CHAPTER 3

The Rolls-Royce made its way to the Silver Wolf Pack, the Stormwolf Clan's main residence in Hollowgrove.

Under the twinkling stars, Aurora could feel Nymeria, her inner wolf, quivering with anticipation. "You're home at last, where we belong. Here, we don't have to hide who we are."

The car stopped in the middle of the red carpet stretched out in front of the mansion's main entrance. Axel Stormwolf, Aurora's brother, was waiting proudly in the second center to open the door and greet her.

"Welcome home, Princess!"

Aurora emerged gracefully under the bright lights. She had removed her flats earlier to slip on stilettos in the car. As she stepped out, she looked like a proud, imposing queen.

Nymeria murmured softly: "Our pack, our strength. No matter what trials you've been through, you're still their Luna."

"Ax, how are you?"

Axel replied with a broad, sincere smile. "I'm fine, but I feel much better now that you're back! Were the fireworks fun? My birthday present to you went viral online!"

"Yeah, I saw them. People say you're a very rich bastard trying to win someone's heart. Quite a feat, huh?" joked Aurora, clapping her hands.

Axel ignored her mockery and hugged her tightly, his own wolf, Rhyse, emitting a growl of satisfaction. "She's safe now. No one will hurt her anymore."

"Aurora, you won't be leaving again, will you?" asked Axel in a gentle voice.

"And where would I go now that I'm divorced?"

Aurora patted her brother on the back and sighed, relaxing a little. "Well, I've given everything to this marriage. I thought I could save it if I gave it my all. But in the end, I failed miserably."

God only knew how devastated she was. Nymeria whispered in her mind, "We're stronger than that. Don't let a man break our spirit."

Aurora gritted her teeth and swallowed her tears. She'd sworn never to cry for the alpha Alaric again.

"That bastard! How dare he deceive my sister!" cried Axel, his eyes shining with a silvery glint that betrayed Rhyse's presence. "I'm going to launch a full investigation into Bloodhowl Corporation tomorrow. And if your fourth brother has any spare time, he can go... solve this problem for me."

Aurora rolled her eyes. "Axe, don't make trouble! You're a public prosecutor, not a gangster!"

She laughed lightly, even though a shadow lingered in her heart.

"Peace and love, like Ash? Seriously?" Axel shook his head, his fangs appearing briefly as he gritted his teeth. "Your older brother only became a saint after leaving his gangster past behind! I'm not going to stand by and watch Alaric get away with it. The Bloodhowl are now on my radar."

Aurora felt a shiver of gratitude towards her brothers. Despite their faults, they had always protected her, and their unwavering loyalty was a source of comfort.

She took Asher and Axel's hands as they entered the family home, the one she hadn't seen in a long time.

When Wyalon Stormwolf, president of the Stormwolf Group, heard of his daughter's return, he couldn't contain his joy. He was pacing back and forth in his office, his inner wolf, Magnus, purring with approval.

"Wyalon, I'm back!"

Aurora entered the office with her brothers, freed from the burden of obligation she carried in the Bloodhowl household. Here, she didn't need to pretend.

She collapsed on the sofa, lifted her legs and removed her high heels with a sigh of ease.

Asher, her older brother, sat down beside her and began massaging her feet, his gestures imbued with brotherly tenderness.

Axel, with a mocking smile, said: "Can you sit properly, princess? You look like you've joined Doctors Without Borders or an activist group."

Aurora laughed softly, her heart slightly lightened. Despite all she'd lost, she'd regained her strength. And with her family and her wolf by her side, she knew she was ready to face any storm.

Wyalon deliberately kept a straight face. Despite his status as Alpha of the Silver Wolf Pack, he had always been at odds with Aurora. He missed her when she was away, but her presence in the pack aroused a constant restlessness in him, exacerbated by the fragile bond between their respective wolves.

Nymeria, Aurora's inner wolf, whispered in her mind: "It's always the same with him. He doesn't know how to handle a Luna like us."

