*NEW* Chapter XXVI

Lydia's POV

We were a day away from the trip. I carefully folded the clothes I wanted to take with me, ensuring everything fit neatly into my suitcase when a knock echoed at my door.

"Come in," I called out, expecting maybe one of the pack staff.

I was surprised when Derek stepped inside. He looked awkward, his hands held behind his back as if hiding something.

"Are you all set for tomorrow?" he asked casually.

I nodded, but my curiosity got the best of me. "What are you hiding?"

His lips curled into a teasing smile. "You're missing something," he said before finally revealing my passport from behind his back.

I took it, my fingers tracing over the cover, my eyes wide with disbelief. "I'm really going abroad," I whispered, overwhelmed. Never in a thousand years did I think I would even leave that attic room, let alone the country.

Derek seemed amused by my excitement, but I still noticed his hands remained behind his back. My eyes narrowed. "Okay, what else?"

He hesitated, then finally revealed a sleek box—a phone box. Brand new.

I nearly choked. "Is that for me?"

As if anticipating my refusal, he immediately said, "You're forbidden from refusing this. It's yours."

I stared at the box in shock. For the first time, I wasn't sure how to respond.

Trip Day

Impatient, I knocked on Derek's office door, eager to announce that I was ready. "The suitcases are in the car, and all the pack members joining the trip are ready too," I added.

I didn't wait for consent before stepping in, but the moment I did, I froze. Two pairs of eyes turned toward me—one set a piercing blue I hadn't seen in a while.

Fabian.

He was there with Derek, deep in what looked like a serious briefing about pack matters. Derek barely acknowledged my entrance before saying, "I'll be there in a minute."

I swallowed hard and forced myself to greet Fabian. "Beta Fabian."

He barely spared me a glance. "Luna," he acknowledged stiffly before turning his gaze away.

The tension was suffocating. Derek must have sensed it too because he stood and walked over to me, his presence commanding. Then, in an unmistakable display of possession, he ran his fingers through my hair. "Wait outside," he said softly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I nodded, stepping out, my mind swirling. Fabian's coldness, Derek's territorial move—what exactly had I walked into?

I filmed every moment, uploading everything to my Instagram. I gathered the pack members in the lounge while we waited and made a boomerang with our passports, capturing the excitement. Derek stood off to the side, shaking his head. At times, I forgot that he was just as broken as I was. The difference was that life had forced him to harden, while I was finally allowed to live.

I wanted pictures, videos—everything. And when I found out we were flying business class, I nearly lost my composure. Derek sighed, clearly wishing I would calm down, but I knew he saw how I lightened the mood for the pack members, who were usually so stiff around him.

Our compartments were right next to each other on the plane. I eagerly inspected everything, feeling Derek's gaze on me. "Are you all right?" he asked.

I smiled. "This all feels like a dream."

His face remained serious. "You're the Luna. The pack must see you differently."

I rolled my eyes. "I was already wondering why you were so quiet and not complaining." Then, smirking, I added, "How come you left Fabian behind?"

Derek's expression darkened. "Someone has to take care of the pack and business. Whether fortunately or unfortunately, he's still the most suited for the role."

I frowned. "He's your lifelong friend. How can you treat him like that? I promised to stay away from him."

Derek's jaw clenched. "I can't help it. I can't help feeling jealous. You never look at me the way you look at him."

I held his gaze. "If I'm sitting across from you right now, it's because of Fabian. He was the only one who showed me compassion despite the consequences. At least be grateful that he preserved me."

Derek exhaled sharply as I closed the door to my compartment.

I could hear him breathing heavily on the other side. We were starting this trip off rough, and at this rate, the coming days weren't going to be any easier.

The flight took a couple of hours—good food, drinks, and so much attention on us. I watched a movie, then took a nap while listening to music. Until finally, we arrived.

As soon as I stepped out of the plane, a sharp chill hit me. I had to quickly put on my jacket, shivering as I took in the breathtaking sight before me. Everything was white—snow covering the ground, the trees, even the rooftops in the distance. A winter wonderland.

We checked into a hotel, and, as expected, Derek had booked a room for me right next to his. He told me to get ready for dinner in the hotel's restaurant.

Curiosity finally got the best of me. "Derek, what exactly is the purpose of this trip?"

He glanced at me before answering carefully. "Werewolves from across the world are meeting to discuss crucial matters. After the war, there's been a significant rise in rogues. Packs are struggling to track them and contain the problem. Many packs were destroyed, leaving wolves scattered, leaderless, orphaned, or without protection. There's too much to be discussed."

I swallowed. "I heard a lot of people died during the war."

His expression darkened. "Nearly forty percent of the werewolf population was wiped out."

The weight of that number settled heavily in my chest. "That's... devastating."

"Werewolves are a fairly small population compared to humans," Derek continued. "A werewolf is only born if both parents are wolves. If one mate is human, the chances of having a werewolf child are extremely low. Now, with so many having lost their mates—their best chance at a successful offspring—restoring our numbers will be nearly impossible."

I hesitated before asking, "So... if we had children, they wouldn't be werewolves?"

Derek's gaze flickered with something unreadable. "I don't know. You're human... but we're mates, fated for each other. It's possible."

I sat with that thought for a moment, unsure how I felt about it. The reality of the supernatural world was far more complicated than I had ever imagined.