“I had to,” he said matter of factly.

Well along in the afternoon, Rowan and Lila stumbled upon a piece of paper with a name that stopped my breath. “This can’t be.” I whispered, eyes glued to the parchment.

“What is it?” Lila asked, curious.

I swallowed, my throat tying up in knots. “It’s a name I haven’t seen in years. Someone from. before Dane and I took over the pack. Someone dangerous.”

Rowan leaned in closer. “Who?”

I kept mute, staring down at it. It was Rowan who finally broke

the silence. “Luna, what does this mean? Who is this person?

I stammered, the words sticking in my throat. “It’s someone I thought I’d never have to deal with again,” I finally said, much softer than I had meant. “A ghost of our past, one I’d hoped would never come back.”

Lila furrowed a brow, interested. “But since they have to do with Calla, should we not grab onto that and take advantage of it? Just maybe, that’s the door we find about whatever she has to do with“.

I shook my head vigorously, though inside my heart tore in halves. “Later. Dane needs us first. With every hour, he is getting worse and this.” I waved at the paper. “May wait.” noveldrama

His face was set in a determined expression, with a hint of sympathy and understanding. “Aurora, you have carried so much for this pack. You don’t have to do it alone anymore. Let us take this on while you focus on Dane.“..

I met his gaze, and for the first time in a while, let myself lean into the support he was lending. “You’ve matured, Rowan,” I said softly. “Maybe I do need your help.”

Turning to leave, Rowan’s voice called after me, solid and sure. “We’ll take care of it, Luna. You have my word.

As I walked back toward the packhouse, that name wouldn’t be shaken from my mind.

“This changes everything,” I muttered, my chest coiling tight

with dread. “But I can’t face it until Dane is safe.”

I shook my head. “Once again, it is not important right now. Dane’s condition takes precedence. We can deal with that once he is stable.”