hapter 13
Chapter 13
Lilliana’s POV
At the Ironclaw Pack’s border, I spotted my parents waiting beyond the the cabin by the border. The
moment my mother’s eyes landed on me, her tears began to fall.
I had once been her vibrant daughter, full of light, full of dreams. But now, that light had faded, worn down by five years of loving the wrong mate.
My father, always the stoic one, clenched his jaw, but I saw the pain in his eyes too.
Their daughter, raised in luxury, had aged decades in just five years of mating.
“Is everything settled back?” My father’s voice was careful. They had already heard the
scandal–Adeleke’s betrayal, the ceremony photos with Martyna, the meetings with her family.
I looked between them, knowing I couldn’t hide anything.
“Mom, Dad, I’m sorry.”
I expected to be chastised by Alpha father and Luna mother. But my mother only wrapped her arms around me, her fingers stroking through my hair like she used to do when I was a pup.
“Don’t apologize.” Her voice was gentle but firm. “Giving your all to a mate–bond is nothing to be ashamed of. The betrayers are the ones who should feel shame.”
My father nodded, his usual stone–like expression cracking just enough to let warmth show through. “A male like Adeleke–cut down the bond with him is for the best. Come home to us. You can choose to run the wolves, or leave it to your brothers if you don’t want to. Our wealth will keep you comfortable for lifetimes.”
My mother squeezed my hands, her grip grounding me.
“We gave you life to be happy, my love. A dissolved bond isn’t the end. You’ll always have choices.”
A piece of my heart–so long frozen in grief, in betrayal, in exhaustion–began to thaw.
They were right.
13.25
Luma’s Game she’s Driving the sink. tas
Chapter 13
My life was not over.
I took a shaky breath and lifted my chin.
“I’ll heal, study, then run the pack with my brothers.” I decided. “I lost five years to love. Now, I’ll focus on work and family.”
And I would never let a mate dictate my worth again.
A month away from toxic love had done more for my spirit than I could have imagined. Without the cloying scent of Adeleke’s betrayal, my wolf stretched freely in my mind, unchained, no longer forced to endure the scent of lies.
In Ironclaw Pack, I sat on my balcony, inhaling the crisp northern air, the distant scent of pine and salted fjords calming my senses. The warmth of the fire pit flickered against my skin, the crackling flames keeping the chill at bay.
My wolf began to warn me in advance and I prepared myself. The next moment, The sharp chime broke the peaceful evening.
It was Sarah who was contacting me, the hot–tempered woman who always did everything as if she were fighting.
“Have you seen Adeleke go around the werewolf world proclaiming his love for you?” Her voice carried a mix of irritation and disbelief. “As if mating with other women before was a lie.”
“I’m not following news about him.”
“The packs are starting to sympathize. Word is, he’s coming to Ironclaw Pack in a month.”
The flames before me seemed to dim.
My fingers are clenched. My wolf went still, ears pricking, sensing danger.
“I won’t see him.” My voice was cold, firm.
“I know.” Sarah sighed. “But when that blood oath activates and he loses everything without winning you back… who knows what a desperate Alpha might do?”
I understood what she wasn’t saying.
Chapter 13
Adeleke was a wolf cornered.
And a desperate wolf was the most dangerous kind.
“I’ll be careful.”
I could hear Sarah exhale in relief.
True friends remained vigilant.
I kept Adeleke’s impending arrival from my parents.
They were already too busy preparing to announce me as heir to Ironclaw Pack.
“Join us for dinner tomorrow,” my mother had said earlier. “We’d like you to meet someone.”
I knew what that meant. Another introduction to a powerful pack member.
A strategic move.
I agreed, not knowing how the night would nearly cost me my life.
The next evening, I drove my parents toward a cliffside restaurant, the towering fjords stretching endlessly below.
I was tired of parties and pleasantries and came out to get some sea air.
The crisp air carried the scent of the sea, of damp stone, of old power.
But beneath it all, something felt wrong.
A scent, full of dangerous.
A shadow moved behind me.
Next second. A hard shove.
My body lurched forward. My claws extended, gripping the railing, but before I could turn, another push.
The wind howled as the world plunged into icy darkness.
13-25
Chapter 13
The freezing Ironclaw Sea swallowed me whole.
I barely had time to cry out before the cold stole my breath, my strength, my control.
My wolf howled inside me, raging, but too fast. Darkness pulled at me.
Then strong arms appeared before my eyes.
A scent I didn’t recognize but instinctively trusted.
I hold it as hard as I can.
Author’s words: Who is this?
efore the cold stole my breath, my strength, my control.
My wolf howled inside me, raging, but too fast. Darkness pulled at me.
Then strong arms appeared before my eyes.
A scent I didn’t recognize but instinctively trusted.
I hold it as hard as I can.
Author’s words: Who is this?
The freezing Ironclaw Sea swallowed me whole.
I barely had time to cry out before the cold stole my breath, my strength, my control.
My wolf howled inside me, raging, but too fast. Darkness pulled at me.
Then strong arms appeared before my eyes.
A scent I didn’t recognize but instinctively trusted.
I hold it as hard as I can.
Author’s words: Who is this?
