Chapter 9
Ariel sat quietly in the back of the cab, holding the new identity papers
someone had helped her obtain.
As the plane took off, it was over. All of it.
When she landed in Frelandia, she had a new name, a new life. She was now
the owner of a private estate within the Moonwater Pack. Tourists could book
overnight stays and guided tours of the land–for a fee.
Meanwhile, back in Thornfang Pack, Damon was spiraling.
Just a few hours earlier-
After dropping Isabelle off at her place, she still clung to him.
“Damon, you came all this way… aren’t you coming up for a bit?”
She traced little circles into his palm with her finger, her voice sultry and
teasing.
Chapter 01 Too Late
Damon hesitated. A strange, restless unease gnawed at him.
“Not today. Go on upstairs. I need to get back to Ariel.”
He gently pried her hands off, remembering the promise he’d made just that
morning.
He hadn’t spent real time with Ariel in ages. If he didn’t go home soon, she’d
be upset.
That thought alone brought a small, satisfied smile to his lips.
Ut Isabelle wasn’t done.
She wrapped her arms around his waist again, pouting. “Didn’t you want to
see me in that outfit? You already brought me home… if you don’t look now, I
won’t wear it next time!”
Her hand slid under his shirt.
Damon’s expression went cold. “I said no. I promised Ariel-”
Chapter 9 Too Late
But Isabelle kept pushing, kept touching.
And eventually, he gave in.
Several hours later, he adjusted his clothes in the mirror, carefully smoothing
out every wrinkle before driving home.
“Ariel, I’m back. Sorry I got held
For so long.
up…”
He didn’t even finish the sentence before something felt… off.
The house was empty. Ariel was nowhere to be seen.
In the trash can sat the grilled Alaskan–untouched, not even a bite taken.
His chest tightened. Panic began to rise.
“Ariel…”
He called her name again and again, the unease building into dread.
Chapter 9 Too Late
He couldn’t feel her mate mark anymore. He couldn’t link to her.
An impossible thought began to form.
Did Ariel… leave him?
No. No–he refused to believe it.
甘
“Ariel, are you messing with me? Come on, let’s open the gift together, okay?”
“This morning–I’m sorry. I should’ve stayed home. It’s my fault, alright?”
He moved from room to room, eyes scanning every corner, desperate to find
her hiding somewhere.
Then it hit him–there was less stuff here.
Where were all their pictures?
Damon’s heart pounded as he ran to the wall where their Mating Ceremony
portrait used to hang. Gone.
Chapter 9 Too Late
All the photos were gone.
Even the framed image of them wearing full Alpha and Luna ceremonial
robes, standing before the entire Thornfang Pack, accepting their vows-
gone.
He staggered toward the backyard.
Where the cherry trees used to be… was now a stretch of flat land.
You couldn’t even tell anything had ever grown there.
A few Omegas were there, planting fresh flowers to cover the barren patch.
“Who told you to plant this here? Where are the cherry trees that were here
before?”
Damon’s voice was sharp, an Alpha’s command laced with tension.
The Omegas flinched under the weight of his rage.
11:34 AM
다
Chapter 9 Too Late
One of them stammered, “Alpha… three days ago, Luna told us to cut them
down… and burn them.”
They exchanged terrified looks.
“What?” Damon stepped back, stunned. “Burned?”
He swayed on his feet like he’d been hit by lightning.
He couldn’t breathe.
