(Audrey’s POV)

    I found myself genuinely surprised by how much I was enjoying Florian’s childhood friends. The private dining room overlooking the moonlitke had a warm, intimate atmosphere that made me feel weed rather than scrutinized.

    “So you’re telling me Florian used to steal honey cakes from the pack kitchen when he was seven?” I asked Asher Silverw, unable to suppress myughter.

    Asher’s silver-tipped hair caught the candlelight as he nodded enthusiastically. “Not just steal them. He’d convince the kitchen omegas that he was ‘testing’ them for quality control.”

    “I was ensuring pack food safety,” Florian protested from beside me, his arm draped casually across the back of my chair. “A very serious responsibility for a young pup.”

    Kevin, who had undergone aplete personality transformation since our arrival, jumped in eagerly. “Tell her about the time you tried to ‘help’ with the harvest moon ceremony preparations!”

    I nced at Florian, whose golden eyes held a mixture of embarrassment and fondness. “What did you do?”

    “He decided the ceremony was too boring,” Kevin exined, his previous animosity reced by genuine warmth. “So he released a pack of moon rabbits into the ceremonial circle.”

    “They were supposed to add ‘natural authenticity,''” Florian said dryly.

    “The chaossted for hours!” Asher chimed in. “Alpha Cornelius was so furious he made Florian clean the entire ceremonial ground with a single brush.”

    Leo, who had been quietly coloring with crayons Sarah had found in her pack, suddenly looked up with bright curiosity. ” Uncle, when will you and Aunt Luna get officially mated?”

    The entire table fell silent. I felt heat rise to my cheeks as Florian’s arm tightened slightly around my shoulder.

    “When your Aunt Luna decides she’s ready for such a troublesome mate,” Florian replied smoothly, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple.

    Leo considered this seriously, his little brow furrowed in concentration. “Is Uncle troublesome?”

    Sarah snorted withughter. “Very troublesome, Leo. But your Aunt Audrey likes troublesome wolves.”

    “I do not,” I protested weakly, though I couldn’t deny the flutter in my chest at Florian’s casual disy of affection.

    The conversation flowed naturally after that, with stories andughter filling the air. Kevin was particrly animated as he discussed Winter’s Remedy’s expansion ns with Sarah, his earlier hostilitypletely forgotten.

    “The location on Moonstone Boulevard would be perfect,” he was saying earnestly. “High foot traffic, excellent visibility, and the rent ispletely reasonable.”

    “Reasonable for whom?” Sarah asked skeptically.

    “For Audrey’s future mate,” Kevin replied without thinking, then immediately flushed. “I mean, for sessful healing specialists. Which you both clearly are.”

    I caught Florian’s amused expression and had to bite my lip to keep fromughing. His friends’ eptance meant more to me than I’d expected.

    Just as the dessert course arrived, Florian’s pack device buzzed insistently against his pocket. He pulled it out discretely, his expression immediately shifting as he read the message. The change was subtle, but I’d grown adept at reading his moods.

    He typed a quick response and slipped the device away, but I noticed the tension that had settled in his shoulders.

    “Everything alright?” I asked quietly.

    “Pack business,” he replied, his tone carefully neutral. “Nothing urgent.”

    I didn’t press, but I made a mental note to ask about itter when we were alone.

    As the evening progressed, the atmosphere remained warm and celebratory. Leo had charmed everyone at the table, including the server who brought him an extra portion of moon berry cake without being asked.

    “Uncle Florian,” Leo said seriously, his face smeared with frosting, “your friends are nice. But they tell embarrassing stories about you.”

    “All the best friends do,” Florian assured him. “It’s how you know they truly care about you.”

    Leo nodded wisely, then turned to me. “Do you have embarrassing stories about Aunt Luna?”

    “So many,” Sarah said before I could respond. “Would you like to hear about the time she tried to cook venison stew and nearly burned down her entire territory kitchen?”

    “Sarah!” I protested, but I wasughing despite myself.

