Semua Bab My Mate's Betrayal And Rejection: Bab 221 - Bab 230

Hannah’s POVI stayed by Cecilia’s bedside all night, my fingers interlaced with hers as though my grip alone could anchor her to this world. The doctor’s words replayed in my mind, relentless and cold: Her heart is getting weaker.What if she woke up and I wasn’t there? What if the moment I left, she slipped away? The thought clawed at me, suffocating. So I stayed rooted by her side, refusing to move an inch.The dim hum of the monitors was both a comfort and a threat, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat a fragile promise. I watched her chest rise and fall, willing each breath to continue. Her skin was pale—translucent almost—as though the light of life inside her was dimming.By morning, exhaustion wrapped around me like a heavy coat. I rested my head on the edge of her bed, the blanket warm and worn beneath my cheek. Sleep stole me in brief, flickering moments where memories danced—Mom in the kitchen, the smell of vanilla and cinnamon filling the air, her laugh a melody I hadn’t rea

XAVIER’S POVWhen I walked in with Jackson in my arms, I half-expected to find Hannah where I’d left her—probably curled up in bed, either crying or staring at the ceiling in exhausted silence. Instead, the sharp, rhythmic sound of a knife against the cutting board greeted me.She stood at the kitchen counter, sleeves rolled up, dicing vegetables with a precision that bordered on mechanical. I stopped in the doorway, the sight hitting me harder than I expected.Her movements were smooth but rigid, her shoulders tight, her jaw clenched. She wasn’t just cooking dinner—she was trying to hold herself together, gripping that knife like it was the only thing tethering her to the ground.I set Jackson in his high chair by the table. He giggled, his little legs kicking with unfiltered joy.“Stay here, buddy,” I whispered, brushing a hand over his soft curls.As I moved closer to Hannah, I softened my footsteps. She didn’t look up, didn’t even acknowledge me. Her focus was unyielding, each cho

HANNAH’S POVThe morning sunlight slanted through the window, painting golden streaks across the wooden floor. The warmth should have been comforting, but it wasn’t. It’s been a week since mom was buried and also the first time am about to leave the house alone.I knelt, adjusting the strap of my shoes with steady hands, but my heart pounded in a slow, uneasy rhythm. Behind me, the quiet hum of Jackson playing with his blocks filled the air, the soft clatters of plastic meeting the floor. But I felt him watching me.Xavier.He stood by the door, arms crossed, his stormy eyes dark with unspoken thoughts—concern? Frustration? Both, maybe.I didn’t look up. Not yet.“You’re sure you don’t want me to drive you?” His voice was low, careful—controlled. But underneath it was something raw, a plea dressed as a question.I forced a small smile, finally meeting his gaze. “I’ll be fine, Xavier. It’s just my mother’s house.”His jaw tightened, a flicker of doubt flashing across his face. He dragg

XAVIER’S POVI left Hannah standing in the living room, her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides. Her lips were parted as if she wanted to say something—anything—but no words came. The fear in her eyes cut deeper than I wanted to admit.I didn’t look back. I couldn’t.The afternoon sun slapped against my skin as I stepped outside, sharp and unforgiving. But it did nothing to cool the fire raging in my chest. My breath came fast and uneven. The note crinkled in my fist, its inked words seared into my mind like a brand.This wasn’t just evidence. It was a death sentence.Elder Elijah—my advisor, the most respected among the elders, the man who had stood beside me for years, whispering counsel in my ear and earning my trust—had ordered my son to be poisoned. He had orchestrated Vivian's murder.A growl rumbled low in my throat as my Lycan clawed beneath my skin, restless and enraged. My muscles tensed, every part of me demanding blood, vengeance. I forced my legs to move, stead

ELIJAH'S POVXavier's eyes darkened, his fingers twitching where they rested on the table between us.I leaned forward as much as the iron restraints allowed, my wrists aching from the cold bite of steel. “Think, Xavier. If I wanted Vivian dead, why the hell would I leave behind something as obvious as a written threat? Do I strike you as an idiot?” My voice was tight, edged with frustration. “I’ve been part of this pack for years. You know I’m not sloppy.”His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking near his temple. I could see the calculations running through his mind, the war between reason and fury. But he wasn’t ready to let go of his suspicions—not yet.“If not you, then who did it?” he demanded, his voice dangerously quiet.I held his gaze, choosing my next words carefully. “Coby.”A storm flickered in Xavier’s eyes, gone as quickly as it appeared, but I caught it. He had already suspected Coby—I could see it now. He just needed someone else to say it.“You mean, Alpha Coby?” His tone w