(Kevin’s POV)

    I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard over the packm-link. Florian Stormhowl, my childhood friend, the wolf who had sworn off serious rtionships after what happened two years ago, had just casually mentioned having a girlfriend.

    “We’ll be there immediately. We were held up. I was with my girlfriend,” he had said before hanging up.

    My mind raced with possibilities. This was incredible news! After watching Florian suffer through the aftermath of Audrey Winter’s betrayal, seeing him withdrawn and focused only on pack business and physical recovery, this development felt like a gift from the Moon Goddess herself.

    I scanned the territory clubhouse with renewed excitement. The small gathering of Florian’s closest friends was already in full swing, with drinks flowing and conversation buzzing. The private room Cassandra had reserved overlooked the moonlitke, creating an intimate atmosphere perfect for celebrating.

    “Any word from the birthday wolf?” Asher Silverw approached, his silver-tipped fur gleaming under the soft lighting. “He’s on his way,” I grinned, unable to contain my excitement. “And you won’t believe this – he’s bringing his girlfriend!” Asher’s eyebrows shot up. “Girlfriend? Florian Stormhowl has a girlfriend?”

    “That’s what he said!” I confirmed, my tail practically wagging with excitement. “This is huge, Asher. We need to make sure nothing ruins this for him.”

    My eyesnded on Sarah Mitchell, who was standing near the entrance with a young wolf pup. My mood instantly soured. That troublesome she-wolf from the Central Territory Business Alliance meeting was thest person I wanted to see tonight. And if she was here, did that mean…?

    I hurried across the room, determined to head off any potential disaster before Florian arrived.

    “What are you doing here?” I demanded, blocking Sarah’s path.

    She gave me an unimpressed look. “I was invited.”

    “By whom?” I challenged.

    “By Cassandra Stormhowl,” she replied coolly. “I’m here with Leo and Audrey.”

    At the mention of Audrey’s name, rm bells went off in my head. This was exactly what I’d feared – Audrey Winter showing up just as Florian was finally moving on with someone new.

    I crouched down to the little wolf pup’s level. “Hey there, little one. Are you lost?”

    The pup looked at me with bright, intelligent eyes. “No! I’m Leo Stormhowl. I’m here for Uncle Florian’s birthday!”

    “Uncle Florian?” I repeated, straightening up to look at Sarah. “This can’t be Florian’s cousin’s son. Florian hates pups. He’d never bring his young cousin around.”

    Sarah’s lips quirked into an amused smile. “Is that so?”

    I nodded firmly. “Florian is very particr about his personal space and peace. He’s mentioned many times how he can’t stand the chaos pups bring.”

    “Well, you clearly know your friend better than I do,” Sarah said with a strange glint in her eyes. “Should I tell my best friend Audrey not toe either, since Florian has a new girlfriend now?”

    “Absolutely,” I agreed quickly, relieved that she understood the situation. “In fact, it would be best if you both left before.

    Florian arrives with his new girlfriend. It could be… awkward.”

    Asher, who had followed me across the room, cleared his throat. “Kevin, have you considered that Florian’s new girlfriend might actually be Audrey Winter?”

    I stared at him in disbelief before bursting intoughter. “Audrey Winter? Are you serious? After what she did to him? Florian has too much pride to go back to someone who betrayed him so thoroughly.”

    I shook my head at the absurdity of the suggestion. “No, this must be someone new. Someone who appreciates Florian for who he is, not someone who abandoned him when he needed her most.”

    Sarah’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “You seem very confident about the nature of their rtionship.”

    “I know my friend,” I stated firmly. “And I know Florian wouldn’t give Audrey Winter another chance to hurt him.”

    “Care to bet on that?” Sarah challenged, a sly smile ying on her lips.

    I was about to ept when the door opened, and several more guests entered. Using the distraction, I turned back to Sarah. “Look, I’m just trying to protect my friend,” I exined. “Florian was devastated after what happened with Audrey Winter. You didn’t see him during those dark months.”

