I had shifted into Sylvia for days to go back to my pack. For the first time in 10 years, I felt very free. After all, it had been a long time since I ever felt like this.

Not only that, I also felt much better after my body suffered from the rogue attack and the miscarriage after I became one with Sylvia. Her healing capabilities really helped my body recover faster. In fact, I thought I became even stronger.

While I initially felt scared, I didn’t feel that scared anymore. Sylvia had been helping me in reconnecting me with my old self. Or, rather the new me that I had never discovered.

As Sylvia ran, she told me, ‘To hell with being afraid, Alexandra. We’re one. You must be true to me as I’ve always been to you, okay? See, we’re free now!’

Sylvia was right. We were free after being treated like nothing for 10 years. I deserved more than Charles. That was the truth from my little heart that I had been hiding from myself.

This time, I listened to it. If only I listened to it way earlier, I would be much happier. Still, what happened had happened. There was no use in recalling the pain from the past. So, the only thing I could do was to move forward.

A few meters away, the gates of the Silver Arrow Pack came into view. My heart felt emotions I hadn’t felt in years. Finally, I had made it home.

‘We’re home, Alexandra,’ Sylvia said as she let me take over my body, shifting into my human form.

Everything looked very different yet it still felt familiar. It felt wonderful to be back home again. The little trees I grew had grown tall and sturdy. As for the castle where I had lived, it got bigger. Still, this was my home. My very own home. This was where I belonged.

Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

Lydia definitely could sense my anxiety.

‘Your father will never abandon you,’ my wolf said, giving me the assurance I needed.

So, I braced myself to open the gate.

I was very surprised to see what I had found. After all, I hadn’t expected the welcome I received when I stepped through the gates. The Silver Arrow Pack members were already gathering. All of them were smiling.

However, my attention was quickly diverted to someone who stood in the middle of them all. That someone was my father. The Alpha of the Silver Arrow Pack, Alpha Addison Hale.

“Alexandra!“ my father called me with a gentle yet firm voice.

As soon as I heard his voice, I couldn’t help but run towards him.

“Father!“ I exclaimed.

The moment I reached the Alpha, he pulled me into a tight embrace. My tears quickly fell even though I had tried to hide it. All the feelings that I had been hiding for 10 years had come out of the surface.

‘My daughter, Alexandra, I’m so sorry that it turns out this way,’ my father said to me through the mind-link.

I quickly responded through the mind-link, ‘Thank you for receiving me home, Father. I-I’m scared that I’ll let you down, but-’

‘Nonsense, you’re my daughter and this is your pack. I should’ve said more so you won’t suffer so much,’ my father quickly cut me off through the mind-link as he wiped my tears.

That was when I realized that the Alpha had aged since I last saw him. His once thick, dark hair had lots of silver streaks. Then, there were deep lines etched across his face. Yet, his eyes still held that familiar warmth I had always known.

“You’re home,“ he said softly, pulling back just enough to look at me as he cried softly.

“I am. And I’m not leaving again,“ I whispered, my throat tightening with emotion.

“I’m glad to hear that. I miss you so much,“ my father said as he kissed my forehead.

He then continued in a reassuring tone, “We’ve missed you. The pack has missed you. So, don’t you ever feel afraid to be here, Alexandra.”

When I heard that, my heart felt very warm. I had no idea how long it had been for my heart to feel this warm. Truly, I felt very touched.

Then, I glanced around at the familiar faces of the pack members who had gathered to greet me. They were all smiling so sincerely, unlike the Black Rose Pack members. It made me realize that this was indeed my true home. These people were my family.

“And I’ve missed all of you,“ I replied to all the pack members as I felt a sense of belonging I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Just as I was about to say more, I heard a familiar voice behind me.

“Well, if it isn’t my long-lost sister!“

I turned around to see Matthew Hale, the rogue my father had taken in years ago. The rogue had grown up in our pack when my mother, the late Luna Wylla, had begged our father to take him in and raise him as the heir since werewolf packs couldn’t be inherited to a woman.

