The Broken Luna, Now His Regret novel Chapter 21

21 Chapter 21 SILVER AND SHADOWS

Mira’s POV 1

Main Street Café was nearly empty when Mira arrived at 2:25 PM. She chose a table by the window, positioning herself so she could see the door.

Professional meeting, she reminded herself. Nothing more.

At exactly 2:30, the café door opened.

Mira’s breath caught.

Valeblack Silverstone was not what she’d expected. Tall—easily six–foot–four–with pure silver hair despite appearing to be in his late thirties. Sharp cheekbones, a strong jaw, and eyes that shifted between slate grey and mercury. He moved with liquid grace, radiating power that made Mira’s wolf take notice.

When his eyes found hers, something electric passed between them.

“Dr. Whitmore.” His voice was smooth as aged whiskey. He extended his hand. “Valeblack Silverstone. Thank you for meeting me.”

His grip was firm, warm, carrying the scent of cedar and night–blooming jasmine. The touch sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.

“Mr. Silverstone. Please, sit.”

Other patrons watched him–drawn to whatever magnetism he possessed. His focus remained entirely on her.

“I appreciate directness, Dr. Whitmore, so I’ll get straight to the point. The Regional Healer’s Council wants you.”

Mira’s eyebrows rose. “That’s… quite direct.”

“You’re wasted in pack politics.” Valeblack’s mercury eyes studied her with intensity. “Your research into pediatric trauma, your innovations in cross–species healing- brilliant work being buried because you’re operating under an Alpha’s authority.”

“I have a position at Oakwood General-”

“Where you treat minor injuries instead of pushing the boundaries of supernatural medicine.” His voice was gentle but firm. “You published three groundbreaking papers

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during residency. In five years of marriage, you’ve published none. That’s not coincidence. That’s suppression.”

The words hit harder than Mira wanted to admit.

“What exactly is the Council offering?”

“Autonomy. Your own research lab, fully funded. A team under your supervision.

Publishing rights. And independence from pack hierarchy–Council healers answer only to the Council.”

It sounded too good to be true.

“What’s the catch?”

Valeblack smiled, transforming his severe features. “Smart question. The catch is commitment. Five–year contract, renewable. You’d consult on regional cases, travel for conferences, contribute to Council research. It’s demanding.”

“More demanding than being a single mother with a full–time job?”

“Fair point.” His eyes held amusement. “But there’s another consideration. Council territory is neutral ground. You’d need to relocate outside Ravencrest pack borders. The nearest Council facility is in Crystalfall. Two hours from Oakwood.“”

Mira’s stomach dropped. “I’d have to take Brielle away from her father.”

“He’d have visitation rights. The Council respects custody arrangements.” Valeblack paused. “But I won’t lie–yes, it means distance. The question is whether that distance is a burden or a blessing.”

Two hours away from Kieran. From Selene’s manipulation. From the life that had nearly destroyed her.

“I’d need time to think.”

“Of course.” Valeblack withdrew an embossed card. “Take all the time you need. But Dr. Whitmore? Don’t let fear of change keep you trapped in a situation that’s killing your potential. You’re brilliant. You deserve a chance to prove it.”

When was the last time someone had called her brilliant and meant it?

“Thank you. For believing in my work.”

“I don’t believe in your work–I’ve read it. I know its value.” Valeblack stood. “The Council meets next month. May I tell them you’re interested?”

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“Yes. Tell them I’m very interested.”

His smile was warm, genuine. When Mira took his extended hand, she felt that electric current again–stronger, more deliberate.

“I look forward to working with you, Dr. Whitmore.” His voice dropped intimately. “Please, call me Valeblack.”

“Mira,” she heard herself say.

“Mira.” The way he said her name–slowly, deliberately–sent an unexpected flutter through her chest.

Then he was gone, leaving Mira with his business card burning in her hand.

Kieran’s POV

Cassian burst into Kieran’s office, tablet in hand. “I found him. Valeblack Silverstone. Senior Council member, head of Healer’s Division.”

Kieran was on his feet instantly. “Background?”

“Forty–two, unmated, net worth over nine hundred million. Old bloodline- Silverstones have been Council members for six generations. Brilliant–double doctorate, fifty published papers, pioneered three major healing techniques.”

“Romantic history?”

Cassian’s expression turned uncomfortable. “Silverstone has a reputation for pursuing talented female healers. Three documented long–term relationships, all with women he initially recruited.”

The wolf inside Kieran snarled. “He’s targeting her.”

“Sir, even if that’s true, what can you do? The Council is untouchable–interfere and you’ll start a war you can’t win.”

Kieran stared at Valeblack’s photograph. Handsome, powerful, offering Mira everything Kieran had denied her.

“Where is he now?”

“Just left Main Street Café. He met with Mira there. Thirty minutes.”

The mate bond flared–Mira’s emotions turbulent: excitement, hope, fear, and underneath it all, a flutter of attraction.

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“Then what do I do?” Kieran’s voice was ragged. “Watch while he steals everything I’ve already destroyed?”

“You prove you’ve changed.” Cassian’s voice was firm. “Show up for Brielle. Sign whatever papers Mira wants. Give her space, respect her choices, and trust the mate bond means something.”

“And if she chooses him anyway?”

Cassian’s expression softened. “Then you let her go. Because that’s what love means wanting her happiness more than your own.”

After Cassian left, Kieran called his lawyer. “If Mira relocates outside Ravencrest / territory permanently, what happens to the mate bond?”

The lawyer hesitated. “The bond doesn’t break from distance. But extended separation can weaken it, especially if one party actively resists.”

Kieran ended the call and slumped into his chair.

He could fight this. Use pack law to prevent her leaving. Make it impossible for her to accept Silverstone’s offer.

But that would make him the monster she believed he was,

Or he could let her go and pray she still loved him enough to come back.

The choice was agonizing.

Mira’s POV – That Evening

“You’re glowing.”

Mira looked up to find Zara in her doorway, eyebrows raised.

“I’m not glowing.”

Zara perched on the bed. “You are absolutely glowing. So either you won the lottery, or you met someone.”

“It was a professional meeting. About a job opportunity.”

“Uh–huh. And does this job opportunity have a name?”

“Valeblack Silverstone. He’s with the Regional Healer’s Council.”

Zara’s eyes widened. “Wait. The Valeblack Silverstone? The one who pioneered hybrid

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integration protocol? He’s a legend in supernatural medicine. Also gorgeous, single, and rumored to be brilliant in bed.”

“Zara!”

“What? I’m stating facts.” Zara grinned. “So what did he want?”

Mira explained the offer. Zara’s expression shifted to genuine excitement,

“This is everything you’ve wanted.”

“But it means relocating. Two hours from Kieran.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

The mate bond pulsed in Mira’s chest. “Brielle-”

“Will adapt. Kids are resilient.” Zara’s voice gentled. “You’ve spent five years putting everyone else first. When do you get to choose yourself?”

“It’s not that simple.”

“It never is. But when Valeblack was talking about this opportunity, how did it make you feel?”

Mira closed her eyes, remembering the warmth in those mercury eyes.

“Seen,” she whispered. “For the first time in years, I felt seen.”

Zara smiled sadly. “Then you already know what you need to do. The question is whether you’re brave enough to actually do it.”

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