Chapter 4: You Found Me Too Late

The moment Alexander learned Scarlett had canceled her Shadow Pack permit before leaving, an unbearable weight settled over his chest.

For days, he had convinced himself she was simply angry.

Now he realized the truth.

She hadn't disappeared by accident.

She had chosen to leave.

"Find her," Alexander ordered coldly.

"Search every neighboring territory."

"Every healer's guild."

"Every inn, every sanctuary, every border crossing."

"I don't care how much it costs."

"I want my mate found."

Within hours, warriors from the Silver Moon Pack spread across the continent.

Pack messages were sent to every allied Alpha.

Scarlett's name appeared on healer networks and traveler registries.

But weeks passed without a single lead.

Meanwhile...

Life at Moon Lake Sanctuary became everything Scarlett never realized she needed.

She woke before sunrise each morning to gather herbs beside the lake.

She spent her afternoons treating injured wolves from distant packs.

At night, she sat beside a bonfire with the other healers, laughing over stories instead of worrying about everyone else's happiness.

Nobody demanded sacrifices from her.

Nobody expected her to carry the weight of an entire family.

One afternoon, the sanctuary's elder healer approached her.

"Scarlett," he said warmly.

"You've brought peace to many of our patients."

"Have you considered staying permanently?"

Scarlett looked across the calm lake.

For the first time in years...

The idea didn't frighten her.

"I'd like that," she admitted.

"Very much."

Back at Silver Moon Pack, the atmosphere inside Alexander's villa had completely changed.

The house felt strangely empty.

The dining table was quiet.

The refrigerator no longer filled itself with prepared meals.

The laundry piled up.

Medical supplies ran out.

Even simple things, like paying the household bills, suddenly became problems.

Sarah looked around the untidy kitchen and sighed.

"Scarlett always handled everything..."

Emma quietly lowered her head.

"I never even thanked her."

James rubbed his forehead.

"I didn't realize how much she actually did."

Victoria tried to smile.

"She'll calm down eventually."

"She's just trying to teach everyone a lesson."

Alexander slowly turned toward her.

"Enough."

"Stop pretending you understand her."

"You never did."

Victoria's smile disappeared.

"Alexander..."

"I only wanted to spend time with everyone."

"And because of that..."

He looked away bitterly.

"I lost my mate."

The words stunned the room into silence.

Another month passed.

Three full months since Scarlett had left.

One afternoon, a healer traveling through Moon Lake Sanctuary recognized her.

"Dr. Scarlett?"

"The famous therapist from Silver Moon Pack?"

Scarlett smiled politely.

"I used to be."

"Not anymore."

Unfortunately...

The traveler later mentioned seeing Scarlett to another healer during his journey home.

Within days, the information reached Silver Moon Pack.

Alexander stood up before the messenger had even finished speaking.

"Moon Lake Sanctuary?"

"You're certain?"

"Yes, Alpha."

"Several healers confirmed she has been working there for nearly three months."

Alexander left immediately.

He drove through the night without stopping once.

For thirty-six exhausting hours, he ignored food, ignored sleep, and ignored every warning from his warriors.

He only wanted one thing.

To see Scarlett.

When he finally arrived at Moon Lake Sanctuary, the peaceful village looked nothing like the battlefield inside his heart.

Children laughed beside the lake.

Patients walked peacefully through flower gardens.

Then...

He saw her.

Scarlett stood outside a small wooden clinic, smiling while bandaging a young wolf's injured arm.

The sunlight reflected off her hair.

She looked healthier than he had ever seen her.

Relaxed.

Peaceful.

Happy.

His heart clenched.

"Scarlett..."

She slowly turned.

Their eyes met for the first time in three months.

There was no anger in hers.

No sadness.

No longing.

Only calm indifference.

"Alexander," she said politely.

"You're here."

Those simple words hurt him more than shouting ever could.

"I've been looking everywhere for you," he said hoarsely.

"Come home."

"Everyone misses you."

Scarlett looked toward the mountains before answering.

"Home?"

"This is my home now."

"Scarlett... please."

"I made a mistake."

"We all did."

"Then learn from it," she replied quietly.

"But don't expect me to keep paying the price for your lessons."

Alexander reached for her hand.

She calmly stepped back.

"Don't."

"We're still mates," he whispered.

"The bond still exists."

"Only because I haven't officially broken it yet," Scarlett answered.

"When I risked my life for your happiness, none of you stopped me."

"When I left..."

"You only started looking because your life became inconvenient."

"That's not true!" Alexander protested.

"Isn't it?"

Scarlett looked directly into his eyes.

"Tell me honestly."

"If I had quietly crossed Shadow Pack territory like you ordered..."

"Would you have ever realized how little I meant to all of you?"

Alexander opened his mouth.

No words came out.

Because he already knew the answer.

Scarlett gave him one final, gentle smile.

"You're too late, Alexander."

"The woman who would have forgiven you..."

"Stayed behind three months ago."