Chapter 112
Chapter 112
Valencia’s POV
The buzz of activity around me was unmistakable as the crowd began to stir, chairs scraping against the ground and conversations rising in volume.
Tonight’s engagement ceremony had officially transitioned into a wolf hunt, since it was the night of the full moon.
So even though I felt anxious about Castor, I couldn’t yet go to check up on him.
I found myself moving with the flow of people, toward a designated area near the lakeside, illuminated with a soft glow from lanterns strung overhead. The seating arrangement was carefully thought out, with plush chairs and small tables strategically placed in semicircles, leaving an open view of the forest’s edge.
The moon cast a silver sheen on the treetops in the distance, though the lake remained half hidden behind thick foliage.
The atmosphere hummed with excitement as prominent pack members prepared for the hunt. The SNC members, who had attended the engagement ceremony, began taking their leave–except for Alpha Selene, the Commanding wolf Alpha with dark long hair and sharp green eyes. Her pack was participating, with her younger brother Nico chosen to represent the Onyx Crown pack.
One by one, the other packs announced their representatives. The Red Falls and Nightwalker packs each chose their strongest Alphas, and as expected, Dante was named to represent the Steele pack.
But when it came to the Wolfe pack, I was surprised.
Not Jaxon, but Aiden.
This hunt was definitely different in many aspects than the usual hunts. For one, not all the wolf’s were going to participate and secondly, Jaxon, who usually took the lead in such events, had decided to watch from the sidelines.
I glanced at Dante, whose face betrayed no reaction, but I could feel the faint hum of his satisfaction through our bond. It seemed whatever he was planning, this fit into it perfectly.
As the representatives began gathering near the forest’s edge, Dante approached me, his suit jacket rustling slightly in the cool breeze. He placed a gentle hand on my waist, his blue eyes softening as they met mine.
“Stay here,” he murmured, leaning down to press a kiss to my forehead. His voice was warm but firm, laced with just enough protectiveness to make my chest tighten. “Don’t wander off. I’ll be back soon.”
I wasn’t worried, not really. But something about the late hour and the way the dark sky stretched endlessly above made my nerves feel taut. I nodded, giving him a reassuring smile as he straightened.
Before Dante turned to join the others, Aiden emerged from the crowd, his expression tense.
I didn’t miss the stiffness in his posture, the way his hands clenched briefly at his sides.
I tilted my head, unable to resist teasing him. “Congratulations? Or should I say my condolences?” Anyone becoming
Anastasia’s husband would need it.
Dante chuckled under his breath, but Aiden shot me a look of pure exasperation
“What?” I asked innocently, shrugging. “You like her, don’t you? So why do you look so… constipated?”
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Chapter 112
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Aiden’s frown deepened, his gaze darting to Dante before settling, back on me, “Who told you I like Anastasia?” he asked, his tone sharp with disbelief.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “Because you listen to everything she says? You never stop her advances? It’s not exactly hard to figure out.”
For a moment, he said nothing, his jaw tightening. Then, he fixed me with a pointed look. “Shouldn’t you, of all people, understand why I can’t stop her advances?”
The words hit me hard, and my playful smile faltered.
For the first time, I really saw him. Not just the strong, composed warrior everyone assumed him to be, but the man beneath -the one trapped in circumstances he couldn’t control.
My heart clenched painfully.
“You really don’t like her?” I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
He shook his head, his expression betraying a flicker of something close to vulnerability before he looked away. He didn’t speak though.
I opened my mouth to respond, but he quickly turned to Dante. “Won’t this cause problems?”
Dante’s lips curled into a faint, almost predatory smile. “On the contrary,” he said smoothly. “It’s good. You becoming the Wolfe son–in–law will make things easier in terms of legitimacy.”
Their words settled heavily in the air, and my brows furrowed as I pieced together what they weren’t saying. I thought back to the snippets of conversation I’d overheard in the meeting room–something about things becoming difficult for Aiden if Jaxon and Celeste married.
My eyes narrowed. Suddenly, a realization dawned.
“You guys…” I lowered my voice, glancing around to make sure no one was nearby. “Are you conspiring to take over the Wolfe pack?”
Aiden froze, his silver eyes sharpening as he looked at me.
Dante, however, didn’t seem fazed. “Don’t worry,” he said lightly, his tone almost teasing. “I put up a sound barrier.”
I blinked. “You can do that?”
He smiled at me, sweet and infuriating all at once.
I sighed, throwing my hands up in mock defeat. “Of course you can.”
Aiden scrutinized me, his gaze searching, but I shook my head.
“Don’t get me wrong,” I said quietly, meeting his eyes. “I’m not against the idea. You taking over would be ten times better than Jaxon. He’s nowhere near fit to be Alpha.”
Aiden’s expression flickered with surprise, but Dante spoke first. “Oh? Then what about Jason?”
The question made my heart skip a beat. I didn’t even have to think. “He’s not qualified,” I said bluntly. “He’s even more of a child than August. At least Jaxon has been trained to take care of pack matters, even if he does slack off alo-”
I stopped abruptly, my throat tightening as I realized what I’d just said.
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Chapter 112
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In this life, it shouldn’t have been obvious how much Jaxon slacked off. Not yet, at least. His father, Drogo, was still alive and handling most of the pack’s responsibilities.
I bit my lip, my mind racing to cover my mistake. “What I mean is… he’s used to slacking in his studies. So I have a hunch he’ll do the same,with his future pack duties.”
Dante nodded, but the suspicion in his gaze was palpable. I could feel it through our bond, the way his emotions curled with curiosity and doubt.
Thankfully, he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he turned back to Aiden. “Jason?”
Aiden hesitated, his expression solemn. “He’s….out,” he said finally, his voice low.
Out? Out where?
Before I could ask, I caught the dangerous glint in Dante’s eyes, the faint curl of satisfaction that rippled through our bond.
I recoiled slightly, a chill running down my spine.
田
