Chapter 56

Chapter 56
  Anika:
   Before I fled from my parents’ house years ago, they only ever wanted one thing for me; the best.
   They’d always remind me, “whenever you find something that truly makes you happy, don’t ever let it go.”
   And that’s exactly what I thought I was doing when I chose Hunter. I believed he was my happiness, enough for me to defy my parents and leave everything behind just to be with him.
   But I was wrong. That wasn’t happiness.
   This—right now—is happiness. These past two months with Matteo and in this pack? They’ve have given me more joy than all the years I spent with Hunter combined.
   And yet… knowing Hunter never really wished death on me or the baby stung more than I expected. Still, maybe they’re right when they say everything happens for a reason.
   But one question refuses to leave my mind: what happens when he finds out the baby I swore was dead… is actually alive?
   “Luna, are you okay?” a voice suddenly pulls me back to the present. I look up and find Damon watching me.
   I shift awkwardly and blink. “Uhm… yes, I’m fine.”
   “Alright,” he says with a small smile. “Do you know where the Alpha is?” He checks his watch before glancing back at me. “It’s nine, and he told me to meet him here.”
   “I left him in the room. He’ll be out soon.”
   “Alright, Luna.” His smile widens, and almost as if he can read the words forming on my lips, he adds quickly, “Leah’s waiting for you outside too.”
   “Thank you.” I return his smile before turning toward the exit.
   Ever since he chose Leah as his mate, Damon has been practically glowing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this giddy and excited. It’s as if the world itself had finally settled in his hands. 
  Leah’s the same. 
  She’s recovered completely and is back on her feet, helping me more than ever at the hospital. Now she’s moved into the packhouse with Damon, and the two of them live here with us, mates bound together.
   My footsteps echo softly as I make my way to the door. When I finally reach it, I pause for a moment, spotting Leah just outside. Her head is bent, her hair falling forward, while her fingers fly across the phone screen like she’s caught up in something urgent.
   She doesn’t even notice me at first. 
  It isn’t until I step closer and call out in an excited tone, “Hey, Leah!” that her head snaps up.
   Our eyes lock.
  And instantly, she fumbles before shoving her phone into her bag like someone who’s just been caught doing something they shouldn’t. Then she pastes on a smile. “H.. hi, Anika.”
   I tilt my head, studying her. “Are you okay?”
   “Of course.” She forces another smile. “Don’t I look fine?”
   “Nope. You look like someone who just lost a fight with their reflection in the mirror.” 
  I expect her to laugh at my silly tease, like she always does. 
  But she doesn’t. And that alone tells me she isn’t fine.
   A small frown pulls at my lips. Just yesterday, she was her usual self. Bright , cheerful, and happy. Now, it feels like something’s shifted. I can’t help but wonder what could have gone wrong overnight.
   I step closer and gently rest a hand on her shoulder. “You know you’re the closest friend I have,” I say softly. “You can tell me anything, Leah. Always.”
   But she brushes it off with a light scoff. “Come on, Anika. Don’t start sounding like my mum. I told you, I’m fine.”
   “You… sounded off,” I press gently. “Did you and Damon quarrel?”
   “What? Of course not.” She lets out a small laugh, but it’s dry and humorless. “Damon isn’t the kind to quarrel.”
   “Then what is it? What’s wrong with you?”
   If it were anyone else, I’d probably let it go. But this is Leah. My friend. The one I’ve grown to lean on, the one who’s been by my side through thick and thin. I can’t just shrug it off.
   My eyes search hers, waiting. Refusing to let her brush me aside. 
  She doesn’t answer immediately. 
  Instead, silence stretches between us.
  Until-
   “Nothing much,” she mutters at last. “Just… a few family issues, you know.” Then she adds a faint smile, the kind that’s more for my sake than hers. “I’ll sort it out. You don’t have to worry about me. Seriously.”
   I arch a brow, not entirely convinced. Leah once told me her father died when she was only twelve, and about her mother… well, she’s always avoided that subject, like it’s a door she refuses to open.
   So I don’t push further. I simply nod and fall silent. Maybe it’s her mother again. She’s probably the one behind her unease.
   “Alright then,” I say, looping her fingers into mine. “Let’s head to the hospital. We’re already running late, and I heard there are a few pregnant she-wolves and sick pups waiting—”
   A sharp shrill cuts through my words. 
  Gently, I snatch my hand away from Leah and dig into my bag, pulling out my phone just as a notification flashes across the screen.
   From Jenny.
   ‘Hey, Anika. Could you come to Isabel’s room? It’s kind of urgent.’
   My heart skips a beat.
   I turn quickly to Leah. “Could you head to the car and wait for me? Jenny needs me for something.”
   She hesitates for a moment, then forces a smile. “Sure.”
   Without another word, I spin around and break into a run, my pulse quickening with each step until I reach Isabel’s room. My hand wraps around the doorknob, and I push it open.
   My eyes immediately fall on Isabel.
   She’s seated at the edge of the bed. Her small body is trembling, and her shoulders are shaking as tears stream freely down her cheeks.
   So many tears.
   My chest aches at the sight.
   In a few quick strides, I’m beside her. Wrapping her tightly in my arms. She clings to me, and I hold her as if I can shield her from whatever haunts her.
   My gaze flicks up to Jenny, who’s standing just beside the bed, worry etched across her face. She quickly mouths, “Don’t know what’s wrong. Maybe a terrible dream.”
   I swallow hard and turn back to Isabel. Gently, I pat her back and run my fingers through her hair. “It’s okay, baby. I’m here now.”
   Her voice trembles as she chokes out, “I… I don’t want to go to school today, Mum.”
   My heart twists. I force a smile even as my throat tightens. “No problem, sweetheart..”
  Gently easing her out of the hug, I cup her cheeks and wipe my palm over her tear-streaked face. “What’s wrong, baby? Did you have a bad drea—”
   “Yes…” she cuts in, her little voice trembling. “You.. you’re not gonna die a-anytime soon, are you?”
   My heart lurches.
   “No! Goddess forbid that,” I say quickly, almost in unison with Jenny, who blurts the same words beside me.
   But even as the words leave my lips, worry gnaws at me. What kind of dream could terrify her this much? What exactly did she see?