I Left Before He Learned My Worth novel Chapter 96

**Chapter 96**

**ARIA**

The news spread through the pack with the speed of a raging inferno, igniting conversations and stirring emotions in every corner of Shadowmere.

I couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment the whispers began; perhaps someone had caught wind of our private discussion in the garden the day before, or maybe Jason had inadvertently let slip what he had seen to a friend, who then shared it with another. Regardless of how it happened, by the time dawn broke, it felt as if the entire pack was abuzz with the revelation that Ivory had achieved something extraordinary.

“Have you heard the latest?” Celine inquired, her hands deftly helping me into my clothes. Her typically composed demeanor was shattered by a palpable thrill that radiated from her. “They’re saying Ivory has created something that can make plants grow in an instant! Can you believe it? She’s turning seeds into full crops in mere seconds!”

“I’ve heard,” I replied cautiously, not wanting to divulge that I had witnessed the miraculous demonstration myself.

“The elders are already assembling,” Celine continued, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Everyone is eager to witness this for themselves. Just think about the ramifications! This could revolutionize food production for our pack, for all the territories! If she truly has found a way to accelerate growth like that—”

I could envision it vividly, the image still fresh in my mind. I had watched as a tiny seedling blossomed into a flourishing plant in what felt like the blink of an eye. The possibilities were mind-boggling.

As I made my way down to the main hall, the atmosphere in the pack house was electric. Wolves gathered in clusters, their voices a symphony of excited whispers, each recounting the miraculous news. Indeed, the elders had convened, their faces a blend of curiosity and barely concealed hope, their eyes alight with the prospect of change.

And there, at the heart of the commotion, stood Ivory. She appeared distinctly uneasy, her posture rigid as she faced the throng of pack members hurling questions her way. Her answers were measured and cautious, as if she were trying to temper their soaring expectations while the excitement around her continued to swell.

“I’m not entirely sure about the long-term effects yet,” she was saying when I approached, straining to catch her words. “The testing period has been limited. I need more time to ensure that the accelerated growth doesn’t compromise nutritional value or introduce unforeseen side effects—”

“But you consumed the food yourself,” someone interjected. “For an entire week, I heard! And you’re perfectly fine.”

“Just one week is not a comprehensive study,” Ivory countered, her voice steady but tinged with frustration. “There could be cumulative effects that only manifest over longer durations. Variations in plant type, soil composition, or a dozen other factors I haven’t had the chance to test—”

“The pack needs this,” Elder Morrison’s voice rang out, cutting through the cacophony. “If what we’ve heard is accurate, this could transform everything about how we manage our food resources. We cannot afford to sit on something this critical while you conduct endless tests.”

“With all due respect, Elder, rushing to implement an untested compound could result in more harm than good,” Ivory replied, her frustration becoming more palpable. “I’m not trying to withhold anything from the pack. My intention is to ensure that what I provide is genuinely safe.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, curiosity piqued.

“She wasn’t ready to share this with everyone. You saw her yesterday—she was keeping it under wraps, testing things privately and not even informing the leadership about her progress. And now the entire pack knows, and they’re clamoring for a demonstration.” He shook his head in frustration. “She’s being pressured into revealing something she wasn’t comfortable sharing yet.”

“But the pack needs to know,” I argued gently. “If this compound works the way she showed us yesterday, it could resolve so many issues. Food shortages during harsh winters, supply disruptions during conflicts—the applications are endless—”

“I know what the applications are,” Kael interrupted, his tone not unkind but firm. “And I’m not saying the pack shouldn’t eventually benefit from her research. I’m saying she should have had the opportunity to share it on her own terms, when she felt ready, rather than having it leaked and being coerced into a public demonstration.”

He was right. Even if the outcome remained the same—Ivory sharing her breakthrough with the pack—the journey mattered. Being forced to unveil something before one was prepared, having control stripped away, left scars even if the conclusion appeared positive.

“Should we postpone it?” I suggested tentatively. “Give her more time to prepare, to conduct additional testing?”

Kael contemplated this for a moment before shaking his head. “The damage is done. If we delay now, it will only heighten speculation and pressure. It’s better to let her demonstrate, to get the initial excitement out of the way, and then collaborate with her on a proper research timeline for further development.”