Chapter 15
642words
The next morning, I woke to the aroma of coffee.
I habitually scrolled through the news when a bombshell headline popped up.
[Power Shift in Black Moon: Aiden Steps Down as Alpha Amid Scandal; Cousin to Act as Interim Leader, Pledges to Guide Pack Through Crisis.]
My finger hovered over the screen.
Since coming here, I had deliberately avoided all news about Aiden.
But occasionally, related headlines would still cross my screen.
This, however, was expected. Aiden's reputation was in ruins, and the smaller packs allied with Black Moon were defecting one by one.
To save the pack, the council of elders had no choice but to force his abdication.
The once-dashing "Chosen Alpha" was now a pariah, reviled by all.
I thought I would feel a sense of satisfaction.
After all, he had wounded me beyond repair.
But strangely, as I looked at the haggard and desolate photo of Aiden on the screen, I felt nothing.
It felt like looking at a complete stranger.
"Serena, morning."
Kael walked in with breakfast, interrupting my thoughts.
"Morning."
I put down my phone and took the sandwich and hot milk he offered.
After breakfast, Kael took a gilt-edged invitation from his pocket and handed it to me.
"What's this?"
"The Harvest Moon Ball," Kael explained. "It's a celebration held by the largest human-werewolf city nearby. I hear they'll have all sorts of festivities, including a traditional bonfire."
He paused, a flicker of hope in his eyes that he quickly tried to hide.
"I was thinking... if you're willing... we could go check it out together."
I looked at the exquisite invitation and hesitated.
The Harvest Moon Ball meant a lot of people, a lot of werewolves.
Although I had changed my name and even used a secret art to conceal my aura, the bone-deep fear still made me shrink back.
What if someone recognized me?
What if someone took a picture, posted it online, and it got back to Aiden?
My peaceful life had only just begun. I didn't want to risk it.
"I'm sorry, Kael."
I pushed the invitation back toward him, an apologetic smile on my face. "I'm not fond of crowded places," I said, forcing a smile. "Besides, I have to organize the new art shipments for the gallery tonight."
The light in Kael's eyes dimmed for a moment, but he quickly masked his disappointment with an understanding smile.
"That's okay, I get it. Maybe next time."
I breathed a sigh of relief, but it was followed by a pang of guilt.
Kael was so good to me, yet I was always turning down his kind offers.
On the night of the festival.
The small town was filled with laughter and cheer, and brilliant fireworks constantly bloomed in the sky over the distant city.
Only my gallery was cold and deserted.
I sat by the window, a cup of cold tea in my hands, gazing at the full moon.
Another full moon.
Every full moon used to be the sweetest time for Aiden and me. We would go to Moon Goddess Falls to pray, holding each other to feel the warmth of our bodies.
And now, I was a dead woman.
Loneliness washed over me like a tidal wave, threatening to drown me.
Just then, the doorbell suddenly chimed.
The doorbell chimed again.
Who could it be this late?
Puzzled, I walked over and opened the door.
Outside stood a tall figure.
Kael stood there in a dark trench coat, holding a large food container, a few unmelted snowflakes dusting his shoulders.
He looked at me, his deep brown eyes filled with a gentle smile.
"Serena."
He held up the container, his voice low and warm.
"Happy Harvest Moon," he said softly. "I figured you probably hadn't eaten yet."