"Are you showing signs of Alzheimer's? I used to sit like this all the time!"

Aurora lifted her eyelids and turned her eyes to the wall. Her heart trembled as she saw hanging there the "poem" she had written over ten years ago.

Unexpectedly, it was her father who had framed it.

The first line read: Are you trying to imitate Henry VIII with all your women?

The second sentence: I hope your heart doesn't get carried away!

The last: One day, you'll pay your penance.

This was Aurora's wedding "present" to her father when he married for the third time.

Even Nymeria groaned at the memory. "And to think this man claims to teach us loyalty."

Wyalon Stormwolf had had four wives, a situation that had made him a subject of gossip throughout the community, human and supernatural.

Aurora was not happy with her father's polygyny. It was for this reason that she had gone abroad, joining Doctors Without Borders and putting to good use her natural protective instinct, proper to a Luna born.

Wyalon let out a growl - a mixture of frustration and anger. Even Magnus, her inner wolf, couldn't help but stir.

"The first thing you do after three years in the wild is curse me and accuse me of getting Alzheimer's. How thoughtful of you!"

"Thanks for the compliment, Dad!" Aurora pretended not to understand the sarcasm and smiled sweetly at him, her fangs glinting slightly under the lights.

Nymeria added mentally, "We'll show her what we can do."

"Dad, now that Aurora's back, some things should be sped up." Asher, Aurora's older brother, gently put down his sister's shoes and said seriously, "I've decided to hand over my position as CEO of KS Group to Aurora."

Aurora squinted, scanning her older brother's handsome profile.

"You!" Wyalon was so angry he couldn't find his words.

"I only promised to lead the Stormwolf group for three years. Now that that time is up, I'm going back to church. As you know, being CEO is not my ambition. My lifelong dream is to become a pastor."

Asher radiated such holiness and determination that even his wolf, Gideon, let out a grunt of approval.

"Very well, if you don't want to be CEO, then Axel can take over!"

"No no No No No! I'm a civil servant, so I can't hold such positions in a conglomerate. Otherwise, I'll be suspended!" Axel shook his head quickly, his wolf, Rhyse, growling in discomfort at the idea of taking on such responsibility.

Wyalon was offended. What was the point of having so many sons if none of them were willing to take over the family business?

He glanced at Aurora. Although he'd always considered her a rebel, even Magnus murmured, "Give her a chance. She might surprise everyone."

"Who said women were inferior to men? I'll become the CEO!" Aurora rolled up her red lips and lifted her chin proudly, a golden gleam shining briefly in her eyes, betraying Nymeria's presence.

Wyalon frowned. "Do you think you can just be CEO if you want to? Do you think it's child's play? Do you even know how to do business?"

Even in his anger, part of him was impressed by his daughter's inner strength.

"Dad, Aurora's just as capable as I am."

Asher smiled softly, taking a sip of tea. "Remember the financial crisis four years ago? It was Aurora who proposed the effective control measures. And two years ago, she was the one who worked on the Walter Group acquisition plan."

Wyalon frowned, surprised.

"Dad, Aurora is the quietest, most resourceful person in our family." Axel stepped forward, his tone serious. "You're famous for spotting talent. Why don't you use the one right in front of you?"

Wyalon thought for a moment.

Magnus murmured: "Give her a challenge. If she succeeds, she'll prove she's worthy of being Luna and CEO."

"Very well, then. Aurora, if you want to run the company, you'll have to pass my test. Consider this your birthday present."

Aurora straightened her back, her lovely eyes lighting up.

Wyalon declared in a resounding voice: "You'll start at the Stormwolf World Hotel in Moostone next week. If you can reorganize it and make it profitable in six months, I'll consider you CEO of the Stormwolf Group."

As they left the office, Asher and Axel placed their hands on Aurora's shoulders.

"Great! We're counting on you to grant us our freedom!" snapped Axel.

Aurora clenched her fists, Nymeria growling enthusiastically.

"Let the trials come. We're ready."