Chapter 2

The transfer application went through just before midnight.

I stared at the confirmation on my phone, feeling strangely calm despite the rain battering my windshield.

My parents had asked me to come home countless times over the past three years. I'd always refused, insisting that Silvercrest was where my future belonged.

Now I wasn't so sure I'd ever belonged here at all.

I called the pack's emergency roadside service again. After several attempts, someone finally answered and promised to send a patrol vehicle.

By the time a young warrior arrived, my injured arm had gone numb.

"Miss Leah? What are you doing out here alone?" he asked, looking horrified at my bloodstained bandage.

"My car broke down."

"Does Alpha Adrian know?"

I looked away. "He's busy."

The warrior didn't ask anything else. He helped me into his vehicle and arranged for my car to be towed.

It was almost two in the morning when I finally reached the Alpha residence.

The living room lights were still on.

Adrian was sitting on the couch. He stood when he saw me, his expression immediately darkening.

"Where have you been? Why didn't you come home with me earlier?"

I stared at him.

He'd blocked my link after I'd told him my car had broken down near the Rogue border.

And now he was asking why I hadn't come home with him.

"I couldn't get the car started," I said.

His eyes flickered toward my bandaged arm.

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

I almost laughed.

Instead, I slipped off my wet shoes.

"I forgot."

Adrian frowned, clearly dissatisfied, but before he could respond, the bathroom door opened.

"Adrian, do you have another towel?"

Clara stepped into the hallway, wearing one of his oversized shirts.

Her damp hair fell over her shoulders, and she looked perfectly comfortable in the home I'd shared with him for three years.

Then something silver caught the light at her throat.

I stopped breathing.

Clara noticed my gaze and touched the pendant with a shy smile.

"Oh, this? Adrian let me borrow it."

It was a small crescent moon made of moonstone, identical to the one beneath my collar.

Three years ago, I'd commissioned the pair to celebrate our first anniversary. Adrian had refused to wear his, saying matching jewelry would make the pack suspicious of our relationship.

I'd never asked him again.

Yet here it was, resting against Clara's chest.

"It's supposed to bring good luck, isn't it?" she asked. "I was still shaking after the explosion, so Adrian thought it might help me feel better."

Adrian glanced at the pendant.

"It was sitting in my drawer anyway. There's no point leaving something useful to collect dust."

Something useful.

I'd spent weeks choosing those stones because I wanted us to share something special, even if nobody else knew we were together.

Apparently, it meant nothing to him.

Clara looked between us, suddenly uncertain.

"Leah, is something wrong? If you like it, I can give it back."

Before I could answer, Adrian spoke.

"She's got her own jewelry. Keep it."

I lowered my eyes to hide my expression.

"That's fine."

Clara brightened immediately.

"Thank you! You're both so kind to me."

She returned to the bathroom to dry her hair, leaving Adrian and me alone.

He watched me for a moment.

"You're unusually quiet tonight."

"I'm tired."

"You used to get upset whenever I gave away those matching things you bought."

I remembered the matching mugs he'd donated to the pack kitchen and the bracelets he'd handed out as prizes during a warrior training event.

Each time, he'd told me I was being childish for caring.

I'd eventually stopped buying things for us.

"Well, you were right," I said. "They're just things."

Adrian studied my face as though waiting for an argument. When none came, he seemed almost annoyed.

"Good. I'm glad you're finally being reasonable."

I walked toward the stairs, but Clara's voice stopped me.

"Leah, there's something else I wanted to ask!"

She appeared in the hallway, clutching a towel.

"The storm damaged part of the roof at my apartment. Would it be okay if I stayed here for a few days? I'm still frightened after tonight, and I don't think I can sleep alone."

I looked at Adrian.

He was already nodding.

"Of course. The guest room is yours for as long as you need."

Clara turned to me.

"Are you sure you don't mind? I don't want to intrude."

I remembered how she'd cried when she first arrived in Silvercrest, terrified that the other wolves would reject her.

I'd promised her she would always have a place here.

"Stay as long as you like," I said.

Adrian looked relieved.

"See? I told you Leah would understand."

Of course I understood.

Understanding had been my job for three years.

I understood when he refused to acknowledge me at pack gatherings. I understood when he rejected my promotion applications because he didn't want the Elders questioning his fairness.

And tonight, I was expected to understand why a frightened Omega deserved his protection more than his injured girlfriend.

I went upstairs without another word.

In our bedroom, I found a message from the Elders' Council confirming that my transfer request had entered the review process.

I replied with the details of my parents' pack and requested the earliest available departure date.

Then I removed my moonstone pendant and placed it in the drawer.

Adrian came upstairs a few minutes later.

"Clara's finally settled down," he said, loosening his collar. "She's been through so much. I'm glad you convinced her to come here."

I looked at him.

He was right. Bringing Clara to Silvercrest had been my decision.

I'd wanted her to experience the safety and kindness she'd never known growing up.

But I'd never imagined that giving her a home would mean losing my own.

Adrian lay beside me and turned off the lamp.

"Get some sleep, Leah. Tomorrow's going to be busy."

I didn't ask what he meant.

In the darkness, my phone vibrated beneath the pillow.

A new message from the Elders' Council appeared.

[Your transfer application has been accepted for preliminary review. Alpha Adrian will be notified once the final arrangements are confirmed.]