Chapter 20: The Last Tie to the Past

My new position brought me back to the capital more often, but Highmoor remained my true home.

I had learned to move between both worlds without belonging completely to either.

One afternoon, while reviewing a territorial dispute, I received an unexpected summons from the Royal Council.

When I entered the chamber, Gavin was already there.

He stood beside several senior officials, holding a sealed document.

Princess Helena looked at me seriously.

“There has been a change concerning the Redoak Pack.”

I sat down.

“What happened?”

Gavin answered this time.

“My father has decided to step down as Alpha.”

I was surprised.

“And Patricia?”

“She will retire from her position as Luna as well.”

He placed the document on the table.

“The Council has approved my succession.”

I nodded.

“Congratulations.”

His eyes met mine.

“Thank you.”

Princess Helena continued.

“The Redoak Pack's succession ceremony will take place next month. Because of your position, you have been invited as one of the royal representatives.”

I looked at the invitation.

For a moment, memories flooded back.

Sixteen-year-old me had once dreamed of standing beside Gavin during a ceremony like this.

I had imagined wearing his Luna crest.

I had imagined his family welcoming me.

I had imagined spending my entire life inside the Redoak Pack.

Now I was being invited as a royal official.

“I'll attend,” I said.

The ceremony arrived a month later.

The Redoak estate looked almost exactly as I remembered it.

But I no longer felt like an outsider begging to be accepted.

I walked through the grand entrance wearing my official royal uniform.

People stepped aside to greet me.

Some whispered my name.

Others mentioned the Highmoor Peace Administration.

No one called me Gavin's abandoned fiancée anymore.

During the ceremony, Gavin stood before the Pack as the new Alpha.

His expression was calm and composed.

When the succession oath was completed, the Pack members bowed.

Then his eyes found mine.

For one brief moment, we simply looked at each other.

I smiled and applauded with the other royal representatives.

Later, Gavin found me in the garden.

“You came.”

I smiled.

“It was an official invitation.”

He nodded.

“Still, I'm glad you came.”

We stood beneath the old trees where I had once spent countless afternoons dreaming about our wedding.

Gavin looked toward the estate.

“I used to think becoming Alpha would give me everything I wanted.”

“And now?” I asked.

He was quiet.

“Now I understand that titles don't fix the mistakes you make as a person.”

I looked at him.

“Then don't make the same mistakes again.”

He smiled faintly.

“I won't.”

After a moment, he asked, “Are you happy, Celia?”

I didn't hesitate.

“Yes.”

He nodded as though he had expected that answer.

“Good.”

I turned toward the estate one last time.

There was no longing in my chest.

No regret.

No desire to reclaim the life I had once wanted.

The Redoak Pack had once represented my entire future.

Now it was simply a place I had once known.

I said goodbye to Gavin that evening.

Not as his former fiancée.

Not as the girl who had waited six years.

But as Celia Langford, Director of the Highmoor Peace Administration.

And when I walked away from the Redoak estate, I knew there was nothing left between us except a memory.