Thea’s POV

I felt drained to my core, longing for nothing more than a hot bath and then to collapse into bed. We’d been preparing for this charity gala for weeks. Initially, I wasn’t supposed to come—Fiona should have represented me as usual. But after my breakdown in the kitchen that day, I decided it was time to stop hiding.

When I told Fiona I’d be attending myself, she practically squealed with excitement. For years, my identity had remained a secret. Not because I feared discovery, but because I just wanted to live quietly. I didn’t want to be in the spotlight or have all those assholes suddenly kissing my ass because they discovered I had money. But now, I could step out of the shadows. I knew who was genuine and who wasn’t.

Tonight had been exhausting, with numerous Pack Alphas and Lunas trying to cozy up to me. The same bastards who had looked down on me for not having a wolf, who had treated me like a fucking useless wolfless. It was fucking frustrating. I just wanted to get away from all of them.

“I still can’t believe you’re the founder of the Dawnhaven Foundation,” Iris’s voice was filled with awe. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

That was hours after my conversation with Sebastian. I had stood before him, unflinching as I told him my decision, and to my surprise—I felt nothing. Letting go of the past felt refreshing as hell. I wasn’t completely healed, but that constant ache in my chest no longer tortured me every second of every day.

“Thea?”

I turned to Iris. “Hmm?”

“You didn’t answer my question,” Iris pouted, her wolf eyes glittering with curiosity.

“I didn’t tell you because nobody knew except the people working at Dawnhaven, the kids, and Leo. I asked them to keep it secret until I was ready.”

She nodded in understanding, then fell silent. Her gaze drifted to Roman’s table, lingering on him before she looked away. Because Sebastian was our biggest donor, our tables were placed close together. I had heard everything said earlier, from Callista and Aurora mocking me to Iris standing up in my defense. As the future Luna of Sterling Pack, she had chosen to stand by me against all odds, and it touched me.

When Roman ordered her to leave their table, I knew I couldn’t let her be treated that way. I had Fiona instruct security to bring Iris to our table. As for Callista, letting her leave with her tail between her legs was just a small payback for years of cruelty.

“You can go to him, Iris,” I told her, nodding toward Roman. “I don’t mind.”

He had been stealing glances at her. She hadn’t noticed, but I had.

“No,” she refused. “Especially not after he behaved so poorly. He claims he wants your forgiveness, yet allows Aurora and Callista to trash-talk you? Doesn’t he know Pack members are supposed to protect each other?”

“I appreciate you standing up for me, but as you can see, I don’t need anyone fighting my battles,” I gave her a gentle smile. “You love Roman, and not just because of the mate bond, I can tell. And honestly, you’re my best friend, and I want you to be happy. So if Roman makes you happy, I can live with that.”

She stared at me, then her eyes suddenly widened. “Something’s different about you.”

“What do you mean?” I tried to hide my smile.

“You’re different somehow, now that I really look at you. What happened?”

I didn’t know. Maybe I was just tired of living in pain, or maybe it was the new development with Kane… My thoughts drifted. “Maybe it’s the sex?”

“What sex?” Iris’s voice rose, causing several nearby wolves to turn their heads.

I laughed at her expression. She looked like a pup who had just discovered the moon is round.

“You slept with Kane?” she repeated, incredulous.

“Yeah,” I grinned at the memory.

Her jaw dropped, then her lips curved into a sly smile. “Damn, Thea! If sleeping with him gives you that look on your face, then you do you, girl. You deserve good sex and happiness.”

This was one of the reasons I loved Iris. She didn’t judge, she just supported me, saw me for who I was.

I reached out and hugged her. “Thank you, Iris, for being you.”

She was caught off-guard for a moment but quickly recovered, hugging me back tightly.

“Now, go talk to Roman. I know you and your wolf are craving him,” I teased.

This time she didn’t wait. She apologized and left our table just as Kane returned. He sat down and turned to kiss me on the lips.

Watched – 2

“You’re addictive,” he whispered against my ear, his hot breath making me shiver. “Your scent and your body… perfect.”

His words ignited a heat inside me, and I couldn’t help but swallow.

“Kane…” The word turned into a breathy moan, and I even squeezed my thighs together.

