My Family Stole My Run I Returned A Leader Chapter 14
My advisor had asked me to present on behalf of our team.
The conference hall was filled with healers, researchers, and pack representatives from different territories.
I wore a fitted dark suit.
Standing onstage, I finished presenting the entire wolf-form recovery project.
When I concluded, the applause was loud.
I nodded my thanks to the audience and stepped down from the stage.
That was when I saw them in the corner.
My father, my mother, Tony, and Stefan.
This session was open to the public. They had clearly seen my name on the program.
They looked at me with complicated expressions.
My mother covered her mouth, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Tony gripped the armrest of his chair, his face tight.
Stefan just kept staring at me, his eyes red.
As if he were afraid I might disappear again the next second.
Even from halfway across the hall, I could smell the scent of Cedar Ridge on them.
My wolf recognized the old pack, too—and refused to go any closer.
I glanced at them once, the way I might look at strangers.
Then I returned to my team and continued discussing the project with my advisor and colleagues.
After the conference ended, they stopped me in the hotel lobby.
“Paloma…”
My mother’s voice shook. She reached out as if to touch me.
I stepped back, avoiding her.
The Morningwatch membership crest was pinned to my coat.
It was a place of belonging I had won for myself.
“Ma’am, do we know each other?”
Her hand froze in midair, tears streaming down her face.
“Paloma, I’m your mother.”
“Where have you been these past three years?”
“I’ve missed you so much.”