They Sent Me Away. I Never Came Back. novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12 

His hand remained suspended between us. 

It took him a long time to speak again. 

“Now that the classified period is over… can I visit you at Frostland?” 

“The research facility allows members of outside packs to visit during open days.” 

I looked at him. 

“You can apply through the standard visitor process.” 

“Just as a regular visitor?” 

“What else would you be?” 

Damian stared at me. 

Whatever he had wanted to say, he swallowed it in the end. 

The day after the presentation, my parents prepared a family dinner for me. 

My father placed Frostland’s Phase Two research plan on the table and told me the next project would last at least another five years. 

“Do you want to stay in the North?” 

“Yes.” 

He was quiet for a moment before sliding the plan back toward me. 

“Then stay.” 

“No matter which pack you belong to, this will always be your home.” 

Before leaving Blood Moon Pack, I visited the pack manor where I’d grown up one last time. 

The ancient tree that had witnessed our first group shift was still standing. 

Beneath it sat a new time capsule. 

My name was written across the lid. 

I didn’t open it. 

Damian stepped out from behind the tree. 

This time, he didn’t move to block my path. 

“There are apologies from all four of us inside.” 

“If you don’t want to read them, you can leave them buried here forever.” 

“Okay.” 

His gaze dropped to the Frostland badge pinned to my chest. 

“We’ve cut off contact with Lyra.” 

“What she did to you was entered into her academy record, and Blood Moon disciplined her under pack law.” 

“That has nothing to do with me anymore.” 

“I know.” 

His voice lowered.