Chapter 179
Elles POV
The car ride back to Moon Lake City felt like a funeral procession.
The conversation them the phone call echoed in my mind: Victoria wants Mine and me to pick her up together
Not me. Mira
I glanced at Brad’s profile as he drove, his jaw tight with tension. Ha hands eripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles were white.
We reached the villa in Moon Lake City, the convoy of vehicles pulling up to the in a cloud of dust and temon, Brad immediately started coordinating with
Alex about the logistics of picking up his mother, while I stood there feeling like an outsider.
“Elle.” Sophia appeared at my elbow, her face drawn with worry. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” I lied. “Just tire
Sophias sharp eyes didn’t miss much. She could probably sense my distress on if I tried to hide it. “Brad’s taking Mira to the airport,” she said carefully.
“I know.” I watched as Brad and Mira walked toward one of the black SUVs, their heads bent together in conversation. His mother requested it specifically.”
Sophias expression darkened. That doesn’t mean anything. Elle. You know that, right?
I said nothing, turning toward the house.
The villa felt different without Brad in it. Colder. Martha appeared with a warm smile, asking if I needed anything, but I just shook my head and made my way to the front entrance to wait.
h me, settling into one of the chairs Martha brought out. In the distance, I could hear the sounds of the slam of car doors, the low rumble
Sophia stayed with me,
of engines.
Elle, I have a bad feeling about this,” Sophia said, her voice barely above a whisper
I looked at her.
‘Victoria Rayne… She’s been abroad for six years. A werewolf mother who’s been isolated from her son’s life, who comes back to find him mated to a human…” She didn’t finish the sentence.
But the did
didn’t need to. I could fill in
blanks myself.
I thought about what Brad had told me about his mothers obsession with bloodline purity, her disappointment when he hadn’t chosen a suitable werewoll mate. A woman like that wouldn’t exactly welcome a human mate with open ans.
“Maybe she’ll surprise us,” I said, but even I didn’t believe it.
Sophia gave me a look that said she didn’t beliew it either.
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Chapter 179
We sat in tense silence for what felt like hours until finally, car lights appeared in the distance. My stomach clenched as the convoy approached.
I stood up, smoothing down my clothes and trying to arrange my face into something resembling composure. This was it. The moment. If been dreading since Brad first told me about his mother,
The
e first car pulled up directly in front of the entrance, and I held my breath as the doors opened.
Mira emerged first, and my heart sank. She was practically glowing with satisfaction, her arm still linked with Brads as they helped someone out of the
vehicle.
Then I saw ber
Victoria Rayne
Even sitting in a wheelchair, she commanded attention. Her presence was overwhelming. Her eyes swept the scene before landing on me, and I felt the fall
weight of her assessment.
I stepped forward, opening my mouth to offer a greeting, but the words died in my throat. The look she gave me… it wasn’t just cold or dismissive. It was the look of a superior species examining something inferior. Something unwanted
“This is Elle West, the human Brad had to accept as his mate. Mira said.
pup with Brad in the future! A human could never be worthy of our
Victoria’s response was even worse. “I’ll be happy to see you have a pure–blood werewolf pup [bloodline.
The words hung in the air like poison.
I didn’t look at Brad, I couldn’t. Because I was afraid of what I might see in his eyes–agreement, resignation, or worst of all, relief that someone else was
finally saying what he’d been thinking all along
The group moved toward the house, and I found myself trailing behind Like an afterthought in their world, that’s exactly what I was. The human complication that needed to be dealt with
Sophia tried to catch my arm, to offer support, but I was beyond comfort.
“Elle,” Brad said quietly, appearing at my elbow, “We need to talk.”
But before I could respond, Victoria s voler cut through the air like a blade.
West,” she said, not even bothering to look at me directly. “Coose here.”
It wasn’t a request.
Victoria wheeled herself toward the east wing of the house, away from where Brad was helping coordinate luggage with the staff.
Victoria led me into a private study.
“Close the door,” she commanded.
My hands trembled slightly as I obeyed.
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Chapter 179
“Human,” she said finally, her voice flat and matter of fact. “You should know your place.”
The words hit like a slap. Not Elle. Not even Miss West. Just human.
“My son’s lifelong partner can only be a pare–blood werewolf, Victoria continued, her wire growing stronger, more certain. “Mira Collins.”
The room seemed to tilt. I felt Sophia move closer, her protective presence the only thing keeping me upright.
Head is an Alpha who respects tradition.” Victoria said, her eyes never leaving mine. “The she–woll I chose for him, he won’t refuse. Mate bonds can be severed through ritual dissolution.”
Severed. The word echoed in my head like a gunshot.
“Ill give you twenty million,” she said casually. “Leave Moonshade Bay immediately.”
“However,” Victoria continued, “Rayne family bloodline cannot be left outside the pack. The child must remain with the pack for proper cultivation.” Her cold eyes moved to my belly, “Mira will be responsible for raising the child.”
“I’m giving you money now, but you should move out of the werewolf areas, Victoria said, her voice taking on a tone of finality. “Your presence here will interfere with Brad and Mira developing their relationship. Humans and werewolves shouldn’t have excessive contact anyway.”
Something inside me snapped.
I opened my eyes, feeling the strange calm that comes after the storm.
Victoria Alpha Lady. I said, my voice steady despite the fire burning in my chest. “I’m very sorry, but I don’t want your money.”
The sh
shock on her face was almost worth everything Ed endured tonight.
Victoria’s eyes widened slightly. Clearly, she hadn’t expected resistance.
I know you don’t like me as a human,” I said, my voice growing stronger. “But if I’m going to leave, please have Brad tell me himself!
I took a step closer, feeling the power of my own conviction. T, Elle West, may be just a human, but I have my own dignity. If I’m going to leave, I’ll leave with my head held high! Since you can make decisions for Brad, then please have Brad personally tell me to dissolve our mate bondr
The air in the room grew thick with tension. And I heard-
A low, rumbling growl that made every hair on my body stand on end
Brad was standing in the doorway, and the fury rolling off him was unlike anything I’d ever felt.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