Even though we weren’t related by blood, I had always seen Matthew as a little brother. My foster little brother had grown to the point that I barely recognized him. Not only that, the young man had become confident yet still very cheeky.

“Matthew!“ I called his name as he pulled me into a playful hug.

I couldn’t help but hug him back tightly as I exclaimed, “You’ve gotten taller since I last saw you.“

“And stronger,“ he added as he winked and flexed his muscles.

The young man then continued, “I’ve been working hard, you know. Keeping the pack in shape while you were off having fun with the Black Rose Pack.“

I rolled my eyes at his teasing as I told him, “I wouldn’t call it having fun.”

Matthew laughed, but there was something in his eye. In fact, it made me even pause for a while. The young man looked at me with more than just the affection of a brother. There was a softness behind those eyes that I had never noticed before.

It made me think to myself, ‘Could it be that he …’

However, I quickly brushed it off. I told myself that I was imagining things.

To my surprise, Sylvia then told me, ‘You have no idea that there is always another chance, Alexandra.’

Before I could speak, my wolf continued, ‘The Moon Goddess rarely gives us such blessings to have another chance for a mate.’

What Sylvia said stunned me. But I still had no idea on what to do. So, I just kept quiet as I looked back at Matthew who kept looking at me … longingly.

“You’ve done a good job, Matthew. The pack is in good hands with you around,“ my father sincerely complimented my foster brother, clapping him on the shoulder.

When Matthew heard it, his eyes got brighter. That made me also happy. Yet, my attention was quickly diverted by the way his eyes kept looking at me. I noticed that those eyes were lingering a little too long before he turned back to my father.

“I’m just doing my part, Alpha. Anything to help the pack,“ he said with a shrug.

Somehow, I couldn’t help but smile. My heart felt very warm. It was clear to me that Matthew, who had worked hard, had shown results from his strict training. Not only that, he even became a vital part of our pack as he was able to help my father even more than me.

As we walked toward the castle, I told Matthew, “You’ve really grown into a good future Alpha.”

My foster brother just glanced back at me as his rough face softened when he responded, “Well, I’ve had Father. He’s a very good teacher.”

The Alpha, my father, smiled when he heard Matthew praising him.

“But … it’s really good to have you back, Alex. The pack hasn’t been the same without you,“ he continued.

When I heard it, I couldn’t help but feel very touched by what he said. After all the things I had experienced, I knew that I needed someone to support me. Not even Charles could do that. Yet, Matthew became my new support.

“It’s good to be back,“ I said quietly as I looked at the familiar castle where I used to live.

I continued as I tried to smile, but my voice betrayed me when I spoke, “I’ve missed this place. I’ve missed … everything.“

For a moment, I could feel that Matthew was looking at me as if he was searching for something in my eyes.

“You’ve changed since the last time I saw you,“ he said, sounding worried.

I nodded my head as my smile faded away before I told him, “A lot of things … happened, Matthew.”

Matthew’s gaze lingered on me as if he wished to know more, but he didn’t press further because I kept quiet.

But he shocked me when he said, “I hope I can be a source of comfort for you.”

After that, Matthew quickly changed the subject of our conversation. My foster brother told me all about the pack’s latest achievements, the challenges they had faced, and how he had helped my father maintain their influence. It was clear that the young man had stepped up into a good leader.

In the future, he surely would be a good Alpha. My father had raised my foster brother right because this young man had grown into a strong, capable leader. I was also proud.

Yet, there was also something else too.

I could feel it in the way Matthew kept looking at me, the way his voice softened when he spoke to me, and the way he often held my hand as we strolled around the castle. While there was a sense of familiarity between us, there was also something new that I never knew that it would happen.

Again, what my wolf had said kept coming back into the back of my mind.

‘Could it be that Matthew … is my second chance?’ I thought to myself.

