Chapter 8
Rachel glanced down at her bank app, saw the extra dollar deposited–and let out the
faintest smile.
“Don’t worry,” she said softly. “That was the last time.”
Aaron didn’t respond to that. He just looked at her and said, “Sierra really wants you to be our wedding photographer. It’s her only request. You’ll be there.”
Rachel considered it. Her flight was scheduled that night–the night of their mating
ceremony.
So she nodded. “Sure.”
For the next several days, she barely returned to the pack grounds.
Instead, she traveled. Hiked through the forest, wandered along the coast, and shot a whole new series of birds in flight. She sent them all to Edmund.
His reply came not as a message, but a call–video ringing with excitement.
“Rachel, these are incredible! Your eye for color and framing–it’s like you’ve leveled up again! Several magazines here are already fighting over you. Once you’re settled, let’s meet with them and pick the best offer, yeah?”
Rachel’s face lit up. “Thank you, Edmund. Really.”
“Oh and have you told Aaron yet? That you’re relocating to Europe?”
Rachel laughed lightly. “He’s… supportive. More than you’d expect.”
“Well, that’s a relief! I thought we’d have to drag you away from him kicking and
screaming.”
Rachel asked for his address and had her equipment shipped out first. Edmund promised to keep it safe until she arrived.
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On the day of Aaron and Sierra’s mating ceremony, Rachel requested the pack camera
from Adam and showed up without a word of fanfare.
Sierra was radiant–beaming with pride as she stood front and center, soaking up every second of the spotlight. Especially when Rachel raised the camera. Her posture shifted,
chin high, shoulders back, like she’d just won something.
At one point, Aaron was chatting with guests, but Sierra reached for his hand and tugged him back to her side.
“No, stay with me,” she said, clutching his arm. “Photos first.”
Emily, watching nearby, couldn’t help but step in gently. “Sweetheart, Rachel’s been shooting all day. Let her take a break, alright?”
Sierra pouted. “Come on, it’s not that much. She’s not tired. Are you? Rachel?”
Before Rachel could respond, Emily cut in–less gently this time. “That’s enough. I’ll
have the photographer Adam hired take over now. Rachel needs to rest.”
“But Adam’s guy can’t compare to Rachel!” Sierra protested. “This is the biggest day of
our lives. I need her to capture it perfectly.”
Rachel didn’t answer. She simply lowered the camera, walked over to Adam, and
handed it back.
Then she turned and walked away.
Emily followed after her.
“Rachel–where are you headed?”
Rachel paused near the edge of the lawn, the camera strap slipping from her shoulder.
“Aaron’s got Sierra now. He’ll be taken care of. You… should take care of yourself, too.”
Emily’s voice softened. “And what about you? You’ve always been family to me.”
Rachel reached out, gently squeezing her hand. “That won’t change.”
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Emily gave a sad little smile. “You know… for a long time, I really believed you’d be the one standing up there with him.”
“Let’s not go there,” Rachel said gently.
“You’re right,” Emily nodded. “No point looking back.”
Just then, her phone rang.
Edmund.
“Rachel, are you at the airport yet? What time’s your flight landing? Amanda and I are
coming to pick you up.”
“I’m on my way.”
“Great. See you in about eight hours.”
Rachel ended the call and glanced at the time. Just about right.
She didn’t bother going back to the pack house. Instead, she hailed a cab straight to the
airport.
As she stood in line for boarding, her phone lit up.
Sierra: [Thanks again for shooting our big day. The photos turned out amazing–Aaron
and I are obsessed.
Sierra: [Oh, and don’t forget to call me Luna from now on.]
Sierra: [Guess that makes us sisters now. Can’t wait to bond!]
Rachel let out a cold, humorless laugh, took a screenshot, and sent it straight to Aaron with a single message: [Congratulations, Alpha. Enjoy your marriage. Don’t ever contact me again.]
Then she blocked them both.
She didn’t care what he thought. Didn’t want to know what Sierra’s next move would
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- be. They no longer existed in her world.
A flight attendant smiled as Rachel reached the gate.
“Welcome aboard, miss. Enjoy your flight.”
Rachel smiled back. “Thanks. I already am.”
And without a second glance behind her, she stepped onto the plane.
When the wheels touched down at the Milan airport, a strange weight lifted from her
chest.
For the first time in years–maybe ever–Rachel finally felt free.
Chapter 8
