Chapter 8 : Rising From the Flames Chapter 8 : Rising From the Flames ( Samantha's POV ) The helicopter hovered above Hong Harbor , giving us a breathtaking view of the city below . Suddenly , the night sky erupted in a brilliant display of lights forming the unmistakable shape of a phoenix rising from flames . " It's beautiful , " I whispered , mesmerized by the spectacle . Hector's voice came from behind me , low and resonant . " The phoenix rises from its own ashes , stronger than before ." I turned slightly to look at him . His face was illuminated by the colorful lights , his expression thoughtful . " Just like you could ," he added , his dark eyes meeting mine . " Your healing abilities were extraordinary , Samantha . They still could be . " His words touched something deep inside me , awakening memories I'd tried to bury . " I used to dream of healing the entire pack , " I admitted . " Before everything changed . " " What stopped you ? " Hector asked , his breath warm against my ear . I gripped the edge of my seat , suddenly overwhelmed by emotions I'd suppressed for years . " Ethan happened ," I said . " He wanted me to focus on being his Luna , on giving him an heir . " Hector remained silent , but I felt his steady presence behind me , waiting for me to continue . " I remember a younger Ethan ," I said softly . " His face was so earnest in the moonlight as we sat on the roof of our first small apartment . " The memory was vivid , almost painful in its clarity . " One day , " he had promised , taking my hands in his , " I'll give you everything . A better life than this . You'll never have to worry about anything again . " We'd been struggling then - a young Alpha pair building our pack from nothing , working endless hours to establish our territory . " I believed him completely ," I said . " I trusted in his vision for our future . " The phoenix in the sky spread its wings wider , flames trailing behind it like a comet's tail . " And he delivered , didn't he ? " Hector asked , his tone neutral . " Yes . We have wealth , status , a powerful pack ." I turned to face him fully . " Yet somehow , in gaining everything , I lost myself . " Hector's eyes reflected the fiery phoenix . " That's the tragedy of many Luna wolves . They forget who they were before they became someone's mate . " His words struck me like a physical blow . He was right . " I want to heal again ," I said , my voice stronger now . " I want to use my gifts . " Hector nodded , a subtle movement that somehow felt like a pledge . " I'll help you . " The phoenix in the sky reached its zenith , wings spread wide in triumphant rebirth . Something shifted inside me , a resolve hardening like steel . 1/4 < Chapter 8 Rising From the FI " Ethan won't like it , " I said , surprising myself with how little that mattered now . " Does that concern you ? " Hector asked directly . +16 Puntos ) I watched the phoenix begin to fade , its fiery form dissolving into sparks that drifted down over the city like golden snow . " No , " I said firmly . " Not anymore . " I knew then what I had to do . My relationship with Ethan was over - not just because of Rebecca , but because his love had become a gilded cage . " Thank you ," I said to Hector , my voice stronger than it had been in years . " For what ? " he asked , genuinely curious . " For reminding me who I am . " That night , my dreams were filled with Ethan . Not the cold , distant man he'd become , but the passionate young Alpha who had pursued me relentlessly . " Be mine ," dream - Ethan pleaded , his eyes burning with intensity . " Let me love you , Samantha . " I tried to back away , but his arms encircled me , holding me close . " I can't live without you ," he whispered fiercely . " I won't . " The dream shifted , years passing in moments . " Give me an heir , " he demanded , his voice harder now . " Make our pack strong . " I saw myself wilting under his demands , becoming smaller , dimmer . Another shift , and he was holding me possessively , his grip almost painful . " No one will ever love you like I do , " he growled . " No one will ever want you like I do . No one . " His grip tightened until I couldn't breathe . I woke with a gasp , my heart pounding . Sweat beaded on my forehead despite the cool room . Sunlight streamed through the hotel window , revealing a new day . I pressed my hands to my face , trying to calm my racing heart . The clarity I'd felt last night remained , stronger in the light of morning . It was time to go back to the Northern Territories . Not to reconcile with Ethan , but to end things properly and begin my new path . I showered quickly , letting the hot water wash away the lingering unease from my dreams . As I dressed , I felt a strange sense of lightness , as if I'd shed a weight I hadn't realized I was carrying . After packing my few belongings , I checked out of SilverCrest Hotel . The receptionist smiled warmly . " Did you enjoy your stay , Ms. Reed ? " " More than I expected , " I replied honestly . Outside , a sleek black car waited at the curb . William Pierce , Hector's assistant , stood beside it , his posture formal and correct . " Luna Reed ," he said with a respectful nod . " Alpha Grayson asked me to drive you to the airport . " " That's very kind , but unnecessary , " I replied , surprised by the gesture . 