Chapter 8. Confrontation

Ella sat in her car at the parking lot outside her home, lost in thought as she stared at her reflection in the rearview mirror. Her wolf, Lila, stirred inside her.

“Derek is still our mate,” Lila whispered, her tone a mixture of hurt and hope. “He didn’t accept our rejection.”

Ella closed her eyes, feeling the familiar stab of grief. Memories from the past came flooding back, and her voice trembled as she responded, “If Derek had accepted me as his Luna… our pup would still be alive.” Her words were soaked with bitterness, the pain of her loss still fresh, even after all these years.

Lila whimpered softly inside Ella’s mind, sharing in the sorrow. “But he didn’t, Ella. Maybe there’s still a reason why we haven’t fully severed that bond.”

Ella shook her head, refusing to listen to her wolf. “No, Lila. It’s too late. There’s nothing left between us but ashes.”

Back at the hospital, Alpha Derek paced the hallway, his mind in turmoil after his unexpected e