Chapter 57: She Was Home
Chapter 57: She Was Home
(Grace’s POV)
Sarah’s pacing rattled me as much as her fury She stormed from one end of the room to the other, like a wolf ready to attack, her steps striking the
wooden floor so hard I thought the boards might splinter
“Ungrateful doesn’t even begin to describe her!” Sarah spat, her voice rising with each word. “After everything I sacrificed, after all this pack provided
for her, she defies us like this?”
Her voice shook with anger, though I pretended to flinch from pain instead of her words. I curled deeper into the blanket around me, making sure i looked smaller, weaker. My pale fingers traced the faint silver–lined veins crawling under my skin.
“You’ve always been so good at managing Scarlett,” I murmured, lowering my eyes. If only she had your foresight, Sarah. Maybe then we wouldn’t be
in this situation.”
Sarah stopped her pacing and turned, her wild energy still simmering. There was a flash of regret in her expression as she knelt by my side, her
hands hovering over me as though afraid I might break from the touch.
“You’ve never disrespected me,” she said softly, her fingers brushing a strand of hair from my face. Her touch lingered, tender and affectionate.
“You’ve always known your place in the pack. Even when things were difficult.
“It’s because of you” I whispered, my voice trembling slightly to sell the act. “Your guidance. Your strength. You’ve always been the perfect Luna- supporting us, holding us all together.”
Her expression softened, almost glowing with pride and maternal affection. I felt a rush of satisfaction–this was too easy.
“If Scarlett could be even half as loyal as you.” The words hung in the air, sharp and bitter.
I shifted slightly, displaying the silver burns on my arms. Her gaze fell to them, her maternal instincts taking over instantly
“You’re so strong, Grace, she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “You’ve endured more than anyone should. And still you’re here, fighting every day. If only the Amber Pack had seen your worth right from the start”
I let a faint hint of a smile touch my lips. Their acceptance… it means everything to me”
It should never have been a question, Sarah replied firmly, her fingers curling against her palm as her anger returned. “Their initial resistance was insulting, but we overcame it together. And we’ll handle this.”
“Sarah..” I trailed off, letting hesitation creep into my voice. “Scarlett’s healing center. It could damage the reputation of the Winter Pack. Its
Independence shows weakness in our control”
Her lips pressed into a tight line, her dominant wolf energy rising in the room until even breathing felt heavier. “We won’t tolerate this. That center of hers is an eyesore to everything we stand for,”
I nodded weakly, allowing my head to fall back against the couch pillow. “Do you think Alexander might… help?”
Her gaze snapped to mine, a light of understanding flickering through her heated anger.
“Alexander.” She said the name thoughtfully, like someone testing the weight of a weapon in their hand.
I kept my voice small and fragile. “He has influence. And.. If anyone could stop her, it’s him.”
Sarah looked at me, something fierce burning behind her radiant brown eyes. “You’re right. He’ll do what’s necessary. For the pack. For you!
She rose, already tapping into the mindlink. Her aura buzzed with Alpha strength, though her concern was still palpable. She paused long enough to affectionately adjust the blanket around my shoulders.
“My brave girl, Rest while I call him. We’ll fix this together, the promised.
I closed my eyes, letting a sigh escape as she left, leaving me alone to revel in my small triumph.
Alexander arrived faster than expected, his broad frame filling the room with uneasy energy. Even before I turned toward him, I sensed his frustration
Chapter 57 She Was Home
bleeding through our bond.
His cast was the first thing I noticed.
“Alexander,” I exclaimed weakly, leaning forward like I wanted to reach for him. “What happened to your arm?”
He glanced down at the cast with an almost imperceptible twitch at the corners of his lips. If I hadn’t spent so much time studying his reactions,
might have missed it.
At first, I thought he would deflect entirely, but then he shrugged, keeping his words clipped.
“An accident during training he muttered, avoiding my curious stare.
I frowned, feigning concern as I tilted my head and tried to lock eyes with him. “Are you sure? This looks serious. Were you ambushed?”
“It’s nothing!” he snapped, though regret flashed across his face an instant later. He softened his tone, adding quietly, “Don’t concern yourself, Grace
Focus on your recovery”
“Of course,” I whispered, curling back under the blanket as though his stern words had startled me. I needed him to feel in charge, for now.
He pulled out a small, sealed bundle and handed it to me. His expression was hesitant, as though he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.
“They’re some rare herbs,” he said gruffly. They should help ease the silver’s effects. I brought them directly from the Amber Pack stores.
