Chapter 220
220
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+8 Pearls
Alpha Alaric’s sharp gaze softened as it locked onto Dean Elira Blackthorn’s delicate, yet unyielding face. Her voice, low and steady, cut through the storm of his doubts like a clear wolf’s howl in the night.
“Alaric,” she whispered, “from the moment our paths crossed, my heart claimed you. All these years, it has beaten only for you. Even as your strength wanes, my loyalty does not. I am yours–now and forever.”
A deep, primal relief surged through Alaric’s chest. The fierce fire of anger that had consumed him flickered and died, his taut nerves finally loosening. But then, a sharp, gnawing pain lanced through his legs–the fractures from his last battle still raw and unhealed.
His form wavered, swaying like a wounded wolf on uneven ground, and Elira was immediately there–steadying him, guiding him into the familiar embrace of the wheelchair.
He gripped her hand tightly, a silent pact between mates. “Elira, I trust you.”
At those words, Elira’s heart stílled, though a razor–sharp edge of bitterness cut through her thoughts.
What a blind fool, she thought, eyes darkening like a midnight hunt.
Only a naive she–wolf like Luna Zara–lost in dreams of love and devotion–could be so thoroughly fooled by Alabic’s cunning.
Had Zara not been shielded by her pack’s wealth and a father’s fierce protection, she would have long since been torn apart by the world’s cruelty.
Riley’s fall was the tragic howl echoing from Zara’s blind mistakes.
Elira’s glance flicked subtly toward Caden Blackthorn, their loyal shadow.
A ghost of a wolfish grin tugged at Caden’s lips as he saw Alaric’s doubts crumble.
Alaric’s eyes, now burning with disdain, snapped to Riley. “You thought you could poison my bond with Elira through your deceitful pack games? You’ve severely misjudged me.”
“I’ve prowled the business world for nearly three decades. Your petty tricks are nothing but fleas on my hide.”
“You carry the Zara blood–venomous , sly, and treacherous to your core. Your arrogant snarls make my stomach churn.”
Alaric expected Riley to shrink beneath his biting words. Instead, she met his fury with cold, wolf–like pity–as if he were a mangy pup unworthy of her strength or time.
His face twisted, rage rising like a storm wind. “What is that look?!”
Riley’s lips curved into a savage smile. “Alaric, you’re hopelessly blind. The proof snarls right before your eyes, but you refuse to see it. Instead, you cling to Elira’s carefully spun web of lies.”
–
“If your own eyes deceive you, tell me why doesn’t Scarlett carry your mark? Why does she bear the unmistakable scent and features of your driver, Caden? ”
The room’s eyes snapped sharply to Caden–the loyal wolf who prowled the edges of the pack’s domain, unseen yet always present.
Now, in Riley’s words, they saw it too: Scarlett’s nose and mouth were cut from the same fierce mold as Caden’s.
Alaric’s expression stiffened–his wolf’s pride stung.
Elira was quick to recover, her voice calm and sharp as a fang. “It’s said that nephews often mirror their uncles. What’s unnatural about Scarlett resembling her uncle?”
Alaric let loose a bitter chuckle, rough as a growl. “Only the corrupt see rot where none exists.”
Riley’s mockery deepened, ice sharp as winter teeth. “Then let’s settle this like true packmates–a DNA test. Now.”
Her words fell like a howl into the tense silence, freezing Elira, Scarlett, and Caden where they stood, caught in the crossfire
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+8 Pearls
Riley’s fierce eyes locked onto Alaric’s. “If you’re so certain Scarlett is your blood, will you face the truth in the test?”
Alaric’s knuckles whitened as he gripped the wheelchair’s arms, his face draining of color. Yet no words came.
“Afraid?” Riley taunted, wolfish grin widening. “Or shall Scarlett prove her bond to Caden instead?”
Alaric’s silence screamed his dread.
If Scarlett wasn’t his daughter, all his sacrifices–wounding his own mate, son, and daughter–would be a bitter howl lost to the wind.
He wasn’t defying the test out of doubt–he was shackled by fear of the truth.
Suddenly, Lucien Duskgrave’s cold voice sliced through the tension like a silver dagger.
“Good timing–Dr. Theo is here. Duke, gather hair samples from Alaric, Scarlett, and Caden. Deliver them to Theo at once.”
Duke stepped forward, a shadow among wolves.
Caden’s heart pounded like a war drum. Once the truth clawed free, none of them would leave the Duskgrave territory unscathed.
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