Too Late, the Luna Has Already Moved On

Chapter 5 – Moving Out

Angela's POV

I got up.

Slowly. One hand braced on the floor, then my knee, then upright.

Silvia was still screaming. I pushed her down and locked her there.

You can't just—

Watch me.

Cameras were everywhere. I didn't look at them.

Jake was watching me with ice in his expression — that particular cold that meant I had embarrassed him. He wanted me to speak. To smooth it over, turn to Adrienne with something generous, give the crowd a Luna moment they could respect.

I felt the pain still moving through my lower abdomen.

I turned my back to him.

"I sympathize with Ms. Adrienne's condition," I said. Even. Voice carrying despite everything. "That's all."

"So you two are friends now?" someone called out.

I laughed. One cold sound.

"Friends?" I said. "No one befriends a woman who makes a career of wanting someone else's mate."

A ripple went through the crowd.

Angela. Jake's voice through the mind-link. A warning wrapped around my name.

The bond surged when he linked me directly. Sharp and unwanted, like a hand grabbing my elbow. Seven years of conditioning — every time he called, I answered.

Not this time.

I ignored it.

Rosalie materialized at my side. She took one look at the scene — at Adrienne's carefully arranged expression, at the phones still recording — and turned to face them.

"Funny," Rosalie said, loud enough to carry. "Looking at this, I'd think she was the Luna and Angela was the one fighting for scraps."

Adrienne's composure cracked. "You—"

"On camera," Rosalie added pleasantly. "Just noting."

Adrienne's face went stormy. Her knees buckled — graceful, timed — and two of her people caught her before she reached the floor.

Rosalie took my arm and walked.

We made it to the elevator before either of us spoke.

"She faked it," Rosalie said.

"I know."

"I've watched a hundred real faints. That wasn't one."

"Rose." I looked at her. "What about your job?"

She waved it off. "My father runs this department. I'll survive." The elevator opened. "What I want to know is whether you can endure it too."

I didn't answer that.

Luna quarters. Two hours later.

"Help me move out," I said, grabbing Rosalie's wrist the moment we were through the door. "Today. Right now."

She looked at me for one long moment. "Okay," she said.

We called omegas to help with the heavy work. Rosalie directed them. I started with the shelves.

My hands found the perfume bottle before I was ready for it.

Jake had brought it back from a business trip — our first month as mates, when his wolf was still new to the bond and pulled him home faster than he'd planned. I took the cap off.

Same scent. Exactly the same.

Don't, Silvia said softly. Put it down. Don't let it pull you back.

I put the cap back on.

I set it on the table. Next to it I placed the wolf fang pendant — our first hunt together, the matching set, his version unworn in some drawer I'd never been invited into.

The omegas worked fast. An hour later the Luna quarters were empty. Everything I owned was boxed and loaded except for two things in a drawer and a room that still smelled faintly like a life I'd built by hand.

I stood in the doorway and looked at it.

The bond gave one low pull. Not asking for anything. Just acknowledging the distance.

Silvia, I said. Are we doing the right thing?

A long pause. Then: I don't know. But we're doing the only thing.

I turned off the light and walked out.

In the car, the packhouse shrank in the rearview mirror.

I watched it go.

My father's death. The investigation I'd put on hold for seven years because Jake had always come first.

I pulled out my phone. The message from my producer was still open.

Count me in, I typed. I sent it before I could change my mind.

Adrienne’s POV

Fireflies Packhouse.

Tears poured down my face.

Jake was whispering in my ear. His hand was on my back and his mouth was making the sounds that the moment required, but I could tell his mind was on other things

He had a look on his face as if he was at war with his wolf at the moment. Arguing. Struggling for the upper hand.

After what happened.

I smiled smugly.

Beatrice chortled. Clearly pleased with the outcome.

Haha. Did you see her take that fall? That b***h deserves everything that’s coming to her.

Oh, that’s only the beginning, I told my wolf.

"Jake," I said, snapping back to the present moment. My voice rough from crying. "Please don't blame Angela for today."

Then the cough. A hard one. Blood hit my palm.

"Adrienne—"

I shook her head. Pale smile. "It's just the curse. Don't."

I heard him shout. “Don’t worry, Adrienne. I got you. I’ll link the nearest healer right now.”

The moment Jake's back was turned I palmed the blood pouch and handed it to Sandra.

"Dispose of that."

I settled back against the cushions and opened the pack channel. The posts were still running — Angela's fall on loop, screencapped and shared.

Step down. Step aside. Let him go.

Angela fell flat on her face and still had the nerve to speak.

"Today was perfect," I said. "Keep pushing it. I want the pressure on her constant." I set the phone face-down. "And find out why she was at the Healers' Quarters."

Sandra hesitated. "You think she's—"

"I think Angela doesn't do anything without a reason." I looked at the ceiling. "Find out what hers was."