The door i
estepped into the pond, tention thickening Hu
Tor a long moment, we simply tared at each other, the part stretching and fraying hotarem un tika as did,
Ruben was the font ta berak
He lecked down, rshaling sharphy, before raising his eyes to meet mine–eyes that ones held promises and dream, now filed with regran
“You’ve changed,” he said, voice low and rough,
A statement, not a compliment…
ted my head slightly. “So have you”
He winced, a muscle ticking in his jaw
“thought I was doing the right thing” he said, almost pleadingly “I thought rejecting you was for the best. For the pack For our future
“And was it?” asked softly, no venom in my tone, only curiosity
Hefaltered. The answer was written all over his face.
“No.” he whispered. “It wasn’t”
I crossed my arms loosely over my chest, fooling oddly detached as if I were observing this from a distance.
Onion, hight have crumbled hearing that,
Once, I might have clung to those words like a lifeline.
But now? Now they meant nothing
“You didn’t just reject me, Ruben,” I said gently, “you broke me. You humiliated me. You made a choice–not for the pack, but for yourself. For power
He opened his mouth, then closed it again, swallowing hard.
“I see that now,” he admitted. “I was selfish, Stupid.”
He took a step closer, and instantly the guards behind him tensed, but I held up a hand to keep them still
“I don’t expect you to forgive me,” he said, his voice cracking slightly, “I just needed you to know I regret it. Fregret everything
A part of me wanted to feel satisfaction–to see him hurting, to relish it. But all i felt was a profound, peaceful emptiness.
“used to hate you, Ruben. but not anymore” I said quietly. “Now, I don’t even pity you.”
ards settle in the space between us, heavy and final.
Het my words settle in
“I just don’t belong to you anymore, I never really did.” I added firmly.
His face crumpled, years of guilt and longing crashing down on him,
“You love him,” he said, more a statement than a question.
I smiled a soft, genuine smile that surprised even me
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Chapter 39.
With everything am.” I whispered.
A shuddering breath left him, as if that truth cut deeper than any blade.
But he nodded, acceptance–titter and grudging–shadowing his features.
“He’s a lucky bastant,” he muttered.
The door behind him opened slightly, and there, leaning casually against the frame, was Francesc
Not intervening. Not growling or asserting dominance. Just watching, golden eyes calm and steady, his presence enough to fill the undeniable power.
to fill the room with rank,
Ruben stiffened immediately, instinctively bowing his head in submission, recognizing that he stood before not just a rival–but a superior
Francesco said nothing. He didn’t need to
The message was clear: She is mine. And you will respect that
Rubens turned back to me, shoulders squared with an effort that spoke of pride barely hanging on.
“I wish you happiness, Ellaine,” he said, voice hoarse. Then, almost brokenly, he added, “You deserve it. And I am sorry, for everything”
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked away, the door clicking softly behind him
The moment he was gone, I sagged slightly, the weight of the encounter finally pressing down on me.
I stood there, unmoving, staring at the spot where he had just been.
it was strange how quiet my heart was. No pain. No anger. No longing. Only peace.
Francesco didn’t rush me. He simply waited, his presence wrapping around me like a silent, steady shield.
His scent, so deeply familiar now, lingered in the air–cedarwood, leather, and the primal spice that was uniquely him
Slowly, I turned to face him. The moment our eyes met, something inside me cracked open. Not in sadness–but in overwhelming elit.
ΠΕ
Without hesitation, I crossed the distance between us. Francesco caught me the moment I reached him, his strong arms wrapping securely around my body, lifting me off the ground just enough that my toes barely touched the floor.
I buried my face in the crook of his neck, inhaling deeply, letting myself sink into the sanctuary that only he could offer.
“You did good, piccola luna,” he murmured into my hair, his voice low and filled with pride. “I’m proud of you.”
Asmall, shaky laugh escaped me.
“I thought I would feel… something, Anger. Griet
et Regret. I pulled back slightly to look at him, my fingers brushing against his jaw. “But all I feet is from.”
His golden eyes softened, molten with warmth and something deeper–something eternal.
“You broke the last chain that tied you to your past,” he said, his thumb brushing a stray tear from my cheek. “Now you are truly mine. As I am yours”
His words wrapped around my heart like silk
Mine. As he was mine. There was no hesitation, no doubt.
1 leaned up and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth, feeling the way his body tensed slightly, always so careful with me now, treating ine like something precious–fragile, but not weak.
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Chapter 39
*I love you,” I whispered
Francesco’s eyes darkersed, his
Istining just beneath the surface
love you more than fate itself, amore mio,” he growled, the raw possessiveness in his voice seraling shivers down my prim. “I would b
you
then–deep, slow, and claiming
A kits that told me without words that I was safe, cherished, adored beyond reason
When we finally broke apart, the quaids still stationed nearly had tactfully looked away, pretending not to notice the displa
smed, feeling warmth bloom in my chest. Our family. Our pack. They were mine now, boo,
Audrey appeared at the door with Manica, beth of them pretending to be annoyed but their eyes betrayed their affection
“Are you two done?” Audrey a
y asked, hands on her
her hips.
“Some of us would like to leave before the next century
Monica elbowed her with a grin
agrin. “Give them a break. They deserve it”
Francesco chuckled, setting me gently back on my feet.
“We’re ready,” he said, his hand never leaving the small of my y back. A constant, grounding touch.
The pack grounds were buzzing with quiet, respectful activity as we made our wa
r way outside:
Dozens of pack members had gathered, lining the main road, heads bowed in farewell. It wasn’t just respect for their Alpha–they were honoring met Their future Luna. Their protector’s heart.
Tears pricked at my eyes again, but this time they were happy tears. Gratitude swelled inside me, so fierce it almost hurt
Francesco helped me into the sleek black SUV waiting at the front, Audrey and Monica climbing in with us.
The engine purred to life, and with one final look at the grounds that had been my temporary home–and would always be a home to me—we drove away!
The journey back felt surreal. The countryside rolled past the windows–fields bathed in golden morning light, sleepy villages with cobblestone streets, forests draped in mist
For a while, we rode in comfortable silence,
Francesco’s hand found mine, his thumb tracing lazy circles against my skin, as if grounding himself in me.
Heaned my head against his shoulder, feeling his warmth seep into me.
“You’re quiet,” he murmured after a while, pressing a splt kiss to my hair. “Tired?” ”
I shook my head. “Just_thinking”
“About?”
Thesitated, then smiled. “About how I never thought I would have this. Love. Freedom. A future that feels like mine.”
He turned his head to look down at me, a rare vulnerable tenderness in his gaze. “And you deserve it all, piccola. Every dream, every happiness. And I will make sure you have it.”
I swallowed hard, overwhelmed by the ingensity of his promise.
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Chapter 39
With Francesco, it wasn’t just words, it was a vow Annath written in blood and soul
The rest of the drive passed in a dreamy barn.
The trip back to Florence passed faster than remembered.
