Masuk“What…?” I blinked, totally confused, until I realized that what he had found wasn’t a list of goods.It was a land transfer certificate.“This piece of our territory?” I picked up the document, though I already knew what was there “It’s a tiny portion compared to the rest, to tell the truth. Alpha Madlock mentioned, some time ago, that he needed a place to expand his herd’s pasture, so I offered this land. It was an inheritance left to me by my mother. Her family came from one of the small villages around here.” I explained “In the end, the Madlocks didn’t even use this place, as far as I know. The soil wasn’t good…”"Take it back." he repeated, almost like an order.“Why you…? It’s just a small, almost barren square of land. Of all the things they can give me back, this is probably the last one I’ll bother with…”“You said you’d ask for everything back. Don’t go back on your word.” He snatched the paper from me again, placing it with the other important documents “And don’t think th
"You... Uh... You really don't need to help me with this." I murmured, and I'd like to think I didn't sound rude or mean, just... Confused.In response, Adrien's cousin, Gwen, simply smiled and shrugged, continuing to leaf through the records and reports in her hands, separating those that would be useful to me from time to time.I think all the Cross family members had this talent for dominating a place with their presence, as if it now belonged to them.I wasn't even expecting a visit from any of them today. I had set aside the entire day to review those documents and prepare for the meeting with the temple elders, which I knew would happen very soon. Sean would make sure it was soon. I had even thought about asking Verity for help or something, but only after my mind was exhausted from so much reading.But then, Gwendolyn had shown up with more unexpected gifts and…"That's all that was useful in that pile." She separated one last paper, reaching for another set of reports.I could
Almost the entire Vitale Castle was surrounded by walls countless meters high, to protect us from possible attacks. But there was a small part of the entrance, which led to the courtyard in front of the main castle gates, that was protected only by grille gates. Leaving the outside visible. And, Goddess, I froze in place the instant I stepped completely out of the garden and placed my first foot in the courtyard.I was meters and meters away from those grids, but it was impossible not to see what was happening there.There were dozens, maybe a hundred, of people huddled on the other side of the grids, pushing each other as if trying to squeeze through the gaps. I could hear their screams and cries louder than ever, begging for Rosalind to appear, some even with their arms raised, showing their babies.
Of everything I had seen and heard up to now, perhaps that little smile was the closest I'd come to exploding again, like I did with Leon the day I woke up.My hatred for that woman was unlike anything I had ever felt. My brother and my ex-fiancé had betrayed and abandoned me, something that was partly her fault. Although, I wasn't stupid enough to think they would magically love me if she hadn't been there. Those two cowards would have found an excuse to let me die in that collapse even without the saint being present. Now I saw them for who they really were.And yet, that woman…None of the four packs formed strong bonds with humans. But we all welcomed her as if she were one of us from day one, after we saw the mark on her forehead. A mark that, somehow, she had forged! I refused to believe that the Goddess would bless someone capable of lying, plotting, deceiving, and still finding amusement in it all!Leon and Sean might have been two idiotic traitors who believed her lies. But
My body wanted to react before I could, but I managed to control myself. My nails probably pierced my palm, but I kept my fists clenched and my teeth gritted as I stared at those two without uttering a single word. The memories of their words, the icy cave floor pressed against my body, the despair, the feeling of helplessness…There was so much turmoil inside me. So much anger. So much sadness. So many other feelings that I didn't even know how to properly name. It was almost primal, as if my inner wolf, usually so serene and well-behaved, was trying to take control for the first time in my life. I wanted nothing more than to scream at them, to try to make them feel the pain they caused me, even if that wouldn't erase anything I had thought.But it was useless. So I just clung to the silence, wishing that there was still some shame left in their consciences. That way, they could ignore the fact that they had seen me there and simply leave, so I wouldn't be forced to see their faces
“You… You don’t need to walk so close to me, you know?” I grunted, my hand itching to shove that bastard away as he leaned even closer, my shoulder now brushing against his arm.“Of course I need to.” He rolled his eyes at me, as if to let me know how much fun he was having “How else are you going to believe we’re becoming lovey-dovey?”I scoffed at his words. We were walking side by side through the castle's main garden, sheltering in the shadows cast by the towers. I was almost grateful when he offered me his arm as we left my room, thinking it was a good sign that he was willing to act like a true gentleman when we were in public.But now that he was invading my personal space, I was starting to regret that thought.“They don’t need to think we’re madly in love.” I rolled my eyes, wishing he didn’t have that metal piece covering his chest so I could elbow him “The mere fact that we’re seen together will be enough to fuel the rumors. A sudden engagement would only make the temple an







