Page 56 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

I sighed, put the book away, and stared at the darkness outside. I was going back to Silver pine for myself, for my fragrance brand, for Anya—so she could get a better education than this town offered.

Not for revenge.

And not for... Lucifer.

My wolf seemed to snort. I ignored it.

Two weeks later, I brought Anya back to Silver pine. I'd found someone to manage the town shop, signed contracts, two copies. When we left, Gareth came to see us off. "Elena," he looked at me, those usually cheerful eyes now filled with sadness, "you and your descendants can always come back. You'll always be Rivervale residents. I promise you this in the name of Rosell, my family."

"Thank you, Gareth." I knew an Alpha's promise carried weight.

The car pulled away from Rivervale. In the rear view mirror, Gareth's figure shrank, became a dot, and disappeared. He stood there the whole time. Looked lonely.

The car rolled down the highway, scenery growing clearer. I showed my pass to the guards. They let us through. They didn't recognize me—the former Luna of Reserpine's Hale royal family. All of Silver pine had forgotten me. Who was the Luna now? Probably Lina.

Of course, none of that concerned me anymore.

I watched the streetscape pass, feeling like a lifetime had gone by. High-rises, shops, crowds—all so familiar yet strange.

Anya had been sad about leaving Rivervale, her backpack stuffed with goodbye gifts from classmates, but now the unfamiliar place grabbed her attention. She pressed against the window, eyes huge. "Mom, it's so big!"

"It is." I reached over and stroked her hair. "We'll live here now. You'll go to a new school, make new friends."

I'd booked a hotel and dropped off our bags. The next few days, I was swamped with the new shop—viewing spaces, negotiating rent, arranging renovations, ordering supplies. Every day, from dawn to dusk, I came back to the hotel and collapsed into bed. I still hadn't found a proper house.

Anya was good about it. She knew I was busy, so she mostly played by herself or drew in the hotel room, telling me about her new school. "They have a playground this—big!" She tried showing me the width, lost her balance, and fell onto the bed. We laughed together.

Days later, I found a place three blocks from school. Rented it immediately. Pricey, but it had a wide view and a small garden. Anya loved it, chattering about planting this here, that there. Actually, I needed it for experimental fragrances, but she was so excited I set aside a special plot just for her.

That afternoon, I was at the new shop discussing layout with the renovation crew. The shop sat at a corner on a commercial street—great location, heavy foot traffic. I stood in the empty space, already visualizing shelf placement and lighting. Anya wandered in and out. I didn't pay attention.

"Ms. Windsor, for this wall you wanted—"

I held up a finger. Wait. Anya had gone quiet. "Anya?" I looked toward the back. "What are you doing?"

No response.

I hurried in. "Anya?"

Empty. Anya was gone.

My blood turned to ice. Next second, I grabbed my bag and bolted.

"Ms. Windsor? We're not done—" The contractor called after me.

I didn't look back.

I burst onto the street, stood there, and took a deep breath. My wolf rose inside me, ears pricked. I closed my eyes and activated the kinship sense between werewolves.

Anya. Where was Anya?

That faint, familiar scent drifted from one direction. Weak, but there. I opened my eyes and ran that way.

My heart pounded, palms sweating. The street bustled with people. I wove through crowds, chasing that scent. Two corners, through an alley. The scent grew stronger.

Ahead—a fast food place.

I shoved through the door, eyes sweeping the restaurant—