Chapter 23

Chapter 23
## Elara's POV

I returned from the forest with my family, still buzzing with energy after my first transformation. The sensation of running on four paws, feeling the earth beneath me and the wind in my fur, had been exhilarating beyond description. Anna felt more connected to me than ever, our minds and hearts truly one.

As we approached the house, I found myself scanning for Caius. I wanted to share this moment with him, to tell him how it felt to finally be complete. But he was nowhere to be found.

"His car is gone," my father said, frowning as he gazed outside.

"He left?" I asked, furrowing my brow. "Without saying a word?"

"Perhaps something else came up with the Ash Pack," my mother suggested with a shrug.

"Yes, I wouldn't worry too much about Caius," my father added. "He can take care of himself. Besides, you can drive your car back to the academy tomorrow. I've thoroughly checked it over, and it hasn't been tampered with."

I forced a smile and nodded, but inside, uneasiness crept through me. Why would Caius leave so suddenly? Had I done something wrong? I tried to push these thoughts aside and focus on celebrating with my family, but Caius's abrupt departure lingered in my mind.

The next morning, I confirmed that Caius truly was gone. His guest room was empty, all traces of his presence erased.

We'll see him at Lunastride Academy, Anna reassured me. Don't worry too much.

I'm not worried, I replied, but even I didn't believe those words.

You can't lie to me... I'm part of you, she reminded me.

I sighed, knowing she was right. There was no hiding my feelings from my inner wolf.

After breakfast, I hugged my family goodbye and loaded my suitcase into my car. The drive back to Lunastride Academy would take several hours, giving me plenty of time to think. I decided that when I saw Caius again, I would ask him directly why he'd left without saying goodbye.

As I pulled into the academy parking lot, something felt off. I couldn't sense Caius's presence anywhere on campus. Usually, even at a distance, I could feel a slight pull toward him—an awareness that came with being mates, even if he refused to acknowledge it. Now there was nothing.

I stepped out of my car, confusion washing over me. Where could he be?

Back in my dorm room, Audrey pounced on me the moment I walked through the door.

"How did your first shift feel?!" she asked excitedly.

"Painful," I told her, setting down my bag. "But exciting."

"Are you going to go all wolf on me now?" she teased.

"I might," I joked back. "You'd better watch out."

We both laughed, and I felt some of my tension ease. At least some things remained normal.

The next morning, I met Violet at the training grounds for our regular practice session. Her eyes widened when she saw me.

"Did you shift?" she asked, curiosity evident in her expression.

I nodded. "I'm a bit nervous about doing it again," I admitted. "But I'll practice more in class."

"I could help you if you want. My shifting technique isn't bad," she said with a shrug.

"I'll take you up on that," I chuckled.

Our conversation was interrupted by the training room door slamming shut. A harsh laugh echoed through the space.

"Ugh, look what the wolf dragged in. A slut and her Omega."

## Caius's POV

I left Celestria without telling anyone, my mind focused only on reaching my mother. The drive to Thalassian Reach took about an hour, during which Max paced anxiously in my mind.

Who would dare attack our mother? he growled.

I had my suspicions, but I kept them to myself as I drove straight to the hospital without stopping at the pack house.

Beta Lucas was waiting in the reception area, his expression grave. I strode toward him, barely controlling my anger.

"What do you mean she was attacked?" I demanded.

"She was beaten and dragged to the border. Someone recognized her and brought her here. We got her to the hospital immediately. She was barely conscious," Lucas explained.

"I should have been notified immediately," I said, pushing past him.

Guilt weighed heavily on me. I should have been here to protect her. Instead, I'd been in Celestria, distracted by Elara and her transformation. The last time I'd seen my mother had been months ago, though I visited her as often as I could.

"I notified you as soon as I confirmed her identity," Lucas tried to explain, following me toward one of the doctors. "I didn't want to worry you for nothing, and I'm not that familiar with what your mother looks like. You never bring her around."

"I should be notified of any attack near our pack, regardless of who it is."

"I apologize," Lucas said, lowering his gaze.

A doctor approached us, clipboard in hand. "Alpha, your mother will be fine. She's resting now, and—"

"Where is she?" I interrupted, demanding to know.

"She's in room 175. Just down the hall..."

I didn't wait for him to finish, striding down the corridor with determined steps. When I entered room 175, the sight of my mother stopped me cold.

Her face was severely bruised, with claw marks on her neck and bite marks on her ear. One eye was swollen shut, her jaw wrapped in bandages, and her neck in a brace. One leg and one arm were encased in plaster casts.

My heart shattered seeing her like this, though I wasn't surprised. This wasn't the first time she'd been attacked, though it was perhaps the worst. I moved to her bedside and gently took her hand.

After a few minutes, her eyes fluttered open. "Caius..." she whispered.

"Don't try to talk, Mom," I said, lowering my gaze. "I'm sorry I wasn't there. This shouldn't have happened to you."

"It's not your fault, dear," she said softly. "The doctors say I'll be fine."

"What happened? Who did this to you...?"

"It doesn't matter—"

"It matters to me. Tell me what happened, Mom."

She hesitated, then sighed. "I crossed the border..." she whispered. "It was foolish, I should have known better. But we needed supplies—"

"You should have called me. I could have brought you anything you needed..."

"I know," she breathed, avoiding my gaze. "I shouldn't have been so careless. Especially knowing what's out there. I didn't think they would sense me so easily... especially since..." Her voice trailed off, unwilling to complete her sentence.

"Did they find you by your scent?" I pressed.

My mother nodded weakly. "I should have known it was still possible..." she gasped, tears in her eyes as she looked at me. "I know the ragweed took away my abilities... but it will never take away the scent."

"Mom—"

"No matter what I do to hide from your father and his followers, it's never enough. They will always hunt me. They will always find me. They will always know I am a Volana wolf..."