Chapter 54
WILSON
The surprise on Emma’s face is hard to miss as the Alpha’s son walks up to her and I grunt when he stands in front of her, obscuring my view of her face. My head turns over my shoulder at the sudden slight tap there and the woman standing behind me smiles before she straightens her back. “I believe you’re Alpha Wilson?”
When I lift a brow at her in silent questioning, she says, “My name is Rose, Alpha Troy’s daughter.”
Rose. The woman I’m to be betrothed to. The one
d have t to marry only months from now
your reputation precedes you and the words I’ve heard don’t do justice to who stands before me.” Rose is still speaking and I force a smile as 1 shift the chair back. I extend a hand to her and she’s quick to take it, fingers grazing over the back of my palm.
“Ah, there they are! Attention everyone!” It’s my mother’s voice that breaks my interaction with Rose and I let my hand drop from hers when it doesn’t seem like she’d be letting go anytime soon, Rose perches to my side as all eyes in the room fall on us, my mother continuing with her announcement. “I think we know why we’re all here. If we could all gather at the dining table, please.”
I slide back into my seat, and my eyes find hers. The confusion in her blue eyes glares at me as she looks from me to the woman who remains by my side and then back at me. I have no doubt there are hundreds of questions whirling in that head of hers–hundreds of questions I can’t answer.
“We’re here because of the significant event that’d be taking place in a few months. My son–The Alpha’s engagement. The grin on Mom’s face is too blinding and I lower my gaze because the only person I want to look at the only eyes I want to look into–is the only one I shouldn’t. Especially not after the words I’ve said to her.
“With the beautiful lady- the girl rises from her seat as mom’s voice trails off and her voice is smooth when she introduces herself. “Rose Hazelwood. Daughter of Alpha Troy of the BlueStone pack.”
I can’t help it. My eyes shift to Emma’s at those words and she’s staring at me. No, not staring glaring. The resentment I see in those eyes glows bright, and I want to take them away. I want to return the sparkle and contentment I’d see in those eyes each time she stared at me. But I can’t.. There’s no room for me to be selfish–not when I itave a promise to keep
TWO MONTHS AGO–Day of Bringing Emma Back Home”
My hands clench around the arms of my seat as I look between the Alpha and his Luna. When I came to this pack, I knew it wouldn’t be easy getting Emma out of here, but with the news I’m presented with–news I know is far from the truth–getting her back home might be harder than I pradicted.
“She didn’t do it.“1 let the words roll off my tongue after minutes of süence and when Alpha Troy raises his brow at me, I lean forward, dropping my hands on the uble between us. “I know Emma She’s my stepsister. She’s not a killer. She’s never been one.”
“She murdered her mother and her twin” The words are from Luna Gabrielle, Troy’s wife, and my head snaps to her. I thread my fingers together to control the anger that’s rising inside me. She doesn’t like Emma. I could tell from the way she looked at her back in that room while she was on her knees. She looked at her like the mere sight of her disgusted her and if her words now are any further proof, then I know Emma’s life hasn’t been easy here. It breaks my heart to think about the suffering she’d have had to ensure all these years, and I will not let her endure anymore of it. I’m getting her out of here today–no matter what
“You’d blame that on an infant? On a baby that was just birthed into the world?” I hiss at the Luna and she frowns, “She’s a curse. It’s unnatural for an infant and a mother to lose their lives just for one-
“I suggest you do not speak about matters that do not concern you, Luna Gabrielle.” The respect I try to hold for her easily dissolves and the comer of her mouth twitches. A scowl falls on her face and she’s opening her mouth to speak when she’s interrupted by Alpha Troy, “Gabrielle. Please. Enough
The command from her husband and her Alpha makes her fall silent despite the many words I’m sure she has to say, and I relax back in my seat as I turn to Troy. “I know Emma She didn’t do this. What proof do you have against her?”
“They were in
were in a fight and your stepsister was standing–looming–over her while she cried in a pool of her own blood. She’s always hated Zoey. She’s not as innocent as she seems and she’s always been…”
“Gabrielle” Authe call of her name, the Luna’s words cease and Troy meets my gaze. “You’re right. We have no proof other than words were confirmed by those around when it happened. That doesn’t mean she’s innocent.”
“I doesn’t mean she’s guilty, either. Truthfully. Tell me truthfully, Alpha Troy, do you believe she could have done it? You know each of these people, don’t you? So you have to know if the truth is being fabricated. If my stepsister is being framed, which I know she is. I say and the room. falls into silence as Troy averts his gaze. He stares into space for a while before he looks back at me. “Even if that were true, I’d have to properly investigate the matter, which means you can’t take her with you. Not when she’s charged with a crime and like I told you, your father sorry. stepfather. The previous Alplu gave Imma to mr of a vow to never be asked for again”
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Chapter 54
eyes and 1 heard her
Yeah, I know all about that. I was there that day. I stood in a corner as I watched her get dragged away. I saw the tears in her eyes a pleas to her father–each of which was not listened to
Tell
“I know the deal that was made, and I know you won’t just give her to me. So te give to get her!”
me what you want. What do you want from me What do I have to
“And why’d you assume 1 want anything from you!” The old man arches a brow and I chuckle as I move close “You’re an Alpha. I’m an Alpha and our packs have always been at odds with each other.”
