Elle’s POV
I turned around to find Brad standing behind nie, his face a mask of barely controlled fury.
“Elle,” he said, his voice tough and strained. “We need to talk”
But before I could respond, his mother’s voice cut thigh the tension like a Made.
“Bradley Victoria’s wheelchair rolled into view, her tone sharp with disapproval. There you are.”
Brad’s jaw clenched so hand I could hear has teeth grinding. “Mother-
“I was just having a conversation with your companion.” Victoria’s eyes swept over me dismissively. About what i b
I watched as something dangerous flickered across Brad’s features. When he spoke, his voice was deadly quiet.
“Mem,” he said, each word carefully measured. “Are you trying to destroy my bloodline?”
Victoria’s composure cracked slightly. Excuse ne?
best for everyone involved.”
“You’re hurting my mate.” Brad took a step closer to his mother, his presence filling the room, So tell me, Mother–is that really what you want
Victoria’s face flushed with anger. “I am doing what’s best for this family what’s best for our bloodline!”
“So you can hurt my mate? Brad’s volor ruse, the Alpha command in it making even me want to submit. Is that what you call protecting the family!”
“I am protecting our future! Victoria supped back. This human cannot give you what you need! What the pack needs!”
“She’s carrying my child,” Brad said coldly. “What more do you want?”
Before Victoria could answer, another voler joined the fray.
“Now, now, Mira said, gliding into the room with practiced grace. “Let’s all calm down, shall we?!
She positioned herself between Brod and Victoria, her voice taking on a soothing, diplomatic tone. “Victoria Luna, Brad, there’s no need for raised voices. We’re all family here.”
My hands clenched into fists. Here she was, playing the perfect peacemaker.
I tried to pull my hand away from Brad’s grip, but his Alpha strength made it impossible.
The room fell silent for a moment, tension crackling in the air like electricity before a stomi.
Then Brad stepped forward.
“Elle West is my mate,” he declared, his eyes blazing. The child she carries is the fourth generation of Kaye Alpha bloodline. No other she wolf will bear My pups. Ever.”
1/4
16:14 Mon, Dec 22 JT
Chapter 180
Victoria’s eyes widened in shock at the Law power emanating from her sun.
“If you want to drive away mo mate, Bical continued, his voice taking on a threatening edge, ‘then fine. I’ll take her and leave Moorahate Ray. The Kayne Alpha lineage ends will ime,
The transformation in the room was immediate
“.. I think I need to rest,” Victoria said finally, her voice carefully controlled. The journey was exhausting”
She turned to Minn. “Mixa, dear, would you help me to my anoma?”
Mira’s face lit up with barely concealed triumph. “Of course, Victoria Luna.“
As they moved toward the docs, Victoria poised to give me one last cold stare–the look of a predator who had been temporarily thwarted but hadn’t given
up the hunt.
Mira glanced back at me with a smug smile that said everything: I’m wol You’re Auman. I’ve already won.
.
The door closed behind them with a soft click.
Alone with Brad, I felt the weight of everything that had just happened crush down on me.
“Let go,” I said quietly.
“No.” His grip on my wrist didn’t loosen. “Elle, you can
“Let go!” I repeated, my voice harder now.
Brad’s eyes were wild with desperation. “I won’t let you leave. I can’t.
“How many times can you stand behind me?” asked quietly. Hose many times can you protect me from your own mother?”
Brad’s face went pale.
“I can handle it,” he said, but his voice lacked conviction.
I gave him a sad smile. “Can you? When your mother and the entire pack are united against us? When they all want you to mate with someone like Mira:
instead?‘
Brad’s lance was answer enough.
“Let me go, Brad,” I said softly. “Please.”
Slowly, reluctantly, he released my wrist. I could see the defeat in his eyes, the crushing weight of being an Alpha who couldn’t protect what he loved most.
1 turned and walked away, each step feeling like it was tearing my heart out of my chest.
‘ler Brad’s voice broke behind
raw with anguish. We you really going to abandon me?
I stopped but didn’t tum around. After a moment, I found my voice.
Mon, Dec 22
Chapter 180
was too ger,” I said quieth,
“Give me time,” Brad pleaded.” “I can make them accept you”
wait,” I replied. “What am I supposed to do when your mother arranges for you and Mira to spend time together? Watch my mate with another Irmale? That’s ton curl, even for me.”
I started walking again. Im going to pack. 17 leave tomorrow.”
I went to what had been “our” room and began pulling clothes from the closet, folding them mechanically into my suitcase. Each item felt like another piere of my heart being packed away.
After I ripped up the last bag, I dragged my suitcase toward the door, struggling slightly with its weight and my pregnant belly. As I emerged into the hallway. I nearly collided with someone.
She was carrying an empty bea tray, and somehow–somehow–the hot liquid that had been in the cups ended up
ball over
over my shirt.
“Oh my!” Mira gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in mock horror, “Elle, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to do that!”
The liquid was scalding against my skin, but I bit back any reaction. Victoria was standing nearby, watching the scene with interest.
“How clumsy of me,” Mira continued, her voice dripping with filie concern. You should go change right away.”
I looked at her–really looked at her–and saw the calculation in her eyes. This hadn’t been an accident.
“Excuse me,” I said quietly, turning back toward the room.
But Mira stepped into my path.
‘Actually, Elle,‘ she said, her voice taking on a harder edge “Since you’re leaving this room anyway.. shouldn’t you cancel your biometric access?”
The words hit like a slap. I felt my face go white.
Victoria made a sound of approval. “How thoughtful of you to mention that, Mira
With shaking hands, I walked to the biometric scanner beside the door. I placed my thumb on the reader and watched as the system deleted my fingerprints
The moment I stepped back, Mira moved forward and began inputting her own biometric data.
“There,” she said with satisfaction as the system accepted her prints. “Much better.”
She turned to me with a smile that was pure malice wrapped in politeness
“I should go prepare fresh tea for Brad,” she said. “Don’t worry about seeing yourself cut–I know you can manage.”
I lifted my suitcase and headed for the stairs.
16:15 Mon, Dec 22 T
Chapter 180
!
At the entrance, Martha was waiting. Her kind face was creased with worry
“Miss Elle, she began, then stopped herself. “I… I don’t know what to say?”
Familed at her–genuinely this time. “You don’t need in say anything, Martha. You’ve been wonderful to me.”
I reached into my purse and pulled out a small jewelry box. This is for you.”
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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.
