Chapter 2 Chapter 2

"Some wolves fade from the mortal plane, leaving their three - year - old cub adrift, while the father vanishes without a trace! And there are those flaunting their new life, plastering their joy across every beacon!"​

Richard nodded, his voice laced with disdain.

"Alpha Lucian Thorne of the Joravia - kin, the wealthiest wolf around. Drowning his mate and cub in luxury. But this poor cub? Her mother bound herself to a worthless coward who's abandoned them both."​

Unbeknownst to them, the Alpha they were slandering was my father.​

I wrenched my arm free from Emily's grasp and stumbled home, my paws bare against the frigid ground. Tears blurred my vision, turning the world into a hazy mess of pain.​

The house loomed ahead, ablaze with light, yet it held no warmth for me.

I activated the moon - linked crystal on my smartwatch and called Dad, praying for an answer.​

The connection rang and rang, each chime a dagger to my heart. Finally, he picked up.​

"Luna Natalie! Rein in your cub! One more disturbance, and I'll sever the Thorne blood - bond with you!"​

Hearing him use Mom's name like that, cold and dismissive, felt like a physical blow, shattering what little hope I had left.

Dad remained oblivious that Mom had ascended to join the constellations of fallen wolves.​

"Uncle, they said Mom crossed the Veil. The shadow - cloaked ones took her away in their midnight chariot..." I choked out, my voice trembling.​

The line crackled with static as Dad froze at the title. "Luna Natalie, what dark sorcery are you conjuring? Using our cub as a pawn in your desperate bid for my return?"​

I could almost feel his disbelief . "You think leaving the seal loose fools me? This is just another ploy to draw me back early."​

His words tumbled out in a rush, the urgency of his vow evident.

"A thousand times over, I've sworn my soul to yours! I'd face the eternal void for you! But every wolf must complete their lunar - bound quest. One cycle of the moons is all I ask!"​

"Once my task is fulfilled, I'll reforge our bond. With only seven waning moons left, can't you hold on a little longer?"​

Before I could utter another word, the connection severed, leaving me in stunned silence. I never got the chance to tell him Vanessa had sealed the fate - woven suitcase shut, or that Mom's spirit had already joined the celestial pack.​

In a desperate plea for escape, I reached out to Uncle Mark. He was deep in negotiations with distant packs.​

Just as I was ending the call, Grandma burst through the door, her eyes wild with a mother's fury. "Chloe, my precious cub, where do you think you're going? That traitor - mate of yours will pay for what he's done!"​

I clung to her sleeve, tears soaking through the fabric. "He has a new pup now, Grandma. He's not my dad anymore. I want to be with Uncle Mark."​

Grandma's knees buckled at my words, and she caught me in a vice - like embrace, her sobs echoing the breaking of her own heart.​