Page 109 of Moonlit Fate

I looked up just in time to see Atticus turning to leave. “Atticus,” I called, but the howling of the wind swallowed it whole.

He glanced over his shoulder at me, and so much passed between us. Words unspoken, feelings unresolved—it all lingered there, raw and untamed, a web of emotions too complex to unravel in that single moment. As quickly as our eyes had met, he turned away again.

There was a noticeable change to him. His commanding presence now seemed burdened, as if he was carrying an unseen load. Shadows clung to him like a second skin. My gut twisted. I was all too familiar with that look—it stared back at me every time I looked in the mirror.

The exhaustion etched on his face concerned me, as if he hadn’t slept from the time I’d told him I didn’t want him.

My father’s death had thrust me into the role of alpha. I’d made a commitment to devote myself entirely to the pack. I couldn’t hold the position of alpha in the Silver Claw pack with Atticus by my side. Not right now, not when so much was new to me, when I had so much to figure out and correct.

Perhaps I was over-analyzing, but Atticus’s hesitant gestures and the look in his eyes made it clear he was wrestling with something. As much as I wanted to, I struggled to find the right words to reach out to him.

Ilaric remained on the sidelines, his presence offering silent support. Mia caught his eye. Something passed between them, something I couldn’t quite put words to. Whatever it was, it wasdeep and personal, and though I knew better than to pry, I’d ask him about it later.

“Seems the forest has a way of bringing us together,” I said, trying to break the uneasy silence. Atticus merely nodded, scanning the trees as if they held secrets waiting to be discovered. The birdsong, a taunting chorus, underscored the emptiness between us.

“We’re trying to fix this. What happened with the ritual, I mean. I don’t think there’s a book in the library that Seren hasn’t read. She even roped Eldan in, has him fetching and carrying books from every corner of the manor,” I babbled. I gestured to Ilaric and myself. “We’re just on our way back. We went to visit the seer.”

“Did you now?” Atticus replied distantly.

“Yeah, and Patches...” I hesitated, a small smile tugging at my lips despite the situation. “He missed you. Kept looking for you. I think he wanted your shoulder to perch on.”

“Is that right?” Atticus said. A hint of warmth spread across his face, a fleeting moment of levity that soon vanished.

“That cat’s got good taste,” I added, hoping to draw out that rare grin of his. He didn’t bite.

“Guess he does,” he said, then stepped back, letting me know our time here was drawing to a close.

“You’re managing all right? And the others? Everyone’s okay?” My voice faltered, betraying my attempt to sound casual.

“Surviving,” Atticus said, his tone clipped. The word hung in the air, heavy with everything he didn’t say.

“Good, that’s... good.”

The silence stretched on, filling the space between us with memories of what we had once shared.

The sky turned dark as heavy raindrops fell through the canopy, and the first deafening crack of thunder reverberated through the air. It matched the uproar I felt inside. We bothknew we couldn’t stay here in this clearing, not with the weather turning and everything left unsaid hanging heavy around us.

“Take care,” Atticus finally said.

“You too.” There was so much I wanted to say, but the words refused to come out.

He nodded sharply, the once-vibrant gleam in his eyes now dull. Without another word, Atticus and Mia turned and walked away, heading towards the cave that he’d made into a home for his chosen family.

Suddenly, the sky unleashed a deluge of rain, drenching me in seconds. I shivered, not from the cold, but from the realization that whatever path lay ahead, I would have to navigate without him.

“Come on, let’s go home,” Ilaric said. I barely registered his words. All I could picture was Atticus’s hunched shoulders, all I could feel was the raw ache that something vital was missing. I missed him.

“Is he okay?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.

“Hard to say,” Ilaric said gently.

I hesitated, watching the space where Atticus had stood. It felt wrong, leaving things like this, leaving him like this. What could I do? My heart ached and cried out for solace. Our paths had diverged, and now the physical and emotional distance between us was greater than ever. Should I try to bridge the gap or would any attempt to reach out only deepen the wounds I’d inflicted in the first place?

I shuddered as an unfamiliar sensation spread through me, like a thread pulling taut between Atticus and me. Was it his sorrow I felt, or my own echoing back at me?

Atticus had gone above and beyond for Silver Claw. He’d not only brought his chosen family to the fight, he’d rallied the other rogues to stand with us against Crimson Fang. Our societyhad progressed in many ways, but certain deeply ingrained prejudices remained.

Even though I loved him with all my heart, I couldn’t ignore my duty to the pack. I had a responsibility to show them I could be the alpha they needed. That required setting aside personal desires and focusing on the pack. The raindrops mingled with the tears on my cheeks as I turned into Ilaric’s chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

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