(Elowen's POV)
"Elowen, have you thought it over? Are you really transferring to Riverside Pack's Healing Center?" Director Henry Baker looked at my transfer report with surprise.
I nodded firmly, my decision already made. "Yes, Director. I've considered it carefully."
His brows furrowed as he examined the paperwork. "But you're our best healer. The Crest Moon Pack needs you here."
"I appreciate that, but my mind is made up." I replied, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside me. "I need... a change."
What I didn't say was that every day here had become unbearable. Every moment in the same territory as Cillian Blackclaw, my mate in name only, was slowly killing me inside.
"Very well," Director Baker sighed, stamping my transfer request. "The paperwork will be processed by the end of the month."
I thanked him and turned to leave, my heart both heavy and somehow lighter at the same time. Six years of an empty mating bond was enough. Six years of watching Cillian look through me rather than at me.
As I stepped into the hallway, my breath caught in my throat. There he was-Cillian Blackclaw, Alpha of the Crest Moon Pack and my mate. But he wasn't alone.
Lorelei Winters stood beside him, her delicate hand resting on his arm as she laughed at something he'd said. Between them stood her son, Oliver, looking up at Cillian with adoration.
The sight struck me like a physical blow. Cillian's expression was gentle, warm-everything it never was with me. His golden eyes, usually cold when directed at me, now crinkled at the corners as he smiled down at Lorelei.
I pressed my hand against the wall, steadying myself.
Lorelei was Cillian's first love. But me, for Cillian, was only a cunning and greedy she-wolf who made a shameless deal with Elder Eleanor to became his Luna.
I could never forget how happy I was when I found that my fated mate was Cillian. But Cillian was totally indifferent.
I didn't know Lorelei until I became Cillian's Luna, when he had been broken up with Lorelei, forced by his grandmother.
What a fool I'd been to hope that Cillian would fell in love with me someday. I met him so early, much earlier than he met Lorelei. But he totally forgot me.
Cillian would never love me. Instead, he hated me. He hated me so much that he never declared that I was his Luna. He even signed a confidentiality agreement with my family to make sure everyone of us would keep our mating as a secret.
Nowadays, no one knew we were mates except our family.
Lorelei spotted me first, her smile widening. "Elowen! Just the person we were looking for."
Cillian's head snapped up, his expression instantly shuttering. The contrast was so stark it made my chest ache, our mate bond pulsing with pain I knew only I could feel.
"Healer Elowen," Lorelei approached, pulling Oliver along. "I've heard so much about your skills. I'm Lorelei Winters, the new senior healer."