(Audrey’s POV)

Cassandra Stormhowl studied my face carefully, her eyes softening with understanding. “You must have had a rough two years as well, right?” she asked gently.

I felt as though she’d reached into my chest and wrapped her fingers around my heart. My breath caught. How could she possibly know?

“How did you figure that out?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Cassandra shrugged, leaning against the kitchen counter. “Just a guess. You’re not the type to be unfaithful to a mate bond without a good reason. Whatever made you leave Florian back then… it must have been something desperate.”

I swallowed hard. After all this time, the truth still felt like broken ss in my throat.

“Alpha Stormhowl came to me,” I finally admitted, the words tumbling out. “He made it clear that if I stayed with Florian, he would lose everything – his pack position, his family rtionships, everything.”

Cassandra’s eyes widened. I could see the pieces falling into ce for her.

“And Arthur Moonstone? Let me guess – he promised to help Florian if you returned to him?”

I nodded, looking down at my hands. “He said he’d stop targeting the Stormhowl hunting grounds if I went back. And he did keep that promise, at least.”

“That filthy, maniptive…” Cassandra stopped herself, ncing at Leo who was still engrossed in his puzzle. She lowered her voice. “Those dirty tactics almost ruined Florian. But he’s strong – he’s always been stronger than people give him credit for.”

I couldn’t help but smile, memories washing over me. “He’s been clever since we were pups. Always thinking three steps ahead, always watching out for me.”

“You know, he used toin that you were too trusting, too open,” Cassandra said with a smallugh.

“He called me the ‘sunflower wolf’ of the pack,” I reminisced. “Said I turned my face to every bit of light without suspecting the shadows. But that was only because he was always watching my back. He made it safe for me to be that way.”

Cassandra’s expression changed suddenly, her eyes narrowing. “Wait… you remember all that from your puphood? Have you regained your memory?”

I nodded, not surprised by her perceptiveness. “Yes. I had an ident two years ago. It triggered the recovery of my buried memories.”

“Florian’s incident caused it, didn&’t it?” she asked, leaning forward.

I shook my head quickly. “Not directly, no. The news of his… his supposed death coincided with my breakdown, but it could have been anyone I loved. Elder Shadowcrest, Sarah, Nathan – if any of them had been in trouble, it might have triggered the same reaction.”

Cassandra’s eyes were filled with questions. “What about your time with Arthur Moonstone over these past two years? Everyone thought you were still his Luna.”

“I’ve been in the Sunstone Territories,” I exined. “After the ident, I couldn’t bear to stay. Nathan helped arrange everything, and Arthur agreed to keep up the pretense that I was still living as his Luna. It was better for everyone that way.”

Cassandra frowned, confusion flickering across her face. “But Mia Silverleaf called you once, and Arthur answered your phone. How do you exin that?”

I sighed, remembering that night – the silver, the ice, the darkness. “I left my phone at the Moonstone pack house the night of the ident. I never went back for it. I didn’t want anything connecting me to that life anymore.”

“Then why haven’t you exined all of this to Florian?” Cassandra asked, her tone gentle but probing. “Why let him believe you abandoned him willingly?”

I closed my eyes for a moment, the weight of my secrets pressing down on me.

“Because I had spirit sickness,” I admitted quietly. “If I told Florian everything, he’d want to know why I went to the Sunstone Territories. He’d discover the extent of my illness, and he’d me himself. I couldn’t do that to him. Not when he was already recovering from his own injuries.”

Understanding dawned in Cassandra’s eyes. She reached across and squeezed my hand. “You’re still protecting him, after everything.”

“Some habits are hard to break,” I said with a weak smile.

“I think you’re right about not telling him yet,” Cassandra agreed. “Since you’ve returned, his therapy has been going remarkably well. The healers are surprised by his progress.”

She peered at me with concern. “And your own spirit sickness? Are you… better now?”

