Chapter 28
I will mourn and then release er from our bond, but I beg you dont hurt her. I ask this not as an Alpha, but as a husband who has lost his wife.
Respectfully,
Matthew Harrington
Alpha of Pineridge Pack
I sealed both letters, my hands trembl
was never coming back.
Something inside me was breaking, finally accepting what I’d been fighting against, she
Later that day, Joel arrived at my request. My Beta looked around the barren living room, his eyebrows rising in surprise.
“You look like hell,” he said bluntly.
I managed a weak smile. “Feel like it too.”
He glanced around. “Where’s Isabelle?”
“With her father. I needed space.”
Joel nodded, his expression softening. “I never got to thank Juno properly for what she did. She saved us all. She’ll always be my Luna.”
The words made my throat tighten.
“She saved us from a mess we didn’t create. This was Quinn’s doing. What the hell was he thinking, attacking Clifflands wolves?” Joel exclaimed angrily.
“He denies it,” I replied.
Joel crossing his arms. “But my sources say the attackers claimed Forestvale wanted to end the Alpha King’s rule in Lakeside. The captured men claimed Alpha Quinn ordered it.”
“And Kieran?” I asked, anger flaring at the mention of his name. “Where was he when all this was happening?”
Joel shrugged. “His excuse makes sense. Clifflands attacked Fireland because they knew about the alliance between Fireland and Forestvale. Kieran was defending his territory.
I clenched my fists. Logical or not, I needed someone to blame, and Kieran was an easy target. If not for him, maybe Juno would still be here.
But deep down, I knew the truth. This was my fault too.”
Three days later, word came that Kieran was in the area. A meeting had been called.
I arrived at the gathering place, my grief having hardened into fury. The room was tense, everyone mourning their losses. When Kieran entered, I didn’t hesitate.
My fist connected with his jaw before anyone could react.
“That’s for flirting with my wife,” I growled, and then struck him again. “And tha
for abandoning us when we needed you, and
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Chapter 28
costing me my mate.”
Several Alphas moved to restrain me as Kieran steadied himself, wiping blood from his mouth.
‘Is she dead?” he asked, genuine shock.
I laughed bitterly. “As good as. She was taken as tribute.”
Kieran’s eyes widened. “We have to get her back.”
“No,” one of the other Alphas interjected. “We’ve all lost enough. We need to recover, not antagonize the Alpha King further.
“He won’t stop,” Kieran warned, “until he controls the entire region.
“He already does,” 1,teplied coldly. “Taking the Lunas from three Fotestvale packs was his way of marking his territory.”
“We need to act before he stations men here,” Kieran insisted.
I met his gaze evenly. I have nothing left to lose.”
“This is Quinn’s fault,” Kieran spat. “And now we need to strike first.
“And what’s your brilliant plan?” I asked, my voice dripping with scorn. “You got lucky once with Nathanael. Do you think you’ll be so fortunate with his son?”
Kieran’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Don’t test my patience, Matthew. You showed no respect for Juno in your marriage, yet you pretend to be wounded by her loss.”
I lunged for him again, but this time the others were ready. They held me back as Kieran continued to outline his plans for retaliation.
I stopped listening. None of this would bring Juno back. It would only put her in more danger. I turned and walked out, leaving them to their war council.
Alpha Charles caught up to me in the parking lot.
“When will Isabelle return to you?” he asked without preamble. “Now that Juno is gone, you should marry my daughter immediately.”
I stopped walking, my patience exhausted. “I will never marry Isabelle.”
Charles looked stunned. “But she’s your fated mate!”
“And I’ve honored my obligation to her,” I replied coldly. “But Pineridge Pack will have only one Luna in my lifetime, and that was
Juno.”
“You can’t-
“Tell Isabelle she can return whenever she wishes,” I interrupted. “But this is the last time I’ll allow you to interfere in my personal life, Charles. Don’t test me on this.”
I walked away, my decision made. For Juno’s sake, f that might get her killed.
would keep the peace with the Alpha King. I would not join any foolish rebellion
I had finally accepted the truth. The only way to protect her now was to let her go.
