My eyelids grew heavy, and I drifted off.
I don’t know how much time had passed, but I felt the car come to a stop.
I opened my eyes and saw we had arrived at the entrance of the Silver Moon Packhouse.
Damon was still in the driver’s seat, quietly looking out at the night.
I glanced at the time. It was three in the morning.
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
“You were sleeping soundly. I didn’t want to disturb you,” he said, his gaze meeting mine. “Feeling any better?”
I was taken aback.
In six years, no one had ever shown me such consideration.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
“You’re welcome,” Damon said, getting out to open my door. “Welcome home.”
Lights were still on inside the Packhouse. My mother was waiting for us in the living
room.
“Caterina!” She stood up immediately, her eyes scanning me with concern before smiling at Damon. “Damon, thank you so much for picking her up.”
Of course, Luna Catherine,” Damon said politely. “Caterina is exhausted. I won’t intrude any longer.”
“Nonsense, I wouldn’t hear of it,” my mother insisted warmly. “It’s too late for you to drive back. You’re staying in a guest
room. We have plenty to discuss tomorrow.”
“Alright. Thank you.”
1/2
After settling Damon in, my mother pulled me into her study.
“Sit down, child.” She poured me a cup of hot tea. “Tell me everything. What happened?”
“What made you suddenly decide to sever your Mate Bond with Rocco?”
I held the cup, feeling its warmth seep into my hands.
But as the past six years flooded my mind, tears began to well up, beyond my control.
“Mom…” My voice cracked. “I’m so, so tired.”
It was the first time I had broken down in front of anyone.
My mother immediately wrapped her arms around me, stroking my hair.
“It’s okay, child. You’re home now,” her voice was filled with heartbreak. “No matter what happened, your mother will protect you.”
“He betrayed me,” I sobbed into her shoulder. “For six years, I was just a substitute.”
My mother’s embrace tightened, and I could feel her trembling with rage.
“How dare he treat my daughter this way!” Her voice was laced with a murderous edge. “I’ll make his pack, his company, pay the price!”
“No, Mom,” I said, looking up through my tears. “That company… I poured six years of my life into it. It was my work.“
