The purpose of Leo's visit to the Moon Crest Pack had long been fulfilled.
Several council meetings had been held, and countless private discussions with Alpha Dominic had taken place. Now, the time had come for Leo to return home.
But a quiet unease lingered in him.
Since Dominic's return, the atmosphere in the pack had shifted—tighter, more watchful. No one moved without purpose, and Leo hadn't found a moment alone with Aliyah.
He paced the room, agitation etched into every step.
"Just two days left before I leave this place," he muttered. He stopped, fists clenched. "I hope Dara will return with me. I'm not ready to leave her again."
Suddenly, an idea sparked in Leo's mind.
After a moment of deliberation, Leo pulled out a piece of parchment and began to write. His message was brief—each word carefully chosen, weighty with intent. When he finished writing, Leo folded the note carefully and gave a quiet command.
"Bring Rylan," he said to one of the guards.
Moments later, Rylan arrived, alert and waiting. Leo turned to him—his most trusted wolf—and handed him the folded parchment directly.
"I need you to give this to Aliyah," he said in a low voice. "Directly. No one else. Make sure no eyes follow you."
Rylan gave a curt nod. "Consider it done."
---
Later that day, Aliyah was seated near the training grounds, cooling down after drills, when Rylan approached silently. He didn't say a word, just held out a folded parchment.
Aliyah blinked. "For me?"
Rylan gave a small nod. "From Alpha Leo." Then he turned and walked away.
Laura appeared at her side, wide-eyed. "You got a letter?" she whispered, nudging her playfully. "That's the first one I've ever seen you get."
Aliyah stared at it, her fingers tingling slightly.
Laura leaned in, sniffing dramatically. "That scent—it's him, isn't it? You're totally blushing."
"I'm not," Aliyah muttered, though the smile tugging at her lips said otherwise.
They sank onto the edge of the bench, both worn out from training, the letter lying between them like a fragile secret.
"Well?" Laura nudged. "Open it before I die of suspense."
Aliyah took a breath and carefully unfolded the parchment. Her eyes scanned the words—her smile slowly fading as she read.
It wasn't a love letter. No sweet confessions or poetic promises. Just a time. A place. And a message written in Leo's careful hand:
Aliyah,
Things have changed since Dominic's return. The eyes on us have grown sharper, and I won't risk dragging you into unnecessary scrutiny.
But there are things I need to say—and I won't leave without saying them.
Meet me tonight, at the old watchtower past the northern ridge. No guards. No shadows. Just us.
I trust you'll understand why I chose this way.
Leo
No signature was needed. She knew the weight behind those words.
Her fingers tightened around the parchment.
Laura leaned in, her curiosity burning. "What is it?"
Aliyah stood, slipping the note into her pocket. "Nothing. Just something I need to do."
Laura didn't move. "That didn't look like 'nothing.' Come on, what did he say?"
Aliyah hesitated. "He wants to meet. Tonight."
Laura's brows shot up. "A secret meeting in the dark? That sounds like something out of a romance scroll."
"It's not like that," Aliyah murmured. "He just… he needs to talk. Before he leaves."
Laura studied her for a beat. "Are you going?"
Aliyah nodded slowly, eyes distant. "I have to. Whatever it is… I need to hear it."
Laura reached out and gently touched her arm. "Just be careful. This place isn't safe for quiet talks anymore."
Aliyah gave a faint smile. "I know. That's why I'm going."
---
That night, as the pack fell into stillness, Aliyah moved quietly through the halls. Every creak of the wooden floor made her heart race. If anyone caught her… especially Alpha Dominic or Garrick…
But she couldn't ignore Leo's message.
Wrapped in a dark cloak, she slipped through a side exit and followed the familiar path leading out of the pack grounds. The moonlight guided her through the trees, casting silver shadows that danced with every step. She trusted the route—one she often took for solitary walks, though tonight it felt different. There was a purpose to her steps.
When she reached the clearing, Leo was already there, standing in the moonlight, waiting.
He turned as she approached, his eyes lighting up with quiet relief.
"Part of me feared you wouldn't come," he said, his voice low, barely above a whisper. "But I had to try."
Aliyah's voice was barely audible. "Neither was I."
She paused for a moment, glancing around the clearing before her gaze settled back on Leo. "How did you find this place? Not everyone knows about it."
Leo's expression softened as he stepped a little closer. "Garrick once took me out for a stroll, and we ended up here," he said quietly. "He mentioned it's where most lovers come—to get away from the watchful eyes of the pack."
Aliyah frowned slightly at the mention of Garrick. The connection felt unexpected—maybe even a little unsettling.
Leo caught the change in her expression and gave a small shrug. "Don't worry. He didn't know about us then."
Aliyah exhaled slowly, her voice more guarded. "Still… it's not something I expected."
Leo nodded, his gaze steady, sincere. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. But with everything moving so fast, I couldn't leave without saying what I came to say. Not without seeing you one last time."
A rush of emotions swirled in her chest—confusion, frustration, and something deeper she didn't want to acknowledge.
She looked at him, her voice quieter now. "And what exactly is it you need to say?"
Leo took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving hers. "Everything that's been left unsaid. Things I won't be able to tell you again if I leave without speaking them."
Aliyah swallowed hard, unsure of what was about to unfold but feeling the weight of the moment pressing on her chest. "Then say it," she whispered. "Before it's too late."
Leo's voice softened as he stepped closer, his breath warm against the crisp night air. "It's hard to describe… how much I've missed you," he murmured, his eyes tracing her face in the moonlight.
Aliyah swallowed, her heart unexpectedly fluttering at the raw honesty in his voice. "I've missed you too," she whispered, her gaze dropping to the ground for a moment before meeting his eyes again. There was no need for further words; their silence spoke volumes.
Leo hesitated, then gently cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing her cheekbones. "These past weeks, with everything happening so fast, I… I didn't know how to make it stop, how to make it slow down so I could be with you."
Aliyah's breath caught in her throat at the tenderness of his touch, her pulse quickening. She wanted to speak, to fill the silence, but the weight of the moment held her still. She didn't speak, unable to voice the swirling mix of emotions that tightened in her chest.
Finally, Leo's voice broke the stillness again—low, almost hesitant as if he feared saying the wrong thing. "I'm leaving in two days. The purpose of my visit here… it's done. And when I go—I want you to come with me."
Aliyah's breath hitched. Her heart pounded so loudly it drowned out the night around them. The words hung in the air between them, the space between them charged with longing.
Leo's eyes softened as he stepped even closer, the warmth of his body against hers almost too much to bear. "I don't say this lightly. I know it's not simple. But I had to ask. Because leaving without you… it doesn't feel right anymore."