    As the celebration began to wind down, other guests starting to make their departures, Florian leaned close to my ear. “Walk with me? There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

    My stomach tightened slightly at his serious tone, but I nodded. “Of course.”

    “Leo,” Sarah called, noticing our movement. “Come help me pack up the leftover cake for tomorrow.”

    The little pup bounded over eagerly, giving us space to slip away unnoticed.

    Florian led me through the restaurant to a private balcony that overlooked the moonlitke. The night air was cool and crisp, carrying the scent of pine and water.

    “This is beautiful,” I murmured, leaning against the railing.

    “It is,” Florian agreed, but he wasn’t looking at the scenery. His golden eyes were fixed on me with an intensity that made my breath catch.

    “What did you want to discuss?” I asked, though part of me wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

    His expression grew serious, the yful warmth from dinner fading. “There’s something I need to tell you about the investigation into Lyra Riverwind.”

    My stomach dropped. “What about her?”

    “Cassandra’s contacts have uncovered some disturbing connections,” he said carefully. “Connections between her and Nathan Snowfang.”

    I felt the blood drain from my face. “Nathan? What kind of connections?”

    Florian moved closer, his handsing up to frame my face gently. “Audrey, we have evidence that suggest Lyra has been inmunication with Nathan for months before she appeared as Luna Riverwind’s daughter.”

    My mind reeled. “That’s impossible. Nathan would never…”

    “We believe Nathan orchestrated the entire deception,” Florian continued, his voice soft but determined. “Using Lyra to infiltrate the Riverwind pack for reasons we’re still investigating.”

    I shook my head, stepping back until my spine hit the railing. “No. You don’t understand. Nathan has been nothing but kind to me. When Arthur hurt me, when I feltpletely alone, Nathan and Sarah were the only friends I had.”

    “Audrey-“

    “He helped me recover from my spirit sickness. He connected me with Master ra. He never asked for anything in return.” My voice was rising despite my efforts to stay calm. “I can’t believe he would have ulterior motives this entire time.”

    Florian’s hands found my shoulders, steadying me. “I know this is difficult to hear. But the evidence ispelling.”

    A chill ran through me as I thought about Nathan’s visits to the Sunstone Territories. His constant concern for my wellbeing. The way he always seemed to appear just when I needed help most.

    “What evidence?” I asked weakly.

    “Communication records. Financial transactions. Lyra admits to receiving instructions from him.” Florian’s voice was gentle but firm. “More concerning is what we’ve discovered about my ident.”

    My heart stopped. “What about it?”

    Florian pulled me closer, as if trying to shield me from an unseen threat. “The explosion at my research facility wasn’t an ident, Audrey. Someone wanted me dead. They nearly seeded.”

    My hands flew to his face, tracing the familiar lines with trembling fingers. “Who would do such a thing?”

    “We’re still investigating, but the preliminary evidence suggests-“

    “Uncle! Aunt Luna!”

    Leo’s excited voice shattered the heavy moment as he burst onto the balcony, having clearly escaped from the main party. “Come back!” he chirped happily. “Sarah says there’s going to be territory cake! The special kind with moonstone frosting!” The interruption broke through my shock, grounding me back in the present moment. Florian’s expression immediately softened as he looked down at the enthusiastic pup.

    “Territory cake?” he asked, ruffling Leo’s hair affectionately. “Well, we can’t miss that, can we?”

    Leo shook his head vigorously. “No! It’s your birthday cake! You have to blow out the candles and make a wish!”

    I took a shaky breath, trying to process everything Florian had just told me while maintaining a calm face for Leo’s sake.

    “We’ll discuss this more tomorrow,” Florian promised me quietly, his golden eyes filled with concern and something deeper. “For now, let’s just enjoy the celebration.”

    I nodded, forcing a smile for Leo’s benefit. “Lead the way, little wolf. We can’t keep the birthday cake waiting.”

    As we followed Leo back inside, I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything I thought I knew about the past two years was about to change.