After two rings, a warm voice answered. Anna—the healer who had raised her like her own child when her parents couldn’t.
“Lenora?” Anna’s tone carried the same gentle strength it always had.
Lenora’s own voice softened. “I called to tell you—I’ll be leaving soon. My parents arranged a mate for me, and I’ve agreed.”
Silence followed, heavy and pained. Finally Anna spoke, sadness woven into every word. “Do Evan and Raymond know?”
“No,” Lenora said firmly. “Not yet. And I’d rather it stay that way for now. Please… don’t mention it.”
Anna sighed, the sound weighted with sorrow. “Those boys have guarded you all their lives. I always thought… perhaps one day you’d choose one of them. It’s hard to imagine you belonging to another.”
A wistful smile touched Lenora’s lips. “It isn’t tragic, Anna. Fate never tied us together. They’ll understand in time.”
Another pause, softer this time. “At least promise me you’ll come see me before you go,” Anna whispered. “This feels so sudden. Who knows when we’ll meet again?”
“I promise,” Lenora replied warmly. “I’ve something set aside for you. I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye.”
They lingered for a few more words before ending the call, leaving Lenora in the hush of her room once again.
The stillness was brief. Alpha Nathan’s commanding voice reached her through the mind link: “Lenora, your service in intelligence has brought great value to the pack. As recognition, I’ve had a crystal plaque made for you. It’s already been delivered.”
The link snapped closed, and as if on cue, the doorbell chimed.
Lenora opened it to find Hailey standing there, a small box in her hands. Inside lay the plaque, its surface glinting faintly.
“It’s for you,” Hailey said softly, holding it out. Her eyes lingered on Lenora’s face, not with malice but with quiet searching—as though trying to read something she didn’t dare speak aloud.
Hailey cradled the crystal plaque in her palms, her expression caught somewhere between innocence and desperation. Yet beneath the fragile softness in her eyes was a sharper gleam, one that betrayed intent.
“Lenora,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, deliberately fragile. “Alpha Nathan asked me to deliver this to you. It’s priceless… a true symbol of your dedication. You’re remarkable.”