My Alpha Forced Me to Forget Him Chapter 08

My Alpha Forced Me to Forget Him Chapter 08

A few days later, the Master Florist from the International Academy of Floral Arts came to find me.

He was smiling so broadly that his eyes were nearly hidden by the wrinkles at their corners.

“Elara. We made the right choice bringing you here. You’re exactly what this team needed.”

I smiled and waved my hands modestly.

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I won’t let you down.”

He nodded with satisfaction.

“Next month, there’s an International Floral Exchange. I want you to come with me.”

My eyes lit up instantly.

The International Floral Exchange wasn’t open to just anyone.

Only the world’s most accomplished floral artists received invitations.

Without hesitation, I agreed.

Ever since arriving in Europe, I’d thrown myself completely into my work.

Training. Experimenting with new materials. Exchanging ideas with florists from around the world.

Back in the Blackwood Pack, arranging flowers had only been a hobby.

Her, it had become my future.

In just a few short months, I’d learned more than I had during the previous three years.

I immediately texted Raven Cross the good news.

I also invited her to attend the exchange and watch my presentation.

She replied with an unusually long message.

Near the end, she mentioned what had happened back home.

Selene had been arrested.

Not only had Ryker refused to protect her, he had personally testified against her.

The evidence he provided had added several more years to her sentence.

Raven ended the message with one final comment.

[He’s unbelievable. First he destroyed you for her… now he’s the one burying her.]

I looked at the screen for a long moment. Then I replied with only one sentence.

[The only thing that never changes… is that everything changes.]

Soon, the day of the International Floral Exchange arrived.

The stage lights were blinding. The audience filled every seat.

Reporters crowded near the front, cameras flashing nonstop.

After my presentation, a reporter raised a microphone toward me.

“Elara. You’ve overcome so many hardships on your journey. Who would you like to thank the most?”

I paused.

Years ago,

if someone had asked me that question, I would’ve answered without hesitation-Ryker.

He had been the first person to tell me my floral arrangements were beautiful.

He had been the one who made me believe these hands could create something worth admiring.

But that was a lifetime ago.

I looked toward the audience.

Raven was clapping enthusiastically. The Master Florist beamed with pride. Several of my colleagues were

giving me encouraging thumbs-up.

A warm smile slowly spread across my face.

“My friends.”

“I’m most grateful for my friends.”

No more dwelling on the past. No more looking back.

After the exchange ended, the Master Florist excitedly pulled me aside. His eyes practically sparkled.

“Elara! You were incredible!”

“The confidence you showed on that stage-no one could compare.”

He laughed before pointing a finger at me.

“Remember this. If anyone tries to steal you away from the Academy, don’t you dare leave us.”

I laughed. “I won’t.”

I was happy too.

As I turned around, I saw Ryker.

He stood alone beyond the crowd. Silently watching me.

His eyes were bloodshot. Filled with longing.

He slowly lifted his phone, silently asking if we could talk.

After a brief hesitation, I nodded.

We walked into a nearby café.

After sitting down, Ryker ordered for me without asking.

“One latte. Light sugar.”

He still remembered.

Even after all this time, he still remembered exactly how I used to drink my coffee.

Only…I had stopped liking sweet coffee a long time ago.

He wrapped both hands around his own cup.

Keeping his eyes lowered, he asked quietly,

“How have you been?”

I smiled. “Very well.”

“I’m closer to my dreams than I’ve ever been.”

He nodded. Then gently lifted his coffee cup.

“Congratulations.”

Silence settled between us.

After a long while, his hoarse voice broke it.

“If Selene had never come back, would we have made it?”

I looked at him calmly. Then slowly shook my head.

“No.”

“If there had never been a Selene, we wouldn’t have become mates in the first place.”

His lips trembled. His shoulders shook almost imperceptibly.

A tear landed on the back of his hand. He didn’t wipe it away.

I stood. “Let’s not see each other again.”

My voice remained gentle.

He didn’t answer.

I turned and walked away.

This time, I never looked back.

When I returned to the venue, Raven immediately rushed over.

“What did he want this time?”

I sighed softly.

“What else? Just a ghost who refuses to let go.”

After the talk, I devoted myself entirely to my career.

Every day brought new techniques. New designs. New inspiration.

Months later, the Academy officially awarded me the title of Master Florist.

The entire studio erupted into celebration.

Champagne corks flew. Confetti filled the air. Applause echoed throughout the building.

Standing on the second-floor balcony, Kieran suddenly fired a confetti cannon.

Bang!

Colorful paper rained down over my head.

“Hey!”

I looked up and glared at him while brushing confetti from my hair.

He grinned from ear to ear. Then silently mouthed two words.

[Be happy.]

My phone vibrated once.

I glanced at the screen. A message from Ryker.

[Congratulations.]

I smiled faintly. Then replied with two simple words.

[Thank you.]

I locked the screen and slipped my phone back into my pocket.

Laughter surrounded me. Bright lights illuminated every smiling face.

Looking at the people who genuinely celebrated my happiness and at the life I’d rebuilt with my own hands, my wolf felt peaceful.

I was no longer the Luna who had lived only for her mate.

I was Elara Hawthorne.

From this day forward, both my wolf and I would walk toward the future-

Without ever looking back.

-END-