Chapter 20- Fractured Defiance
Chatred Delance
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hey locked on me. His.
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who coses encty com
buch me with his Alpha authority–not now, not ever
org me off completely Broad shoulders squared Chin high
amber eyes burned with anger, frustration, and
acceaned like a prost, stepping just behind him. The Bet’s stiff posture tried to mask the urease flickering in his eyes. Like he knew this
“Well I asked myyy. Tome to beg me
Alexander’s jaw clenched. His hands fexed
th just long enough for it to sting. At last, arched brow and tited my head mockingly.
mething? Or are you both just determined to waste my time?”
his sides, and his energy pulsed thickly in the space between us.
“Enough, Scarlet” he said frally his deep voice numbing with restrained fury. “You’re under my protection until the marking ceremony.”
His words struck a nerve, but I don’t finch.
Cora stirred beneath my skin, her growl vibrating through my bones like thunder. She wasn’t going to tolerate this. I wasn’t going to tolerate this.
Two steps brought me closer, close enough to feel the heat rolling off him like a furnace. My emerald eyes bored into his daring him to try harder.
Protection? I repeated, my voice dripping with venom. My lips curled into a smile–cold, sharp, and anything but friendly. “You think I need your protection? Where was that protection while your pack tore me apart with their whispers? While Grace cried into your shoulder, begging for your loyalty?”
His nostris flared, a flicker of guilt crossing his expression. It was brief, but I caught it, and I hated it. I hated that it wasn’t enough.
“You’re bound to me until the ceremony,” he said again, histone firmer, heavier now, like repetition might make his claims more believable
My laughter broke free like ice crackling under pressure. Sharp, cutting, and without an ounce of warmth.
“Bound?” I mocked. “No, Alexander. You’re bound. Tied up in your own lies and split loyalties. But me?” I leaned closer, my voice lowering to a whisper but no less deadly. 1 don’t belong to you. Not now. Not ever.”
Before I could step around him, his hand shot out like lightning and gripped my arm. His hold was firm–almost brusing. His wolf Mason surged through his veins, pushing dominance into the touch, as if some primal instinct thought it could keep me in place.
Cora rose in me instantly, heat coiling tight in my chest like a roaring furnace. My claws sharpened at my sides as I turned my gaze down to his hand
Slowly, deliberately, I pressed my nails to his skin.
He didn’t release me. Not yet.
“Take your hand off me, I said through gritted teeth, my voice low and calm–dangerously calm. My emerald gaze met his, flashing bright as Cora’s
presence surged stronger.
Alexander glared back for a moment longer, his jaw tight, before releasing me.
But he didn’t step back
“This is for your safety he growled, his frustration clear in every word.
“Safety?” I neered. Com’s power hummed through my veins as I pushed forward. From what? You think I’m afraid of rogues? Of danger? You don’t
even know me.”
Jason, standing to the side, shifted nervously. His Bets position might have demanded composure, but no amount of training could hide his unesse.
Before Alexander could retort, his expression shifted. Briefly, his sharp amber gaze softened. His head tilted slightly, as though listening to something–or someone–through his thoughts.
I recognized the flicker of a wolf bond immediately. And I didn’t have to guess who was on the other end of it.
“Grace” I said her name aloud like it was poison on my tongue.
Alexander’s face hardened, but he didn’t respond, his focus clearly pulled elsewhere.
I could almost hear her voice in my own head. Pleading. Crooning. Begging for him to come running, like she always did.
Some distant part of me waited for him to ignore her. But much deeper, I already knew he wouldn’t.
His features mehed subtly. Not enough for Jason to notice, but I noticed. His hand, clenched at his side moments ago, opened sightly. His shoulders
dropped by just a fraction.
Soon
This man was supposed to be an Alpha. A king in waiting. And yet here he was, crumbling at the sound of some omega’s voice in his head
Without severing the internal mindlink, he murmured softly, his voice barely loud enough for me to hear.” know it hurts, Grace. Try to rest. I’ll be there
There.
There it was
Every ounce of his true loyalty bared for the world, or at least for me, to see.
When he finally severed the link and turned back to me, his expression was tighter than before. That golden amber glint in his eyes didn’t sparkle. It dulled, weighed down by whatever guilt or worry he carried for her.
“You’re unbelievable.” The words left my mouth before I could stop them.
Alexander stiffened, his muscles coiled tight like he wanted to react but couldn’t decide how.
try. You think any of this works? That anything you have to say carries even a glimmer of meaning while you crawl back
“No,” I interrupted. “Don’t even try.
to her every time she calls?”
“She’s hurting” Alexander said instantly, his voice rising fractionally “Do you think I’m just going to ignore her suffering? She’s-”
“She’s your true mate; I said bluntly. The words stung as they passed my lips, but I didn’t let it show. “Own it, Alexander. Stop hiding behind excuse
We both see right through your act.”
Tension rippled between us, thick and nearly suffocating.
And then, just like that, something in him snapped.
“I’m offering you ald, Scarlett His words lashed out like a whip. His hands gestured roughly as though trying to make me see something I refused to
acknowledge.
“You know what I have access to,” he pushed. “Supplies that could triple what your healing center has. Connections that could elevate the whole-
“Stop,” I said coldly. My tone was sharp, slicing right through whatever plea he was about to make.
His frustrations mounted, flickering in his gaze as he stared down at me.
“You think I care about your bribes?” I asked, taking another step closer. “Save that act for someone who needs rescuing. Like Grace. She seems to
like being saved”
2/3
His eyes flickered again, guilt flashing just briefly before his wolf surged stronger. His next words carried the growl of Mason’s frustration.
Chapter 20 Fractured Defiance
“The marking ceremony,” Alexander began firmly, “will proceed as planned Think carefully, Scarlett. You don’t know the consequences of rejecting
this alliance.”
I tilted my head, a twisted little smile tugging at my lips. You’re worried about me?”
The smile vanished as quickly as it had come. My emerald eyes blazed dangerously as I took yet another step forward. “Hurry back to Grace,” I whispered darkly, enjoying the way he froze at the words. With silver poisoning spreading so rapidly–who knows how long she has left?”
The intent behind my words was clear. He knew exactly what I was implying.
The tension between us peaked. His wolf growled ferociously beneath his skin. Mason surged forward, his amber gaze brighter than before, burning
with barely controlled dominance.
But I wasn’t waiting for him to act.
I turned on my heel sharply, deliberately, and began walking past him. My head didn’t turn once, ignoring Jason’s cautious shuffle as he tried to
decide whether to stop me.
Alexander’s roar followed me across the courtyard–a sulking, furious sound filled with fire and power.
It rang out behind me, echoing across the stone pathways and into the night.
Cora huffed in satisfaction, her energy mingling with mine as the Amber Pack’s boundaries came into focus ahead.
Chante
