Elena’s POV
"I ca to check on Skye. We had a conversation yesterday." His voice carried that familiar edge I rembered from high school. When I glanced at Skye, her expression told everything I needed to know. The terror written across her features wasn’t because of my presence.
There was sothing else she was hiding.
I moved deeper into the room and settled onto the couch, my eyes never leaving their faces.
"So you two are mates." The statent hung in the air between us.
"How could you possibly know that?" Skye’s voice barely rose above a whisper, her gaze fixed anywhere but on .
"The signs are impossible to miss when you know what to look for." I kept my tone neutral, though my mind was racing.
"This wasn’t sothing I planned or expected. He only started ntioning you this morning, wondering if the rumors were true about your return. He told about the things he did to you back in high school. When he heard about you defeating Alpha Marcus yesterday, he said it was completely unlike the person he rembered. Luna, I swear on everything sacred, I only discovered this bond today." Skye’s words tumbled out in a rush of panic.
"Stop with the apologies. You can’t control fate or who the moon goddess pairs you with." My response seed to catch them both off guard.
"You’re really not furious about this situation?" Brock’s surprise was evident in his voice.
"Let make sothing crystal clear. I’m vindictive as hell and I don’t forgive easily. I still despise you for every cruel thing you did to . But I won’t destroy a mate bond, no matter how much I hate one half of it." I stood up, preparing to leave the suffocating tension of the room.
"That ans more to than you know." Brock’s gratitude fell on deaf ears.
"Don’t mistake my decision for compassion toward you. I’m doing this for Skye’s sake, not yours. But if you cause her even a mont of pain, I’ll make sure it’s the last mistake you ever make." I paused at the threshold, my voice dropping to sothing deadly serious. "And that threat I made about my children earlier? Stay the hell away from them."
His quick nod told he understood the gravity of my words.
The kitchen seed like a sanctuary compared to the emotional minefield I’d just navigated. I was reaching for the coffee pot when the sharp click of expensive heels against marble announced an unwelco visitor. I didn’t bother turning around imdiately, instead rolling my eyes as I prepared for whatever drama was about to unfold.
When I finally faced the doorway, Viviana stood there with an older man whose authoritative presence filled the space.
"What’s my alleged cri today?" I asked before either could speak.
"This is the woman I told you about." Viviana’s voice carried a smugness that made my skin crawl.
"Alpha Thorne. Viviana’s uncle." His introduction ca with a asuring stare that I returned without flinching.
"Ah, the legendary uncle she’s ntioned so frequently." I took a deliberate sip of my coffee.
"That would be ." His tone suggested he was used to people being intimidated by his reputation.
"I’d love to say eting you is a pleasure, but given your family connection, I doubt that’s accurate." The words ca out exactly as cutting as I intended.
"You’ve got quite the mouth on you, don’t you?" His eyes narrowed dangerously.
"I prefer to think of it as honesty." I shrugged, completely unbothered by his intimidation tactics.
"I’m here to find out exactly what you’re trying to accomplish by staying in my niece’s ho." The question ca loaded with accusation.
"I ca to visit my mother, who Marcus brought here without consulting anyone. Now it appears I need to remain and clean up the disaster that Marcus and your niece have created with these creatures terrorizing innocent humans." I kept my explanation factual and direct.
"So you’ve appointed yourself as so kind of hero?" The mockery in his voice was unmistakable.
"I never claid to be saving anyone. But when the supposed leaders of this pack are completely clueless about handling a crisis, soone competent needs to step up." My patience was wearing thin.
"And your mate supports you being here?" The question carried implications I didn’t appreciate.
"Why would he object? He’s here with . We’re fully bonded with children together. If Viviana dragged you here thinking I have romantic feelings for Marcus, you’ve both wasted your ti. I couldn’t care less about him. My only concern is preventing the army from eliminating every werewolf in existence." The frustration in my voice was becoming harder to contain.
"These attacks are specifically targeting this pack, not our entire species." His dismissive tone made my blood boil.
"If you truly believe that narrow-minded garbage, then you have no right calling yourself an Alpha." The words ca out harsher than I’d intended, but I ant every one.
"Alpha Thorne." Marcus’s voice interrupted our heated exchange as he entered the kitchen.
"I was having an enlightening conversation with your forr mate." Thorne’s emphasis on ’forr’ felt deliberate.
"Perhaps we should continue this discussion in my office." Marcus’s suggestion ca with obvious urgency.
As they turned to leave, Damien appeared in the doorway, his presence imdiately changing the atmosphere in the room.
"Thorne." Damien’s voice carried years of unresolved tension.
"Damien." The na ca through gritted teeth before Thorne followed Marcus toward the office.
Damien crossed to imdiately, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips that felt like coming ho after a storm.
"I’m assuming you two have history." I watched the office door close behind them.
"If I’d known Viviana was his niece, we never would have set foot in this place." The regret in Damien’s voice told their past was complicated and painful.
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