Chapter22
Clara’s POV
I took the box and slowly opened it.
Inside, several exquisite pieces of jewelry were nestled neatly: a ring, a necklace, and a bracelet.
They looked identical to the tokens I had sliced with the silver knife three months ago, but the materials were finer, the craftsmanship more intricate.
Each piece glowed with a faint pack magic, clearly reforged with immense power.
“These are…” I looked at the familiar items.
“I reforged them with my own essence,” Kael’s voice trembled. “Every rune, every line, is exactly the same as the originals.”
“I remember how you looked when we first met, the way you smiled for the first time, the light in your eyes when you said ‘ Jyes‘,” his eyes were full of deep emotion. “Clara, the love in those memories was real. Even if I made mistakes later, those
good times were real.”
I picked up the ring, studying the runes.
They were indeed identical to the originals, even more beautiful.
“How long did it take you to make these?” I asked.
“Three months,” hope flickered in Kael’s eyes. “The moment I thought you were gone, I started remaking them. I thought, if I
ever saw you again, I had to give them back to you.”
“Give them back to me?” I sneered. “Kael, what do you think these things mean to me?”
“They mean our past, our-
“They mean my foolishness,” I cut him off. “They mean how naive I was, how easily I was deceived.”
Kael’s face went pale.
“Every time I see these things,” I held the ring up to my eyes, “I’m reminded of the silly she–wolf who believed ‘my Alpha will protect me.”
“I’m reminded of the fool who thought ‘love can conquer all.“”
“I’m reminded of the pathetic creature who was being poisoned with Silver Dust and still thanked her mate for his ‘care.“”
Tears of pain filled Kael’s eyes.
“Clara, it wasn’t like that…”
“It was exactly like that.” I got out of the car.
My wolf stirred, and silver flames ignited in my palm.
“You think remaking these can erase the past?” my voice grew colder. “You think fine craftsmanship can cover up an ugly truth?”
“No, I just wanted-
“You thought wrong.”
I tossed the ring into the flames of my wolf soul.
The silver fire instantly consumed it, the beautiful metal turning to ash.
Chapter 22
+25 BONUS
“Don’t!” Kael tried to stop me but was thrown back by my aura.
I picked up the necklace.
“This necklace… I remember you putting it on me on our mating night,” I sneered. “You said it symbolized eternal love.”
“Now I think it symbolizes eternal stupidity.”
The flames rose again, and the necklace vanished.
“Clara, stop!” Kael cried out in agony. “I made those with my heart!”
“With your heart?” I scoffed. “You said that three years ago, too. And what happened?”
The bracelet was thrown into the flames next.
One by one, all the tokens turned to ash in my wolf’s fire.
Kael knelt on the ground, watching the ashes, the hope in his eyes completely extinguished.
“Do you understand now?” I looked down at him. “Some things, once broken, can never be fixed. Just like our relationship.”
“Clara.” A commanding voice came from behind me.
I turned to see my grandfather and Asher walking toward us.
“Grandfather.”
“Go back to the castle, child,” Aldric said gently. “Let me handle him.”
“But-”
“Trust me,” his eyes shone with ancient wisdom. “Some things need to be handled an elder’s way.”
Asher came to my side and gently took my hand.
“Let’s go, Clara. Let the pld man talk to him.”
I took one last look at the kneeling Kael, then left with Asher.
Kael’s POV
After Clara and Asher were gone, Aldric slowly approached Kael.
The three–hundred–year–old wolf radiated an aura of ancient, intimidating power.
“Young Alpha,” Aldric’s voice was low and commanding. “You hurt my granddaughter.”
Kael looked up, fresh tears staining his face.
“I know I was wrong, Elder. I will accept any punishment.”
“Punishment?” Aldric sneered. “You think punishment will solve anything?”
“I’m willing to atone with my life…”
Silence,” Aldric’s aura intensified. “Your life is worthless to me.”
What I want is for you to disappear from Clara’s life completely.”
“I can’t…” Kael struggled to his feet. “I love her. I can’t give up…”
+25 BONUS
Chapter22
“You love her?” A flicker of mockery crossed Aldric’s eyes. “Young man, do you even know what love is?”
“Love is respect, protection, understanding. What you offered was possession, obsession, and control.”
“But I understand now…”
Denta
“It’s too late,” Aldric cut him off. “And besides, do you really think you can fix everything with your repentance alone?”
Kael’s eyes clouded with confusion.
Aldric’s gaze turned cold. “Do you truly believe,” his voice dripped with contempt, “that you, the Alpha of one crumbling pack, can stand against the might of the Ancient Covenant?”
