Chapter 19
354words
If only he'd fought harder, perhaps he could have won her back.
But watching snow fall outside his Scottish castle, he'd realize—fate had been sending warnings all along.
At fifteen, his birthday gift to her delivered to the wrong address.
At sixteen, standing for hours at their meeting spot while she never appeared.
At seventeen, their silent, painful parting.
At eighteen, making call after call from the Scottish highlands that never went through.
At nineteen, watching his heartfelt letter return unopened as snow fell outside.
And at twenty.
The flight he couldn't take, the Christmas promise broken, the apology she never heard.
…
Their ending had been writing itself for years.
Over and over and over.
He'd consoled himself—someday he'd return, stronger and wiser, and claim her properly.
Once he'd proven himself as Grey Pack's Alpha, he'd return to her, humble and worthy, apologizing for his youthful arrogance.
Then they would begin again.
But he'd forgotten something crucial.
Seven years was an eternity.
And time changed everything it touched.
For wolves who refused to adapt, fate would force their hand.
So came her polite confusion at their reunion—"Can I help you?"
And that devastating declaration—"Sebastian is my partner."
Snow falling around him, his eyes burning with unshed tears.
Through mutual acquaintances, he learned of her engagement to Sebastian.
Sebastian's gaming company had gone public. The vampire was now a millionaire.
No longer a kept vampire dependent on her blood.
Worthy of standing beside her.
He'd said nothing for a long time after hearing the news.
Because deep down, he'd always known.
Realizing this, he could only laugh at his own foolishness.
Two hundred years old, this ancient werewolf.
Still pining like a lovesick pup.
He gazed out at the snow-covered highlands, drawing a deep breath.
Full moon night.
He shifted into his massive black wolf form.
He raised his muzzle and howled—
The ancient lament of a wolf who had lost his only Mate.
The sound echoed across the silent mountains, carrying for miles.
He padded alone into the distance, disappearing into the deep snow.
…
