CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & THIRTY FOUR
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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & THIRTY FOUR
Nolan’s POV
I couldn’t wait for this day to be over.
I had been assigned to go on patrol with Solon. It was clear neither one of us wanted this. Even though I made peace with the Alpha King, Solon still held a grudge.
Solon walked beside me, scrolling through something on his phone before tucking it into his jacket. “You know,” he said, breaking the silence, “you were supposed to file your last report two days ago.”
“I was busy,” I replied. “The western fence sensor was down. I stayed behind to fix it.”
He sighed. “You don’t need to do everything yourself, Alpha Nolan. That’s why you have patrol teams. You could’ve told someone else to handle it.”
“That’s how mistakes happen. I saw it, I fixed it. Your warriors need to learn how to do that as well,” I said simply.
Solon muttered something other than his breath. I decided not to antagonize him. I focused on the birds chirping in the trees.
We walked a few more steps in silence before he added, “You’re lucky my father’s in a good mood. After tomorrow, once the ritual’s done, you’ll be free to leave Silverfang.”
I stopped mid-stride. “You think I want to leave?”
He shrugged. “You’ve done nothing but glare and antagonize at us since you got here. Trust me, no one’s going to stop you.”
Before I could respond, the wind picked up and it brought a familiar scent. Solon noticed it too. He turned around to see someone stepping out from between the trees. It was Jason. He looked annoyed as he approached us.
“Alpha Jason? What are you doing here?” Solon asked, clearly irritated. “You’re supposed to be with your pack, not wandering through restricted areas.”
“Do you know where Talia is?” Jason asked. “Because I do.”
I felt my pulse quicken. “What about her?”
“She went out with Colin, the Alpha from Moonbrook. They’re at the waterfall together. He called it a date,” Jason replied.
My stomach tightened. “A date?” I repeated slowly.
“I’m not talking to you,” Jason said coldly.
‘The little rat. We still need to make him pay for setting us up,’ my wolf growled. Before I could respond, Solon cut in.
“So, what is the problem?” Solon asked.
“You should probably send guards to check on her before it gets dark. That trail isn’t exactly safe,” Jason snapped.
“She’s fine,” Solon said firmly before I could speak. “Alpha Colin knows the area. I trust him.”
“You trust too easily. What if…”
“It doesn’t matter what you think, Jason,” Solon snapped, cutting him off. “You need to learn to mind your own business. Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready to try to pursue my sister? How are you supposed to do that if you keep running in behind Talia?
Jason’s face turned a deeper shade of red. He turned and disappeared into the woods without another word. Solon and I continued patrolling, but I couldn’t get my mind off the fact that Talia was on a date.
“You trust Alpha Colin that much?” I asked.
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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & THIRTY FOUR
+25 Bonus
“Yes,” Solon said. “He’s one of the few Alphas who’s reliable, loyal, and level-headed.”
“Sounds like you admire him.”
“I respect him,” Solon corrected. “He’s been a friend to this pack since we were children. If he becomes Talia’s mate, I’d welcome it.”
My wolf bristled immediately. ‘He is talking about giving our mate away,’ he growled.
“You really think handing her off like that makes her safer?” I asked.
“The alternative is allowing Jason to mark her again and I refuse to let that happen,” Solon replied and for once, I agreed with him. “Colin would cherish and treat her the way she deserves. Talia deserves to be happy. She’s been through enough.”
Rage burned through me and I turned away so Solon couldn’t see my expression. My nose flared as I took calming breaths. I had already accepted that we wouldn’t be together. I needed to let this go.
“You should focus on your duty,” Solon said. “My father said that he wanted your help to pick a mate for Talia, but we don’t need your help. We appreciate you saving her, but you shouldn’t concern yourself with her anymore.”
Solon’s voice faded into background noise. My wolf’s voice grew louder. ‘You hear him? He’s trying to remove you from the equation. Are you going to let him do that?’
‘Be quiet,’ I growled.
‘You can’t ignore this,’ my wolf pressed. ‘She’s ours. If you let her go, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. I will make you regret it.’
‘She made her choice. She doesn’t even want me anymore,’ I said, though I didn’t even believe it.
‘Liar.’
Solon kept walking ahead, muttering something about finishing the route. I stayed behind for a moment, staring through the trees. The forest was calm, but my mind wasn’t. Every instinct screamed at me to find her.
“We’re almost done. Don’t start something you’ll regret, Nolan. You’ve already caused enough trouble,” Solon said, bringing me out of my thoughts.
I didn’t answer.
“Nolan,” he said again, turning toward me. “Whatever’s going through your head, stop it.”
I gave him a curt nod, “Understood.”
But as soon as he turned away, I took a step off the trail, then another. The scent of her lingered faintly in the air. I could picture her already. Her hair catches the soft rays of sunlight. Her eyes reflected the water. And beside her, Colin, smiling like he had no right to. The thought filled me with rage.
I didn’t think. I just moved. My feet hit the dirt path faster and faster until the trees blurred past me.
“Nolan!” Solon’s voice echoed faintly behind me, but I ignored it.
My wolf pushed harder, his voice clear in my head. ‘Don’t let him take her. She’s ours!’
I clenched my fists as I ran.
No one would take her from me.
