Grandmother Decides to Leave the Sanctuary

(Eliza's POV)

William Morgan sat proudly atop his stallion, looking down at me with undisguised contempt. His guards flanked him on either side, burly men with hard eyes and cruel smiles.

"Seize her," William commanded, his voice cold and imperious. "She's wasted enough of our time."

The enforcers dismounted and approached me, restraints hanging from their belts. I felt Ivy freeze beside me, her slight body trembling with terror.

I pulled her behind me protectively, using my body as a shield between her and William's men. Her loyalty had earned her at least that much.

"Stop," I called out, my voice surprisingly steady. "Elder Morgan is still at Green Pine Sanctuary. She won't appreciate you disturbing her peace."

William's laugh was sharp and mocking. "Grandmother? You think she'll protect you?"

He dismounted, striding toward me with casual arrogance. His fine clothes and proud bearing marked him unmistakably as the son of the Gamma.

"Our grandmother no longer involves herself in pack matters," William sneered. "She's been a recluse for decades, content to let the real wolves handle territory affairs."

His eyes narrowed dangerously. "You manipulated Nanny Edwards to intervene earlier, but Elder Morgan won't be fooled again."

The enforcers moved closer, closing in like predators around wounded prey. One of them reached for my arm, his fingers rough against my skin.

A flood of memories washed over me, vivid and terrifying. The restraints that had chafed my wrists raw. The icy water they'd thrown me into as punishment. The damp cellar where they'd locked me for days without food.

I remembered my final moments in my previous life—tied up and abandoned in that broken shack, snow falling through the roof as I slowly froze to death.

The guard's fingers closed around my upper arm, and something inside me snapped.

"Take your hands off me," I growled, yanking my arm away with unexpected strength.

My heart raced wildly, but I stood my ground. I would not be a victim again. I would not allow myself to be dragged away like a criminal, bound and humiliated.

I fixed the men with a stare so filled with hatred that they momentarily hesitated. My gaze promised retribution if they dared touch me again.

"This wild girl has quite the temper," one guard muttered to another, clearly surprised by my resistance.

William's face flushed with anger at my defiance. "Restrain her. Now!"

As the guards moved to obey, a commanding voice cut through the tension. "Young Morgan, our Green Pine Sanctuary is not a place for your disturbance."

Gregory Weily stood at the entrance to the meditation garden, his long beard quivering with indignation. Behind him, a dozen spiritual advisors formed a protective semicircle around me.

Relief flooded through me at their timely intervention. This was new—in my previous life, I'd faced William alone.

William's face contorted with rage. "Step aside, old man. This doesn't concern you."

"On the contrary," Gregory replied calmly. "Any disturbance within these sacred grounds concerns us greatly."

William took a menacing step forward. "Why are you protecting this worthless wild girl? She's nothing to you."

"All who seek sanctuary here are under our protection," Gregory stated firmly. "You would do well to remember that, Young Morgan."

His tone hardened as he continued, "Your actions today might anger important people. Are you prepared to face those consequences?"

A flicker of uncertainty crossed William's face, but it vanished quickly. He dismissed the warning with a contemptuous wave.

"I've come for my sister, and I will leave with her," he declared, signaling his men to advance. "Move, or be moved."

The spiritual advisors remained firm, creating a human barrier between me and William's guards. Tension crackled in the air like lightning before a storm.

William was about to escalate the confrontation when a furious voice thundered across the courtyard.

"STOP!"

The single word sliced through the air like a blade, freezing everyone in place.

Elder Morgan strode into the courtyard, her back straight and her head held high. Nanny Edwards and several other female attendants flanked her, each carrying a weapon.

I noticed with surprise that Nanny Edwards gripped a gleaming dagger with practiced ease. The other women carried similar weapons, their stances suggesting they knew how to use them.

Were these women former warriors who had accompanied my grandmother during territory disputes in her youth? The thought was both surprising and comforting.

Elder Morgan's eyes blazed with fury as she surveyed the scene before her. With one imperious gesture, she beckoned me to her side.

I moved without hesitation, stepping quickly to stand beside my grandmother. Her presence radiated power and authority, making even William hesitate.

He dismounted quickly, bowing low before her. "Grandmother, I've come to escort my sister home. Father sent me to—"

"Silence!" Elder Morgan cut him off with a contemptuous snort. "Grandmother? I dare not claim to be your grandmother!"

The venom in her voice made William flinch visibly. Elder Morgan's face was a mask of cold fury as she continued.

"Look at you," she spat. "So proud of becoming a young enforcer in the household. Yet I've heard nothing of your achievements—only your bullying of your long-lost sister."

William's face reddened with indignation. "I didn't want to disturb you, Grandmother. I only came to take the wild girl home where she belongs."

Elder Morgan's eyes flashed dangerously. "Wild girl?!"

Her voice rose with each word. "Her surname is Morgan! She was stolen by the midwife's family!"

She stepped closer to William, her finger jabbing toward his chest. "You remember that name clearly—aren't you ashamed?"

William's expression wavered between defiance and shame. He clearly hadn't expected such fierce opposition from his grandmother.

"From now on, she will be called Eliza Morgan," Elder Morgan declared, her voice ringing with authority. "Liza, remember this? This is your true name!"

I bowed deeply, genuine tears welling in my eyes. "Yes, Grandmother."

The realization hit me forcefully—Grandmother had given me this name. In my previous life, I had never known this, had never visited her, blinded by my desperate desire for familial acceptance.

The knowledge filled me with shame and gratitude in equal measure. How much I had missed by not coming here sooner.

William, recovering his composure, tried again. "Grandmother, I understand your concern, but Father and Mother are waiting for Eliza. I must take her home."

Elder Morgan's response was immediate and unexpected. She snatched a teacup from Nanny Edwards' tray and hurled it directly at William, drenching his expensive clothes with hot tea.

"You insolent boy!" she exclaimed, her eyes flashing. "You think you can come here and make demands of me?"

William stumbled back, stunned by the sudden attack. Tea dripped from his silk shirt, staining the expensive fabric.

"I will return to the Morgan estate with Eliza," Elder Morgan announced, her voice ringing with finality.

William's jaw dropped in shock. "Grandmother, you're coming down from the mountain?"

His disbelief was almost comical. Elder Morgan leaned back, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

"Yes," she said simply. "I am a Morgan family member. I never truly became a recluse—can I not return home?"

The silence that followed was profound. Everyone present seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for William's response.

Nanny Edwards broke the tension, stepping forward with brisk efficiency. "Young Master Morgan, please make preparations for Elder Morgan's former quarters at the estate. We will be arriving tomorrow."

Her tone left no room for argument. William stood frozen for several seconds, processing this unexpected development.

Finally, he gave a stiff nod and gestured sharply to his men. They mounted their horses quickly, clearly eager to escape Elder Morgan's wrath.

"I'll inform Father of your decision," William said tightly before spurring his horse toward the sanctuary gates.

As their hoofbeats faded into the distance, I turned to my grandmother. My heart overflowing with gratitude, I knelt before her.

"Thank you, Grandmother," I said earnestly. "Thank you for giving me a name, for standing up for me, for agreeing to my request."

Elder Morgan raised her hand, silencing my effusive thanks. "Rise, Liza."

I obeyed immediately, meeting her stern gaze.

"But remember," she cautioned, her voice softening slightly, "I may return to the Morgan estate, but no matter what, you can only rely on yourself."

She leaned closer, her expression serious. "And you must promise to do one thing for Grandmother."