172

172
Lucy
“Where is my daughter?” The question burst from my lips, raw and desperate.
My hands trembled as I clutched Diana’s arm, my fingers digging into her flesh. “Do you perhaps know where she is?”
Diana’s eyes softened with understanding. She nodded slowly, her expression gentle. “Yes. She is the Luna of the Crescent Pack,” she replied, watching me carefully for my reaction.
I should have felt relief—my daughter alive, safe, respected, powerful even.
But the ache in my chest only deepened, a cavernous emptiness that throbbed with each heartbeat.
My beautiful baby. The memory of her infant face swam before my eyes—those wide, trusting eyes, the tiny fingers that had once curled around mine.
I swallowed hard against the burning in my throat, my body physically aching with the need to hold her.
“Let’s go there,” I pleaded, seizing Diana’s hand. My fingers interlaced with hers, squeezing so tightly I saw her wince. “Please.”
Diana’s face creased with concern. “Okay. Okay. We will do that, Lucy.” She hesitated, her eyes traveling over my exhausted face. “But you need some rest, I think.”
“No,” I insisted, my voice suddenly fierce. The thought of delaying even one moment more was unbearable. “I don’t need any rest, Diana. I have been resting“—I spat the word like poison—”for so long that I forgot my baby girl for many years." Tears threatened, but I blinked them back fiercely. “It is time. Time for me to meet her again.”
Diana watched as I spoke. It was as if she were thinking of something. We were still talking when her mate came in.
“I think you should go,” he whispered, his deep voice surprisingly gentle for a man of his stature.
I felt a smile tug at my lips despite the storm raging inside me. He was still the same shy, considerate man I’d known years ago—the perfect counterbalance to Diana’s fiery spirit.
Rising unsteadily to my feet, I reached out to touch his arm. “Thank you so much,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “For everything. For taking good care of my friend.” I couldn’t resist a knowing smirk as Diana’s cheeks flushed crimson.
“The car is ready,” he announced, ducking his head to hide his own blush. His love for Diana was as evident as the air we breathed. “You both can go together.”
“Okay. Thank you.” Diana’s fingers wrapped around mine as she led me toward the door, but not before standing on tiptoe to press a lingering kiss to her mate’s lips.
As we settled into the comfortable leather seats of the waiting car, I glanced at my old friend sitting by the window. Time had treated her well—she wore her years with elegance, with lines of laughter framing her eyes.
“So good to see you living well, Diana,” I said, genuine warmth coloring my words despite the anxiety gnawing at my insides.
“All thanks to you, Lucy,” she muttered. “If not for you…”
I noticed the familiar change in her voice, the slight quiver that hinted at tears.
Before she could delve into our past and express her gratitude, which would likely lead to tears, I gently interrupted.
“It’s all in the past,” I said firmly, reaching across to squeeze her hand. “You’re my friend, and that’s what friends do.”
“Yes,” she conceded, her shoulders slumping with dejection. Her eyes, when they met mine, swam with unshed tears. “I’m sorry. I was unable to protect your own.”
The dam broke, tears spilling down her cheeks in glistening tracks. “I’m sorry I was unable to protect your daughter. I failed you, Lucy.”
My heart constricted painfully. “No, you didn’t,” I insisted, leaning forward to cup her face in my hands. “You didn’t fail me, honey.”
“I did.” She shook her head violently, tears flying from her lashes. “Despite everything you’ve done for me, I still failed in protecting your child.”
You did nothing wrong," I reassured her, though the mention of my daughter’s suffering reopened the wound in my heart. “I’m sure Alaric never allowed you to see the child, let alone take her away.”
I paused, bitterness seeping into my voice. “He would be scared of letting her out of his sight because Scarlett is the real Alpha. My blood runs in her veins.”
Pride and fury mingled in my chest, a combustible combination. “My mate had no right to be the Alpha or run a pack—he was just a rogue who got lucky to be mated to me.”
“I hate him,” Diana suddenly screamed, her voice filling the confined space of the car. Her eyes flashed with a ferocity that made even me draw back slightly. “I can’t wait to peel off his skin.”
“He’s only jealous,” I replied, my lips curling into a contemptuous sneer.
The hatred I felt for Alaric was a living thing, coiled like a serpent in my belly. “He was insecure. He thought I would betray him and ask him to step down from my position.”
My voice softened, an old ache resurfacing. “But I loved him. I loved him so much.”
“He never loved you,” she stated. “He was just in love with you because of your title. Your rank.”
“I know,” I admitted. “But I knew too late.”
“Hmmm,” Diana exhaled heavily, seeming to gather her thoughts. “But I was still wondering about—”
Before she could complete her question, the driver’s voice cut through our conversation.
“We’re here, ma’am,” he announced.
My heart leapt into my throat. I fumbled with the door handle, suddenly clumsy with anticipation, and practically tumbled out of the car.
Diana followed more gracefully, coming to stand beside me as I stared at the territory spread before us.
“This is where she lives?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
The reality of being so close to my daughter after so many years made my knees weak.
The air here smelled different—pine sap, fresh grass, something that made my wolf stir restlessly beneath my skin. As if she recognized something. Or someone.
“Yes, she’s their Luna,” Diana confirmed.
Together we approached the pack border, my heart hammering so violently I was certain it would break through my ribs.
Just as we were about to cross the invisible boundary that marked pack territory, a furious howl split the air.
“How dare you!” A dangerous howl stopped me.
“I’m Lucy, the Luna of this pack’s mother,” I replied, the words feeling strange on my tongue—half-forgotten identity meeting new reality.
Diana’s hand found mine, squeezing gently in silent support.
“You’re what?” the disembodied voice demanded, as a figure emerged from the shadows of the trees. “You’re our Luna’s mother?”
“Yes,” I responded, infusing my voice with all the confidence I could muster, though inside I felt like shattered glass held together only by will. “I’m Scarlett’s mother.”
I could see what they were thinking on their faces. The rejection was written in every line of their posture—they didn’t believe me. Not one of them.
“Go back, intruders. We don’t welcome you.”
“How dare you!” Diana growled at them. “Even if you don’t know her, don’t you recognize me as well?”
A tense silence followed, the guards exchanging uncertain glances before one finally spoke.
“We are sorry, Female Beta of the Stone Ridge Pack, but we don’t welcome you here.”
Shock rendered me speechless. My chest tightened with rising panic.
How could I possibly see my baby girl when I wasn’t even allowed to step into their land?
“Please,” I pleaded. “Allow me to see my baby girl.”
“We all know our Luna’s mother is dead,” the guard replied coldly. “Stop the pretense and get lost before we attack.”
“I won’t leave,” I vowed. “Not until I see my daughter.”