The Secret That Refused to Stay Buried and That Followed Us Home 8

The Secret That Refused to Stay Buried and That Followed Us Home 8 Summary

Six months after breaking free from the mate bond, Elena’s life has transformed completely. She feels independent and empowered, running a thriving shelter that now cares for supernatural creatures nationwide. Her relationship with Derek has grown serious, built on patience, understanding, and genuine love, allowing her to heal and trust again. Together, they enjoy peaceful moments, like watching the sunset in the shelter’s backyard, surrounded by animals and hope.

 

Elena receives an invitation to the Black Moon Pack’s new Alpha inauguration, where Luke has replaced Scott. The ceremony is solemn, and Luke proves to be a fair leader. Afterward, Luke reveals that Scott has changed significantly since leaving the town. He now runs an organization protecting abused supernatural beings, showing remorse and growth. This news stirs mixed emotions in Elena, but mostly a sense of closure and reconciliation.

 

Determined to find a proper ending, Elena visits Scott at a sanctuary near the Canadian border. She finds him thinner but calmer, dedicating himself to helping others. Their conversation is honest and peaceful; Elena admits she no longer hates him, and Scott expresses genuine happiness for her new life with Derek. They share a moment of mutual understanding, acknowledging their past but choosing to move forward with respect and peace.

 

Scott gives Elena a wooden carving symbolizing freedom and promises to respect her choices. This gesture brings Elena a deep sense of relief and finality. Returning to Derek, she feels ready to embrace their future together. Two months later, Derek proposes on the beach where they first truly connected, and Elena accepts wholeheartedly, choosing her own path and happiness.

 

On her wedding day, Elena receives a blessing from Scott, which she accepts calmly, no longer burdened by past pain. Surrounded by love and moonlight, she embraces her new life—one of true freedom, choice, and love, finally living the life she always dreamed of.

Six months later, my life was completely different. 

Without the mate bond tying me down, I finally felt like my own person. The shelter was thriving; we even started taking in supernatural creatures from all over the country. 

Derek and I were getting serious. His patience, understanding, and unconditional support helped me slowly open up again, to learn to trust and love. 

“What are you thinking about?” Derek wrapped his arms around me from behind, kissing my hair. 

“Just thinking about how much has changed these past few months,” I leaned back into his warmth. 

“Good changes?” 

“The best,” I smiled, turning to kiss him. 

We were standing in the shelter’s backyard, watching the sunset paint the sea gold. Riley and the other little animals were playing on the grass. This was the life I’d always dreamed of. 

“A letter came for you,” Kate walked over, handing me an elegant envelope. “Looks like a formal invitation.” 

I opened it. It was an invitation to the Black Moon Pack’s new Alpha inauguration ceremony. Luke had taken Scott’s place. 

“Are you going to go?” Derek asked. 

I thought for a moment. “I think so. I need to really put the past behind me.” 

Derek nodded. “I’ll go with you.” 

Two days later, we drove to the Black Moon Pack’s territory. This place, where I’d lived for ten years, filled with so many painful memories, now seemed strangely unfamiliar. 

The inauguration was solemn and simple. Luke was a fair, respected wolf. He’d be a good Alpha. 

“Elena,” Luke approached me after the ceremony. “Thanks for coming.” 

“Congratulations, Alpha,” I said sincerely. 

Luke hesitated. “There’s something I should tell you. About Scott.” 

My heart skipped a beat. “What is it?” 

“Since he left that town, he’s been trying to find a way to atone,” Luke explained. “He started an organization that protects abused supernatural creatures, especially mixed–bloods and weaker ones.” 

I looked at Luke, surprised. That didn’t sound like the arrogant Scott I once knew. 

“Is he… is he okay?” I couldn’t help asking. 

“Physically, yes,” Luke sighed. “But losing a mate bond is a heavy blow for an Alpha. He’s… changed a lot.” 

I bit my lip, a mix of emotions stirring inside me. Not guilt, more like a sense of release and… reconciliation. Scott had finally understood the importance of respect and equality, even if it was too late. 

“Do you know where he is?” I asked. 

Luke gave me an address. It was a small sanctuary near the Canadian border. 

“Are you going to see him?” Derek asked on the way back, no jealousy in his voice, only concern. 

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“I think so,” I said. “Not to rebuild anything. Just for a real goodbye.” 

