Chapter 2 A Remarkable Talent

Rhea's heart swirled with emotions, unsure of how to respond. Slowly, she turned back to Patrick.

He didn't smile often, but when he did, it was enchanting, like a gentle spring breeze filled with warmth. His blue eyes sparkled with the light of distant stars.

He must be thrilled, she thought, now that he was finally going to be with his former lover.

Rhea smiled too-a smile born from the shattering of her heart.

"I wish you happiness as well," she said before turning and stepping into the car.

As soon as the door closed, tears spilled down her face, the fresh wound mingling with old pain, overwhelming her with the urge to curl up and hide.

The driver loaded her suitcase into the trunk, got in, and started the car. Watching it speed away, Patrick's smile froze, his eyes dimming as the light faded from them.

As an elf-werewolf, Rhea was destined to have many fated mates in her life, and Patrick knew he was never meant to be the only one.

Apparently, this man Christopher had come before him and had already claimed a space in Rhea's heart. He had lost count of the times he had barely restrained himself from marking her, but he couldn't let himself do it.

Forcing her to stay by his side, knowing she didn't love him-that was too selfish. Even though sending her away made his wolf howl painfully in his brain, there was no other choice.

Back home, Rhea dragged her suitcase through the door.

Her mother, Amanda Seehorn, took one look at Rhea's swollen eyes and the suitcase in her hand, immediately alarmed.

"Rhea, what happened?"

Rhea lowered her gaze, slipping off her shoes and forcing a calm tone.

"Mom, I've moved back in."

Amanda shot up from the sofa.

"You're separating from Patrick?"

"Mm-hmm. His ex-girlfriend has returned."

Amanda's face reddened with rage.

"Three years ago, after that accident, the doctors said he'd never walk again. He was so weak he couldn't even shift! His ex left him in his darkest hour, and you were the one who stayed by his side. You took him all over the world, searching for treatments, massaging his legs, helping him with his recovery, nursing him day and night like a caretaker. And now that he's back to his old self, she shows up, and he just lets you go? How shameless! Is he blind?"

Rhea bent down, pulled out the check Patrick had given her, and placed it in her mother's hand.

"This is his compensation."

Amanda's eyes widened at the long string of zeros on the check. She counted them-eight in total!

Her expression softened slightly.

"It's not about the money. Do they think they can treat people like this just because they're pure-blood and rich?"

Rhea lowered her gaze, her voice soft.

"Some women get nothing at all, while others are calculated against. Some men even kill their wives to avoid sharing property. Compared to that, Patrick isn't so bad."

"But can you accept this?"

Rhea forced a bitter smile.

"His heart isn't with me, and there's no point in holding on. I'm tired, Mom. I just want to sleep."

"Then go on and rest, sweetheart." Amanda watched her with a heartbroken expression, sighing deeply.

Rhea turned and went to her room, sleeping through the next two days and nights.

On the third day, she finally mustered the strength to get up.

After freshening up, she called Patrick.

"Is the divorce agreement ready?"

There was a brief pause.

"I'm on a business trip. Let's discuss it when I get back."

"Fine. I'll be at work-just call me when it's time."

"You found a job already? Where?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"At a sacred werewolf artifacts restoration shop. They've been calling me for a while now."

Sacred werewolf artifacts are artifacts said to hold the power of the Moon Goddess, capable of enhancing both the physical and mental strength of the wolfpack and Alpha.

Over time, many artifacts have been lost or damaged in battles, so the ones that remain are highly sought after by powerful Alphas. This demand has given rise to a thriving market where relics are bought, sold, and restored. A shop specializing in such restoration deals exclusively with this kind of valuable business.

"Don't work too hard. If you need money, let me know," he said, his voice so soft and warm it tugged at her heart.

Rhea felt a pang and replied with a detached tone.

"I'm fine, thank you."

After breakfast, Rhea took a cab to a well-known restoration shop in New York called Timeless Treasures Antiques.

She was greeted by the young owner, John Travolta, who wore a light blue shirt and khaki pants, his tall frame exuding a clean and gentle charm.

