Chapter 80 – Shadows on the Horizon
Claire’s POV
The moment I saw the car carrying Justin and Daphne disappear into the horizon the courtyard became very silent.
I just stood there in shock, as the dust from their departure settled like ash on the cobblestones. Every instinct in my body screamed at me that this wasn’t over. Not even close.
Gideon remained by my side for some time, his eyes fixed on the road from which both of them left. The muscles in his arms were taut beneath his shirt sleeves, veins visible, pulsing with restrained fury.
“She is really gone,” I whispered softly, as if saying this will make Daphne leave me alone as I kept trying to manifest.
But he only shook his head. “No she is not,” he spoke seriously. “She’s not gone. She is just trying to regroup.” Those words from Gideon spoke to me gave me goosebumps.
When Daphne had been here, within our walls, I could feel her presence. I could sense her–her manipulations, her scheming, her deceit. But now that she was gone, in another pack, with a mate who adored her blindly and an army at her command… I felt something worse.
Powerless.
I looked toward the pack house where my children were playing in the yard under Nova’s watchful eye. Leo was laughing, chasing a ball across the grass, while Nova cheered him on. The sound should have comforted me–but instead, it filled me with dread.
Because I knew Daphne.
She was not the type of person who will give up easily. She was taking her time. She will wait for me to completely relax so she will caught me off guard and she will definitely try to attack children when I am at my lowest and then strong.
I clenched my fists tightly, my nails biting into my palms. I can’t let that happen.
That evening after the pack was gone back to their normal routine and Gideon went back to his office. I was in my room and saw the moon hung low and heavy in the sky, casting long silver shadows over the grounds. The night air was cool, yet I couldn’t stop the nervous heat that prickled under my skin. I heard my phone buzz and picked up to see, It was Ivan who called me.
I quickly answered the phone and kept my voice quiet. “Alpha Ivan.”
“I know what happened there,” he said calmly and straight to the point. His voice was clipped, rough just like he always tried to hide his worry. “She’s gone with the Moonstone Alpha?”
“Yes she has,” I answered softly, and looked behind making sure no one is listening to me now. “She found her mate… and he’s an Alpha. Now with him by her side she has gained more power than before. And she’ll use it.” Ivan paused as if he was deep in thought and then sighed. “I figured she wouldn’t disappear so easily. Daphne isn’t someone who will easily forgive. And she doesn’t forget.”
“She is already preparing new schemes,” I whispered annoyedly. “I can already tell.” “You have to be very careful, Claire. You and the kids. Especially Leo.”
At the mention of my son’s name, my heart tightened. “I know. I will do my best to keep them safe. But what if she sends someone to-”
“She definitely will,” Ivan interrupted calmly. “She will try to test you. Or maybe even send spies to keep an eye on you. You will have to be on guard all the time. You need to prepare an escape route.”
“I can’t leave Gideon’s pack without Leo,” I said, frustration bleeding into my tone. “It would raise too many suspensions about me.”
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Chapter 80
Shadows on the Horizon
“Then pretend that everything is normal and stay hidden in plain sight,” Ivan replied. “Keep your identity buried. And remember, Daphne does have power but her overconfidence is gonna ruin her plan. That’s her true weakness. She always underestimates you.”
I didn’t respond for a moment. I wanted to believe him–but fear gnawed at my heart. “Claire,” Ivan said softly.” You’ve beaten her before. You can do it again. Just… don’t let her corner you.”
“I won’t,” I promised, though even as the words left my lips, I wasn’t sure I believed them. We hung up.
I stared out at the moon for a long time after that, the pale light reflecting in my eyes. She’ll send someone, I thought grimly. It’s only a matter of time.
The next morning, I woke before dawn. The house was quiet–too quiet.
I got out of bed and padded silently to the window, peering out into the misty courtyard. The guards were changing shifts, moving like shadows between the gates, their low voices blending with the wind.
For a brief second, I thought I saw movement in the woods–something dark darting between the trees. My heart leapt, but when I blinked, it was gone.
Paranoia? Maybe. But with Daphne involved, paranoia was just another word for survival.
I went downstairs and brewed tea, the scent of herbs filling the kitchen. Nova soon joined me, her eyes still heavy with sleep as she gently rubbed her eyes trying to take sleep off her eyes.
“Mommy, you look tired, you didn’t sleep?” she asked, eyeing the dark circles under my eyes and looked at me concerned.
I gave her a faint smile. “Couldn’t. Mommy has so many things to think about.” “Are you still thinking about Miss Daphne?” she asked gently.
“Yes,” I answered softly.
Nova held my hand in her small one. “Mommy don’t worry she is gone now, she will not hurt us anymore.” I gently caressed her hand and looked at her affectionately “I hope she is really gone for good.” Nova nodded but my throat was tightening. I was not able to help it and hug my daughter who was very courageous and brave about everything we’ve been through.
Nova hugged me back with her small arms as she snuggled close to me. “I will protect you mommy, don’t worry.”
“No, my child.” I shook my head quickly. “We both will protect each other as long as I am alive no harm will come to you.”
I let go of Nova and then she nodded. “We will protect each other Mommy.”
Nova and I made a pinky promise which somehow made me feel at ease. “Nova sweetie go get Leo to join us for breakfast.”
Nova nodded with a smile and ran off to Leo’s room. A small smile tugged at my lips. I watched her with a smile and continued to drink my tea.
Later that day, Gideon called for me.
When I entered his office, he was standing by the window, arms crossed, staring out toward the forest beyond the walls. His expression was unreadable.
“She’s gone,” he said after a long pause. “But I don’t like how easily she left.” “You think she’s planning something?” I asked carefully.
He turned, his eyes meeting mine. “You and I both know she never stops scheming. The question is what her next move will be.”
My heart skipped a beat, but I hid it behind a neutral expression. “Maybe she’ll stay busy managing her new
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Chapter 80 – Shadows on the Horizon pack.”
He let out a quiet, humorless laugh. “Daphne doesn’t want to manage. She wants to control. And she won’t stop until she’s taken everything she thinks was stolen from her.”
Our eyes held for a moment longer than necessary. There was something unspoken between us–a quiet understanding, a shared burden.
Finally, he said, “If anything feels wrong–anything at all–you come straight to me. I don’t care if it’s a shadow at your window or a noise at night.”
I nodded. “I will.”
He studied me for a heartbeat, as if trying to read the thoughts I wasn’t saying, then finally turned back to his desk.
“Go get some rest,” he murmured.
But rest was the one thing I couldn’t afford anymore.
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