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“It’s just a photo. We don’t need any more photos together.
Her tone was so final, it left no room for questions, but Hunter, always the one trying to bridge gaps, suggested softly, “Well, the skies are clear tonight. We could still take a few later if you’d like. Besides, it’s been a while since we left the pack grounds. It might be good for all of
- us.
Caleb, eager to support Hunter‘ s idea, quickly added, “And we could bring Ivy along, too. She’s always wanted to see the northern forest.” His voice held a hopeful note, as if this trip could somehow keep things as they were.
The mention of Ivy–sweet, sheltered Ivy- brought a faint smile to Marissa‘ s face, though it was more in resignation than joy. She didn’t let the moment linger, but the two men took her silence as agreement, a
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tiny reprieve from the weight pressing down on them.
They started toward the den, their relief visible, but they halted abruptly as they noticed the stacked boxes by the door.
“What’s all this?” they both asked, bewildered.
Marissa didn’t meet their eyes, just glanced at the boxes before replying, “I resigned from the pack’s intelligence division. Alpha Nathan already approved it.”
Hunter and Caleb exchanged a look, shock and disbelief crossing their faces. They both knew what her position in the intelligence division meant to her–she‘ d fought to keep it, refusing to let even her health stand in the way. Hunter‘ s brow furrowed, his mouth opening slightly as if to question her, but no words came.
Both of them stood there, flustered and at a loss for what to say, the faintest flicker of
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panic in their eyes. Caleb, always quicker to voice his emotions, finally moved his lips as if to speak. But before he could, the sharp ring of a phone cut through the silence.
Hunter answered, and Ivy‘ s soft, anxious voice filled the still air. “Hunter? My power‘ s out, and it‘ s… so dark. I’m scared. I don’t know what to do.” Her words trembled, fragile as glass.
Caleb‘ s expression shifted instantly to concern, and before Hunter could reply, he interjected, “Don’t worry, Ivy. I’m coming over.” Hunter‘ s face tightened with worry as well, his usually composed features betraying clear unease.
Without a word to Marissa, they both turned and shifted into their wolves, their sense of urgency apparent as they streaked out the door, paws kicking up loose bits of paper and dust from Marissa‘ s carefully packed boxes. Marissa watched them disappear, their absence settling into the
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room like an exhaled breath, filling the empty spaces they left behind.
Once they were gone, Marissa reached for her phone, dialing a familiar number. The call connected after a couple of rings, and Anna’s warm voice came through. Anna, the healer, was more than just a pack member; she had fostered Marissa during her early years, providing the warmth and care of a mother when circumstances had left her alone.
“Marissa?” Anna‘ s voice carried the soft, gentle strength that had been her comfort as a child.
Marissa’s own voice softened in response.
“I’m calling to let you know I’ll be leaving soon. I’m heading to join my mate… a match arranged by my parents.”
Anna was silent for a moment, absorbing the news. When she finally spoke, her tone held a tinge of sadness. “Have you told Hunter and Caleb?”
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“No,” Marissa replied, voice steady.
“They’ll find out in time. For now, I just need things to stay… uncomplicated.
Please, Anna, don‘ t tell them.”
Anna let out a slow sigh, and Marissa could almost picture the healer shaking her head, her heart torn between understanding and sorrow. “You‘ ve always been their anchor, Marissa. They ve guarded you fiercely since you were a child. I always thought… well, that one day you‘ d choose one of them. It‘ hard to see you going elsewhere.”
S
A faint, wistful smile played at Marissa‘ s lips. “There’s no pity in it, Anna. We weren’t even fated mates, not for sure. They’ll understand.”
Another pause, and when Anna spoke again, her voice was quieter, almost
wistful. “Promise me you’ll come see me before you leave, Marissa. It feels so
sudden… and who knows when we’ll see each other again?”
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“I promise,” Marissa replied, warmth creeping into her tone. “I have something
you, anyway. I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye.”
for
They exchanged a few more words before ending the call, leaving Marissa alone once more. But the silence barely settled before another communication filled her mind- this time, it was Alpha Nathan, his voice authoritative and decisive, reaching her through the pack‘ s mind link.
“Marissa, your work in the intelligence division has served the pack well. As a reward, I’ve arranged for a crystal plaque to be crafted for you. It’s already been delivered to your home.”
The link went quiet as quickly as it had begun, and before she had a chance to consider his words, the doorbell rang. When she opened it, Ivy was standing there, holding a small box with the crystal plaque inside. Her expression was a mix of gratitude and something else–something
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deeper that Marissa chose not to analyze.
“It’s your reward,” Ivy said softly, holding out the box, her eyes tracing Marissa’s face with a quiet wonder, as if searching for an answer to a question she didn’t dare ask.
