Chapter 10

DANTE

All three of us remained in the room even after the battle we had just faced. My eyes were glued to the paper as I counted in my head and Darren suddenly fell to the ground, which made my head leap in excitement.

Darren’s face twisted confused, his eyes locked onto Leah as if she were slipping through his grasp. His wolf howled distressed, the panic in his gaze undeniable. I watched him carefully, every expression betraying his internal struggle. He felt it, the severing of something intangible, something he hadn’t even realized was bound to him until it was gone.

I gated that he was once mated to Leah and took her for granted, after doing my background check I loathe the man and I wished I hadn't given him the power right from the start

That was a mistake from me, certainly. I watched him gently fighting with himself and his emotions.

A slow smirk curled my lips. He hadn’t read the contract. I had counted on his arrogance, his belief that Leah would never truly be free of him, and he had played right into my hands. That bond he had taken for granted? It was unraveling, and with it, any claim he believed he had over her.

Leah took an unsteady breath beside me, her fingers twitching as if resisting the urge to rub her arms and worry coursed through my bones.

Did she feel it too? The absence of something heavy that had been wrapped around her for far too long? I didn’t ask. She needed time, space. But I kept close enough that if she fell, I could steady her but deep down I really hoped she wasn't feeling the same pain this bastard was feeling.

Darren took a step forward, then stopped abruptly, his whole body trembling. He clenched his jaw, veins bulging along his temple. His wolf fought him, resisted him. His fingers curled into fists, and for a brief moment, I thought he might shift right here, in front of his pack, to challenge me, to reclaim what he thought was his.

But he couldn’t. The contract had made sure of that. I was glad he didn't know who I was. Gather had been the middle man as I preferred not to see people until I met Leah and I still refused to see anyone apart from her.

“Alpha?” One of his pack members hesitantly called out to him. The room was thick with tension, warriors shifting uneasily, sensing the turmoil within their leader.

Darren’s lips parted, but no words came out. He struggled, muscles straining as he attempted to take another step toward Leah. Then, with a shuddering gasp, he stumbled back, his wolf finally submitting. I glared at him with anger written all over my face while pushing Leah back slightly.

“No,” he muttered, shaking his head, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked at Leah as if she had betrayed him, as if she had stolen something from him rather than reclaimed what was always hers to take. “This isn’t right.”

He couldn't believe what was happening. His power was draining from him and he was refusing to accept it. I had given him that privilege, and he had used my wife with it. There's no way I was going to let him off the hook by any chance.

“It’s done,” I said coolly, stepping slightly in front of Leah, making sure there was no room for argument. “You signed away your right to her. She is no longer your mate.”

Darren’s nostrils flared, his eyes burning with frustration and disbelief. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter another protest, my guards moved in.

Two warriors grabbed his arms, their grips firm. Darren thrashed once, but it was weak, uncoordinated. His wolf was still reeling from the effects of the severed bond. If he fought now, he’d be fighting against himself as much as against us and that might just cause his death, which I look forward to, but I was letting him go for her sake.

“Take him away,” I ordered and took Leah in my hands as the tears rolled down her cheek out of pain, I didn't know it will affect her this much, but I was glad I did it

She held on to me tightly and rubbed my hand down his back to make her relax, which she did

“No!” Darren roared, his voice breaking as he lunged forward, but his legs gave out before he could reach Leah. The guards tightened their hold and started to drag him back. His head snapped up, his gaze locking onto Leah, pleading, desperate. “Leah, you can’t do this! You were mine! You were always…”

His words cut off as the doors slammed shut behind him, and I tried to keep my cool. How dare calls Leah his, no one is entitled to do that except me, only a few people knew about Leah, but I have claimed her and I really didn't care what other people think.

Silence stretched in the hall, thick and unyielding. Then, Leah exhaled, long and slow, as if finally letting go of a breath she had been holding for years. I turned to her, watching, waiting.

She lifted her chin, a flicker of something new in her eyes. Strength. Freedom. The weight Darren had placed on her was gone, and she stood taller because of it. I could see that she wanted to cry again, but she held it all in and looked around.

“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice softer than before.

She nodded, swallowing hard. “Yes.” She looked away from me and towards the ceiling like she was thinking of what will happen next.

One word, but it carried the weight of everything she had endured. And I believed her. I knew she was going to be alright, but I needed to give her time.

I let the silence linger a little longer, giving her space, letting her process. But there was one last thing left to do.

I stepped closer, close enough that I could see the way her pulse fluttered at the base of her throat. Her eyes met mine, steady, questioning. She knew something was coming.

I let the corner of my mouth lift into a smirk while watching her, I knew this was going to be unexpected, but I knew I needed to do this. Clearing my throat, I lowered my lips to her ear and gently whispered.

“Now, it’s time for our wedding.”

Her breath hitched, her eyes widening. “What?”

I reached into my jacket and pulled out a second contract, this one with her name next to mine.

“The contract you signed before was just a marriage contract and people need to know who exactly their queen is, so yes we are getting married. Don't let me you didn’t think I’d go through all this trouble just to set you free, did you?”

A sharp inhale. Her lips parted, her gaze darting to the paper in my hand. A mixture of shock, wariness, and something else flickered across her face. She wasn’t running. She wasn’t saying no. That was a start, but I could smell the fear on her, which only got me excited in the most unhinged way.

I extended the contract to her, watching, waiting while she contemplated the sign, but heaven knows I was not giving her an option and she knew it.

“Leah, it’s time.” I whispered in her ear before pulling away gently but not far from her.

The weight of my words hung in the air between us, undeniable, inevitable and for some unknown reason, I could see the doubts in her eyes, how could she possibly doubt me? I had saved her far too many times, and yet, she doubts?

“I need a moment” She whispered, but she knew I could hear her clearly

“I am giving you a moment”

“No…” She met my eyes and I stared right back at her “… Please get out” I raised my eyebrows at her audacity but honestly that just made me happy.

At east, she's able to stand her ground. She knew she didn't have a choice but at the same time she wanted to think about her life before she signs the marriage certificate, and we will have a wedding where the entire world is invited.

“A minute is enough for you think, you are not given a choice, sign it and let's get out of here as soon as possible” She glared at me as I walked out of the room as I really didn't care what she thought anymore

Darren's voice still echoed in the corridor and the door suddenly opened behind me