Chapter 3 No.3

"Luna, you're back. Do you want to have some-"

The maid, Aria, caught sight of the tears on my face. Before she could finish, I walked straight into the bedroom.

I slumped weakly against the door, my throat aching with a painful tightness.

After holding it in all day, I just couldn't take it anymore. My vision blurred quickly, and tears overflowed, streaming down my cheeks.

My heart hurt so much, it felt like it was breaking.

My parents had fought alongside the old Alpha. My father had taken a fatal blow meant for him and was severely injured, while my mother had sacrificed herself to protect the pack's pups. At just 15 years old, I became an orphan. The old Alpha, in gratitude for my parents' sacrifice, took me in. I moved to Moonshadow Manor to live with him.

As an orphan, I never wanted my Little Howler to grow up without the love of both a mother and a father-just like I did.

I wanted my Little Howler to grow up happy.

But who could tell me what to do?

A little while later, Aria gently knocked on the bedroom door. "Luna, it's time to eat."

A long pause passed before I muttered a response. "Mm." I made my way to the bathroom and splashed some cold water on my face.

As I stepped out, I suddenly remembered the message Nathaniel had sent earlier.

He said he'd brought me a gift from his business trip.

What could it be?

I walked over to the wardrobe and found his suitcase, then opened it.

Inside was a signed album by one of my favorite singers from the Golden Crescent Pack.

Not gold or jewels-just this.

I held the album to my chest.

In the barren emptiness of my heart, a tiny green sprout of warmth began to grow.

At least he remembered what I liked. He remembered to bring me something.

Maybe I wasn't such a failure after all.

The next morning, I woke up still groggy, only to find the bed empty.

I sat on the edge, staring blankly for a long time.

He must've stayed at Isolde's last night.

I should've been prepared for this.

But why did it still feel like there was a hole in my heart, bleeding fresh and hot?

With a soft "click," the bedroom door opened, and Nathaniel stepped inside. When he saw me sitting there, pale and frozen, he walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, his long legs taking up space beside me. "Seraphina, are you feeling unwell?"

I froze when I saw him. A strange flicker of joy stirred in my chest, but I quickly stood up from the bed. "I'm fine."

"What happened? Tell me."

Tell him?

Tell him I don't want a divorce? Tell him we're expecting Little Howler?

He brought me a gift, and he didn't stay at Isolde's last night... does that mean he still feels something for me?

If I begged him to stay, would he?

I opened my mouth, but before I could speak, he added, "Even if I'm not your mate, I'm still your brother. If something's bothering you, you can tell me."

My throat tightened, the words stuck, bitter as sand in my mouth, and I couldn't say what I had planned.

After a long pause, I forced a smile and turned to Nathaniel. "I'm really fine. Go downstairs first. I'll be down after I wash up."

Nathaniel studied me, loosening his collar, his lips tight. "Seraphina, we haven't even finished Moon's Lament yet, and you're already trying to distance yourself from me?"

I moved my lips, swallowing the bitter lump in my throat, and shook my head with a smile. "I'm not."

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes, his face darkening with displeasure. "Since you don't want to talk, I won't force you. I'll head to the company."

Without another word, he turned and left the room.

As the door clicked shut behind him, I couldn't hold my smile any longer.

What was he angry about?

Was it because Isolde had come back? Was that why he seemed even more impatient with me?

I struggled to lift the corners of my mouth, but they sank, heavier than before-more pitiful than tears.

Silvermoon Enterprises.

My human assistant, Elowen, rushed in, her footsteps quick and urgent. "Director Seraphina, Mirella's agent is asking for a call!"

Silvermoon Enterprises' upcoming new season clothing campaign, set to launch with Valmonté & Roussier International (V&R), had secured the rising star Mirella as its spokesperson. She's a recent idol among humans with a massive following, and her youthful, vibrant image was a perfect fit for this season's theme.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"She didn't say. She insists you take the call yourself."

I picked up the receiver. "Hello, Callista?"

As soon as Mirella's agent, Callista, heard my voice, her tone flared with anger. "Director Seraphina, if you think Mirella's popularity doesn't meet your standards for V&R, just say it! Mirella doesn't have to be your spokesperson! We've already turned down other endorsements, and now you're backing out, planning to replace her? Are you toying with us? You need to give us an explanation!"

I stayed calm. "Callista, take a breath. Mirella is our spokesperson. We have no intention of changing that."

She let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, you didn't know? Your PR director personally called to say you're replacing her!"

My voice tightened. "Callista, I'll look into this right away. I'll make sure Mirella gets a proper explanation."

I hung up, my face darkening. I stood up and made my way straight to the PR department, the sound of my heels echoing sharply through the halls.

The staff had no idea that Silvermoon Corp. was controlled by powerful werewolves. Only a select few in the company were like us. In the three years I'd been here, Tessa, the PR director, had made my life difficult more than once.

"This is going to be good," I overheard some employees whispering as they noticed my storming departure. "Tessa and Director Seraphina never get along."

I marched straight into Tessa's office, not bothering with pleasantries. "Tessa, explain yourself about Mirella's endorsement!"

Tessa, unbothered by my sudden appearance, slowly crossed her arms and gave me an insincere smile. "Director Seraphina, no need to be so angry. Sit down, let's talk."

"Stop pretending," I snapped, my voice sharp. "The project brief has already been approved by CEO Blackwood. Why are you meddling in V&R's decision?"

Tessa wasn't backing down. "So what if I am? Who do you think you are, barking at me? If it weren't for your dead father, you wouldn't even be here at Silvermoon Corp., let alone in the V&R director's chair. Maybe you should take a good look at yourself in the mirror!"

Yes, humans didn't know that my father had been the Beta of the Silvermoon Crest Pack, killed in battle for the pack's honor. To them, he was just the man who died saving the founder of Silvermoon Corp. from a car accident-the same founder who had been the old Alpha of the pack.

I glared at Tessa, my voice cold. "You have no right to comment on how I entered this company."

I would not tolerate anyone insulting my father.

Several employees had noticed the growing tension and now quietly watched us, their gazes shifting from their computer screens to us.

"So what? Am I wrong?" Tessa sneered. "You only got into Silvermoon Corp. because of your dead father's connections. You're the one who seduced Nathaniel, aren't you?"

Tessa laughed disdainfully, her eyes filled with mockery. Then, with a flicker of jealousy, she added, "What a shame. Ms. Isolde's back! You wanted to offer Nathaniel your body, but he doesn't even want you. If your father knew-"

Slap-

The room fell silent. The sharp sound of the slap rang through the air, and though I tried to calm the wolf inside me, Tessa's words had stirred a rage I couldn't suppress.

Employees gasped, exchanging uneasy glances.

Tessa, stunned, held her cheek, her expression one of disbelief. Through clenched teeth, she spat, "Seraphina! How dare you hit me! I'll say it, since you're such a shameless daughter-your father deserved to die the way he did. He should've-"

"Since you don't understand what respect is, let me teach you," I hissed, my anger seething.

Without another word, I raised my hand to strike her again-but before I could, a strong hand gripped my wrist, stopping me.

I froze, turning in shock. My heart skipped a beat when I saw who had intervened. "Nathaniel..."