Chapter 27
The next day I woke up with another smile plastered on my face.
“You’re happy.”
Mika!
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Her voice–her real voice–echoed through my mind like the sweetest song. I nearly cried at the sound.
She laughed in my head, bright and melodic. “Happy to see you like this.”
Yeah… me too. I admitted.
I never thought I could feel this happy again. Not after everything. Not after Ruben. Not after the rejection that shattered everything I believed in.
“I’m sorry,” Mika said, her voice laced with guilt.
For what, Mika? You’re hurting too. I understand.
“But I should’ve stayed with you. I was selfish. I left you alone when you needed me the most.”
I shook my head, sitting up in bed, hand pressed over my chest like I could reach her. No, Mika. The mate bond is different for you. I know that. Some wolves don’t survive losing their mates. You were trying to protect both of us.
“Thank you, El,” she whispered, and for the first time in a long time, I felt whole again.
I smiled to myself as I got out of bed, walking to the small table by the window where the blue roses sat in a glass vase–the same ones Francesco had gifted me. Rare, delicate, impossibly vibrant. Like they shouldn’t exist in this world, and yet, there they were.
My fingers brushed over the petals as I whispered, “Thank you for this, Francesco.”
After my small morning ritual–watering the roses, pouring coffee, and enjoying the calm morning–I went to change into a soft cream blouse and navy pants, adding a cardigan for the still–chilly spring air. Audrey was usually around by now, leaning against the kitchen counter or scrolling her phone by
the couch.
“Audrey?” I called, frowning when I didn’t see her.
Nothing.
That was… strange. She never left without a note or a message, especially not since the rogue attacks. Maybe she was assigned an early mission? Still, a part of me felt uneasy.
Since I was already running late, I grabbed my bag and headed out the door–only to stop dead in my tracks.
He was there.
Standing tall and steady right in front of my door, like he’d been waiting for me. Like he belonged there.
“Francesco?” I breathed, stunned. “What are you doing here?”
His expression, unreadable at first, melted the moment our eyes met. That familiar warmth bloomed in his face as he took a step closer.
“Good morning,” he said, his voice deep and quiet, as his fingers brushed my hair away from my face. The gesture was so gentle, so intimate, that my heart nearly stopped.
“Good morning” I reply shyly.
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He smiles warmly. “I wanted to take you to campus.”
My heart skipped.
What?
He wanted to take me? To campus? In public?
I stared at him, blinking, “Are you… sure?”
Because if he did that, it wouldn’t just be humans seeing us. There were werewolves from several territories who studied here. And not all of them were part of his pack. If they saw us together….
He seemed to understand all of that without me even saying it. His smile was calm and sure.
“I’ve never been more certain, Ellaine,”
Then he reached for my hand, wrapping his fingers around mine like it was the most natural thing in the world. His hand was warm, strong, grounding.
And I let him.
The moment his skin touched mine, a jolt went through me, not painful, just–real. Like he was anchoring me to this new life I didn’t dare believe in until
now.
He began walking, pulling me gently to walk beside him. I had to hide my face behind my free hand for a second because I was blushing furiously.
No one had ever treated me like this.
Not even close.
The walk was quiet, but it wasn’t awkward. We passed by the small bakery near the university district, and he asked if I wanted a croissant. We shared one as we walked, and I kept stealing glances at him, trying to convince myself this wasn’t a dream.
When we reached campus, people started to notice.
Of course, they did.
Some humans smiled at us, assuming we were just a couple. But the wolves… their reactions were different.
Shock. Recognition. Respect. Curiosity.
Francesco didn’t flinch.
In fact, he kept his back straight and his eyes forward, as if he wanted them to see. As if he wanted the whole world to know who I was.
That I am his.
We reached the Art building, and I was about to pull my hand away, but he didn’t let go. He held tighter.
“Francesco,” I whispered.
He leaned closer, his voice low so only I could hear. “You’re not alone anymore, El. Let them see that.”
I swallowed hard and nodded, unable to find words.
As we stepped inside, Audrey appeared from around the corner. She looked a little flustered, but gave me a smile.
“I am here!” she said casually, though her gaze flicked to Francesco with a silent message only they understood.
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Chapter 27
He gave her a slight nod, then turned back to me.
“I’ll wait outside after your last class,” he said.
Huh.. Wait?
Like… wait for me to finish class?
I nodded quickly, still dazed. “Okay.”
He gave me one last look that left my heart racing, and then he walked away, his long strides echoing down the corridor.
“Okay, my Luna,” Audrey said with a grin, nudging my shoulder. “That was straight out of a fairytale.”
My heart stuttered.
Luna?
I wasn’t ready for that word. Or maybe I was. I didn’t know. But the sound of it… on her lips… it didn’t terrify me anymore.
“Shut up,” I mumbled, my face burning.
The day passed in a blur.
My classmates, who all of them human, kept whispering behind their canvases, maybe since I always alone so no one ever thought could see me with anyone, let alone a man as handsome as Francesco. Even my professor gave me a look of amused surprise when I walked in..
But nothing could touch the warm bubble I was in.
During break, Mika spoke again.
“He’s changing everything, isn’t he?”
I smiled. Yes. And I am glad I’m letting him. Give this a chance…
For once, I wasn’t scared. For once, I felt seen.
Class ended, and as promised, Francesco waited. The moment I stepped outside, he was leaning against his car, arms crossed, sunglasses on.
Like something out of a movie.
My heart beating fast knowing he lock his eyes only for me, eventhough most of human–mostly woman trying to get his attention but his eyes just looking at me.
walked toward him, trying not to trip over my own feet.
“How was your day, artist?” he asked, shockingly kiss my cheek before opening the passenger door for me.
“Surreal,” I admitted. Blushed.
He chuckled. “Good. Get used to it.”
The ride back was peaceful. He didn’t speak much, just rested his hand on the console, close enough for my fingers to brush.
I finally asked, “Why did you come today? Really?”
His jaw tightened slightly before he answered. “Because I wanted them to know you’re protected. And because I wanted you to know I’m not hiding you.”
My throat tightened.
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Chapter 27
I can see that he meant every word.
I looked out the window, hiding my tears.
He saw me. Truly saw me.
And for the first time in years, I started to believe I might be worthy of being seen.
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