NORA’S POV
After Lily left, I sat on my bed for a long time, staring at the wall, trying to convince myself that I had made the right choice.
But the ache in my chest would not go away.
It clung to me like a shadow, whispering that I had just thrown away something precious.
I could not stay in my room forever.
I had to do something.
I had to move forward.
I stood up, walked to the mirror, and looked at my reflection.
My eyes were still puffy, and my face still pale, but I forced myself to straighten my shoulders and lift my chin.
I had already made my decision, so I would try to move on.
I would meet one of the lords Greta had introduced me to.
I would give it a real chance, just like Tessa had said.
It was the only way to get out of this mess.
I walked out of my chambers and headed toward the great hall.
Greta was there, looking over some papers with a light frown on her face.
She looked up when I walked in, and her face immediately softened into a warm smile.
“Nora!
Good to see you, dear.
How are you feeling?”
I forced a smile on my face and said warmly, “Better.
I have been thinking, Greta.
About the lords you introduced me to.”
Greta set down her papers and turned to me, with a curious expression on her face and asked, “Oh?
What about them?”
I took a deep breath and replied warmly, trying to sound natural, even though my heart was breaking.
“I think I would like to meet Lord Harry again.
Properly this time.”
Greta widened her eyes in shock and a huge smile spread across her face.
“Really?
Oh, Nora, that’s wonderful!
I was so worried you were not interested in any of them,” she gasped.
“I just needed some time to think,” I said, my voice steady.
“But I’ve decided to give it a chance.
If Lord Harry is still interested, I would like to spend some time with him.”
“Of course he is still interested!” Greta exclaimed, amd clapped her hands together.
” Infact, he has not stopped talking about you since the dinner.
I will arrange a walk for you both in the gardens today.
It will be perfect.”
I smiled warmly at her, but inside I felt hollow.
Then Greta leaned closer, with a twinkle in her eyes and said, “You know, Lord Harry is quite handsome, isn’t he?
And he is so polite.
I have known him for years, and I have never heard a single bad thing about him.”
I nodded.
“He seems like a good man.”
“A good man” Greta laughed, and shook her head.
“Nora, he is more than a good man.
He is a catch.
Do you know how many she-wolves in this pack have tried to get his attention?
And he barely looks at any of them.
But you?
He just could not take his eyes off you at dinner.”
I felt my cheeks warm and whispered in embarrassment, “Greta, you are exaggerating.”
“I am not,” she insisted, her grin widening mischievously.
“I have been watching men for longer than you have been alive, my dear.
And Lord Harry is very interested.”
I laughed nervously and looked at my body.
“Well, I do not want to get my hopes up.”
“Get your hopes up!” Greta said, waving a hand dismissively.
“What is the worst that could happen?
He is kind, he is very handsome, and he has good manners.
If you ask me, that is already better than most men in this pack.”
I laughed again, but it sounded hollow even to my ears, and sighed.
“I suppose you are right.”
Greta studied me for a moment, with her head tilted sideways and asked suddenly, “But wait, there is something else, isn’t there?
You are still thinking about that young wolf from the club, aren’t you?”
My heart skipped a beat.
“What?
No.
I have moved on from that.” I laughed.
Greta chuckled and tapped me on my shoulder lightly.
“Nora, I have known you for years.
I can tell when you are lying.
You have got that look on your face.”
I opened my mouth to deny it, but Greta held up a hand.
“Do not worry,” she said, her voice softening.
“I am not judging you.
A woman has needs.
And after being trapped with Trevor for so long, I do not blame you for wanting a little fun.” She winked.
“But if you want a serious relationship, Lord Harry is the better choice.
Fun is nice, but stability is better.”
I nodded, forcing myself to smile.
“You are right.
I know you are right.” I said warmly.
Then Greta squeezed my hand and looked at me with so much emotion in her eyes.
“I just want you to be happy, Nora.
That is all I have ever wanted for you.”
I felt a lump form in my throat.
“I know, Greta.
Thank you.”
Then she stood up, amd clapped excitedly, “Now, let me go find Lord Harry and arrange that walk.
You will not regret this, I promise.”
An hour later, I found myself walking through the palace gardens with Lord Harry by my side.
The sun was warm on my skin, the flowers were blooming in every color imaginable, and the birds were singing in the trees.
It should have been a perfect day, but I felt nothing in it.
Lord Harry was kind and charming, his voice warm as he talked about his work, his hobbies, and his life in Nightcrest Pack.
He told me about his love for gardening, his passion for history, and his dream of one day traveling to distant packs to learn about their cultures.
“It is a beautiful day, isn’t it?” he said, gesturing toward the flowers.
“I always find the gardens to be the most peaceful place in the palace.”
I nodded, forcing a smile on my face and replied softly, “They are beautiful.
Greta was right to recommend this walk.”
He glanced at me, his eyes soft, and bowed gently.
“I am glad you agreed to meet me again, Lady Nora.
I enjoyed our conversation at the dinner, and I was hoping we would have a chance to talk more.”
I smiled, but my mind was elsewhere.
I could not stop thinking about Lucian.
I kept imagining him standing in that cold tower, waiting for me, hoping I would come.
I kept hearing his voice in my head, low and rough, telling me he would wait all night.
“Nora?” Lord Harry’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“Are you alright? New chapters come out on g.com first.
You seem distracted.”
I blinked, forcing myself to focus, and quickly replied, “I am sorry, Lord Harry.
I am just tired.
I did not sleep well last night.”
He nodded, with an understanding expression on his face.
“I can imagine.
Adjusting to a new place can be exhausting.
If you ever need someone to talk to, I am always here.”
“Thank you,” I said, and I meant it.
He was a good man.
Kind, patient, and genuine.
Everything a woman could want.
But he was not Lucian.
I shook the thought away and forced myself to listen as he continued talking about the pack’s history and the importance of the gardens.
As we walked back toward the palace, I kept my eyes fixed on the path ahead, trying to ignore the ache in my chest.
This was the right thing to do.
I had to move on.
I had to forget about him.
But when I looked up, my heart stopped.
Lucian was standing at the entrance of the palace, his silver-gray eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my stomach drop.
His jaw was clenched tight, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, and the coldness in his gaze sent a chill down my spine.
Lord Harry, oblivious to the tension, smiled and greeted him respectfully.
“Alpha!
Good morning.
The gardens are beautiful today, aren’t they?”
Lucian’s eyes never left mine.
“I am sure they are.”
I could not breathe, and I could not speak.
I just stood there, frozen, my heart pounding so loud I was sure everyone could hear it.
Lord Harry continued, unaware of the storm brewing between us.
“Lady Nora and I were just enjoying a walk.
She has been telling me about her work as a healer.
It is truly fascinating.”
“Is it?” Lucian asked coldly, with a dangerous smile on his face.
“I am sure it was.”
I forced myself to speak, my voice barely steady.
“Lucian—”
“It is Alpha,” he corrected, his eyes burning into mine.
“You should address me as Alpha, Miss Nora.”
The words hit me like a slap, and I felt my face flush with shame and anger.
He was right.
I had no right to use his name.
I had made my choice, and now I had to live with it.
Lord Harry looked between us carefully, finally sensing the tension and asked, “Is everything alright?”
“Everything is fine,” Lucian said, his voice smooth but cold.
“I was just leaving.”
Then he turned and walked away without another word, his back stiff, his hands still clenched into fists.
I stood there, watching him disappear into the palace, and I felt something crack inside me.
I had made my choice.
I was doing the right thing.
And no matter how much it hurt, I would not let myself break.
I had survived worse than this, so I would survive this too.