I went to prepare the ceremonial fire, I noticed him huddled in a corner, staring wistfully at the sky. Seeing me watching him, Jack lowered his head, masking his emotions with a blank expression.
As I gazed at his frail silhouette, I remembered my mother's empathetic words about his situation earlier that day, and I suddenly felt a pang of pity:
"Want to help me with the fire? I'm too nervous to do it by myself." I handed him a piece of kindling.
He raised his head, stared blankly for a moment, then reached out to take it. We built the fire together, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw his lips ease into a faint smile.
Later, I insisted he join our family for the feast. He stayed until his father returned from a hunt, drunk on fermented blood, then went back to their den.
During those teenage years, a time when pride is fiercest, I was always there for him.
That lasted until we went off to different packs for training. Jack suddenly cut off contact.
It wasn't until our final year of training that I returned to the Silver Crescent territory and saw him waiting under the moonlight outside my den.
As I watched him approach me with calm, steady steps, everything around me seemed to freeze.
His strong, commanding presence melded with the image I'd held in my memories:
"Luna Winifred, it's been a while."
"It's been a while."
I looked at him, unsure of what to say.
Suddenly, he leaned down and kissed me. My heart stopped, then began racing uncontrollably.
After a long moment, Alpha Jack pulled away, staring into my eyes as he asked, "Winifred, will you be my mate?"
I swallowed hard, "Okay."
I was annoyed at how quickly I agreed, but he had always known about my secret feelings for him. He did it on purpose.
Just like that, it seemed inevitable that we formed our mate bond.
I remember the day I told him about the position in the northern territory that would require me to relocate; he was silent for a long time. That night, he drank endless cups of herbal tea, his eyes red as he looked at me, murmuring, "Winnie, are you going to leave me too..."
Fearing it would remind him of the pain of being abandoned by his mother, I dropped the subject.
But in the end, it was me who was left behind.
I bit my lip, feeling my heart slowly breaking.
Sensing something, Beta Elias cautiously inquired, "Did something happen between you and Alpha Jack Harvey?"
I didn't reply, which was confirmation enough.
After a while, he sent another message:
"Flowers bloom forward, wolves move onward. Luna Winifred, trust in your choices."
"I'll give you a moon cycle to settle in once you arrive, so you can relax and gather your thoughts."
