Chapter 119
95 vouch
Alpha Romano is staring at me as if he could think of nothing other than tearing me apart. My body is beginning to calr down now that Santiago isn’t here. The same calmness that took over when we raided their warehouses comes over me, a sick part of me wants him to attack me in front of all these people so I can let that part of me out to play.
A chill runs down my back at the thought, and I turn away from him to try to hide it. That was definitely not like me. My grandmother places her hand over mine. When I look over at her, she has a big smile on her face.
“Did you see the look on his face when you flashed him your rank?” she whispers, grinning
“Grandma,” I shake my head.
“Baby steps, my love. You’ll get there,” she pats my hand.
“Let’s continue,” Judge Alexandria calls out and bangs her gavel. “It is safe to say that your client is not as clever as he thou he was, Alpha Kraven. Is there anything you would like to add before the jury makes their decision?“–
Alpha Kraven is an older man. A lot older than Alpha Romano. He takes a deep breath and looks over at me sympathetic He was the first person to ever employ my mother after she finished law school. I can see it in his eyes. He’s tired, and the only reason he took this was that he didn’t have much of a choice.
“I just want you to know that I’m sorry. None of this was fair to you, Sophie. I know what happens next, and I’d like to spe on behalf of those of us who turned a blind eye to the way things turned out for you.
“We never wanted this. But there isn’t much we can do when this kid has all the resources he has. It’s kind of ironic that yo parents gave them to these people. I know there are many others like me who believe you would have been an amazing Luna of our city.
“You were for a while. In the time Santiago was away, it was you who kept us together despite Luna Romano standing in yo way. You gave us hope, and you never turned away from anyone who needed it. You’re the reason why my mate and my daughter survived those seventeen hours in labor. You have my most humble apologies, and I wish nothing but the best in you.”
Some of the wolves behind him begin to clap. I glance back to see some of the families of people I went to school with. The families of the people Ragnar and I ended in those warehouses. All I can do is nod.
I sit back and barely listen to the rest of the case. When I’m asked if I want anything out of this, I decline it all. I dont want a single thing. I just want all of this to be over. When the gavel is slammed once again, I let out a breath of rehef and sit back while the others celebrate this small victory.
There are questions being shouted at me as we walk out to get to the car. I can feel his presence as soon as we exr the courthouse. We stop at the top of the stairs to see him step out of the crowd below. There’s a gun in his hand and as soon as our eyes meet, he raises the gun. A shot is fired, and for a split second, everything is then before the wreshing starts. My eyes stay on his as the beta princes fight him for the firearm
“Sophie,” I look up at Ragnar, who smiles back at me wickedly.
His hand slips into my hair, and he pulls me close. I can hear Samiago calling my name, and the two of us turn to look in his direction at the same time. He’s frantic now. this wolf is just below the surface. I can see the rage in his eyes
Without another thought. I let my head fall back as Ragnar pulls me close. I gasp when his teeth sink into my skin. My arms tighten around him as pain shoots through my body. Everything around us fades, and it feels like we’re falling.
I groan when he pulls away, and the moment I look up at hum. I feel some of his emotions flood into me. A warmth so profound that I don’t understand what it is for a moment. Tears till my eyes as it overwhelms all of my fears and doubts.
8:38 am DXXM
Chapter 119
Σ
80
55 vouch
My blood is dripping from his mouth as he looks down at me. The wicked gleam in his eyes is replaced by the gentle sm I’ve come to love. His hand cups my face, and his thumb grazes over my bottom lip. His eyes are glowing again, but the amethyst shade they had once been has changed to a softer purple.
“Sophia!” The sound of my name makes me look away for a moment, and I see him at the bottom of the stairs.
The betrayal in his eyes catches me off guard. I turn to face him and smile, remembering the way I felt when I saw my m standing hand in hand with Poppy on the news. Ragnar wraps his arm around me possessively. When I place my hand o his and accept it, I see the exact moment Santiago gives up.
His gunmetal blue eyes flicker between blue and red. They darken, and the red wins. The scent of what was left of Santia is blown away by the autumn breeze. It’s his wolf staring back at me, knowing that he lost. He lost a war that he never wai to partake in. He lost to the vessel he was gifted.
The beta princes step away from him as he takes a step forward without taking his eyes off me. I break away from Ragna hold and step down. I reach out to catch him when he falls to his knees. He lets out a low whine that breaks my heart. He lowers his head buring his face in my hands.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, pushing his hair out of his face.
“I failed you,” he growls and finally looks up at me. “I should be the one to apologize.”
“I hope we meet again in our next life,” I say, cupping his face. His eyes darken as he leans into my hand for the last time.
“I don’t,” he says so low I almost miss it. “I don’t want to be in your presence again, mate,” he huffs and stands up. “He was wrong, but the people always come first. I will never forgive you for taking the lives of our men. For betraying all I taught you.”
“I didn’t betray what you taught me,” I stop him. “It’s well guarded. I don’t need you to forgive me, but you’re only mad tha used what you taught me against you. You made me this way. My heartlessness didn’t come from him. He wasn’t heartless you are.”
“Then you know what you’ll be facing,” he growls.
“I know it as well as you do. If he’s in there, give him what he wants just the way you always do. Do it for me. So that I can finally take the piece of him I deserve,” I growl back at him. He turns around, and this time, there’s no sadness in his eyes! smiles enough to flash me his canines.
“Do us both a favor, baby girl,” he sneers. “And burn it all down. A clean slate is better than paying for the same mistakes twice. There is no fixing it. You’re not my good girl anymore,” he looks over my shoulder. “I doubt you ever were. I’d say ma the moon bless you, but you’ve chosen darkness. And in the dark you will stay
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.