The things that happened between Matthew had bothered me.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t ask Sylvia as she was resting inside me after running for days, which was expected. Since I wasn’t sure what to make of it when it came to Matthew, I kept my responses polite and focused more on the pack. Besides, there was also another thing that I had in mind.

I found myself sitting by the fireplace inside my room after I settled back into my old room. My father also helped me settling here, so he sat next to me. When I looked at him, the Alpha looked tired, more so than I had ever seen him before. That worried me.

“Father,“ I began, glancing over at him.

My father quickly looked back at me as if he told me to go on.

So, I started to talk again, “I’ve been thinking … I want to help the pack more. By leaving the Black Rose Pack, I’m aware that I’ve disappointed our pack. But I promise to make you proud.”

The Alpha smiled gently as he told me, “You’re never a disappointment, Alexandra. You always make me and your mother proud. But you said that you want to help me? May I know how?”

“I’ve always wanted to become the pack doctor,“ I told my father from the bottom of my heart with my voice steady.

After that, I looked back at my father as he said, “Since I’m back now, I think it’s time I started learning.”

My father looked at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. It made me nervous. Since I knew my father very well, I knew that when he had a blank expression would mean that he was thinking hard about it.

‘What if he refuses?’ I thought to myself as I kept waiting for a response from my father.

To my relief, the Alpha then slowly nodded his head.

“I always knew you had a healer’s heart, Alexandra. If that’s what you want, I’ll support you,“ he said quietly.

When I heard his answer, I felt much better as I told him, “Thank you, Father. I want to help take care of you and the pack. It’s time I do more.“

He reached over and squeezed my hand as he said, “You’ve always done more than enough, my daughter. But I’m proud of you. I always have been.“

The moment Father said that to me, my tears fell again from my cheeks. I tried to stop it, but my father held my hands tightly. After that, I heard something that made me even cry.

Father asked me, “I’m sorry, Alexandra. Life must’ve been so unkind to you, no?”

I nodded quietly as I let my father hug me while he was crying. When I heard the Alpha crying, it also made me cry even more. For a while, we were crying before my father looked at me with eyes of determination.

“I’m sorry, Alexandra. I’ve failed you as my father. But don’t worry. You’ll stay here with us as you like,” he told me firmly.

Even though I hadn’t told him of my miscarriage and Charles’ affair with Hailey, I felt much more relieved. I had never felt this kind of relief, frankly speaking. Nevertheless, the burden that I had carried for years had slowly been lifted. That night, I slept like a baby.

A few days later, I got myself used to life back in the Silver Arrow Pack.

I quickly began my training with the pack doctor, Lord Alistair Pritchett. The doctor was old, but he was extremely knowledgeable. He was actually really happy to learn that I would be his apprentice as he knew me well. The training was hard, but it made me happy.

Then, a letter arrived. Immediately, I recognized the handwriting. Greta, the Black Rose Pack doctor, was the one who sent it. For a while, I hesitated. But my curiosity got the better of me before I opened it. After all, I felt unsure if I wished to read whatever news she had to share.

Eventually, I decided to brace myself because I knew that I had to know what Greta was writing. What if it was something important? What if the Black Rose Pack declared war to our pack because of me running off? Countless scenarios appeared in my mind as I opened the letter.

What Greta wrote really shocked me.

[Alexandra,

I hope this letter finds you well. Word has spread quickly that you’ve returned to your father’s pack. We all know why.

When Alpha Charles reads your letter, he seems to be shocked. I’ve never seen him like this. That man became uncontrollable. He lashed out at everyone, including Hailey. He even hurt her physically. Not only that, he blames her for your leaving.

But what scares me even now is that he hasn’t been the same since. The Alpha becomes different.

As for the pack, they miss you. They’ve started to realize that you were the heart of the Black Rose Pack. Many have spoken about how things aren’t the same without you.

They want you to come back, Alexandra. Even Charles, though he would never admit it openly, wants you back.

