Chapter 99
Tessa’s POV
Entering Kion’s office to find it crowded with men was not what I had expected today…
They had defeated Dimitri, so what could all of this new fuss be over? It made me feel instantly unsettled.
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The thought of their Russian war continuing, and the thought of Kane needing to leave me again hit my chest like a truck driving straight through me.
I found my legs coming to a still as we entered the office, my hand tugging at Kane’s just lightly enough for him to turn and notice.
“What’s wrong?” He leans towards me and asks, the room filled around us in mumbles and discussions helping to disguise our private
conversation.
“What’s going on? Why is everyone here? Isn’t it over now?” My questions flow quickly, barely above a whisper as my eyes search Kane’s.
He takes a moment to listen to my concerns, before sighing lightly. “You have nothing to worry about, Tessa. Let me handle this.” He offers my hand a light squeeze as I instinctively pull my lip between my teeth.
I hope he’s right…
“Kane, Tessa, come over and take a seat!” Kion announces, breaking up our moment, as Kane straightens himself up and leads me towards the meeting table at the far side of the space.
He pulls a chair out for himself, sinking down in to it, as I remain standing for only a second before feeling his strong hands tugging me
down on to his knee.
I land on his lap, shifting slightly to get more comfortable, before his arms loop around my waist to secure me there.
I felt suddenly grounded.
Safe.
The other men quickly took their places around the table, before the office door opened again, as I glanced towards it to find Seth and Erin slipping in through the door.
I was glad Erin had came too, meaning I was no longer the only female hidden amongst a room full of powerful wolves.
–
tight and
Erin’s eyes darted around the room as she entered, landing on me in an instant. I gave her the smallest smile I could manage unsure of what was about to happen but it was enough. She returned it with a small wave, before Seth guided her gently to sit, his arm slipping protectively around her shoulders in a mirror of how Kane held me.
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Chapter 99
Once everyone had settled, Kion finally stood, his presence drawing the room to attention without him needing to raise his voice.
The air instantly shifted.
More focused.
“We’ll keep this brief after everything we’ve been through these past hours,” he started, voice clear and commanding. “You all know why
we’re here.”
A Russian male translated his words quickly from behind him, accommodating to the mix of languages amongst us in the office…
“As you all know, the main thing is, my brother Dimitri, has been eliminated.” Kion nods firmly, making me swallow.
I wonder if it made him feel sad at all? Or if the hatred for his own brother had burned him too deep to even care?
There was no celebration in the words.
No triumphant cheering.
Only a cold, hard fact spoken out like a milestone in a war not yet finished?
“All females and children taken under his control have been accounted for. They’re safe, and our people are working on integrating them back into secure pack systems. Some will need therapy. Others… time. But they are alive.” His gaze swept across the table, steady and
unflinching. “And they are free.”
A few quiet nods followed. A handful of low, grateful exhales.
I felt Kane’s grip around me tighten ever so slightly, the reminder of why we were really here still echoing in my chest.
“But,” Kion continued, “we do not yet know where Dimitri’s allies lie amongst this take down.”
My heart jumped.
There were other Alphas? Other packs who actually supported what he was doing? No…
“All signs might suggest they won’t surrender easily,” he added. “And without Dimitri’s leadership… many of them will scramble to regain
power in his absence. That makes them unpredictable. Dangerous.”
I tried not to show the way my hands curled up into fists on top of Kane’s thigh. Tried not to shrink under the growing storm Kion’s
words were casting over the room.
I didn’t want there to be any more war. I wanted things to be good for them here, in Russia. I wanted to go home. To go back to life with Kane at his pack. The memories of my short time spent there were now feeling like a distant dream… a dream I longed to get back to.
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Chapter 99
“But I’ve reached out to each of their known head offices this morning,” Kion said. “We’re offering peace. Negotiation. A chance to walk
away from all of this before more blood has to be spilled.”
I glanced sideways at Kane, searching for any flicker of reaction in his face. He was unreadable. Completely still.
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“But until they respond,” Kion said slowly, “we cannot be certain which way this will go.”
Silence followed. The kind that presses in on your ears and tightens in your throat.
“But,” Kion added, his voice rising with confidence now, “we are in an extremely strong position. Our pack is united. Trained. Ready. And we have powerful allies standing beside us.” He gestures to many of the other Alphas around the table as they nod their confirmation.
He gestured toward Kane and Seth, offering a rare, genuine nod. “We are of course grateful to the support from your pack, as we were able
to finally end Dimitri, and If more war comes, we will meet it without fear.”
Kane’s chin lifted slightly, his Alpha energy filling the space beside me.
“You have our way
gratitude. If either of your packs ever need our assistance back in your homeland, we will stand ready to return the
favor. Without question” Kion speaks towards Kane and Seth, his words meaningful and trusted.
Kane inclined his head slowly in thanks. “We didn’t come here for favors, we were happy to help.” he said. “But thank you, I’ll remember
that.”
“And I’ll remember what you did for us,” Seth added from across the table, his arm still wrapped protectively around Erin. “You helped
bring back the most important things we ever stood to lose.”
His eyes flicked to Erin, then to me. My chest ached at the look he gave her- one of relief and fierce protectiveness.
Kane’s voice rumbled quietly beneath me, “We got back what we came for and couldn’t have done it without you.”
And though his words were simple, the meaning behind them sent warmth rushing through me like sunlight after a storm.
Me.
He meant me.
I looked around the table, at the hardened, battle–worn wolves who had risked everything to take Dimitri down, to save those who
couldn’t save themselves.
I suddenly wasn’t afraid.
Because I wasn’t just an endangered human girl anymore.
I was Kane’s mate.
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Chapter 99
And he had proved that he will stop at nothing to keep me safe in this lifetime…
I was his and he was mine.
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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.