I accepted the bundle, offering a faint, grateful smile. “Thank you. I don’t know how I’d handle this without you.”
His gaze darkened slightly, his wolf Mason stirring restlessly beneath the surface. A brief shadow of doubt crossed his features–some unspoken struggle I couldn’t quite pin down
“You’re stronger than you think he said simply, though the words didn’t carry their usual conviction.
I let the silence linger, allowing my weak, barely audible breaths to fill the space. Finally, I broke it, my voice delicate.
“Alexander, is it true that Scarlett’s healing center is.. thriving?”
His jaw tightened sharply, and Mason’s energy spiked around him like a tangible presence in the room.
“What do you mean by “thriving?” he asked cautiously, though his tone hinted at suspicion.
“They say it’s filled with resources even the largest packs don’t have,” I continued softly, careful not to sound too invested. “Moon–blessed crystals, rare salves, herbs.. It’s become incredibly successful. People talk about it like it’s untouchable.”
Alexander’s hands curled into fists at his sides, grinding against the cast. His perfect composure was cracking, jealousy and something deeper simmering in his amber eyes.
“Scarlett..” he muttered, almost spitting the name like it was venom.
I pressed a bit further, my voice laced with subtle doubt. “She’s operating completely on her own now. No pack support. But from the way everyone talks, it almost seems like she doesn’t even need us anymore.”
That last statement hit him harder than I expected. Alexander’s entire body tensed, his muscles colling as Mason let out a low growl deep > in his chest.
“She’s forgotten her place,” he said finally, bitterness dripping from each word.
I widened my eyes slightly, pretending to react with surprise. Do you think she… abandoned the pack on purpose? To spite everyone?”
His gaze snapped to mine, heavy with frustration but tinged with uncertainty.
“I don’t know what she’s planning,” he admitted, his voice low and rough. “But it ends here. She owes this pack her loyalty”
I nodded softly, keeping my expression sympathetic. “You’ll do what’s best. You always have.”
And with that, Alexander turned abruptly and stormed out. The intensity of his frustration lingered in the room long after he’d gone. I sighed, satisfied that the seeds of chaos had been planted.
(Roman’s POV)
The subtle hum of Scarlett’s satisfaction reached me through our mate bond. Wherever she was in the seaside mansion, she seemed genuinely at
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the sensation, leaning
“low down,” I mindlinked her, letting a hint of teasing slip into the words “You’ll choke if you eat like that.”
Her mental laughter immediately warmed my chest. Still babysitting me after all these years? Some things never change”
I chuckled “Someone has to, apparently Knowing you, you’d survive off coffer and dried
left to your own devices”
“Fair enough she admitted, her amusement shining through the bond. “Tut I’m not a cub anymore, Roman. You don’t need to hover like an overprotective parent
“You’ll always be my little woll, I murmured softly, my affection carrying through the bond like a gentle caress “That hasn’t changed”
She sighed, but her thoughts betrayed her subtle blush. “When will you be back?”
“Soon, I promised. “Tor now, rest. Let me handle everything else”
She didn’t argue this time, letting the connection fade as her emotions settled into contentment again
I turned my attention back to the man across from me, Erik Blackwood. His sharp eyes flickered with thinly veiled amusement, though he wisely refrained from interrupting
“She suits you” he commented after a pause, leaning back in his chair Thadn’t pegged you for the sentimental type, Roman”
I fixed him with a cold, measured stare. “She’s my sister,” I said evenly “And my
His brows rose slightly, though his calm demeanor remained intact. “Ah. That does add another layer of intrigue to your story. I assume she’s why your ruthless reputation has softened recently?”
The room chilled as Logan stirred, projecting lethal intent through my aura as
y aura as I leaned forward.
“Careful Erik” I warned, my ice–blue eyes narrowing. You wouldn’t survive making her anything more than an idle curiosity”
He smirked, holding his hands up in mock submission: “Helax, Roman I have no interest in provoking your wrath–or hers, for that matter
I leaned back, my expression carefully neutral. Erik studied me for a moment before chuckling quietly
“She’s changed you” he remarked, his tone thoughtful “Not in a bad way It suits yo
you”
I didn’t bother responding, my focus shifting inward. Through our mate bond, Scarlett’s energy pulsed like a steady heartbeat, grounding the chaotic storm I’d lived in for years.
After three long years of relentless searching, she was safe. She was home. And nothing would take her from me again.