But whatever you decide, I understand. I only wanted to let you know what’s been happening.

Take care,

Greta]

I stared at the letter for a long time, my mind reeling with everything Greta had written. Charles had hurt Hailey? And the pack missed me?

There was a part of me that felt a flicker of satisfaction, knowing that they had finally realized what they had lost. But, frankly speaking, the rest of me … was unimpressed. It was too late.

‘Serves you right, Charles!’ I thought to myself.

Charles could be as uncontrollable as he wanted and the pack could miss me all they liked, but I wasn’t going back. I would never go back to the place that treated me as if I was a prisoner for 10 years. Never!

Without a second thought, I crumpled the letter and threw it into the fire. I watched as the flames consumed it, the words disappearing into ash.

I was free. Free from Charles, free from the Black Rose Pack, and free to live my life the way I wanted.

Over the next few days, I found myself enjoying my life in the Silver Arrow Pack. I spent time with my father, helping him with small tasks around the castle, and continued my lessons from the pack doctor. Finally, I became my old cheerful self after a long time ago.

But what I didn’t know was that my freedom wasn’t as secure as I thought.

Unbeknownst to me, Charles had sent Lucas to follow me. I only found out when our warriors had found Lucas when they were doing their routine inspection. Then, I realized one thing.

I was far from free.

I was studying my herbs at my desk in my old room with a stack of papers lying in front of me with Lord Alistair. Yet, I couldn’t focus like usual. In fact, I felt very tense since this morning.

‘Something bad is happening, but I don’t know what is,’ I thought to myself.

Not only that, Sylvia had also behaved very weirdly. She kept growling inside of me. It made me realize that something bad would happen, but I had no idea when it would happen.

Then, there was a knock at the door that startled me. Before I could answer, it swung open. It turned out to be Matthew. However, his usual carefree demeanor changed into a very tense one. Behind him stood a tall, broad figure that I hadn’t expected to see so soon.

“Alexandra, my warriors and I caught someone when we were doing our routine inspection,” Matthew said sternly.

“Please go to the hall,” he continued before he left.

Without further ado, I ended my lesson and went to the hall. The hall was already full of our warriors and elders. All of them were murmuring. Then, I saw the person that Matthew and his warriors caught.

My heart quickly sank when I realized who was behind him. It was Lucas Albright, one of Charles' most trusted warriors. His presence could only mean one thing. Charles was still trying to bring me back to the Black Rose Pack.

“What do you want, Lucas?“ I asked coldly.

Lucas stepped forward before he respectfully bowed to me.

He then said, almost in a pleading tone, “Lady Alexandra, I come with a message from Charles. He asks you to honor the betrothal promise.“

I felt my jaw tighten because of what I heard. After all, it pissed me off that Charles dared to think that I dishonored our betrothal when he was the one who betrayed it. For a while, I tried to calm myself so that I wouldn’t lash out at this poor man.

But before I could respond, my father entered the hall. His usually calm and wise face was filled with anger this time. Immediately, I shut my mouth.

“Honor the betrothal promise?“ my father repeated angrily with his Alpha voice.

The Alpha angrily continued, “After everything that bastard has done to my daughter? How dare you come here and ask for such a thing?“

Matthew stepped beside my father, glaring at Lucas, as the former told the latter, “Alpha Charles has ignored Lady Alexandra for ten years. There’s nothing left to honor.“

Lucas glanced nervously between the two men before turning back to me as he said, “Please, Lady Alexandra. Alpha Charles ... has realized his mistake. He wants to make things right.“

I sighed, stepping between my father and Matthew to calm them down.

“Let me handle this,“ I said softly.

They both nodded, but they didn’t move far.

“Charles ignored me for a decade. He hasn’t even bothered to marry me despite the betrothal, but he had no problem paying attention to Hailey,“ I told Lucas sternly.

For a while, I paused because I could feel my heart still ached at the mention of her name.

