**Gaia**

Alpha Owen nods slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Lysander. You and he were friends once, weren't you?"

"A long time ago." My voice is quiet. "Before I quit school."

"I'm sorry." His face is heavy with regret. "I should have protected you better. Should have seen what was happening."

"It's not your fault—"

"It is." He cuts me off gently. "I'm the Alpha. Everything that happens here is my responsibility. Including your suffering."

He stands, pacing our small basement room. "I want you to know—I'll do better. I'll constrain Luna Rena's behavior. Be more present, more involved."

He turns back to us. "If you ever change your mind, you and your mother will always have a place here."

Mother's hand finds mine, squeezing tight.

"Thank you, Alpha," I whisper. "For everything."

He reaches into his jacket and pulls out an envelope. "Five hundred dollars. And I've made arrangements—you'll have safe passage to a human city. Housing. Job references. Everything you need to start fresh."

Five hundred dollars. Combined with Mother's savings, we'll have nearly two thousand.

Enough to truly start over.

"I don't know what to say." Mother's voice breaks.

"Say you'll be safe. Say you'll be happy." Owen's smile is sad. "That's all I ask."

We walk him to the door, bowing respectfully as he leaves.

When he's gone, Mother and I turn to each other.

And smile.

For the first time in seventeen years, we're really smiling.

"We're leaving," Mother whispers.

"We're leaving," I echo.

"After Lysander's ceremony. After you say goodbye."

I nod. "After I thank him for what he did for me. Then we go. And we never look back."

Mother pulls me into a hug, and I let myself believe—just for a moment—that everything might actually be okay.

*****

**Lysander**

The forest blurs past as Ares and I run.

Chloe's wolf—beautiful silver, elegant and strong—keeps pace beside us. She's been at my side for a year now, and I've grown used to her presence.

Comfortable with it.

Safe.

'Almost home,' Ares rumbles. 'I've missed our territory.'

'So have I.'

Chloe's voice filters through our temporary pack link. 'I'm so excited to meet your mother. And your friends. You've told me so much about them.'

Friends.

The word makes me think of her.

Gaia.

Beautiful, gentle Gaia with her blue eyes and blonde hair. The Omega girl I invited to school all those years ago.

The coward who quit the moment things got difficult.

"There's not much to see," I send back. "Most of my childhood friends are away at training or university."

"What about that Omega girl? The one you mentioned. Gaia?"

My steps falter slightly. "She's... not worth meeting."

"Lysander!" Chloe's disapproval ripples through the link. "You shouldn't have such prejudice against Omegas."

"I don't have prejudice against Omegas." The words come out sharper than intended. "I have standards for my friends. And she doesn't meet them."

"Because she's weak?"

"Because she's a coward." I force the bitterness down. "I don't need friends who give up when things get hard."

Chloe is quiet for a moment. Then: "She's just a friend, right? Not... someone you're interested in romantically?"

There's worry in her voice. Uncertainty.

"Chloe." I slow, turning to look at her wolf. "I've known Gaia since we were seven. She's only ever been a friend. You have nothing to worry about."

But even as I say it, the lie tastes bitter.

Because the truth is—I do love Gaia.

I've loved her for years. Maybe since the day I invited her to school and she looked at me like I'd given her the world. Maybe since those five-minute conversations after classes, when she'd tell me about what she learned and her eyes would light up with joy.

I don't know when it started.

But I know when I realized it.

A year ago. When she quit school. When I searched for her and she avoided me. When I called her a coward and she just... took it. Accepted it. Didn't even try to fight back.

That's when I knew I loved her.

And that's when I knew I could never have her.

Because my Luna needs to be strong. Silver Wing Pack needs a strong female leader. Someone who can fight, lead, inspire.

Not a coward who runs when challenged.

So I left. Went abroad to study. To get away from her. To stop myself from making a mistake that would hurt my entire pack.

And now I'm back.

With Chloe.

Chloe, daughter of White Moon Pack's Alpha. Beautiful. Intelligent. Strong. Kind. Everything a Luna should be.

She loves me. I can see it in her eyes, hear it in her voice.

And I... I'm satisfied with her. Her elegance, her strength, her goodness.

When Father suggested she become my Luna, I agreed immediately.

The only regret? We're not Mates.

But honestly, I don't want my Mate.

As long as my Mate isn't Gaia, I don't care who it is. I'll marry for duty, not destiny.

Chloe's wolf presses against mine affectionately. I lean into the contact, feeling guilty.

'I'll give you power and respect,' I promise silently. 'I'll make up for the love I can't give you.'

It's not fair to her. But it's the best I can do.

We're passing through a small town when Chloe suggests we stop.

'For what?' I ask.

'Gifts! For your friends and family.'

Ares huffs impatiently, but I agree. We shift, dress in spare clothes we'd stashed nearby, and enter a boutique.

Chloe picks out scarves, wine, chocolates. I wander absently until something catches my eye.

A dress. Simple, pale blue, soft fabric.

It would look perfect on Gaia.

'Why am I even thinking about her?'

But before I can stop myself, I'm buying it. And cosmetics—basic things I know she doesn't have.

"For your friend?" Chloe appears at my elbow.

"Yes. Her birthday is coming up. She's turning eighteen."

Eighteen. Which means her wolf will manifest. Which means she might find her Mate.

The thought sends a spike of pain through my chest.

'She'll find someone. Marry him. Start a life.'

I push the thought away violently.

'For the pack. I'm doing this for the pack.'

"Are you alright?" Chloe touches my arm. "You look upset."

"I'm fine."

Ares stirs in my mind. 'You know, after you marry Chloe, you could keep Gaia as a mistress. Every Alpha has lovers—'

'No.'

'But—'

'I said no.' The command is sharp enough that Ares whimpers. 'I won't insult either of them that way.'

Because that's what it would be. An insult.

Gaia may be weak—may be a coward—but she's a good person. She deserves better than being someone's secret.

And Chloe deserves better than a husband who keeps his childhood crush on the side.

'Gaia deserves friendship. Chloe deserves love—or as close as I can give her. That's how I'll be responsible to both of them.'

"I'll give her the gifts personally," Chloe says, smiling. "I'd love to meet her."

Looking at her kind, beautiful face, I feel something warm in my chest.

Not love. Not quite.

But gratitude. Affection. Respect.

It's not what she deserves. But maybe it's enough.

We shift back and run the final stretch home.

The sun is setting when we cross into Silver Wing territory.

The scent of home fills my lungs—pine and earth and pack.

Mother will be waiting. Father will want reports on my training.

Friends will gather for the welcome ceremony in three days.

Everything is exactly as it should be.

So why do I feel like something's wrong?

We reach the main road leading to the Alphahouse. Pack members are out, some already noticing our approach.

'Home,' Ares says with satisfaction.

Home.

I should be thinking about my parents. About my responsibilities. About Chloe and our future.

But as my paws hit familiar ground, as I breathe in the scent of my pack—

The first person I want to see isn't my mother.

Isn't my father.

Isn't any of the important pack members waiting for me.

The first person I want to see is Gaia.