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Chapter 306
~Tempest’s POV~
(Present Day)
I hadn’t heard from Ryland since that night—since Koda walked away, breaking my heart in the process. I wasn’t sure what to think anymore.
Had Ryland backed out too? Had he decided, just like Koda, that I wasn’t worth the fight?
The silence had been deafening.
And now, as I stood in front of my mirror, adjusting the deep erald-green gown that hugged every curve of my body, I made a decision. I wouldn’t let this uncertainty consu .
I had a life. A purpose.
Stormborn Creations, my company, needed my attention. It wasn’t just a fashion house—it was a foundation.
A place where werewolf females, especially those cast aside, could find strength again.
Won who had suffered under oppressive mates rejected wolves looking for purpose, young girls who needed guidance.
It was my legacy.
After what happened to Aira, I knew the line I wished to pursue.
I grabbed my handbag, slid on my matching heels, and checked my reflection one last ti. My red curls cascaded over my shoulders, and the jewellery around my neck glinted under the soft light.
I looked every bit the confident businesswoman I had built myself into.
"You can’t let heartbreak define you, Temp," I assured myself.
Just as I reached for the doorknob, a presence hit .
Sumr exhaled deeply in my mind.
"Ry... Ryland?"
I pulled the door open, and there he was.
Dressed in a fitted black shirt and dark jeans, his usually confident eyes were... sad.
"You ca..." My voice was softer than I intended.
"Tempest, I..." He hesitated, his gaze searching mine.
"Late," I finished, folding my arms across my chest.
Ryland sighed, running a hand through his tousled brown hair. "I know. I’m sorry."
I tilted my head, skeptical. "Give one reason why I should listen to you."
His jaw clenched, and then his voice dropped to sothing raw, sothing real.
"Because I love you. And I’m here now. Just... give a chance to explain what happened."
My heart clenched at his words, but I kept my expression unreadable.
I exhaled. "Fine. You have ten minutes. I have sowhere to be."
"Okay." He stepped inside, and I shut the door behind him.
Folding my arms again, I arched a brow. "So?"
Ryland inhaled deeply. "I couldn’t leave the pack."
I scoffed. "Not convinced."
His jaw tightened, and then he raised his hands slightly. "Ivory Crescent was attacked."
My heart dropped.
I stepped forward. "Mum? Dad? The pack—?"
"Relax," Ryland said quickly, his hands moving to steady . "They’re fine. One of our outer regions was attacked. Your family wasn’t hard."
Anger simred beneath my skin. "Who?" I asked through gritted teeth.
"Thorned Crescent."
The na sent a chill through . "Does Snow know?"
"Not yet. Your father—" Ryland paused, shaking his head. "Alpha Storm refused to inform any of you. He didn’t want to bother his children. But because of that, we were on lockdown. No one could leave, and we were on high alert, searching for any suspicious activity. Your father was ready to kill."
I swallowed. I knew my father. If he had made a decision, it was absolute.
"Why didn’t you call?" My voice was quieter now as I waited for an explanation.
"I wanted to," Ryland admitted. "But every warrior had to surrender their phones. Alpha Storm ensured no information left the pack until the threat was handled. We had to find the culprits before anything leaked."
"And did you?"
His expression darkened. "Yes. We caught three who didn’t manage to escape with their pack."
"And?" I pressed impatiently.
"Your father executed them on the spot and ordered their heads to be spiked outside the borders as a warning."
My breath hitched. "Father ans war."
"They attacked first, Tempest," Ryland said, his voice low. "Fifteen of ours were killed. Twenty-one wounded. Compared to their losses, we suffered far more."
I took a shaky breath. "He can’t keep this from us. We need to prepare for battle. Snow and I—"
"No," Ryland cut in sharply. "You cannot tell him. If word gets out, I’ll be in trouble for even telling you this. I just... I needed you to know why I didn’t co sooner."
I let out a bitterchuckle. "Would it have mattered?" I muttered. "You would’ve rejected the idea anyway, just like Koda."
Ryland’s expression shifted. "Pardon?"
I shrugged. "You said you were here to tell your response. I already made peace with it."
He took a step toward . "Tempest."
I shook my head. "It’s fine, Ryland. I get it. It was a ridiculous request. I—"
He grabbed my waist, cutting off as he pulled closer.
"Stop." His voice was firm, his grip warm.
I blinked up at him, stunned by his intensity.
"I love you, Tempest," he said, his eyes never leaving mine. "You’re the first person I ran to the mont I was free to leave the pack. I love you with everything I have, and I don’t care about the rest. I don’t care what people think. I don’t care if it’s unconventional. The thought of losing you completely is too much for to bear."
My breath hitched. "You... you an—"
"I want you, Tempest," he said, his grip tightening just slightly. "I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give. If that ans sharing, then so be it. I don’t care. As long as I get to have you."
Tears burned the back of my eyes. I had prepared for rejection. I had braced myself for heartbreak.
But this?
This man was choosing .
"Are you sure?" I whispered, barely able to trust my voice.
His lips curved into a small, soft smile. "Always, Tempest."
And before I could think, before I could overanalyse, his lips crashed against mine.
I gasped into his mouth, my hands flying to his shoulders as he kissed deeply—desperately like he had been starving for this mont.
I lted against him, my body responding instinctively.
Ryland groaned against my lips before lifting effortlessly, my legs wrapping around his waist.
"God, I missed you," he murmured, his breath hot against my skin as he trailed kisses down my jaw.
I tangled my fingers in his hair, tugging slightly, and he growled in response.
My gown had ridden up, and with ease, he pushed my panties aside, his fingers grazing my wetness.
"I missed all of you," he whispered, his touch sending shivers down my spine.
And in that mont, nothing else mattered.
Not the war looming ahead.
Not the fear or uncertainty.
Just this.
Just us.
Just the man who chose .
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