Chapter 5-2
660 Words
Three tables away, Damon sat with Serena and several of his friends. Jace Holden's loud laugh carried across the room as he raised his glass.
Damon's eyes found mine across the room.
Shock? Regret? I can’t tell.
It was the first time we’d seen each other in a week. To my own surprise, both Mira and I were far calmer than I’d expected.
Maybe I’d already hurt so much there was no room left for pain. Either way, I was grateful I still had this much courage.
Then I saw Damon suddenly stand up and take a step toward me.
Serena's hand shot out immediately, grabbing his wrist. She pulled him back down, whispering something in his ear. He hesitated, then settled back into his seat, though his gaze kept drifting my way.
"Congratulations again, Serena!" Jace's voice boomed. "Youngest female captain in the Wolf Kingdom. That's history right there!"
"Thank you." Serena's smile was radiant. "It's been a dream come true."
"And you and Damon make such a perfect match," another friend chimed in. "The Langleys and Thornwoods united? That's a power couple if I've ever seen one."
Serena leaned into Damon's side. "We've known each other since we were children. Some bonds are just... meant to be."
Damon didn't say anything; he just looked at me, as if expecting some kind of reaction.
"Unlike some people who married above their station," Jace added with a sneer, his eyes flicking meaningfully toward me. "What was she thinking? Kira probably graduated from some third-rate academy, thinking she could keep up with real wolves of status."
Laughter rippled through their group.
I took a sip of water, keeping my expression neutral.
"I mean, seriously," another friend joined in. "No pack, no family, no credentials. What did she even bring to the marriage besides desperation?"
"Clearly not manners," I said clearly, my voice cutting through their conversation.
The table went silent and all eyes turned to me.
Jace's face flushed red. "Excuse me?"
"You're the ones lacking manners," I said calmly. "Gossiping about someone sitting three tables away. It's unbecoming."
"How dare you—" Jace started.
"Oh my goodness, is that Professor Crane?" Serena's voice went syrupy sweet as she looked past me.
I turned to see Elias approaching my table, his distinguished features warm with recognition.
Serena stood, practically gliding over. "Professor! What a lovely surprise. Do you remember me? Serena Langley. I competed in the tactical combat tournament at the Royal Military Academy a few years back."
Elias's expression was polite but distant. "Ah, yes. Alpha Victor's daughter."
"I'm so honored you remember." Serena's smile sharpened as she gestured toward me. "Do you know this woman? Kira Vance? We were just discussing educational backgrounds."
The trap was obvious. She expected him to have no idea who I was, to confirm their assumptions about my "third-rate" education.
Elias's eyebrows rose. He looked at Serena, then at their table of smirking faces, then back at me.
"Know her?" He let out a short laugh. "Of course I know Kira. She was my student."
He moved to my table, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"Kira graduated from the Alliance Military Academy with the highest honors the Eagle Strike program has ever seen. Top of her class in every combat discipline in aerial tactics, strategic planning, weapons mastery, emergency field medicine. She was a legend at the academy."
The color drained from Serena's face.
Elias continued, his voice carrying across the now-silent restaurant. "She served as captain of an elite Air Force unit for three years before her resignation. Her tactical innovations are still taught in our advanced courses."
He looked directly at Damon. "Any wolf would be honored to have her as a mate."
Damon's face had gone pale, his eyes wide with shock.
He'd never known. In three years of marriage, he'd never once asked about my education, my service, my accomplishments.
He'd never bothered to ask at all.
- Writer
