The pack gathering was over, but the impression Serena had left behind did not disappear with the last car leaving the grounds.
The following morning, the pack house was quieter than usual. Staff cleaned the courtyard, removed the decorations, and carried the remaining tables back into storage. The house had returned to its normal routine, but people still talked about the previous evening.
Serena heard some of it while having breakfast.
Two members of the household staff were speaking in the hallway outside the dining room.
"Everything went so smoothly yesterday."
"It did. Miss Serena really helped."
"She knows how things work around here."
Serena continued eating as though she hadn’t heard them. She didn’t need to react to every compliment.
She had already learned something more useful the night before. People were beginning to remember her.
Not as the woman who had returned after four years.
Not only as Alpha Kaidan’s former mate.
They were beginning to see her as someone who could still fit into Blackclaw and that mattered.
Christine entered the dining room a few minutes later.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Mother."
Christine took the seat opposite Serena. "You’re awake early."
"I couldn’t sleep much."
Christine smiled. "You were probably still thinking about yesterday."
Serena gave a small laugh. "It was a long day."
"And you handled it well."
"Thank you."
Christine reached for the teapot. "You know, I was worried when you first came back."
Serena looked at her. "Worried about what?"
"That the pack wouldn’t know how to receive you."
Serena lowered her eyes to her cup. "I understood why they would be cautious."
"But they weren’t."
"Not everyone."
Christine shook her head. "They remember you."
Serena looked up.
Christine continued. "You were part of this pack before you left. You knew the families. You knew the elders. You knew how things were handled."
Serena smiled. "I remember most of them."
Christine poured tea into her cup. "Yesterday proved that."
Serena didn’t answer. Christine watched her carefully. "You should do more of this."
"More gatherings?"
"More involvement."
Serena considered the suggestion. "I don’t want to overstep."
Christine smiled. "You’re always worried about overstepping."
"I have been away for four years. Things have changed."
"Some things have."
Christine placed the teapot down. "But your place hasn’t."
Serena’s expression softened. That was exactly the kind of reassurance she wanted.
Before she could respond, Alpha Kaidan entered the dining room.
"Mother."
Christine looked toward him. "Good morning."
Alpha Kaidan greeted Serena with a nod before taking a seat. "Did you sleep well?"
Serena smiled. "Well enough."
Christine looked between them. "You should ask Serena about yesterday."
Alpha Kaidan glanced at Serena. "I already told her she did well."
Christine smiled. "I know. I’m only saying she deserves more than that."
Serena shook her head. "Christine, it’s fine."
Alpha Kaidan looked at his mother. "What exactly do you want me to say?"
"That she was useful."
Serena laughed softly. "I don’t need a speech."
Christine smiled. "See? She doesn’t ask for much."
Alpha Kaidan didn’t respond. He reached for his coffee. Christine continued eating for a moment before speaking again. "The elders were impressed."
"With the gathering?"
"With Serena."
Serena remained quiet. Alpha Kaidan looked at his mother. "They said that?"
"Several of them."
Christine took another sip of tea. "They said it was good to see her involved again."
Alpha Kaidan nodded. "That makes sense."
Christine smiled. "Some of them were already asking whether she would help with future events."
Serena looked at Alpha Kaidan. "I haven’t agreed to anything."
Alpha Kaidan nodded. "You don’t have to."
Christine gave him a look. "Why shouldn’t she?"
Alpha Kaidan looked at his mother. "I didn’t say she shouldn’t."
"Good."
Christine returned her attention to Serena. "You should accept if they ask again."
Serena smiled. "I’ll think about it."
The conversation moved on. But Serena noticed something. Alpha Kaidan hadn’t objected.
He hadn’t looked uncomfortable at the idea of her becoming more involved in pack affairs. He had accepted it.
Later that morning, Christine went to the administrative wing to oversee arrangements for an upcoming family event. Serena accompanied her, helping with the details as they went through them.
As soon as they entered the corridor, an older council member approached them.
"Christine."
"Richard."
He smiled, then looked at Serena. "Miss Serena."
"Good morning."
"I wanted to thank you for yesterday."
Serena smiled politely. "You’re welcome."
"The families enjoyed themselves."
"I’m glad."
Richard nodded. "You should help with these things more often."
Serena glanced briefly at Christine. "I’ll be happy to help when I can."
Richard smiled. "We could use someone who understands the old arrangements."
Christine laughed. "See? I told you."
Richard looked at Christine. "You did."
He then turned back to Serena. "Some things are easier when someone who knows the pack is involved."
