CHAPTER 002
1084 Words
The Soil I Decided to Leave Behind
I had a dream job offer from Alpha Silvan Gerber months ago. I used to excel at Silvervale Academy, and he wanted me to take charge of the farm project there. I got to know Lucien Eigenmann there, where I established my reputation in the fields of agriculture and pack sustainability.
As a child, I was captivated by animals and crops. I created lists detailing livestock schedules, developed maps for crop rotation, and conducted research on soil while other children played. I developed a harvest strategy by the age of sixteen that produced tangible outcomes. By the age of twenty, the Alpine Shadow Pack was using my work in actual projects.
I was at my best five years ago when Lucien proposed to me. The Department of Alpine Agriculture was making offers to me. However, I chose love. I put my dreams away and joined the Matterhorn Pack as Luna.
However, two years later, Silvan called once more. Food shortages and dying crops were signs that their land was failing. I was necessary for him. I sent as many supplies as I could spare. However, I declined. This was where I belonged. I told myself, anyway.
The ambush followed. I almost died with Lea. My daughter was unable to attend. And Lucien went straight to Jonas after discovering us. Not me. Not her. He walked by us like we were shadows, his wife and mate bleeding.
He was named after Luna. is not visible on purpose.
What was left, then? What kind of home treats Luna as a ghost?
I called.
I said steadily into the phone, "I'm coming back to the Alpine Shadow Pack."
"Finally," Silvan uttered. "I'll forward the files. You simply organize things.
"I'm grateful. I promise not to disappoint you.
I remained motionless after I hung up. That was it. I made the decision.
However, I still had tasks to complete.
I prepared Lucien's lunch. Lucien's lunch consisted of oats and pheasant. For the workers repairing the eastern barracks, I added an extra routine. A farewell, perhaps. The group was small, quiet, and decisive.
It wasn't all awful with this pack. They welcomed me here. When I got there, they gave me a sense of security. They showed no concern that I wasn't a native of this place.
However, no amount of goodwill from the others could mend the rifts in my home. within my heart.
What were we holding onto if Lucien was unable to support me during our most challenging time?
I made my way to the Alpha's office through the hallways. No one asked me why I was there. After all, I was the Luna. I nodded, grinned, dropped the food, and continued.
My phone then buzzed. An email appeared on my screen. Silvan is back in action. Transfer documents.
This event is taking place. It's true.
I promised myself that I would print it later in Lucien's office. I had to take a breath first.
I heard murmurs coming from the adjacent room as I turned to go. They were unaware of my presence.
"You ought to have noticed it! Is Lucien in the clinic now? Lucien brought flowers and the upscale chocolates for Jonas to present to Mia.
"He's being really kind about the entire situation. Jonas most likely needed the consolation after everything he had been through.
"Do you believe Hazel is actually his son?"
Perhaps. They claim that Jonas and Lucien are already destined to be together.
I gasped. No. No. That isn't possible.
"They cannot be partners! Jonas has a husband.
Yes, but I've heard that it's not her true partner. It occurs frequently. Lunas and Alphas marry, even if their fates do not align. Like Lucien and—"
I stepped in before they could finish their conversation.
"Is that true?"
They went cold.
"Luna Selene—we didn't see you."
Their faces went white. My chest ached.
The door then slammed open.
"Hazel is down, Beta! They are attempting to stabilize him due to heart failure.
---
It felt like a trap in the medical wing. It all smelled of tension and bleach. Lucien put his arms around Jonas, and I leaned against the wall. She cried into his chest. He ran his hands lightly down her arms.
He treated me as though he had never touched me before.
I sat in the same spot two days ago. By themselves. learning that my daughter had left. There was no tender hug to be given. All I could hear was silence. Lucien was here now, holding Jonas as if she were everything.
She noticed me when she looked up.
"Luna Selene... I apologize. Our relationship has always been close. He was merely consoling me—"
Lucien interrupted her.
"Jonas, you don't have to explain."
He kept his hand on her shoulder. I hadn't heard him speak so softly in years. Perhaps never.
I tightened my jaw. I balled my hands into fists.
Stiff, icy, and furious, I stood there.
They had lost sight of me. Perhaps they didn't.
Had he loved her all his life? When she married, was I merely a fallback option?
At school, we first met. For months, Lucien pursued me. He gave me the impression that he was my true love, but I continued to search for him. He told me that we would get married if neither of us found our soulmates by the age of seventeen.
So we did.
Five years. We spent five years pretending that fate didn't exist.
However, it might have.
Perhaps destiny was always waiting to fix our error.
The paramedics left. There were just the three of us in that tiny, white corridor. Buzzing lights. The smell of medication lingered.
"This time, we need to get real help for Hazel," Jonas muttered.
Lucien gave a nod. "We'll bring in experts. We will do whatever is necessary.
That was it.
I turned and left. Quick.
"Selene—"
I didn't turn around.
My feet drummed on the ground. The trail follows. Next, mud. The woods engulfed me.
Move, run, and go.
My wolf took over, and the rain hit my fur. Her breath found its way into mine.
Run. Simply run.
She muttered, "You're not prey."
So what am I?
"Remain calm, Selene. Lucien is not your partner. His love is not necessary for you to be whole.
She was correct.
I'm invisible to him. But now I recognize myself.
I've finished hiding.
- Writer
