I pushed open the infirmary door of the Silverclaw Pack and warm moonlight spilled out.
Haldrick was propped against the bed carved with protective runes, one arm wrapped tightly in healing bandages infused with lunar herbs. His wolf aura was calm, steady—as he leaned close, murmuring reassurance to Danella, who sat beside him with reddened eyes.
“I already told you,” he said softly, his voice unusually gentle. “This wasn’t your fault. I chose to move that fast.”
Danella sniffed, tears clinging to her lashes. “But if I hadn’t slipped on the steps, you wouldn’t have been injured…”
Her shoulders curled inward, her posture small, fragile—like she was afraid of taking up space.
Haldrick’s mother sat at the bedside, patting Danella’s hand fondly. “You’ve always been tender-hearted. Even as a pup, you cried for days after cracking a ceremonial bowl.”
She smiled nostalgically. “And Haldrick was so distant back then. If not for you, he never would’ve learned how to soften.”
His father laughed quietly. “True. You even cooked for him during your academy days. The food was terrible, but he ate every bite. Said he didn’t want to hurt you.”
“We all believed you two would end up as mates,” he added easily.
The room glowed with warmth—like a perfectly balanced pack unit.
I stood frozen at the doorway, gripping the basket of spirit-fruit until the woven handle dug into my palm.
For years, I had been the one tending Haldrick’s wounds, managing his duties as Alpha heir, caring for his parents through illness and ritual fasting. I had endured their indifference, smiled through their coldness.
And yet, not once had I been spoken to with this warmth.
Haldrick finally noticed me.
The gentleness in his eyes vanished instantly.
“What are you doing here?” he asked coolly.
Danella startled and hurried to her feet, bowing slightly. “Luna—Vireya, I’m sorry. Alpha Haldrick was hurt because of me.”
“Please don’t blame him. This was my mistake. I never meant—”
Her voice trembled, light and harmless, like a frightened bird.
Before I could reply, Haldrick stepped forward and placed himself squarely between us, shielding her without hesitation.
“Stop,” he said firmly. “This was my decision. Danella had nothing to do with it. Don’t direct your anger at her.”
His mother sighed, clearly displeased. “Don’t make trouble here. Haldrick chose to protect her. There’s no reason to be upset, understand?”
I looked at them—every single one standing instinctively on her side—and felt something twist sharply in my chest.
I smiled.
Not aloud. Just a thin, bitter curve of my lips.
As if I were the unreasonable ex-Luna. The jealous woman threatening an innocent she-wolf.
Danella stepped forward again, trying to speak. “Vireya—”
I cut her off with a calm smile sharp enough to wound.
“Be thankful you survived,” I said evenly. “I came to see that much for myself. That’s all. You may continue playing family.”
I turned and walked out.
“Vireya!” Haldrick called after me.
I didn’t slow.
Outside the ward, I pulled out my communicator rune and activated it. “Trevian?”
His familiar, warm voice answered. “That’s rare. Everything alright?”
I stared at the glowing sigils lining the corridor.
“I want to leave the pack residence,” I said quietly. “Can you help?”
“When?” he asked, without hesitation.
“This afternoon.”
***
Back in the infirmary, silence settled thickly.
Danella’s tears spilled over as she sobbed, “Did I make her angry? I swear, I never meant to…”
Haldrick’s mother squeezed her hand gently. “Sweetheart, you did nothing wrong. Haldrick wouldn’t have risked his life if you didn’t matter to him. Don’t blame yourself.”
His father nodded. “Exactly. Vireya has always been…sensitive.”
Haldrick said nothing, staring at the closed door, an unfamiliar pressure tightening in his chest.
“Haldrick…” Danella whispered. “The den I’m staying in isn’t safe. My former mate keeps finding me. I’m frightened.”
“Can I stay with you for a while? Like before… during academy?”
Before Haldrick could respond, his mother answered briskly, “Of course she can. Right?”
Haldrick hesitated.
He knew bringing an unmated she-wolf into a Luna’s territory was improper.
But when he saw the fear in Danella’s eyes, he finally said, “Fine. You can stay for now.”
***
That evening, he brought her home.
“She’ll stay temporarily,” he said. “Her territory isn’t secure. Don’t misunderstand. She’s only a friend.”
“Oh,” I replied simply, not looking at either of them.
Haldrick frowned, unsettled by my calm.
The old me would’ve argued, cried, demanded explanations.
But now, I watched Danella’s faintly swollen eyes as though separated by glass—detached, unmoved.
Then the door opened again.
Heavy footsteps echoed.
“Done hauling your things,” a familiar voice drawled. “You collect junk like you’re prepping for war.”
Trevian stepped inside, dragging two suitcases.
He crossed the room and casually wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
“You owe me dinner,” he said with a grin. “The expensive kind.”
Haldrick’s aura darkened instantly.
“What is this?” he demanded coldly. “Vireya—explain.”