2 < Chapter 8 Rising From the FI " He insisted , " William said , opening the rear door . +15 Puntos I hesitated for just a moment before sliding into the backseat , only to find myself half - sitting on someone's lap . Strong hands steadied me as I gasped in surprise . " Careful ," Hector's deep voice rumbled in my ear . I scrambled to the side , mortified . " I'm so sorry ! I didn't see you . " Hector's lips quirked in what might have been amusement . " Clearly . " Heat rushed to my face as I settled into the seat properly , keeping a careful distance between us . The car pulled away from the curb , heading toward Moonlight International Airport . Hector's cologne filled the space between us - sandalwood and something uniquely him .. " I was about to text you ," I said , pulling out my phone to show him the half - composed message . " What were you going to say ? " he asked , his gaze steady on my face . " Just … thank you . For your hospitality and for introducing me to your aunt . " He nodded , his expression thoughtful . " You've changed , Samantha Reed . " " Have I ? " " The healer I knew three years ago wouldn't have hesitated to speak her mind ." His eyes held mine . " She was fierce in her convictions ." I looked out the window at the passing city , watching buildings blur into streaks of color . " People change , " I said softly . " Yes , " he agreed . " They do . Sometimes for the better . " The implication hung in the air between us . " Will you continue your healing work ? " he asked after a moment . " Yes , " I said without hesitation . " It's time I reclaimed that part of myself . " " Good . " The single word carried approval and something else I couldn't quite identify . in comfortable silence until the airport came into view , its modern architecture gleaming in the morning sun . departure terminal , I turned to him one last time . " Thank you , Hector . For everything . " We'll meet again soon ," he said , his voice carrying absolute certainty . " For our healing project . " I nodded , a smile forming on my lips . " I'd like that ." As the plane carried me back to the Northern Territories , I found myself thinking not about Ethan's betrayal , but about the life I wanted to build . The healing career I would reclaim . The strength I would find in myself , not in a relationship . The problems between Ethan and me went deeper than Rebecca's pregnancy . Our relationship had become unbalanced , with my needs and dreams sacrificed for his vision of our life together . No more . I watched clouds drift past my window , feeling strangely peaceful despite the confrontation I knew awaited me . Hours later , Moonlight International Airport buzzed with activity as I disembarked . I'd worn sunglasses and wrapped a scarf around my hair , hoping to avoid recognition . 3/4 < Chapter 8 Rising From the Fl * 15 Puntos > The last thing I wanted was for pack gossip to alert Ethan to my return before I was ready to face him . I made my way through the crowded terminal , keeping my head down . Just a few more minutes and I'd be in a taxi , heading to the SilverCrest branch in the Northern Territories . " Samantha . " His voice cut through the airport noise like a blade . I froze , my heart suddenly pounding in my chest . I turned slowly to find Ethan standing a few feet away , a bouquet of rare Moonbloom roses in his hands . Their petals glowed faintly in the airport lights , their scent intoxicating . " Ethan , " I said , my voice steadier than I felt . He closed the distance between us in two long strides , pulling me into an embrace that felt both familiar and strange . " Thank God you're back ," he murmured against my hair . " I was worried sick . " I stood stiffly in his arms , not returning the embrace . After a moment , he pulled back , studying my face . " Are you alright ? " he asked , concern evident in his voice . " Where did you go ? " Before I could answer , his nostrils flared slightly . His eyes darkened as he detected the faint trace of another man's cologne on me - Hector's distinctive sandalwood scent . His expression changed instantly , warmth replaced by suspicion . " Who did you meet in the Eastern Territories ? " he asked , his voice dangerously soft . His demeanor changed instantly , suspicion clouding his eyes as he wondered which man his wife had met in the Eastern Territories .