Serena thanked him again. Richard continued down the corridor. Christine watched him leave.
"You see?"
Serena smiled. "They’re being kind."
"They’re doing more than being kind."
Serena didn’t respond. Christine lowered her voice.
"They’re making room for you."
Serena looked at her. "I don’t want to take anyone’s place."
Christine’s expression changed slightly. "You keep saying that."
"Because it’s true."
"Then let me ask you something." Serena waited.
"What place do you think you’re taking?"
Serena didn’t answer immediately. Christine held her gaze. "You were expected to become Luna before you disappeared."
Serena looked away. "That was a long time ago."
"It was."
Christine’s voice softened. "But people haven’t forgotten."
Serena folded her hands in front of her. "Naomi is Alpha Kaidan’s wife."
Christine’s expression hardened slightly. "Under a contract."
"Still a marriage."
"That’s not the same thing."
Serena didn’t argue. Christine continued. "You don’t have to say anything. I’m only telling you what people are beginning to say themselves."
Serena looked at her. "What are they saying?"
Christine gave a faint smile. "That they remember who Alpha Kaidan was supposed to build his future with."
Serena remained silent. "And that they don’t know what happens now."
Christine turned toward the administrative office.
"That’s the question people will eventually ask."
Serena followed her.
By midday, Serena had already received two more requests for help.
One came from the family committee, asking her to help plan an upcoming community visit.
The second came from the household staff, who wanted her input on seating for another small gathering.
Neither request was particularly important on its own.
Together, they meant something. People were beginning to come to her on their own.
She accepted the first request and promised to look at the second later.
When she returned to the main hall, she found Alpha Kaidan speaking with John.
John handed Alpha Kaidan a folder, then noticed Serena.
"Miss Serena."
"John."
John nodded respectfully before leaving them.
Alpha Kaidan looked at Serena. "You’ve been busy."
"So have you."
"What did they need?"
"Help with another family event."
Alpha Kaidan nodded. "You’re taking it?"
"I said I’d help."
"That seems to be becoming your role."
Serena smiled. "I don’t mind."
Alpha Kaidan looked around the hall. A family approached them before the conversation could continue.
An older couple greeted Alpha Kaidan, then turned to Serena. "We’re glad you’re helping again."
"Thank you."
The woman smiled. "It feels familiar."
Serena smiled back. "I suppose it does."
The couple moved away. Alpha Kaidan watched them for a moment. "They seem happy you’re back."
Serena looked at him. "I think they’re happy to have something familiar."
Alpha Kaidan nodded. "Maybe."
Serena glanced toward the courtyard. A few pack members were still outside, talking in small groups.
One of the younger women noticed Serena and bowed. Serena bowed back.
The woman smiled and turned to her friend.
Serena couldn’t hear what they said. She didn’t need to. She could see the way they looked at her.
The same way people had looked at her the night before.
Like she belonged.
That evening, Christine stopped by Serena’s room.
"May I come in?"
Serena opened the door wider. "Of course."
Christine entered and sat near the window. "I heard the family committee asked you to help again."
"Yes."
"You accepted."
"Yes."
Christine smiled. "Good." Serena sat across from her.
"You really want me involved, don’t you?"
Christine looked at her. "I want you to stop behaving like a guest."
Serena was quiet. "This is still Blackclaw."
"I know."
"You lived here."
"I know."
"You were supposed to have a life here."
Serena looked down. Christine’s voice softened.
"Whatever happened during those four years, you came back for a reason. Don’t spend the rest of your time here acting like you have to apologise for existing."
Serena slowly looked up. "I don’t want to cause problems."
"Then don’t." Christine stood. "Just live your life."And about your position beside Alpha, I’ll restore it."
Serena smiled. "I’ll try."
Christine walked toward the door before stopping.
"One more thing." "Alpha Kaidan isn’t the only person in this pack."
Serena frowned slightly. Christine continued.
"You don’t have to convince him of anything every day. Let him see you as you are."
Serena nodded. "Goodnight, Mother."
"Goodnight." After Christine left, Serena closed the door.
She stood quietly for a moment. The gathering had been one evening. The conversations afterwards were different. People were inviting her to participate again. They were asking for her help.
They were speaking to her as though she had never truly left and Christine was encouraging her to stay visible.
Serena knew she had to be careful. If she moved too quickly, people would question her intentions.
So she would not move quickly.
She would keep accepting the opportunities that came her way.
Eventually, being beside Alpha Kaidan would no longer look unusual to anyone.
It would look like where Serena belonged.