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173
Lucy
Without blinking or hesitation, Diana launched an attack. “How dare you! How dare you talk to Lucy like that?”
“Diana, please stop,” I pleaded, reaching for her arm. The last thing I wanted was violence against those who protected my daughter. “They’re Scarlett’s people.”
She whirled to face me, eyes blazing. “But they are treating you rudely,” she spat. “I won’t stand and watch you being treated like that.”
With lightning speed, she spun and delivered a powerful kick to one of the guards. He flew backward, landing hard with a pained cry that made me wince.
“You...” The remaining guards growled in unison, closing ranks. They launched themselves at Diana, who moved with the fluid grace of a skilled fighter, evading their attacks effortlessly.
A smirk played across her lips. “You’re not worth it,” she taunted.
She was about to strike again when a howl—deeper, more powerful than anything we’d heard yet—reverberated through the clearing.
The very air seemed to vibrate with its authority, and I knew instinctively that this was no ordinary pack member. This was an Alpha.
My heart leaped with joy. Scarlett’s mate… he was here.
“How dare you hurt my people?” The voice carried power and barely contained rage. “What do you want?”
And then he appeared, striding into the clearing with the confidence of a born leader.
He was magnificent—tall and powerful, with broad shoulders that spoke of strength contained, and eyes that held both intelligence and ferocity. Every inch the Alpha.
Those eyes found mine, and I witnessed the shock of recognition ripple across his features.
A lifetime of memories flooded back to me in that instant—a small boy visiting our pack with his father, eyes wide with wonder and respect.
“Finn,” I called out his name. “Is that you?”
That young, tiny boy was now the Alpha of a powerful pack. Questions tumbled through my mind—what of his father? The pack he was heir to when last I knew him?
“Ma’am,” he answered back. I guess he still recognized me. “Why are you here?”
I stepped forward. “I’m here for my daughter—the Luna of this pack.”
His shock was palpable, eyebrows shooting upward, lips parting in surprise. I wasn’t surprised by his reaction; I had been so protective of Scarlett, hiding her from curious eyes, sheltering her from those who might exploit or fear her extraordinary powers.
I had kept her isolated, friendless—I had even concealed the true extent of her abilities from her own father, allowing him to believe only that she had met her wolf earlier than most.
“You mean Scarlett?”
“Yes,” I affirmed. “She is the one.”
What happened next stunned me into silence. The powerful Alpha before me rushed forward, then dropped to his knees at my feet, his head bowed in a gesture of profound respect.
“Please rise,” I said, uncomfortable with his act. “You’re an Alpha, and you should always behave like one.”
“I know,” he replied, raising his eyes to mine. “But you are more important than my title.”
Gratitude washed over me in a warm wave. Thank you, Moon Goddess, I prayed silently. Thank you for giving me back my life and blessing my daughter with a worthy mate.
“Rise,” I commanded gently, and he obeyed immediately. “Where is she?”
“She’s in the pack,” he answered, getting to his feet.
“Please allow me to see her,” I implored, unable to keep the desperate longing from my voice.
“As you wish, ma’am.”
He led us personally through his territory, and I couldn’t help but admire what I saw. His pack radiated strength and unity—wolves nodded respectfully as we passed, their eyes curious but disciplined.
Children played freely, their laughter a testament to the security they felt. This was a well-led pack, a tribute to the man who walked before us.
Finally, we stopped before an elegant building that I assumed must be the Alpha’s residence.
“We are here,” he announced.
I reached blindly for Diana’s hand, suddenly terrified. What if Scarlett rejected me?
What if she had grown to hate the mother who abandoned her?
What if years of suffering had hardened her heart against me? A thousand fears clawed at my throat, making it difficult to breathe.
What could be my fate?
“It’s okay,” Diana whispered, squeezing my trembling hand. Her eyes held nothing but reassurance. “You’re not a bad mother.”
It was as if she had read the darkest corners of my mind. I released a shaky breath, trying to steady myself as Finn opened the door.
“You’re back, Finn.” A soft, melodious voice drifted from within—a voice that struck a chord deep in my soul.
“Yes,” Finn replied, his tone rich with affection. “I’m back with someone you’ll be pleased with.”
“Who?” The question was tinged with curiosity.
Even from a distance, I could feel the deep connection between them, the invisible bond of true mates that went beyond words.
“Your mother.” Finn’s voice softened further as he delivered these world-altering words. “Please come in.”
The door swung wider, revealing the figure standing within.
I gasped, the sound escaping involuntarily as my eyes drank in the sight of her.
This is her. My baby girl.
She stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes—so like mine—wide with disbelief. She had grown into a woman of extraordinary beauty, her features a perfect blend of mine and Alaric’s.
Hot tears blurred my vision, streaming unchecked down my face.
I wanted to run to her, to gather her in my arms and never let go, but my feet seemed rooted to the ground, fear and longing warring within me.