Chapter 6

Orlando stared at me in shock: "Monica?"

"You didn't ruin my life!" I walked up to him, cupping his face in my hands. "Listen, I need you to believe me now."

Orlando gazed into my eyes, seeing the warmth and sincerity he hadn't witnessed in so long: "I'll believe anything you tell me."

I took a deep breath: "I know this sounds insane, but I really did travel here from eight years ago. That cold Monica... the woman who hurt you and Asher... that wasn't me. The real me, the college graduate me, just arrived in this body."

The study fell silent except for the crackling of the fireplace.

Orlando looked at me quietly, neither mocking nor questioning. After a long moment, he reached out to gently caress my cheek: "Whatever happened, you're back. That's enough."

I was stunned: "You... you believe me?"

"Monica, for eight years I've seen your cold stare, and I knew that wasn't the real you." Orlando said tenderly, "The you fresh out of college had eyes as clear as spring water. Now, you have that innocence back. If this is a miracle, I accept it. If this is magic, I thank the heavens."

"Orlando..." Tears streamed down my face.

"Actually, I have a secret to tell you too." Orlando stood up, taking my hand. "Monica, I've known you were of Lunaris bloodline since we were children."

I was shocked: "What?"

"My family has protected the Lunaris bloodline for generations. When I was still a child, grandfather told me that the little girl next door was the Luna we were meant to protect." Orlando's eyes flashed with complex emotions. "But I was afraid telling you the truth would scare you away. I wanted you to live happily in the human world, until... until Derek appeared."

"So you knew all along?" I couldn't believe it.

"I knew you were destined to be my mate, but I wanted you to choose me willingly." Orlando smiled bitterly. "Ironically, fate forced everything in the end anyway."

I gripped his hand tightly: "Orlando, I choose you now. Not because of destiny, not because of bloodline, but because of who you are."

Orlando's breathing quickened: "Monica..."

"I love you, Orlando." I said softly. "I love your kindness, your resilience, your protection of family. I love who we are now."

Orlando stood up excitedly, taking my hand: "Monica, come to the balcony. I want to look at you under the moonlight when you say these things."

Moonlight bathed the balcony as we stood by the railing, holding each other close.

"I waited eight years for you to come back to me," Orlando gently caressed my cheek, his eyes full of deep affection. "I can wait another eight years for you to fall in love with me again."

Tears filled my eyes as unprecedented warmth flooded my heart: "No need to wait, Orlando. I'm already in love with you."

We slowly drew closer, the moonlight witnessing our new beginning...

"AHHHHH——!!!"

A sudden scream pierced the night sky, accompanied by eerie, primal howling.

That was Asher's voice!

Orlando and I locked eyes and instantly rushed toward our son's room.

The moment we pushed open the door, a shocking scene unfolded before us—Asher was curled up on the bed, his body trembling uncontrollably, his small hands having grown sharp claws, his eyes flashing an unstable golden light.

"Oh my god..." I gasped.

"He's force-shifting!" Orlando's face went pale. "That's not normal—he's too young!"

Asher moaned in pain, his little face contorted: "Mama... help Asher... it hurts..."

I closed my eyes, concentrating all my Luna power, sensing the wolf instincts surging within my son's body. Slowly, my healing power began to soothe his agitated bloodline.

The howling outside gradually faded, Asher's claws slowly retracted, and his golden eyes returned to lake blue.

"Feeling better, baby?" I gently stroked his forehead.

Asher nodded weakly, clinging to me tightly: "Mama's light is so warm... Asher doesn't hurt anymore."

Orlando observed tensely from the side: "Monica, your Luna power is stronger than I imagined. But..."

He walked to the window, looking gravely toward the depths of the forest: "Someone was testing Asher's abilities. This wasn't an accident."

"What do you mean?" I held Asher tight, an ominous feeling rising in my heart.

"Someone wants to confirm how strong Asher's mixed-blood abilities are." Orlando turned to look at us, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "We need to be careful. Tomorrow's Pack Parent Night at school..."

"All the more reason I have to go." I said firmly. "No matter who's scheming in the shadows, I won't let Asher face it alone."

Orlando looked at me deeply, finally nodding: "Alright, but I'll be protecting you both from the shadows."

---

The next evening, I stood before the mirror adjusting my clothes, preparing for Pack Parent Night. Orlando approached from behind, looking worriedly at my slightly weary face: "Are you sure about going? Last night exhausted us all, and if those people dare target Asher, tonight's Pack Parent Night could very well be a trap."

"Because of last night, I have to go even more." My eyes flashed with determination. "I've already missed too much of Asher's growing up. I won't let him face any threats alone again. Besides, if someone wants to test us, let them see what a real Luna looks like."

Orlando looked at me deeply, finally nodding: "Alright, but if you encounter any danger, signal me immediately. I'll be on standby near the school."

An hour later, I stood at the entrance of Pine Valley School, took a deep breath, and walked toward the multipurpose hall. The moment I pushed open the door, I saw parents gathered in small groups.

As soon as I appeared, the previously lively discussions instantly dropped several decibels. I could feel those scrutinizing gazes falling on me like pinpricks.

"Look, isn't that Luna Monica?"

"Oh my god, she actually came. I thought she'd never show up to school events."

"I heard she didn't even attend Asher's Pack Parent Nights before. What kind of good mother act is she putting on now?"

Whispers reached my ears. I took a deep breath, held my head high, and walked toward Asher's seating area.

Just then, a sharp voice rang out: "Luna Monica, I hear you finally remembered you have a son?"

I turned to see a blonde, blue-eyed woman elegantly holding a coffee cup as she approached, a cold smile playing on her lips. "How... touching."

I turned to face this stranger.

Her beauty was flawless, but those blue eyes held arrogance and malice. She was dressed luxuriously, with complex Luna markings on her neck glinting under the lights—clearly, this was another Pack's Luna.

"I'm sorry, you are?" I tried to stay calm. Though I didn't recognize her, she obviously knew me. "We're all here for the children's sake."

The woman laughed lightly: "It seems your 'illness' really made you forget quite a lot. I'm Caroline Blackwood, Luna of the Moonrise Pack."

Now I knew who she was. I tried to remain calm: "Since we're both Lunas, Caroline, I think we both understand what our duties are."

"Duties?" Caroline laughed exaggeratedly. "A fake Luna who won't even acknowledge her own bloodline—do you think you're fit to be a mother?"

The parents around us stopped all movement, tension filling the air.

I felt anger burning in my chest but forced myself to stay calm: "Luna Caroline, I don't know what misunderstanding you have about me, but please don't say such things in front of the children."

"Misunderstanding?" Caroline pressed forward step by step. "The entire Pack circle knows that Silver Creek's Luna has... mental problems. Eight years of ignoring her own bloodline, being cold as ice to her husband, indifferent to her child. Now suddenly wants to be a good mother? How... touching."

"Enough." My voice was low and dangerous.