Chapter 14
907words
Aiden, the once-invincible Alpha, had become a reviled cheater, scorned by all.
The smaller packs that had once pledged fealty to Black Moon issued statements overnight, severing their alliances.
When a wall starts to crumble, everyone gives it a push.
As for Cassia, she was doxxed by countless furious werewolves. Her modeling agency not only terminated her contract but also sued her for an astronomical sum, citing "severe damage to the brand's image."
I heard she couldn't even go out for medicine without having rotten eggs thrown at her.
I stared at the screen, my heart a still, stagnant pool.
Because at that moment, I felt like a ghost from another life.
I turned off my phone, as if shutting the door on the suffocating first half of my life.
My name now was Serena.
This was a small, neutral town in the North where humans and werewolves coexisted, far from any pack conflicts. It was a quiet town, where the only sounds were the wind and the snow.
I ran a small art gallery.
No one knew who I was. No one knew I was once the tragically deceased "Elara."
"Serena, this painting is crooked."
A warm, deep male voice came from behind me.
I turned around.
Kael was standing by the ladder, his hands helping me steady the heavy oil painting.
He wore a simple gray knit sweater, its sleeves rolled up to reveal strong, well-defined forearms.
He was the first friend I'd made since arriving in this town. Tall, gentle, with an aura that put people at ease.
Though he deliberately suppressed his aura, I could still sense the formidable power dormant within him.
He was my neighbor, and also my landlord.
"Thanks."
I walked over and adjusted the frame.
As I got closer, a faint scent of cedarwood filled the air. It was dry and warm, completely different from Aiden's aggressive, musky scent.
Kael looked down at me, his deep brown eyes always holding a reassuring sense of tolerance.
"You look pale."
He climbed down from the ladder with the grace of a large cat. "Did you skip lunch again?"
I subconsciously touched my cheek.
Since faking my death, the aftereffects of the broken mate bond have left my wolf in a semi-dormant state. I had become extremely sensitive to the cold and had little appetite.
"I'm not very hungry," I said, avoiding his gaze as I turned to clean my brushes. "A piece of bread is enough."
"That won't do."
Kael frowned, his tone firm yet incredibly gentle. "A human body needs calories, a werewolf's even more so."
I froze, my eyes narrowed warily.
He knew I was a werewolf.
But he had never exposed me, never asked about my past. He was simply like a silent mountain, shielding me from the wind and snow.
"Sit over there and don't move."
Kael pointed to the beanbag chair by the window. "Ten minutes."
With that, he walked straight into the small kitchen behind the gallery.
It was originally a place for me to make coffee, but now it had practically become his exclusive territory.
Before long, the rich aroma of beef stew wafted out, mixed with tomatoes, onions, and spices. It was the taste of my hometown.
I was stunned.
It was a dish I had mentioned in passing just a few days ago. I'd said that as a child, I loved my grandmother's red wine beef stew, but sadly, could never have it again.
Kael came out carrying a clay pot and set it on the small round table.
"Give it a try."
He poured me a glass of deep red berry wine, something he'd traded for from the elves. It wasn't strong and was perfect for warming up.
"I tried to replicate it," he said, "but I'm not sure how close I got."
He untied his apron and sat across from me, his eyes filled with the eager anticipation of a boy waiting for praise.
I picked up a spoon and took a sip of the broth.
Warmth slid down my throat and into my stomach, chasing away the day's chill.
My eyes suddenly stung.
"It's delicious," I said in a low voice. "Thank you, Kael."
"Don't mention it."
He smiled, refilling my glass. "You're my tenant," he teased. "If you starve to death, who's going to pay my rent?"
In truth, since arriving here, I had deliberately kept my distance from everyone. The trauma made me afraid to trust anyone again, afraid to open my heart.
But Kael put me at ease.
The northern lights spread across the night sky like a green silk ribbon.
The gallery was unlit, save for the dancing flames in the fireplace.
We sat there in silence, sharing the pot of steaming beef and drinking the sweet fruit wine.
The alcohol brought a faint flush to my cheeks, and the nerves that had been perpetually wound tight finally began to loosen.
I turned to look at the aurora outside the window, a little lost in thought.
"It's so beautiful."
"Yes, it is."
Kael's voice was very close, right by my ear.
I turned back, only to meet his eyes, deep as the ocean.
He wasn't looking at the aurora.
He was looking at me.
"Serena."
He raised his wine glass and gently clinked it against mine, producing a clear, crisp sound.
"Welcome to your new life."
