ra’s POV

E55 vouchers

The room was a buzz of noise, everyone talking at once, with a flurry of discussions happening all around.

ra and Medline had managed to get a hold of the speaker list, and after scanning it, ra’s eyes locked onto the panel Thorne would be speaking at.

“If he’s there, Judith can’t be far off,” ra muttered under her breath, her pulse quickening.

Medline gave a small nod and whispered back, “We’ll wait for the session to end.”

ra stood in the back of the room, her eyes scanning over the crowd, but her thoughts were elsewhere. It had been eight long years since she’d seen Thorne. That familiar face… though, it felt like a lifetime ago.

A mixture of pain and longing sliced through her chest like a knife, sharp and cold. She’d spent so long building up walls to keep that pain at bay, but seeing him now, standing so confidently amidst a crowd of admirers… it was all too much.

He hadn’t changed much. His features were still as striking as ever, but the man he was now felt like a

stranger.

His eyes–the same smoky gray–used to be filled with warmth and promise. Now? They were hollow, filled with ghosts of pain she couldn’t even imagine.

The sparkle in his eyes was long gone. In its ce, there was just… weariness. A man hardened by loss, maybe.

ra noticed a scar tracing down his left cheek, from ear to neck. How had that happened? A battlefield injury? Maybe an assassination attempt? She wanted to know. Needed to know. But eight years of silence had sealed her out of that chapter of his life forever.

A deep breath. She pushed back the familiar sting in her throat and looked away. She had to focus. Her son. That was her priority now.

“I don’t isee /iJudith,” Medline’s voice broke through her thoughts.

ra turned, narrowing her eyes. “He can’t be far.”

It wasn’t Direstone Pack. Thorne wouldn’t let Judith out of his sight. The question was… where the hell was he?

“I’ll search the crowd,” Medline volunteered.

“I’m going to check the VIP lounge,” ra said, determination hardening her voice.

As she made her way toward the lounge, a voice suddenly called out from behind her.

“Excuse me… Missb?/bb” /b

ra whipped around, her heart leaping into her throat.

It was Francis, Thorne’s Beta.

Thest person she wanted to run into.

55 vouchers

Her mind screamed. She was about to panic, but then she remembered the mask on her face. It would be impossible for him to recognize her.

“Yes?” she forced out a smile, trying to keep her voice steady.

He stared at her, furrowing his brows. “You… you look familiar. Have we met before?”

Her heart thudded in her chest. “I’m sure you’re mistaken.”

Francis scratched his head, still looking uncertain. “No, it’s just… when I saw your back earlier, I thought I saw someone I knew.”

ra gave him an easyugh, though her heart was racing. “Probably just a coincidence.”

She started to turn away, but he stepped closer, blocking her path.

“Can I at least know your name?” His voice was eager.

She hesitated, cursing under her breath. “ra.”

“Lord ra, from the Obsidian Pack,” he added, stepping even closer. “It’s an honour to meet you, Lady ra.” He smiled brightly, unaware of her difort. “Listen, there’s an exclusive partyter. I can introduce you to the King if you’d like.”

Thest person she wanted to meet was Thorne. Her frustration bubbled up. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m in a bit of ia /irush.”

“Ohe on,” he pushed, clearly undeterred. “You know everyone wants to meet the King, right? Don’t act like you’re not interested.”

ra’s patience was thinning fast. She needed to find Judith, and fast. “I really must go,” she said, trying to move past him.

Just then, a cold voice cut through the air.

“Francis, what are you doing there?”

ra froze.

It was Thorne’s voice.

Her heartbeat quickened, a surge of panic flooding her. Her body tensed, refusing to turn around.

“Oh! My King!” Francis greeted, stepping back. “I was just trying to introduce you to Lady ra. She’s from

the Obsidian Pack.”

Please don’t let him turn around. Please.

To her relief, Thorne’s voice rang out, low andmanding. “I need to talk to you. Come.”

A

E b55 /bvouchers

“Maybe another time, Lady ra,” Francis muttered with a sigh of disappointment, before walking off with

Thorne.

ra waited, her breath catching as she listened to their footsteps fade away. Only then did she exhale in relief. That was too close.

The impact Thorne still had on her, even after all these years, was overwhelming. Hearing his voice again… it shook her to the core.

Shaking off the memory, ra forced herself to focus. She needed to find Judith and leave. No distractions. No more dys.

Pushing open the door to the VIP lounge, she peeked inside. The room was mostly empty, except for a maid and a small boy.

Judith.

Her heart leapt into her throat. He was here.

She watched him, a small frown on his face as he spoke to the maid. “Why can’t I go to the panel? I’m bored.”

The maid, hesitant, replied, “It’s for adults, young master. You’ll just get bored.”

Judith pouted, clearly disappointed. “Can I at least get some cake? I’m starving.”

The maid hesitated, but after a beat, nodded. “Okay. I’ll bring you some, but you stay here, alright?”

Judith nodded absentmindedly as she walked away. ra took the chance and slipped into the room, her breath catching as she saw him up close.

“Judith!” she whispered urgently.

The boy looked up in shock. “Mom? What are you doing here?”

Relief surged through her as she rushed to him, pulling him into a tight hug. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. You have no idea how worried I’ve been!”

Judith’s small arms wrapped around her neck, his forehead pressing against hers. “I’m sorry, Mom. I missed

you too.”

The words hung heavy between them, but there wasn’t time for a heart–to–heart right now. “We’ll talk when we get home,” ra said softly, her voice determined as she tried to pull him up.

“No!” Judith cried, yanking away from her. “I don’t want to go home!”

Her brows knitted together in confusion. “What? Why not?”

“Judith, what’s wrong?” She knelt to his level, her hands holding his tiny ones.

?(1)

55 vouchers

His eyes welled up with tears. “They’re horrible! The others at school, the elders… Theyughed at me because I don’t have a wolf.”

ra’s heart broke for him. Judith was still young–he wouldn’t shift until he came of age. But to everyone else? He was different, and that difference was making him an easy target.

“Judith, listen to me,” ra said, pulling him closer. “You are a boy of wonder. You are different, and that’s a good thing. Don’t let theirughter get to you.”

Judith’s head hung low, but he said nothing.

ra stroked his hair. “We’ll make them apologize when we get home, okay? But right now, we need to go.”

“No! I don’t want to!” Judith cried, his voice breaking.

The sound of a te shattering from the doorway froze them both.

“HELP! Someone’s trying to steal the young master!” The maid was back.

Panic set in. ra scooped Judith into her arms, her mind racing. She needed to get out, but the door was

blocked.

Thorne.

The tall figure stood in the doorway, his eyes cold as he stared at her.

This wasn’t going to be easy.

C

&