Chapter 3
“It’s just a photo. We don’t need any more photos together.”
Her voice was sharp, final–a quiet command that left no space for argument. But Elio,
it no
ever the one to try and mend what had
already frayed, offered gently, “The skies are clear tonight. We could still take a few later if you’d like. Besides, it’s been a while since we left the pack grounds. It might do us all some good.”
He added quickly, his tone laced with an almost desperate hope, “And we could bring Phoebe along too. She’s always wanted to see the northern forest.” As if this simple trip could somehow turn back the clock to a time when things felt whole.
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The mention of Phoebe–sweet, innocent Phoebe brought a faint smile to Sylvia’s lips, though it was more resigned than anything else. She didn’t let the moment stretch, keeping her face impassive. Elio, oblivious to her inner turmoil, took her silence as agreement. His shoulders seemed to ease slightly, like a tiny victory in the midst of their unraveling connection.
They started toward the den, their
movements slow, yet there was a brief flicker of relief in the air. That was, until Elio’s eyes fell upon the boxes stacked by the door. His steps faltered.
“What’s all this?” he asked, his voice laced with confusion.
Sylvia didn’t meet his gaze. She just glanced at the boxes before replying with cool detachment, “I’ve resigned from the pack’s
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intelligence division. General Samuel already approved it.”
Elio’s brow furrowed, his face a mask of shock and disbelief. He knew what that position meant to her. She had fought for it, held onto it with everything she had–even when her health was falling apart. For her to walk away now… it felt like a betrayal to everything they had built. His lips parted, as if he wanted to ask her why, but the words never came. He stood there, frozen, a hint of panic flickering behind his eyes.
For a long moment, neither of them moved. The air between them thickened, heavy with unspoken questions. Finally, Elio opened his mouth to speak, but before he could form any words, a soft, anxious voice called from upstairs. Phoebe’s voice. It trembled like glass.
“Alpha? The power’s out in our room, and… it’s so dark. I’m scared. I don’t know what to do.”
His expression shifted instantly to concern, the tension in his jaw softening. Without hesitation, he turned and rushed upstairs, his footsteps quick and purposeful.
Sylvia watched him go, the urgency in his movements evident.
Bits of paper and dust from her carefully packed boxes stirred in his wake.
The silence settled into the room like an exhaled breath, filling the empty spaces he left behind.
Once Elio had left, Sylvia reached for her phone with a steady hand, dialing a number she knew by heart. It rang only twice before the warm, familiar voice of Elena answered.
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carrying the gentle strength that had always been her comfort.
“Sylvia?” Elena’s voice wrapped around her like a soft embrace, grounding her in the moment.
Sylvia’s own voice softened in response, as if the weight of the conversation had already settled within her.
“I’m calling to let you know I’ll be leaving soon,” she said quietly. “I’m heading to join my mate… a match arranged by my parents.”
There was a heavy pause on the other end, the silence stretched thin as Elena took in the words. When she finally spoke, her tone was laced with sadness, the kind that only someone who truly cared could express. “Have you told Alpha Elio?”
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“No,” Sylvia replied, her voice steady but distant. “He’ll find out in time. But for now, I just need things to stay… uncomplicated.” She took a breath, her next words quiet but firm. “Please, Elena, don’t tell him.”
Elena’s sigh echoed through the phone, a sound that was both resigned and understanding. Sylvia could almost picture the healer, her brow furrowed, torn between the loyalty she’d always shown to Sylvia and the sorrow of seeing her leave. “You’ve always been his anchor, Sylvia. He’s
protected you, cared for you, ever since you were just a child. I always thought… well, it’s hard to see you going elsewhere.”
Sylvia allowed herself a small, wistful smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “There’s no pity in it, Elena. We weren’t even fated mates not for sure. He’ll understand.” The words tasted hollow, even to her, but they were the
only ones she had left
Offer.
Another silence hung in the air, heavier now, before Elena spoke again, her voice quieter, almost wistful. “Promise me you’ll come see me before you leave, Sylvia. It feels so sudden… and who knows when we’ll see each other again?”
“I promise,” Sylvia replied, a warmth creeping into her tone, one that felt almost foreign after everything. “I have something for you, anyway. I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye.”
They shared a few more heartfelt words before the call ended, leaving Sylvia alone once more. But the silence didn’t last long. Almost immediately, another voice filled her mind–this time, General Samuel’s, his presence commanding and unyielding as he reached her through the pack’s mind link.
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“Sylvia, your work in the intelligence division has served the pack well. As a reward, I’ve arranged for a crystal trophy to be crafted for you. It’s already been delivered to your home” f
The connection snapped off as quickly as it had begun, leaving a lingering sense of formality in its wake. Before she could even process his words, the doorbell rang. Her heart gave a faint lurch. When she opened the door, she found Phoebe standing there, a small box in her hands. Her face was a mask of gratitude, but Sylvia could see something else beneath it–a quiet satisfaction, almost as if Phoebe were savoring this moment for herself.
“It’s your reward, Phoebe said softly, holding the box out towards Sylvia, her voice layered with something that Sylvia couldn’t quite