Derek squeezed my hand. “I understand. Some things need a proper ending.” 

His understanding and support, once again, showed me I’d made the right choice. 

The next day, I drove to the sanctuary alone. It was a peaceful forest with a simple log cabin in the middle. 

Scott was outside, helping an injured young werewolf with rehabilitation exercises. He looked even thinner than the last time I saw him, but his eyes were calmer. 

He froze when he saw me. “Elena?” 

“Yeah,” I nodded. “I heard about what you’re doing.‘ 

He gave a small, almost shy smile. “Just trying to do something meaningful.” 

We walked in silence along a forest path. 

“Why did you come?” he finally asked. 

“For a real goodbye,” I answered honestly. “To make sure we can both truly move on.” 

Scott nodded, understanding in his eyes. “I get it.” 

“I hated you for a long time, Scott,” I said calmly. “That hate kept me going. But I don’t need it anymore.” 

“You found happiness,” he said. It wasn’t a question. 

“Yes. Derek’s a good man. He respects me, cherishes me, loves all of me.” 

Scott smiled, a genuine smile, free of pain. “I’m happy for you, Elena. Really.” 

I looked at him and saw that the regret and pain in his eyes had been replaced by a kind of peace. “And you? Are you okay?” 

“I’m learning to accept things,” he said softly. “Losing the bond was hard, but it taught me to value every life, to respect every choice.” 

A wave of relief washed over me. Scott really had changed. He wasn’t that arrogant Alpha anymore. Pain and loss had changed him, helped him grow. 

“I don’t regret breaking the bond,” I looked him straight in the eye. “But I want you to know, I don’t hate you anymore.” 

A flicker of surprise crossed Scott’s face, then deep gratitude. “Thank you, Elena. That means a lot to me.” 

We reached a clearing. The mountains in the distance were a magnificent purple in the setting sun. 

“Do you remember Skyridge Peak?” Scott asked suddenly. 

“I remember,” I nodded. It was the pack’s sacred place, and the cliff I’d jumped from in two lifetimes. 

“I go there often to think,” Scott said. “Imagine how things would be if I’d made different choices. But eventually, I understood. We can’t change the past. We can only learn from it and move forward.” 

His words softened something inside me. Not love, but a kind of understanding. 

“I should get back,” I said. “Derek’s waiting for me.” 

Scott nodded. “He’s a lucky man.” 

“I’m lucky too,” I smiled. 

Before I left, Scott handed me a small wooden box. “This is for you. Not a gift, but a promise.” 

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I opened it. Inside was a delicate wood carving of a deer, standing free and independent in a forest. 

“What does it mean?” 

“Freedom,” Scott said softly. “I promise to always respect your choices, to never interfere in your life again. Unless you need 

help.” 

I took the carving, feeling a strange warmth. “Thank you.” 

Driving away from the sanctuary, I felt completely at peace. This meeting with Scott wasn’t about forgiveness. It was about letting go. I didn’t need to hate him to define myself anymore. I’d found my own way. 

Back in town, Derek was waiting for me at the shelter entrance. 

“Everything go okay?” he asked, concerned. 

“Yeah,” I nodded, taking his hand. “Perfectly.” 

I didn’t go into detail about my conversation with Scott, but Derek seemed to understand. He held my hand tightly, his eyes full 

of love. 

“Ready to get on with our life?” he asked with a smile. 

“More ready than ever,” I said firmly. 

Two months later, Derek proposed to me on the beach where we had our first real date. I said yes without a moment’s hesitation. 

“Are you sure?” Derek asked seriously. “You know I’d never ask you to forget your past.” 

“I’m sure,” I smiled. “The past is past. I choose now, I choose the future, and I choose you.” 

On my wedding day, I received an anonymous letter. It contained only a short blessing: “May you find eternal happiness. S.” 

I smiled and closed the letter, feeling nothing but calm. Scott was a distant memory, no longer able to affect my emotions or 

choices. 

Derek came to my side and gently kissed my forehead. “Ready, future Mrs. Hayes?” 

“More ready than ever,” I took his hand. 

Outside, moonlight flooded the garden, silver and white. I knew the Moon Goddess was watching us, smiling. She had given me a second chance at life, and she had given me the right to choose. 

This time, I chose my own path. Not a mate forced by fate, not a relationship bound by duty, but the life I truly wanted. 

True freedom, true choice, true love. That was all I had ever longed for.