Chapter 1 Chapter 1 The Day I Became a Stranger

ELORA'S POV

"Are you really going to do it?"

Selene asked me for the tenth time today. The ink of my pen hovered above the signature line as I looked down on the divorce papers, trembling ever so slightly as I was about to make the biggest decision of my life.

I'm Elora Weston----Luna of Erelis pack, daughter of Alpha Edric Parker of the Moonhaven pack, wife of Alpha Lucian Weston and his mate by choice, and mother to my only daughter, Nora. I used to be proud of those titles...and now, I'm just trying to remember who I was before it.

"I have to," I replied her with those three words I've been telling myself all day.

Selene, my best friend and the only human still brave enough to stay by my side, folded her arms and leaned against the window frame. "No, you don't. Not like this at least. You've been on that same spot, holding that same pen for hours now."

I sighed and finally dropped the pen with a soft click. "It's over, Selene. He will choose her over me. He doesn't love me anyway. So what's left for me to fight for?"

"Your daughter," Selene said without missing a beat. "Think about Nora."

The name pierced through me like a knife. I haven't seen my daughter for two months. Not since I was told my presence was confusing and unsettling for the child. That my mate-now my ex-mate-needed to move on, and so did she.

"Selene, she stopped asking for me."

"She's seven," Selene snapped, suddenly walking across the room. "They probably told her not to. Don't act like she just forgot you."

My jaw clenched. "Even if I decide to stay, Lucian has someone else now. Maya's everything I'm not-loved, accepted, born with a true blood, and she's my half-sister, how am i suppose to cope with that? And she's not carrying the mistakes I made."

Mistakes of being in love with a man who barely looks me in the eye.

Lucian Weston-my chosen mate and Alpha of the Erelis pack. Lucian has been the man of my dreams since I was a teenager, that dream remained a dream until my family ambition and a reckless night changed everything. I got pregnant with Nora and ever since we've been bound as chosen mates. One without love and affection.

But the way I see it, it's still a dream. Because now, my half-sister, Maya, turned out to be his fated mate.

"Elora," Selene crouched down beside me. "You don't have to go begging him to take you back. But don't let your daughter grow up thinking you stopped showing up because you didn't care. That's not you."

I remained quiet again as my hands found the edge of the papers again with my fingers curling around the corner.

"Just.go see her," She whispered. "Not him, not the pack members. Just her. It's your birthday, spend some time with her, El."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later in the day, I stood at the private terminal of the Cadenhart airport with my passport and travelling ticket in hand. It had been two months since I left Ashridge, a place I call home.

The flight was short, painfully short. It gave me little to no time to think. About Nora's laugh, about the way her curls would bounce when she ran to me. About how different she'd look now.

Ashridge had once been my home. Now it felt like foreign soil. But the moment my feet hit the cobblestones of the Erelis Pack's central ground, the scent hit me- the floral earthiness of home, of Nora, and even of him.

But what I didn't expect was the decorations. Gold streamers twisted between the trees. Tables were lined with desserts, lanterns strung through the courtyard. My face lit up with excitement. Maybe they hadn't forgotten. Maybe.they remembered my birthday. Selene was right, I could have foolishly signed those papers.

Then I turned to see Nora at the edge of the stairs, her once golden curls now straightened out. She wore a confused frown on her little face as she took a step forward.

"Nora," I ignored the pain in my chest and ran towards her. "I.I missed you so much."

Nora stood still, her arms by her side.

"Why now?" she asked quietly.

I froze, my hands trembling at my sides. "What?"

"Why did you choose to come now?" she asked again. "After all this time."

I blinked through the sting behind my eyes. "I.I thought today was special. I thought I should be here with you."

Nora's face twisted. "You shouldn't have come. At least not now."

I forced a smile. "Did I ruin the surprise you had for me?" I asked with a voice full of hope.

She simply walked away from me.

Then I heard It-whispers among pack members.

"DId you hear? I think Alpha Lucian's finally making it official."

I paused. Then another said;

"Some said he's announcing Maya as his Luna tonight. It's about time."

I gasped. "What?"

Their eyes widened as they saw me. "Luna Elora." They bowed and scurried off with a smirk on their faces.

Someone walked past me with a wrapped box in hand, not recognizing me, or just pretended not to.

My footsteps slowed but my heart didn't.

I walked past the crowd of packmates toward the main house. Every inch of it gleamed in preparation. My throat tightened, but still, I held onto one tiny sliver of hope. Maybe the whispers were merely rumours. Maybe the surprise was for me.

I stepped inside and all I heard was voices, laughter, and cheers.

"Bring her in!" A familiar voice called out.

My heart jumped as I turned to see.

Lucian. But not just him.

His arm was wrapped tightly around Maya, my half-sister. His lips pressed affectionately to her cheek as she giggled behind a silk tie covering her eyes.

Behind them, Nora walked in, holding Maya tightly with her little hand as she smiled brightly at her.

I stood frozen as they brought Maya to the center of the courtyard. Everyone chanted as they counted down the numbers.

"Three!"

I took a step forward, my eyes locked on my daughter.

"Two!"

Another step as a smile fought to escape.

Maybe Nora had planned this with her father, Maybe.

"One!"

Lucian pulled off the blindfold from her eyes.

"Happy birthday, Mama!" Nora shouted.

But she wasn't looking at me, she was beaming up at Maya. Maya leaned down and hugged Nora tightly, placing a kiss on her forehead.

My lips parted but no words came out.

It wasn't for me. It was never for me.

The crowd clapped. Lucian lifted Maya's hand in the air like she was some sort of prize. My half-sister basked in the attention like it was owed to her.

My throat burned. My fingers moved before I could stop them, pulling out the crumpled papers from my coat.

I reached into my purse, yanked out a pen, and in one swift stroke-the divorce papers were signed.

I stormed through the crowd. Some acknowledged me, most didn't care.

Lucian's eyes widened as he looked down at me. Then I shoved the papers into his chest.

"You don't have to pretend anymore. You win. She wins. As for me? I'm done."

Then I squared my shoulder and walked out. Past the decorations. Past the candles and fake smiles. Past the sister who wore my life like a fake crown. Past the whispers that filled the room.

As I pushed the heavy doors open, the noise behind me dimmed.

But inside, my thoughts screamed.

How stupid. How utterly naive.

I should've known better. I should've let go sooner.

I didn't belong here. Not anymore.

The walk back to the edge of the estate was a blur. All I could hear was my daughter's voice calling someone else "Mama."

I climbed into the waiting car, not bothering to look back. The tears came fast and hot, smudging my vision as the gates closed behind me.

But if I was no one to them, then I was finally free to become someone else.

Someone they wouldn't see coming.

I wouldn't beg to stay where I wasn't wanted.

I would not kneel to a mate who couldn't even remember my own birthday. I would not fight Maya for scraps of love that were never mine.

They thought it was over.

But I was never a flower that could just die.

I was the storm they will never see coming.

And I haven't even started yet.