Ch. 4 Seeing You Again

Renzo’s POV

I had finally completed Alpha training and was eager to surprise Saoirse by returning two weeks earlier than planned. But instead, I was the one blindsided.

“What do you mean she left the pack?” I asked, incredulous.

Shane shifted uneasily, trying to explain while I paced my father’s office in growing fury.

“She left two years ago, just two weeks after you did,” he said quietly.

The words snapped something inside me. I grabbed him by the neck before realizing what I was doing. For years, he had assured me she was safe. She hadn’t emailed me as promised, and he claimed it was because she was embarrassed about not having her wolf. Didn’t she know none of that mattered? She was all I wanted—wolf or no wolf.

My father pried me off Shane. “Calm down, son. I was going to tell you before your return. She asked for permission to leave. It had become unbearable for her here. People pitied her, the she-wolves envied her, and once you left… they saw their chance to torment her. School became intolerable.”

Rage burned through me. I’ll skin them alive.

“And what did you do to protect her?” My voice shook with fury. “You just accepted her decision to leave instead of standing up for her? You’re the Alpha—our Luna was forced out of her own pack when she was most vulnerable, and I wasn’t even here!”

I dragged my hands over my head, my chest tight with desperation. “I can’t believe this is happening. Where is she? Where is my Luna?”

“Son…” My father’s tone was warning. “Do not spread such claims. You don’t even know if she is your fated, and with her wolf never surfacing—perhaps it’s time you reconsider…”

“She’s my everything,” I snapped. “If you want a sane Alpha leading this pack, you’ll tell me where she is right now.”

Father’s eyes softened, but his words were measured. “Before I do, understand this—we did what we believed was best. She agreed that telling you while you trained would distract you. Your duty is to this pack. Thousands will soon depend on you. You will lead our businesses, our people. You need to be clear-headed.”

“She is all the clarity I need. Now… where is she?”

A long silence stretched before he finally answered. “Ireland. With her grandmother. Shane will accompany you.”

I stormed out, barking instructions at Shane. Plane, car, private, or commercial—I didn’t care. We were leaving immediately. My wolf snarled and paced inside me, restless. He missed her, too. He remembered the way she doted on him, soothed him. He wanted her back as much as I did.

---

We landed in Ireland the next day. Her parents had given me every detail I needed to find her. The drive wound through rolling hills and quaint villages, scenery I couldn’t appreciate—my chest was too tight, my thoughts consumed by how much she must have suffered. Shane sat silently at my side, shame flickering across his face.

“Renzo,” he said finally, voice low. “I only followed your father’s orders. But even so… Saoirse wasn’t safe in the pack. Hanna and I couldn’t protect her constantly. Neither could her parents. When Hanna overheard Stacey planning to fight her—to humiliate her, to prove she wasn’t Luna material—I knew she had to leave. I suggested it. She agreed.”

I turned on him, barely leashing my rage. My mate. My Luna. My world. Unsafe in her own pack.

“They will face consequences,” I growled.

“You can’t punish she-wolves for challenging. That’s our nature. They wanted to prove who was stronger.”

“Watch me,” I snarled. “No one hurts my Luna and walks away unscathed. They’ll think twice before crossing her again.”

---

When I saw the little white cottage, I didn’t wait for the car to stop. I leapt out, heart hammering. Roses climbed along a picket fence. Just as I reached the door, it opened—and there she was.

“Renzo?”

The sound of my name on her lips unraveled me. I closed my eyes, drinking it in. She looked taller, older, womanly—her body curved, her glorious hair longer than ever. My restraint shattered. She flew into my arms like old times, and it felt like coming home. I buried my face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent. Honey and vanilla. My favorite. My wolf instantly calmed.

“I missed you, Little One,” I whispered, my voice raw.

I don’t know how long I held her. Only Shane’s throat-clearing broke the spell. When I finally looked up, a petite red-haired woman stood at the doorway, eyes sharp with skepticism.

Saoirse, blushing, touched my chest and arms as though confirming I was real. Every brush of her fingers sent shivers through me.

“I thought you weren’t returning for another two weeks,” she said breathlessly. “I was going back to wait for you… But—wow. You’re… bigger. Stronger. Your muscles—oh wow, you weren’t this huge before. I’m sure you—”

“Sweethaeart?" Her grandmother’s disapproving throat-clear cut her off.

“Oh! Right.” Saoirse turned, flustered. “Grandma, this is Alpha Renzo and his Beta, Shane, from the Moon Shadow Pack in the U.S. Guys, this is my grandmother, Maeve.”

Maeve’s eyes softened only slightly. “That’s quite the journey. Come inside, freshen up, and eat. I’ve just baked scones.”

Inside, the air smelled of butter and sugar. I reluctantly released Saoirse at Maeve’s insistence, and Shane and I sat at the table. Still, I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she sashayed to the kitchen—hips swaying, waist impossibly tiny, breasts fuller than I remembered. My body betrayed me, and I shoved my chair closer under the table before anyone noticed. Two more years, I told myself. Two more years and she’ll be mine completely.

We ate scones and strong coffee while Maeve interrogated us. Shane eagerly told her about Hanna and their toddler, crumbs all over his plate. I barely heard him. My attention was fixed on Saoirse—her mismatched eyes, her smile, the way she glanced shyly at me when she thought I wasn’t looking.

Then the doorbell rang. My wolf stiffened. And I wondered who dared interrupt now.