197 A second reunion … L She trailed off sniffing back tears .


    That was why I was willing to let you call another woman , mother .


    Because I am nothing , L .


    I had nothing to me .


    No parents , no inheritance , I wasnt affiliated to any pack and oh , your father … she broke down in tears .


    He loved you , L .


    Everything he did , all the times be mistreated you he did it because he had to appease his mate , but your dad , never hated you ! No ! I shook my head as tears filled my eyes again .


    Dont try to defend him because you loved him .


    I dont want to hear .


    I dont want to hear anything again .


    I turned and started walking away .


    L ! she ran after me .


    Please you cannot leave like this .


    I turned to face her , my heart breaking over and over .


    I never want to see you again , Nanny .


    Do you hear away from me .


    22 Stay Her hands sped tightly around mine .


    L , please .


    Dont do this .


    Dont shut me out .


    But I had already turned away and continued towards the temple gates , my heart was heavy anger and filled with pain .


    with As I left the courtyard , I heard her crying and it broke my heart .


    But I didnt look back .


    I couldnt .


    After I left the Moon Temple , I turned off my phone , refusing to take calls from Nanny or Nathan .


    I wanted to be alone .


    I wandered through Golden Gates Pack , trying to distract my thoughts .


    I was still trying to figure out how to leave , perhaps , when I am calm , I could ask Nanny to help me secure passage from here back to the human world .


    And this time it would be final .


    I had nothing left here .


    I found myself at a quiet café overlooking a mountain and took a space on the tables outside .


    The wing was tugging at my hair and clothes .


    The sun was setting , and everything was the same except me .


    For the first time since confronting Nanny , I allowed myself to breathe .


    I sank into the chair and stared out at the horizon .


    The tears came again , but this time , they were quiet .


    I didnt sob or scream , and I didnt bother about the strange looks of people passing .


    I just let them fall .


    Why ? I whispered to the wind .


    Why did it have to be like this ? I thought about Nathan , about Nanny , about everything I had lost and everything I had learned .


    It felt like i my entire world was crumbling around me , and I didnt know how to stop it .


    I sat still , watching the sun dip below the towering mountains , as dusk began to set .


    I made a silent vow to myself .


    10.27 197 A second reunion ….


    I would find a way to move forward .


    I didnt know how or where , but I would .


    Because no matter how broke I felt now , I refused to let this be the end of my story .


    An hourter , I was back to my hotel room at Blue Ridge .


    I was sprawled across the bed , staring nkly at the ceiling as my mind reyed the events of the day .


    I couldnt even cry anymore .


    The tears had dried up leaving behind an emptiness that seemed to echo through my entire being .


    Just yesterday , Id been preparing for my wedding , dreaming of a future that now felt like I had .


    dreamt it .


    I thought I had finally found a ce where I could set my roots .


    Now everything was in ruins .


    My engagement is broken Nathan should be preparing for his wedding night with rissa now .


    My identity was in shreds and I couldnt even begin to process the fact that the woman Id trusted my whole life Nanny was my mother .


    How had everything fallen apart ? After what felt like hours of staring into nothingness , I pushed myself up .


    I couldnt stay here , drowning in my thoughts .


    Maybe a run would help .


    Usually , I am supposed to shift and let Nymeris run wild through the forest , but that wasnt an option anymore .


    Not only had I not felt Nymeris since the chaos at the Harvest Moon , our bond had gone silent and I wasnt sure if I wanted her especially as she was being hunted .


    And I hadnt dared to reach out , afraid of what I might or might not find .


    I rolled off the bed and moved to my suitcase , rummaging through it for my running clothes .


    Finally , I located it .


    As I wanted to pull out a pair of leggings , an envelope fluttered to the floor .


    I froze staring at it .


    It was the letter from my father the one Ramsey had handed me during our meeting after his death .


    I stared at it for a few more seconds , before picking it up , turning it over and over in my hand .


    For a moment , I considered opening it .


    I and my dad werent close , so I couldnt imagine what he would want to say to me in a letter .


    What if there was something that could give me rity in this chaos ? But as my fingers hovered over the seal , I hesitated .


    After everything that had happened today , did I really want to add another potential bombshell to the mix ? Not today , I whispered and ced the envelope on the small table by the window , shoving it aside forter .


    I quickly changed into a pair of joggers and a loose sweatshirt , grabbed a pair of dark sunsses to hide my identity thest thing I needed was to be recognized by pack members whod attended what should have been my wedding and headed out into the night .


    The evening air was cool against my skin as I jogged through the packs park .


    It was surprisingly quiet with a few people jogging or walking around too .


    I maintained a steady pace , careful not to maintain eye contact with anyone .


    With each step I took , I felt lighter .


    By the time I was done , I had my emotions in one ce .


    When I returned to the hotel room , my legs were sore but my head was clearer .


    I ordered room service since Id had nothing to eat all day before stepping into the shower .


    When I was done bathing , I came out , wrapped only in a towel .


    I felt a bit refreshed , but the 10:27 197 A second reunion … ache in my chest was still there .


    Id just finished drying off and was reaching for myb and the hair dryer when the doorbell rang .


    I grabbed one of the hotel robes , discarding the towel as I rushed to the door .


    My stomach was already grumbling with the anticipation of the food Id ordered .


    I ran my finger through my damp hair .


    I swung the door open .


    Just leave it outside the … The words died in my throat as I saw the person at my door .


    It was thest person Id expected or wanted to see .


    My grip tightened on the doorframe , my knuckles turning white .


    I tried to remember what the clock had said when I came out of the bathroom .


    I couldnt remember but it was well past midnight .


    For a moment , neither of us said anything .


    The silence was as thick as tension and he looked as though he hadnt slept in days .


    His usual nk expression was reced with vulnerability I havent or never associated with him .


    L , he finally said .


    Ramsey ! I said quietly , tightening my grip on the edge of the door .


    What are you doing here ? I came to see you , he said , taking a step towards me .


    Your phone was switched off , I was worried .


    I poked my index finger on his chest , indicating that he moved back .


    How did you even know I was here ? No one else does , I followed your trail from the park .


    Please can Ie in ? I stepped back instinctively , keeping the door partially closed between us .


    You shouldnt be here , Ramsey .


    Your wedding is tomorrow .


    I dont want troubles and if youre going to insist on wanting to talk to me , you can do it from there .


    I heard you didnt marry Nathan again , his amber eyes rested on mine .


    Is it true ? Is this some ploy to get back together in the future ? Tears welled in my eyes but I lifted my jaw , sniffing them back .


    It is true .


    Weve decided that my sister , rissa would be a better Luna .


    I didnt think I owed him any exnation .


    He closed his eyes , running a hand through his dishevelled hair .


    When he opened them , he seemed excited .


    I love you , L … Ive made mistakes and Ive hurt you but please … everything I did was for a reason .


    I scoffed .


    Thats what Ive been hearing all day , Ramsey .


    People protecting me because they think I cannot protect myself .


    Say something else , Ramsey and … I looked back inside the room at the clock .


    Its almost 2 am , you should get back home and rest up .


    You dont want to look like this for your wedding tomorrow .


    Im going to tell you something now because you deserve to know the truth and Ive been keeping it for the longest time .


    10:37 197 A second reunion … I stared at him , trying to mask my interest .


    But first , he beamed at me ,ing to ce his hand on the door of my room , with a light .


    shove , he pushed it open .


    I stumbled back from the shove but he caught me on time .


    I am not getting married tomorrow .