Six months later, my life was completely different.
Without the mate bond tying me down, I finally felt like my own person. The shelter was thriving; we even started taking in supernatural creatures from all over the country.
Derek and I were getting serious. His patience, understanding, and unconditional support helped me slowly open up again, to learn to trust and love.
“What are you thinking about?” Derek wrapped his arms around me from behind, kissing my hair.
“Just thinking about how much has changed these past few months,” I leaned back into his warmth.
“Good changes?”
“The best,” I smiled, turning to kiss him.
We were standing in the shelter’s backyard, watching the sunset paint the sea gold. Riley and the other little animals were playing on the grass. This was the life I’d always dreamed of.
“A letter came for you,” Kate walked over, handing me an elegant envelope. “Looks like a formal invitation.”
I opened it. It was an invitation to the Black Moon Pack’s new Alpha inauguration ceremony. Luke had taken Scott’s place.
“Are you going to go?” Derek asked.
I thought for a moment. “I think so. I need to really put the past behind me.”
Derek nodded. “I’ll go with you.”
Two days later, we drove to the Black Moon Pack’s territory. This place, where I’d lived for ten years, filled with so many painful memories, now seemed strangely unfamiliar.
The inauguration was solemn and simple. Luke was a fair, respected wolf. He’d be a good Alpha.
“Elena,” Luke approached me after the ceremony. “Thanks for coming.”
“Congratulations, Alpha,” I said sincerely.
Luke hesitated. “There’s something I should tell you. About Scott.”
My heart skipped a beat. “What is it?”
“Since he left that town, he’s been trying to find a way to atone,” Luke explained. “He started an organization that protects abused supernatural creatures, especially mixed–bloods and weaker ones.”
I looked at Luke, surprised. That didn’t sound like the arrogant Scott I once knew.
“Is he… is he okay?” I couldn’t help asking.
“Physically, yes,” Luke sighed. “But losing a mate bond is a heavy blow for an Alpha. He’s… changed a lot,”
I bit my lip, a mix of emotions stirring inside me. Not guilt, more like a sense of release and… reconciliation. Scott had finally understood the importance of respect and equality, even if it was too late.
“Do you know where he is?” I asked.
Luke gave me an address. It was a small sanctuary near the Canadian border.
“Are you going to see him?” Derek asked on the way back, no jealousy in his voice, only concern.
“I think so,” I said. “Not to rebuild anything. Just for a real goodbye,”
Derek squeezed my hand. “I understand. Some things need a proper ending.”
His understanding and support, once again, showed me I’d made the right choice.
The next day, I drove to the sanctuary alone. It was a peaceful forest with a simple log cabin in the middle.
Scott was outside, helping an injured young werewolf with rehabilitation exercises. He looked even thinner than the last time I saw him, but his eyes were calmer.
