Chapter 96
CHARLOTTE’S POV
I didn’t open the door. Why would Moon’s mother come to my house? To harass me? To threaten me? I wasn’t in the mood for either.
She didn’t stay long anyway because two of Stephen’s men showed up within minutes and dragged her out. It wasn’t an easy drag as she fought them, clawing at their clothes with her nails, her heels scraping against the floor as they pulled her away.
For the next two days, I dropped Liam off at school and picked him up myself. I switched cars each time so no one could track a pattern. Stephen’s men stayed on guard like always. I told Liam clearly, he was not to go with anyone, even if the person looked like me. I was glad he understood me and followed everything. Nothing happened and slowly, things started to feel normal again.
The hospital, on the other hand, was at its busiest peak, with me fully back to work, my schedule was crazy. After seeing my last patient for the day, I rubbed the back of my neck as I walked into my office, the weight of exhaustion sitting on my shoulders. I just wanted a few quiet minutes.
But Ethan was there when I opened the door. He was sitting in one of the chairs across from my desk, his face drawn and slightly crumpled. Whatever he came to say was serious.
‘What is it this time?” I asked, dropping into my chair.
‘You need to end whatever you have going on with Ace. And you need to do it now.” His tone was commanding, like he had he right to say whatever he wanted to say without being polite and that rubbed me the wrong way.
‘I’m too tired to sit here and repeat old arguments,” I said flatly. “If you don’t have anything important to say, I’d ask that you leave my office.”
He stepped closer instead. “I received a council summons from the Brown League Pack. Moon is filing a formal petition to present your case before the Head Council of the Wolf Packs.”
Now, that got my full attention. “Why would she want to do that?” I asked, even though I already knew.
‘She’s accusing you of several violations,” he said. “But the two she emphasized are these, interfering with an Alpha household and becoming a destabilizing threat to her pack.”
let out a quiet breath. “Look,” Ethan continued, his jaw flexing. “That woman is unhinged and this isn’t a good look on you. on our pack. She’s trying to paint you as a manipulator who broke apart her family and ruined the Brown league pack Knowing how big and helpful the pack has been to other packs and wolves, if this goes before the Council, it won’t be small. She’s trying to drag you down publicly.”
I shrugged. “She can do whatever she wants. That’s her damned business.”
“This isn’t the time for you to be selfish,” he snapped, slamming his palms against my desk. His eyes drilled hales into mine like he was trying to force sense into my skull. “As the future Alpha of Brimstone, you can’t afford this. If your name gers dragged through the mud, it won’t just touch your work, it’ll stain the pack I’ll stain the hospital. What do you think people will say when they hear you are having an affair with someone else’s mate?”
The veins in my forehead popped at his causal use of words.
“The Council doesn’t take that lightly,” he continued. “If they decide an Alpha rejected his fated mate without lawf grounds, they don’t just punish him, they punish the woman involved ton. Public trials and stripped titles or even
something worse. The wolf community worldwide will turn on you. And if that happens, you can never became the Alpha of the Brimstone pack no matter how you qualify. Do you understand what that means?”
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Chapter 96
I leaned back slowly, folding my arms.
2009
“What do you mean Alphas aren’t allowed to reject their mates for any reason?” I asked evenly. “I’m sure there have been Alphas who did exactly that and walked away untouched.”
There was a brief silence in the office.
One of them is Ace. Though his own punishment hadn’t come from the Council. It came from the Moon Goddess herself.
Ethan’s expression became darker. “There are exceptions,” he said carefully. “If the mate bond is proven corrupt. If the female is unstable or if there’s treason involved. But Moon isn’t stupid. She’s framing this as emotional manipulation. That you are seducing an Alpha during a vulnerable period.”
I let out a dry laugh. “She’s building a serious case against you and if he divorces or rejects her then you’ll be the one who influenced his actions.” he added. “If the Council believes that, they won’t care about love, about your side. They’ll see you as the outsider who destabilized an Alpha bloodline, especially the Alpha king’s bloodline.” I felt something cold settle in my
chest.
Also, Ace was lucky the woman he’s been with for years turned out to be his mate,” Ethan added, his voice carrying that pointed edge he used when he thought he was proving something.
But that wasn’t the full truth, Ace rejected his mate for the woman who now holds the Luna title. At least, that’s the version he gave me. He once said he never even wanted to marry Moon in the first place, that the pressure from his pack left him with no real choice, he needed a Luna and Moon gave herself. I wasn’t so sure anymore.
‘Doesn’t it amaze you?” Ethan pressed.
I lifted a brow. “Amaze me how?”
“That we’re discussing how this could ruin your career, your future as Alpha, and somehow you’re still circling back to him. You’re more concerned about Ace than you are about yourself.”
I’ve told you before, and I’ll say it again,” I started. “I’m not exclusive with the Alpha. Whatever he has or doesn’t have with Moon is between them. She doesn’t have proof of anything against me.”
“Are you sure about that? You’ve been to his pack how many times? You practically live in his house, and you’re telling me there’s nothing going on between you? Even if you don’t care what happens to you, what about your father? What about our pack? Don’t you care about us?”
If he was trying to emotionally blackmail me, it was working. My throat clamped and I swallowed hard, for a second 1 couldn’t find the right words. Could I really throw away everything I’ve built, my name, my future, my father’s pack, for Ace? For a man I love but still don’t fully trust? That question still dangles in my heart. No matter how hard I try to ignore it, there’s this persistent feeling that Ace and his pack are somehow tied to my forgotten past. I can’t explain it, can’t prove it, but it’s just there.
“Not only will this destroy you,” Ethan continued, his voice lowering, “it will destroy Ace too. Do you honestly think he would hesitate if he were in your position? No. He would give you up before the trial even begins. Ace cannot reject Moon for you. If this scandal breaks, he could lose his title, his influence, everything he’s built. And a man like Ace?” He shook his head slowly. “He won’t burn with you. He’ll walk away without a second thought.”
After Ethan left I picked up my phone and dialed a number that would at least give me something, even if it’s half truth. “Gavin, could you spare me a few minutes later today? I really need to talk to you”
There was a brief pause before his calm voice came through. “Sure. Just send me the address and the time.”
I ended the call and immediately dialed Stephen, asking him to pick Liam up because I wouldn’t be coming. By eight that night, I was seated in a booth at the cafe, my fingers wrapped around a cup of warm coffee.
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Chapter 96
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didn’t wait long, five minutes later, Gavin’s truck pulled up outside. He stepped in, scanning the room until his eyes found nine, then walked over and slid into the seat across from me. He wasn’t wearing a suit today. Just a dark shirt with the leeves rolled up and jeans, his arms covered with tattoos. He looked less imposing and a small smile was playing on his lips
I was surprised when I got your call,” he said, settling back in his chair, his gaze fixed on me.
have a few questions to ask, and you were the only one I could think of.”
he smile stayed on his lips, but something in his eyes shifted into sadness. “I was thinking it was about something else.” looked down at my cup, then back at him. “About what?”
e gave a small shrug, leaning back slightly. “I don’t know. Maybe you called because you finally decided to give me a
nance.”
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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.