Honestly, with Kane, I felt awakened from a long-standing numbness. He had taught me so much about myself. Made me see myself as a woman, not just the “inadequate Luna.”

I realized I liked sex, and I liked it a lot. Kane taught me to embrace that. He taught me to never be ashamed of my desires. Never to be ashamed for initiating.

With Sebastian, I always suppressed my needs because deep down I knew he only had sex with me out of necessity and duty, not because he wanted me. He always initiated, but was so cold and detached. I never dared to approach him, afraid of rejection from him and his wolf. So even when the need arose, I suppressed it until he came to me out of obligation.

Just as I was about to ask Kane if we could possibly find a private place, my phone rang.

I saw my mother’s name flashing and the mood was instantly killed.

“Sorry, I need to take this,” I told him, showing him the screen.

Seeing the name displayed, he nodded with a smile. “Go ahead, I’ll wait here.”

I walked out to the garden to take the call. Moonlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows.

“Hi, mommy,” my little wolf cub greeted sweetly.

“Hello, sweetheart… how’s your day?” Hearing Leo’s voice instantly relaxed me.

“Boring,” he complained, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice. “How’s the party? I’m so sorry I couldn’t come. I should’ve been there!”

I smiled, shaking my head. I did want him to attend, but I was afraid of putting him in danger. The police chief had called me earlier today, informing me that the male who attacked me had been killed, his heart ripped out completely.

He’d also warned me not to let my guard down. Just because that male was dead didn’t mean the danger was over, he’d said.

“Next time, dear. It was an amazing party, I’ll send you pictures,” I paused. “Your friends say hi.”

I used to take Leo to Dawnhaven homes. He got along well with the pups there, even the ostracized Omega pups. They all genuinely liked him, not just because he was an Alpha heir, and they asked about him today.

“Is Fenris there?” he asked excitedly, his voice lifting at the end.

“Yes, he’s here… he said he’ll contact you soon.”

Fenris and Leo had a special bond. Fenris treated Leo like his little brother, and Leo adored him. Despite their significant age gap, they got along well. The two could spend hours together.

“Awesome!” he cheered on the other end. “I miss him so much!”

“He misses you too,” I smiled.

“Okay, mommy, I have to go to bed now… Grandma insists I need to sleep early.” He sounded slightly disappointed. “I just wanted to hear your voice before sleeping.”

It was almost midnight. Hours ago, the little wolf cubs had returned to the Dawnhaven home. Like any place with pups, Dawnhaven homes had strict curfews.

“Goodnight, and remember I love you very much. More than any vow witnessed by the Moon Goddess.”

I felt my eyes water. Damn, I missed him so much. It had been months, and I just wanted my pup back with me.

“I love you too, mommy. Goodnight,” he said softly.

After hanging up, I suddenly felt an uncomfortable prickling sensation. Some instinct told me I was being watched. Looking around, I realized I had wandered quite far from the hall, deep into a darker area of the garden where no Pack members were present.

I started moving back.

I could still feel that hunted sensation. Picking up the hem of my dress, I quickened my pace. That’s when I began to hear footsteps behind me, heavier than normal.

My heart started racing, and I began to run. Damn, how could I be so careless? I’d been told just today that there was still a target on my back, yet I’d wandered off alone to a secluded place.

Whoever was behind me also picked up speed. I wanted to look back, but instinct told me not to.

Panic gripped me as I felt them getting closer. I knew if I didn’t make it back to the hall quickly, back to where other wolves were, I was dead.

I forced myself to run faster, adrenaline surging. When I finally burst through the lit porch and into the safety of the hall, I felt the threatening presence suddenly retreat.

I stopped, gasping for breath, feeling like my lungs would explode. After looking around and seeing no one suspicious, no person or wolf, I turned and quickly walked toward the main area of the hall.

I was confused but relieved. The pursuer clearly had the opportunity to kill me easily, even as I ran. A werewolf would need just one pounce… a hunter just one silver bullet…

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice where I was going and collided hard with someone.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, steadying myself.

The moment I looked up, my entire body froze. I had bumped into Aurora.

She was the last person I wanted to encounter right now. I tried to walk around her, but the expression on her face told me she wouldn’t let me leave easily. Her eyes seemed to turn red, her wolf lurking just beneath the surface. She wanted blood–she craved my blood.