A week later, I found myself sitting on a rattling train heading north toward Highridge City, the place I once called home before I became the Luna of Silverpine Pack.
The journey felt endless, every turn of the wheels echoing the heartbeat of a life I'd buried six years ago.
When the train slowed and hissed to a stop, I stared out the window, breath fogging the glass. The old familiar skyline of Highridge... its mountains and the scent of rain-soaked soil, welcomed me like a ghost of my past.
I stepped out, clutching my worn backpack. My heart pounded with both relief and dread. 'Would they even want to see me after five years?'
I hailed a cab. The driver, a middle-aged man with a thick accent, threw me a curious glance through the mirror.
"Where to, miss?"
I hesitated, then said quietly, "To the Harlow estate, please."
The name alone made my throat tighten. The Harlow estate...my family's home, built high on the ridge, overlooking the river valley. It had once been my entire world.
The drive was long, winding through eucalyptus-lined roads.
My fingers trembled in my lap, memories flashing like scenes from another life... me laughing on the porch, Mum scolding me for sneaking off to play with rogue pups beyond the borders.
When the cab finally pulled through the iron gates, my breath slowed for a second. The mansion stood tall and grand as ever, silver stone gleaming in the mist.
Even after all these years, it hadn't changed--only I had.
I stepped out slowly, shoes crunching against the gravel. Two guards at the gate stiffened in surprise before lowering their heads respectfully.
"Welcome home, Miss Riley," one of them murmured and my chest tightened. Home? That word didn't feel like mine anymore.
I nodded at them and proceeded towards the entrance. The front doors swung open, and the faint scent of roses... Mum's perfume floated out.
Then I saw her. Lydia Harlow, the Luna matriarch of the Highridge Pack... my mother. Dressed in a cream silk gown, elegant as ever, she rushed down the stairs, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Riley!" she cried, her voice breaking as she pulled me into her arms. "My darling girl!"
I froze, stunned. I had expected anger, rejection and even silence. But I got something far from that thought in my head.
"Mum…" My voice trembled as I clung to her. "You're not angry with me?"
"Angry?" She cupped my face, eyes soft and wet. "How could I be angry? You've suffered enough. Thank goodness you're home now."
Tears burned my eyes. I had imagined this moment a thousand times, but never this warmth.
Behind us, servants and pack members had gathered in the hall, whispering in shock. Then my mother turned sharply toward them.
"Whatever happens today stays within these walls," she ordered. "No one outside this house must hear a word. Do you all understand?"
"Yes, Luna," they replied in unison before quickly dispersing.
Mum turned back to me, brushing a lock of wet hair from my face. "You've lost so much weight, Riley. What happened to you, my love?"
I swallowed hard. "Everything fell apart. I… I got divorced." The word burned my tongue. "My husband... he didn't want me anymore."
Her expression faltered for only a second before she forced a reassuring smile. "Then he's a fool! You're still my daughter, still a Harlow, and nothing can change that."
Her words cracked something open inside me, and I hugged her tightly again. "I missed you so much."
"And I missed you more than you know." She laughed through her tears. Just then, heavy footsteps echoed from the stairs. I turned, and there he was.
Alpha Garrett Harlow, my father. Tall, broad, with eyes like steel and a presence that could silence a room.
For a heartbeat, he just stared at me. No emotion or words. So I braced myself for the storm. But, to my shock, he crossed the room and wrapped me in his arms.
"Welcome home, pup," he said gruffly. "It's about damn time."
My breath hitched. "Dad… I thought you hated me."
"Never," he said quietly. "You're my only daughter and I can never hate you. You made mistakes, yes, but so did we."
As if I've been hit with a rod, my tears spilled freely then. "I'm sorry for running away... For bringing shame to the family."
Mum gently rubbed my back. "It's fine, my love. What matters is, you're here now."
I nodded, wiping my tears. "Thank you."
Almost instantly, Dad guided us into his home office... a large room lined with dark timber shelves and wolf emblems carved into the walls.
I sat down, still dazed. But he leaned forward, hands clasped.
"Riley, your mother and I are getting older. The pack businesses... Highridge Holdings and Harlow Trading are expanding faster than we can manage. We need you to come on board now."
"What!" I gasped, my eyes widened in shock. "You want me… to take over the Pack's company?"
"Yes, Riley." Mum smiled proudly. "You were born to lead, my darling. You have your father's strength and my instinct. So we believe you can guide this pack into the future."
Following her words, my heart thudded. I had run from this life five years ago... to live quietly, to be a wife, and belong somewhere.
Yet, here I was, standing at the edge of it again.
"I don't know if I can," I said honestly. "I've been gone too long. The pack probably still sees me as the rogue daughter of the Alpha."
"Then show them you're not." Dad cuts in, his eyes softened. "Take back what's yours."
"What..." I bit my lip, the words catching in my throat. "...what about Callum?" As I asked about that name, Mum's smile faded.
"Your brother is out meeting with the mining council. He'll come around when he returns."
I nodded faintly knowing this was going to be hard.
My stepbrother, Callum's goal from years back has been to take over the Pack's company. And me getting involved now after a messy divorce, could bring about war between us because he never really liked me from our childhood.
The room fell silent. The ticking of the old clock filled the air as I looked between my parents, the two people who had given me everything, and whom I had once betrayed for love.
Maybe this was my chance to make it right. But deep down, a whisper stirred in my wolf's voice. 'You can't go against your brother!'
I took a deep breath and looked at them. "Mom, Dad... I can't take over the Pack's company or your legacy."