(Audrey's POV)Elder William’s gaze bore into me, heavy with expectation. I stood before him, swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat. His aged yet sharp eyes demanded answers, but I had none I could share.“Tell me, Audrey,” his voice was low, yet the command in it was unmistakable. “Is this... situation with Arthur truly irreparable?”I held my hands tightly clasped, my head lowered, avoiding his piercing gaze. How could I tell this man, who revered tradition and the mate bond above all, that his beloved grandson had failed me utterly as a mate?His expression softened slightly, his wrinkles deepening as concern shadowed his features. “I know his behavior has been... difficult,” Elder William admitted, stroking his silver beard thoughtfully. “But you must understand, Audrey, he has carried many burdens. The loss of his mother, the complications with his stepfamily... they’ve shaped him.”I bit my lip hard, suppressing the urge to lash out. It wasn’t the loss of his moth
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