After introducing her to the staff, John led her upstairs to meet the shop's senior appraiser, William Hurt.

"William, this is Rhea Seehorn, granddaughter of Bruce Seehorn, the 'Master of Sacred Werewolf Artifacts Restoration.' Rhea will be our new artifacts restorer. If you need a second opinion on anything, feel free to consult her."

When the Moon Goddess closed one door for elf-werewolves, she opened another. Every elf-werewolf has an innate ability to repair and appraise sacred werewolf artifacts.

Rhea, in particular, had inherited her grandfather's skills, as her wolf lineage included a mix of werewolf and silver-elf blood. Silver-elf werewolves were the most talented at sacred werewolf artifacts restoration.

William, nearing sixty, peered at Rhea through his reading glasses. A young woman in her twenties, a restorer? At her age, he was still an apprentice. Yet the young owner had placed her on such a high pedestal, even telling him to consult her!

He nodded politely, but inside, he was far from convinced.

As soon as John left, he asked, "So, Rhea, how long have you been in the business?"

Rhea smiled lightly.

"Over ten years."

William looked incredulous.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-three."

He thought to himself, *Young and boastful! She'll have to prove herself.*

Just then, an employee came to get them, saying a customer had arrived.

Rhea and William went downstairs to find a man in his thirties holding a tattered, grimy scroll.

"Can this be restored?" he asked.

William took one look and almost laughed. It barely resembled a painting; it was blackened, torn, and filled with wormholes. Only a top-level restoration artist would have even a slim chance.

Smiling smugly, he looked at Rhea.

"Everyone's watching you-don't let them down."

Rhea stepped forward, studying the scroll intently before replying, "It can be restored."

The customer's face lit up.

"Who'll do it? How long will it take?"

"Me. Three days," she answered.

"You?" The man eyed her sceptically.

"This is an original piece by Alaric, one of the 'Four Sacred Werewolf Artifacts Masters'! It's worth millions at auction-don't mess it up."

The others in the room exchanged dubious glances. Three days? That was a bold claim.

William smirked, stroking his beard.

"Rhea, it's good to be ambitious, but don't overreach. Even top-level restorers take months, if not years, on something like this."

Rhea remained firm.

"Three days. If it's damaged, I'll pay double the market price."

The customer, hoping to sell the relic at auction, was thrilled by the offer.

"Alright, but let's put it in writing."

"Agreed."

After agreeing on a price and signing the contract, Rhea took the scroll to the restoration room.

The room held two large wooden tables, along with an assortment of restoration tools like brushes, hoof knives, towels, and wolf hair brushes.

Rhea started by boiling water and carefully washing the scroll. Each stroke was delicate; she needed to remove the grime without damaging the fragile fibres.

Though it looked easy, the process was complex. Fortunately, she had trained with her grandfather since childhood, and handling artifacts like this was second nature.

She had restored items far older and more deteriorated than this.

The next three days were a blur, with Rhea working tirelessly.

It was good to keep busy. When she worked, she could forget Patrick-at least for a little while.

On the third day, the customer returned to pick up the scroll. He was stunned by what he saw.

"Is this really the same scroll? You didn't swap it, did you?"

William and other employees gathered around, equally astonished. The scroll now depicted vivid mountains and lush forests, as though the entire landscape had come to life.

Rhea replied calmly, "You can test its authenticity."

After verification, the customer gave her a thumbs-up, paid in full, and left with the painting, clearly satisfied.

Word spread quickly. Soon, everyone in the restoration community knew of the young, talented restorer at Timeless Treasures Antiques. Only in her twenties, yet her skill rivalled that of national restoration masters!

As evening approached, Rhea received a call from Patrick.

"My car's parked outside your shop. Grandma wants to see us-

she says it's something important."

Hearing his familiar voice made Rhea's heart race painfully, her wolf stirring with longing.

Though he hadn't marked her, and they couldn't establish a mind-link, her wolf still recognized her fated mate nearby, its eagerness undeniable.