Chapter 87
Aragon.
When I saw Sapphire and Charlie at the airport, a wave of relief washed over me. I couldn’t believe they were actually here. I didn’t know what had changed her mind about coming, but I wasn’t about to question it. I was over the moon.
I was over the moon about her being here. The amount of sadness I felt when I was leaving them made it impossible for me to be happy. Yes, I was dealing with the issue of the rogues but the only thing that kept me going was hearing from Charlie every day.
I knew her coming back here was only for Charlie because it would delay any plans I had for us to get back together.
Last night after I told her everything, she excused herself to go to her room. I sighed because it was like all progress was lost. I didn’t share those things with her because I wanted her to feel sorry for me but because I needed her to know that I never stopped looking for her.
Millicent gave me exactly what I needed to cut things off with her because from the day I saw Sapphire on her birthday, I knew she would be mine. couldn’t spend the rest of my life loving someone who wasn’t my mate.
My need for revenge was what drove us apart and turned me into a hateful human enough to drive his mate away. And now, I had the clunce to do it romenly.
Her coming here was a sign that she might care just a little, I would use it to my advantage to make her fall in love with me.
I was mad and furious at the fact that Charlie was injured, I knew how hard she was trying not to burst into flames in Lily’s house. She only kept calm. out of respect for me.
1 looked up when Leah and Marcel entered, Leah had a grin on her face when she sat down. I raised a brow at her
“Why are you smiling like that?”
“Nothing, I have to be in the town in one hour. I promised Sapphire I would take her shopping.”
“shopping, why
“Nothing, she just needs a day off to feel comfortable.”
“Okay, you can take my card. Buy her whatever she wants to make her feel comfortable.”
Leah smiled triumphantly, “That will be all,” she slipped out.
Marcel chuckled, “She just tncked you,”
“I know but she seems to be the only one Sapphire trusts so whatever it is,”
He nodded like he understood, “I get it. I felt bad that I called you back here because I couldn’t handle things on my own but seeing that she came here on her own, I would say I did good,”
I gave him a look, “She didn’t come here for me. She came so I could have the chance to become close to Charlie. Why would she deliberately come back to where she was unhappy the most?”
“Sometimes, I wonder how you get things done with that head of yours. She might have come here for the sake of her son because she is the kind of person who would bear any kind of pain just to make her son happy. It is up to you to show her that she could stay for you, woo her and show her you have changed.”
I nodded, “Yeah, you are right. I need to spend time with her too. She has forgiven me a little but I need her to trust me again. Enough so the could consider us being fogether again.”
“Look at you being all mushy,”
““shut up, man.”
He laughed a lile before he straightened, “Now that’s done with, let’s talk serious matters.”
“What has hac reported?”
more they
“He said there were no sightings of rogues but their hideouts were discovered in the abandoned tunnels. He said they keep moving the n prirlose to catching them.”
The moment I shook my head, I knew there was no room for hesitation. The rogue issue was spiraling out of control, and if I didn’t act decisively, it wouldn’t just be my park at risk, it would be everything I’d worked to protect.
I have wayed out of trouble with these rogues because I knew they never stop till everything is destroyed.
“They’re geuing bolder,” I muttered, “I mean, what is it that they want from me?”
coincidence
“They haven’t attacked directly yet,” Marcel said, his tone measured. “But their presence so close to our borders is concerning “Concerning in an understatement.” I replied, stopping to look at him. “If they’re organizing this close to our territory, it’s not just a Roques don’t attack unless provoked or unless they want something And Haven’t done anytlung to provoke them” Mamel bed his head, his expression skeptical “You think they’re just texting the water Seeing how far they can push?” “Probably,” I said, my jaw tightening “But we can’t sit here and wait for them to make the first move. I’ve already sent bar and a few others to their sampito try and establish a communication channel. I want to know what they want, if this is about resources, a grievance, or if someone’s pulling
vir strings. Faber way, I need auwers before this turns into a hill blown war.”
Clupter 87
He nodded, though his expression remained grim. “You’re giving them the benefit of the doubt.”
“For now,” I said firmly. “But my patience has limits. They have twenty–four hours to respond. If Isase doesn’t report back with something solid by then, we’ll consider it an act of aggression.”
“And if they cross that line?”
“Then they’re just asking for trouble.” I said coldly. “Any rogue on my land after twenty–four hours will be dealt with no mercy. I will use the unfortunate one as a message to their leader”
Marcel studied me for a moment, then gave a sharp nod. “Understood. I make sure everyone’s prepared for that outcome
Before I could respond, my phone pinged with a notification. I glanced at the screen and felt a flicker of warmth break through the tension. Leah had sent me a photo of Sapphire in a red dress, her hair cascading over her shoulders, her expression caught mid–laugh. She looked stunning.
Itexted back immediately: Buy it for her. And anything else she wants.
A moment later, Leah responded with a thumbs–up emoji and a simple, Got it
The brir distraction was welcome, but my thoughts quickly returned to the rogues. I turned to Marcel again, my tone sharp. “What’s the latest
report from Trevor?”
Another tracker I sent to investigate things in Sapphire’s old pack.
“They’re still scouting the camp,” hesaid. “From what we know, the rogues are loosely organized, but there’s definitely a leader calling the shots. ⠀⠀ Isaac’s trying to get close enough to speak with them without provoking a fight but Trevor said it’s been a fight fest”
Do we have any idea who this leader is?”
“Not yet.” Marcel admined. “But there’s a rumor it might be someone who was exiled from one of the northern packs. Someone with a grudge but I
am not sure if it’s against you or just generally for all AlphasTM
I exhaled slowly, the pieces starting to fit together. “If that’s true, they could be rallying others who’ve been cast out. A coalition of rogues would explain their confidence.”
His frown deepened. “It also means they’re desperate. And desperation makes people dangerous.”
“Lactly,” Luid. “Which is why we can’t afford to wait too long. If they’re planning something, we need to be ready.
He hesitated before speaking again. “Do you think this has anything to do with her?
I paused, meeting his gaze. “Sapphire?”
He nodded. “It’s no secret that her return has stirred up old tensions. If anyone knew about your connection to her, they might see this as an opportunity to exploit it.”
I enched my fists at the thought. The idea of anyone using Sapphire or Charlie as leverage made my blood boil. “If they think they can use her against me, they’re going to regret it,” I said.
Marcel didn’t press further, but his silence said enough. The stakes were higher than ever, and every decision I made from here on our would artermine whether my pack and my family stayed sale.
“Keep me updated,” I told him. “And tell Isaac to tread carefully. I want answers, danger, I want him and the others to pull out immediately.”
won’t risk his life for them. If he senses even the slightest
“Understood,” Marcel said. He turned to leave but paused at the door. “And Aragon if this goes south, just remember, we’re with you. All of us.”
I nodded, appreciating his support more than I could put into words. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” I said quietly.
As the door closed behind him, I glanced back at my phone, the image of Sapphire still on the screen. Forsmoment, I allowed myself to imagine a
future where she and Charlie could stay here without fear, without the weight of the past hanging over us.
But that future deli farther away than ever. And until the rogue threat was dealt with, it might as well have been a dream.