    Sarah crossed her arms. “Maybe you don’t know the full story.”

    “I know enough,” I insisted, my voice rising slightly with frustration. “Audrey Winter chose Arthur Moonstone over Florian. She made her choice clear as day, and now she’s probably crawling back because things didn’t work out with the Alpha King.” I couldn’t stop now that I’d started. The anger I’d been holding back for Florian’s sake came pouring out.

    “Let me guess, she’s begging and howling for him to take her back? Typical. Well, she’s toote. Florian has moved on with someone worthy of him, someone who won’t-“

    “Someone who won’t what, Kevin?”

    The familiar voice froze me in ce. Slowly, I turned to find Florian Stormhowl standing in the doorway, his arm wrapped possessively around the waist of none other than Audrey Winter herself.

    (Audrey’s POV)

    I couldn’t help but feel a spark of amusement at Kevin’s horrified expression. His face had gone from flushed with righteous indignation to pale with shock in the span of seconds. Standing beside Florian, I could feel his body tense, though his face remained carefully neutral.

    “F-Florian!” Kevin stammered. “You’re here! And… and…”

    “And I’ve brought my girlfriend, Audrey Winter,” Florian finished smoothly, giving my waist a gentle squeeze.

    The territory clubhouse seemed to go silent as all eyes turned toward us. I could feel heat rising to my cheeks, but I maintained myposure. After all, I’d faced far more intimidating situations than this.

    “Girlfriend?” Kevin repeated, his voice unnaturally high.

    Florian’s golden eyes gleamed with dangerous amusement. “Is there a problem?”

    Kevin’s transformation was almostical. His expression shifted from horror to excessive cheerfulness so quickly I thought he might strain a facial muscle.

    “Problem? No! No problem at all!” he eximed, his voice overly enthusiastic. “You two look perfect together! I always said you belonged together, didn’t I, Asher?”

    The silver-tipped wolf beside him – Asher Silverw, I presumed – nodded with far more genuine warmth. “You did mention once or twice that they seemed well-matched,” he said diplomatically.

    Kevin was now looking desperately at Sarah, who was watching the scene unfold with undisguised glee.

    “Sarah!” Kevin called out, his voice strained. “About that storefront for Winter’s Remedy… I’ve been thinking. The Central Territory Business Alliance would be honored to amodate your application. In fact, I know of several prime locations that would be perfect for your business.”

    Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Really? Even though we’re just two she-wolves with ‘inconsistent history’?”

    Kevin swallowed hard. “I misspoke earlier. Your business n is actually quite impressive. Very innovative.”

    “How kind of you to reconsider,” Sarah replied, not bothering to hide her smirk.

    Kevin wasn’t done, though. His desperation was palpable. “I’ll personally ensure you get the territory den storefront of your choosing. If there are current tenants, I’ll pay the penalties myself to have them removed. Just… just…”

    The unspoken plea was clear: please don’t tell Florian what I was saying about Audrey.

    Before Sarah could respond, Leo bounded across the room, his little face alight with excitement.

    “Aunt Audrey!” he cried, throwing his arms around my legs. “Uncle said you’re his girlfriend now! Can I call you Aunt Luna instead?”

    I nced at Florian, whose lips quirked into a small smile. “That depends on how your uncle behaves,” I told Leo, ruffling his hair affectionately.

    Leo turned to Florian with surprising seriousness for such a young pup. “Uncle! You have to work hard, Leo doesn’t want to change Aunt Luna!”

    The sincerity in his voice was so touching that I had to bite my lip to keep fromughing. Florian, to his credit, responded with equal seriousness.

    “I’m working on it,” he promised, sliding his arm from my waist to my shoulder in a warm, possessive gesture. His voice softened as he looked down at me, his golden eyes filled with genuine emotion. “Never tried so hard before.”