Chapter 12

12

Liza was too wired to take a nap. Instead, she headed into the offices set aside for her and Maize. It didn't unnerve her that she had a guard following her. Instead, it made her feel cared for, cherished. Especially after what had happened to her sister.

She wasn't surprised to find Maize inside as well. Liza wanted to ensure that every detail of her interior design work captured the raw beauty and essence of the mountains that surrounded Moonridge. The towering peaks, the lush forests, the way the light filtered through the trees at dawn—all of it was inspiration for her. She wanted the interiors to reflect the closeness and warmth she had already felt from the shifters in the pack, the unspoken bond that tied them together like a family.

The moon, once just a distant celestial body, now held new significance for her. It was more than just a source of light; it was a symbol of connection, of destiny, of the mysterious forces that brought fated mates together. Liza wanted to weave that symbolism into her designs, incorporating elements that would catch the moonlight, casting glows across the rooms as a constant reminder of the magic that governed their lives.

She was excited to get started, to pour herself into every detail, from the texture of the fabrics to the curve of the furniture. Each piece would be chosen with care, every color palette thoughtfully selected to evoke the natural beauty of the mountains and the deep, abiding connection the pack shared.

She loved her job—loved the way it allowed her to express herself, to create something beautiful and lasting. But now, it meant even more. It was a way for her to contribute to the pack, to carve out a place for herself not just as Rylan's mate but as an integral part of the community.

For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be. The bond with Rylan was real, tangible. She got the sense she could feel him inside of her, not his thoughts, but his feelings. Right now there was worry coursing through the mating bond. He likely had been told she wasn't at home in his bed. It was something he would need to get used to. Liza had every intention of being a working woman. But she also planned to leave the office at 5 p.m. on the dot each day and not a second later.

She wanted to spend all of her spare time with her fated mate. She glanced at the clock now. It wasn't even lunchtime. But the end of the workday would be here soon enough. Now she would get down to work and show her new community what she was capable of.

"I still can't believe it," Liza said, her voice filled with wonder as she turned to Maize. "It's like everything just clicked into place."

Maize smiled, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "I know what you mean. Gideon's been so patient with me, and now I can't imagine life without him."

They both had been through so much. Now, finally, they had found something—someone—who made it all worth it.

They were grinning like schoolgirls when the door to the office opened, drawing their attention. Liza looked up, her smile faltering slightly when she saw the woman standing in the doorway. She recognized her immediately—the same woman she'd seen at the festival, the one Elijah had bumped into and spilled a drink on. The memory of that moment, the spark she had felt between them, was still vivid in her mind.

"Hello, I'm Celine."

"I remember you. We met at the festival."

Celine cocked her head to the side as she regarded Liza.

"I was with Elijah."

Celine's features went on lockdown, like a key turning in a door. Her face went entirely blank.

"Oh no," Liza hurried to say. "There's nothing between me and Elijah. I'm Rylan's mate."

If Celine's features had been blank before, they were empty now. Her jaw clenched as though she was trying to hold something in. Her lips pursed as though she was trying to swallow something distasteful.

"Wait," said Maize. "Celine? The daughter of the Sequoia Pack Alpha?"

Celine's eyes flicked to Maize. She didn't confirm it. She didn't need to. This was the woman Rylan was supposed to marry.

What was she doing here this morning? Was she here to challenge Liza to a fight for Rylan? Liza wasn't much of a brawler, but she would if she had to fight for her man. She looked Celine up and down. They were evenly matched, but if she fought dirty, she could take the woman. So long as Celine didn't shift into her wolf form.

"That's off the table now," Celine finally said, her voice steady but carrying a hint of something resigned. "I'm not marrying Rylan. I'm here to work instead."

Relief was a cool breeze on Liza's skin. She wasn't going to have to fight. Maybe she and Celine could even be friends. Liza still hadn't forgotten that spark she'd felt between Celine and Elijah. Maybe Celine was denying the bond as Liza had at first. Maize had done the same with Gideon. Looked like the three of them already had something in common. And now they were all going to work together.

"Rylan assigned me to be the new interior designer for the housing development."

The words hit Liza like a physical blow, her smile falling away completely. "That's… that's my job."

Celine's eyes widened slightly, a flash of surprise crossing her face, but she quickly masked it with a neutral expression. "I didn't know," she said, her tone almost apologetic but still distant. "It wasn't my decision."

Liza felt a rush of emotions—hurt, confusion, and a simmering anger that she struggled to keep in check. She turned to Maize, who looked just as shocked, her eyes full of concern for her sister.

"It's going to be fine," Maize said quickly, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "We'll figure it out."

Liza felt anything but fine. The bond she had just started to trust now felt fragile, threatened by the arrival of the woman who was supposed to take her place. First, at Rylan's side. Now at Liza's desk.

No. This was too much. And her fated mate was going to hear about it.