“He defended her over me during a rogue attack three months ago, Lucas. Everyone saw it. That was the final straw,” I said.

Father, Matthew, and my pack members were shocked to hear that Charles had chosen to protect Hailey over me. They were all upset, especially the Alpha and Matthew. But I calmed them down again.

When Lucas heard it, he also looked pained. But the warrior didn’t say anything. He knew I was right.

“I’ll send your words to the Alpha, Lady Alexandra,“ he eventually said something quietly.

“Please do. Matthew, escort Lucas and make sure none of his warriors would harm him,“ I told Matthew who quickly nodded and escorted Lucas out of the hall alongside our warriors.

For a moment, the room was silent. However, the tension slowly faded. My father placed a hand on my shoulder, his eyes full of concern. Surely, the Alpha wished to know more about this.

“Are you alright, Alexandra?“ he asked me.

I nodded even though my heart felt heavy as I answered his question, “I’m fine, Father. It’s over now.“

I thought I had finally put Charles and the Black Rose Pack behind me. But I was wrong. In fact, I would never expect that I would be very wrong.

A week later, I was walking through the Silver Arrow Pack’s courtyard when I heard murmurs among the pack members. I glanced around, trying to figure out what was happening. My heart skipped a beat when I saw that person. It was Charles.

The Black Rose Pack’s Alpha stood at the entrance, tall and proud as ever. Yet, the man looked very different. His face was pale and his eyes wild as they searched the courtyard.

For a while, I froze as I tried to process what happened. Did I confront him or turn away? But before I could make a decision, Charles spotted me.

“Alexandra!“ he called me out, but his tone sounded desperate.

However, I wasn’t even touched. Where was that desperation when I miscarried our baby? Where was that worry when he chose his Beta over me, his future Luna? It was all too late. So, why would I return his favor?

“What are you doing here, Charles?“ I asked curtly.

“I’ve come to take you back,“ he said, stopping just in front of me.

The Black Rose Pack’s Alpha then said, “I’m sorry, Alexandra. I made a mistake. I should have married you. I should’ve pro-”

“Stop. I don’t need to hear you. You should’ve married Hailey. She’s the one you chose, not me,“ I cut him off firmly.

When Charles heard my response, he was clearly angry. Yet, I didn’t feel scared this time. Instead, I felt disappointed.

‘Why would I ever fall to him?’ I asked myself.

As he stepped closer, he angrily told me, “I didn’t choose her over you, Alexandra! You don’t understand. I was protecting the pack-”

“From what?“ I cut him off again, but I couldn’t help but feel emotional as I recalled what I had gone through.

I angrily confronted him, “You defended Hailey while the rogues attacked me, your future Luna! How can you stand there and say you didn’t choose her over me?“

Charles opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Matthew appeared at my side. When I looked at my foster brother, he was looking at my former fiancee with hatred. Indeed, I hadn’t mentioned that I was attacked by the rogues.

“How dare you not protect your future Luna!” Matthew angrily yelled at Charles.

In fact, my foster brother grabbed my former fiancee by the collar as the former confronted the latter, “You chose to protect your Beta instead of your future Luna? What kind of Alpha does that?“

Meanwhile, Charles focused his gaze on Matthew. The moment both of them looked at each other, tension quickly built between them. Not long after that, the Black Rose Pack’s Alpha sneered mockingly at Matthew, which made my brother even angrier.

Then, Charles mockingly retorted, “What would you know about being an Alpha, Matthew? You’re just a rogue, a stray that Addison took in.“

When Matthew heard it, I could see that he was about to shift into his wolf form. Immediately, I stepped between them and I placed a hand on my brother’s chest to stop him. Although the young man was unhappy, he eventually relented.

“Enough. This isn’t about you two. This is about me,“ I said sharply.

I turned to Charles as I firmly told him, “I’m happy here. I’m not going back to the Black Rose Pack and I’m certainly not marrying you.“