“I stopped taking wolfsbane medication months ago,” I assured her. “I spent most of those two years working with a Mind- Healer in the Sunstone Territories. She helped me process everything – the recovered memories, the trauma of thinking I’d lost Florian.”

I gestured around the room. “And I’m still doing okay, even after remembering the past. Being around the same wolves again doesn’t trigger me. I don’t panic, or tremble, or reach for silver objects anymore.”

Pride filled me as I added, “I even slept well after seeing Arthur that night at the territory hotel. That’s progress.”

Cassandra looked visibly relieved. “I’m d to hear it.” She hesitated before adding, “I’ll find an opportunity to exin some of this to Florian, prepare him a bit. It might help when you’re ready to tell him yourself.”

She nced toward Leo’s room, changing the subject. “About Leo… can you take care of him these days? Florian is so impatient with him sometimes.”

“Of course,” I smiled, feeling a surprising warmth at the thought of spending more time with the young pup. “I enjoy being with pups.”

Cassandra stood, checking her territory transport schedule on her phone. “I should go. The transport to Western Territories leaves soon.”

As she gathered her things, she added casually, “Leo likes you very much, you know. He’d be thrilled if you became his Luna Aunt for real.”

I coughed slightly, unsure how to respond to her not-so-subtle hint. “Have a safe journey,” I deflected. “Remember to send a howl when you arrive safely.”

Cassandra shed me an “OK” gesture, pulled her two travel packs toward the door, and left with a final knowing smile.

The moment the door closed, Leo’s bedroom door creaked open. His small head poked around the corner, eyes wide and questioning.

“Where’s Mommy?” he asked, his voice small.

I smiled gently. “She had to catch her transport, little wolf. She’s gone to Western Territories now.”

Leo shrugged, his nonchnce betraying how ustomed he was to his mother’s departures. My heart ached for him.

I crouched down and gathered him into my arms, lifting him up. “Your mother will send a howl when she arrives safely,” I promised, rubbing his back soothingly.

“That’s okay,” Leo said, his resilience remarkable for one so young. “Are you finished with your important work? Can you y territory puzzles with me now?”

“Absolutely,” I agreed, carrying him back to his room.

The territory puzzle spread across his floor was surprisinglyplex for a pup his age. Examining the instructions, I realized Florian had bought adult-level challenges for him. Typical Florian, always pushing those he cared about to excel.

Fortunately, Leo didn’t seem daunted. He had already pieced together one corner with surprising patience.

“I’ll help you with this part,” I offered, sitting cross-legged beside him on the plush carpet.

Time melted away as we worked together on the puzzle, Leo chattering happily about his pack training and his friends. The moon rose higher, casting a beautiful silvery glow through the window, illuminating our progress.

Suddenly, my phone rang, breaking the peaceful moment. I nced at the screen and saw Nathan Snowfang’s name. “Alpha Snowfang,” I answered with a warm smile in my voice. “What’s the matter?”

“Audrey,” Nathan’s deep voice came through the speaker. “Are you staying at a territory hotel or somewhere else?”

I frowned slightly, surprised by the question. “I’m at home, not a hotel. Why do you ask? Are you in Central Territory?” “You bought a territory den in Central Territory?” Nathan asked, sounding confused.

“A friend gave it to me before,” I exined simply, not wanting to get into the details of myplicated history with Florian. “What’s the matter, Alpha Snowfang? Is something wrong?”

Nathan’sugh was warm and reassuring. “Nothing’s wrong. I have a surprise for you, actually. Can you send me your location?”

My curiosity piqued instantly. “A surprise? What kind of surprise?”

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore, would it?” he teased. “Just send me the address. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes.”

“Alright,” I agreed, sending him the location and den number. “When did you arrive in Central Territory? And really, what is this surprise about?”

“You’ll see soon enough,” Nathan replied mysteriously. “Just wait twenty minutes. You’ll like it, I promise.”