“Not since Killian gave his daughter to me.” I want to wipe the smirk that appears on his face as he speaks the words, but I let out an exhale to remain calm and let him continue. “So what could I possibly want from you. Alpha Wilson!”
“I’m sure you’d think of something. I tell him and he nods. I’m just curious. Why come here to make this deal? Why not just attack my pack? Fight to have her! Or is it that your pack members aren’t willing to lose their lives for someone they don’t care about? Or wait wait.. I’m having it. It’s risky, isn’t it? You’re scared of what Killian might-
you said, our
“I’m scared of no one.” I interrupt before he can finish. I’m here because I believe I don’t have to resort to battle to make a deal. Like y packs have been at peace for a while now, and I don’t want that to change.”
Troy nods and pushes back in his seat, his fingers rubbing his chin as he stares at me. I wait for him to decide because I know he will. He’ll break and he’d not pass by a chance to have me be in his debt no matter how arrogant he might be.
Fine” That single word ticks the Luna and she growls as her husband. “What are you talking about? Troy, you can’t do this. She killed your grandchild: She’s a murderer, and she doesn’t deserve to be saved! You can’t let her go! She must be punished for her-
Troy raises his hand, halting the rest of her words, and she watches the man with bewilderment clear in her eyes. When her gaze falls on me, her eyes are almost red with fury spreading through her orbs, but she doesn’t say a word to me and I look at her husband, who says, “As you heard, Emma is still accused of a murder, but I’m letting her go with you because I believe you’d pay up that debt.”
Relief reels through me at hearing of her release and I have to fight my smile as I ask, “What do you want?”
Troy’s lips stretch before he moves out of his sear. “I believe you’d come to know that, Alpha Wilson, Just keep in mind; that you owe me, and when it’s time to pay your debt, you cannot refuse me. If you do, then you’d have to give what you’ve taken back. Otherwise, it’d be war and I promise you.” he extends his hand in the space between us and I stare at it for a while before moving to my feet. When I take his hand, he completes his sentence and says. “I won’t be the one to lose,”
-PRESENT-
I knew something wasn’t right that day. Troy was a sly one–probably the most I’ve ever met–and I knew I wouldn’t like whatever he had in mind when he finally tells me, but it didn’t matter to me then
I was blinded by my joy at having Emma back, which was the only thing that mattered to me at the moment. I was stupid enough to convince myself I had saved her, only to dig a bigger pit for not just myself but for my pack and herself
And now the hole I dug has come to take me
Four days ago. Troy’s Beta was here, and it was time for me to pay up the debt I owe. What Troy wants is for me to marry his daughter, align our two packs, and form a bond that’d rattle every other pack–a union between the Alpha ofthe largest pack and the daughter of the Alpha of one of the deadliest packs in existence.
Of course, my first thought was to reject but Troy made sure to remind me of what he promised–how I could either give Emma back and prevent a war that’d cost lives or keep her and start a battle that won’t end until one pack is down and conquered by the other.
There was no way I was giving her bark. I couldn’t even think of it–giving away the girl I love. It was impossible and there’s no way I could have let at happen, but I also couldn’t start a war just to keep her after rejecting Troy’s offer. It’d cost lives. I might have the largest pack members and I might be powerful, ban the Bluestone pack is known to have never lost a battle. Troy is powerful, spart, and he’s got years after years of battle experiences and skills. I don’t think I’d lose that easily, but many would die before I’d have a chance at winning. I love my pack members and 1 couldn’t be selfish enough to ask them to die because of my refusal to marry a woman whilst in love with another.
the time is nearing for Emma to get her wolf and find her mate. Finding my mate doesn’t matter to me. She’s the only woman I love and the only one I’d ever want this much. Not even the mare loud would be able to stop my feelings when it arrives–I can’t possibly feel this way for another My feelingy for another would never be this strong But I know the same isn’t true for her. Her feelings for me might be growing, but her love for her pate would be stronger and she’d never abandon her fated mate just to be by my side, nor would I ask it of her so accepting Troy’s offer might be the best choice, she’ll be safe here, and though it might hurt now to see me with another woman, she’d find a better love once she finds her mate. I’d prevent hundreds of deaths and the only cost would be losing my woman—an inevitable thard come to pass one way or the
So here I am, trapped in an offer I can’t escape from, bringing an end to the little time of happiness I managed to have with the girl my heart has always belonged to
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Chapter 34
AD
