Chapter 24

Claire’s POV

I stood outside Gideon’s office as I gathered my courage to talk to him, my heart was beating fast due to nervousness.

This wasn’t supposed to be difficult. Just a request. Nothing more.

I convinced my heart to meet Nova and to keep my secret safe I have to lie. Finally,I took a deep breath and knocked.

“Enter,” I heard Gideon’s voice through the door, calm and controlled.

I stepped inside and saw he was standing by the window. His eyes were sharp and cool as ever.

“Miss Warrior,” he said. I looked at him surprised. Only Leo called me that but hearing that name from him felt weird

“What brings you here?”

I slightly bowed my head, as I prepared myself to speak.

“I need to travel to the Night Mountain Pack,” I said, careful to keep my tone even. “There’s a meeting I promised to attend. It’s overdue.”

I clenched my fists behind my back as I spoke my practiced sentences, my heart ached knowing Nova was waiting for me and now I have to leave Leo for some time.

Gideon’s brows furrowed.

“Night Mountain?” he repeated slowly. “That’s not a simple errand. What’s so pressing that it can’t wait?”

He stared at me calmly searching for any weakness that would expose my lie. I stood straight, trying my best to not look away from his gaze.

“They have been waiting for me for quite some time. If I keep delaying, it’ll look like disrespect.”

Every sentence I said was half truth and half lie, I spoke confidently knowing he wanted to hear.

He sat on his chair relaxed, yet deep in thought.

He sat silently not saying anything. He was silent for so long that I wondered if he could hear the lie pulsing underneath my voice.

“Strange,” he finally said, tone clipped. “You’ve never mentioned obligations there before.” I held my breath as I forced myself to not flinch.

“There was no need until now,” I answered. “I won’t be gone long.” His jaw flexed, unreadable.

“You’ve made yourself valuable here. Leo—” his voice caught just slightly before he pressed on, “Leo listens to you in ways he won’t even listen to me.”

At the sound of my son’s name, my composure cracked inside, though I kept it invisible.

I wanted to scream the truth. That of course Leo listened to me, because I was his mother. That the bond he felt wasn’t strange or accidental—it was blood.

But instead I stood still, hands locked behind my back.

“You leaving now is dangerous,” he went on, voice heavier. “Rogues are loose, the defenses strained. Outside these walls, I can’t guarantee your safety.”

It wasn’t Alpha’s scolding—it was something softer underneath, though he probably didn’t realize it slipped through.

“I understand,” I murmured. “But I’ll be careful. And quick. You have my word.”

He looked at me with narrowed eyes,as if he was trying to understand what was going through my head.

He let out a breath and nodded.

“Very well. If you must go, then go. But know this—I don’t approve. And if anything goes wrong, don’t expect leniency.”

“I wouldn’t,” I said, voice quiet.

I quickly turned around and left before I lost control of my emotions.

I walked in the corridor, as I saw the sun shining through the window. It reminded me of Nova’s bright cheerful smile.

Soon, I would see her again. Soon, I would hear her voice.

And yet guilt clawed at me with every step, because I was lying to the man who was once my husband—and to the son who still called me only “Miss Warrior.”

Gideon’s POV

It has been almost a day since she left, I sat in my office thinking of Raven’s sudden departure.

There was something the way she requested a sudden break, I wasn’t able to ignore it.

It wasn’t the travel itself—it was her face when she asked. Steady, yes. But carrying weight she wouldn’t share.

I know she was sent by Night Mountain to protect Leo.

But I didn’t like it. I didn't like the thought of her slipping beyond my watch when rogues were still unaccounted for.

And more than that… there was something else. Something I couldn't point out. My eyes wandered to the shelf in front of me.

There was an old photo on it, it was Claire, laughing, in the field of flowers. My chest aches whenever I look at it, reminding me that I have lost her.

And Raven—Miss Warrior—whatever name she carried. She had moments that reminded me of Claire.

The way she bent protectively over Leo. The way her voice softened when she thought no one listened. The way she carried pain in silence.

Coincidence. That’s all it could be.

And yet the resemblance pressed against me like a ghost I couldn’t shake. A small knock pulled me back.

When I turned, Leo stood in the doorway, fingers gripping the frame. “Papa?” His voice was small, hesitant.

“Yes, son,” I said, softening. “Come in.”

He shuffled forward, climbing onto the chair across from me. His shoulders slumped. “Miss Warrior left, didn’t she?”

The truth landed heavier than expected.

“Yes. She had business to attend to,” I said. My words felt too thin, too hollow.

He was holding back his tears.

“I know she said she will come back but I already miss her,” he said softly. “I feel comfortable with her. She stopped my bad dreams”

His words felt like a knife piercing my heart. I gently caressed his head.

“Don't worry, she will come back, little wolf. She promised you didn't she?” I told him. I didn't know who I was trying to convince, him or myself.

He looked at me with wide eyes. I can tell he was about to cry.

“Can we go to meet her papa? I want to see her, I don't care how far away she is.” There was hope in his eyes and voice, it hurt to see him like this.

“Listen to me Leo,” I spoke gently yet firmly, “It is not safe outside the rogues are still on the loose.”

He looked at me stubbornly and clenched his small fists. “I am not scared of them, I want to meet Miss Warrior!” His voice echoes in the office, leaving me speechless.

I looked at him helplessly for some time.

There was a fire of determination in his eyes, that looked at me desperately. I’d failed him in so many ways already—could I really take this from him too? His voice softened suddenly, almost breaking.

“She feels like… family.”

The word hit harder than anything else.

Family. Something I’d lost, something I swore to protect, something he barely remembered. I had no answer for him.

At last, I cleared my throat, masking the ache inside.

“We’ll see,” I said. My voice came out rough. “I won't promise you anything but, I will think about it.”

His eyes brightened with hope.

He happily ran out of the room as he held onto hope of meeting her. The room was silent again, I thought about what he said.

Family.

Knowing if I let him see her, it will lead me to the truth I have been trying to avoid for years.

Truths that might tear apart everything I thought I knew about loyalty, loss, and the people standing right in front of me.

And for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face them.