All Chapters of Masked Desire: Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

Jason's POVTwo weeks.It's been two weeks since the battle ended. Two weeks of negotiations, meetings, political discussions that seem to go in circles. Two weeks of being pulled into war rooms and councils and diplomatic sessions.Two weeks since I've felt like myself.I sit in another negotiation session, listening to representatives from various packs argue about omega rights legislation. My presence is required at these meetings now. Expected. Queen Lydia insists I attend. "Your voice matters," she tells me. "Your experience gives weight to our arguments."So I sit here, day after day, sharing my story. Answering questions. Defending positions I never asked to defend.The progressive factions treat me like a hero. A symbol of omega resilience and strength. They quote my words from previous meetings. They use my story as evidence that omegas deserve autonomy and protection.The traditional factions treat me like a threat. A troublemaker who's disrupting natural order. They questi

Ivan's POVI stand on the stronghold walls, watching the road that leads from Captain Kael's territory.They'll be here soon. Kaelen and Avalon. The escort I sent reported they're less than an hour away.My hands grip the stone railing so hard my knuckles go white.I don't want them here. Every instinct in my body screams that this is wrong. That bringing the people who hurt Jason into our home is a terrible idea.But Jason wants this. And I promised to support his decision.Even if I don't understand it."You're going to break that railing if you squeeze any harder."I turn. My mother approaches, dressed in formal robes for the official reception. She looks calm and regal. Everything I don't feel right now."I'm fine," I say."You're lying." She joins me at the wall, looking out at the same road. "You've been tense and irritable for days. Ever since Jason agreed to bring them here.""Can you blame me?""No. But I can counsel you." She turns to face me. "Ivan, showing strength doesn't

Jason's POVI can't stop thinking about that moment in the corridor.The way Avalon looked at me. Raw. Desperate. Like he was drowning and I was the only thing that could save him.The way Kaelen's entire face lit up when he saw me, then immediately dimmed with regret and shame.It's been hours since I saw them being escorted back from their questioning, and my mind keeps replaying those few seconds of eye contact.I gave them a nod. Just a small acknowledgment. I don't even know why I did it.Maybe because seeing them look so broken stirred something in me. Maybe because the mate bond pulsed so strongly when our eyes met that I couldn't pretend they didn't exist.Maybe because part of me, despite everything, wanted them to know I don't hate them.I'm not sure hate is what I feel anymore."You're doing it again," Marta says beside me.I blink and realize I've been staring at the same bandage roll for the past five minutes without actually doing anything with it."Sorry." I set it down

Jason's POVI'm exhausted.Last night's meeting with Kaelen left me emotionally drained. I barely slept. My mind kept replaying the conversation, analyzing every word, every expression on his face.But I requested this meeting with Avalon. And I need to see it through.Ivan wanted to come with me again. I told him no. I need to do this one alone.He didn't like it. But he agreed. Trusting me even when it's hard for him.The same meeting room as yesterday. Morning light streams through the window. Everything looks peaceful. Deceptively so.I arrive first. Sit in the same chair I sat in yesterday. Wait.My hands are shaking slightly. I press them flat against my thighs to still them.The door opens. Avalon enters.He looks terrible. Even worse than Kaelen did. Dark circles under his eyes. His usually confident posture is gone. He moves like someone carrying a heavy weight.When he sees me sitting there alone, his eyes widen slightly."Jason. I... I thought Ivan would be here.""I asked

Kaelen's POVThe entire stronghold changed the moment Marcus Volkov arrived.I watch from my window as warriors move with sharper precision. Servants walk faster. Even the guards outside my door stand straighter, more alert.Everyone feels his presence. Like gravity shifted slightly, pulling everything toward one central point of authority.I've never seen anything like it."Are you watching him too?" Avalon asks from the doorway connecting our quarters."Hard not to. He's like a force of nature."Avalon moves to stand beside me at the window. Below, we can see the courtyard where Marcus Volkov walks with Commander Hayes. Even from this distance, you can see how Hayes defers to him. This ancient Lycan who carries centuries of tradition in every movement."Think he'll approve of Jason?" Avalon asks."I don't know. But I hope so. For Ivan's sake."We watch in silence as Marcus and Hayes disappear into the palace."We're missing everything," Avalon says quietly. "All the important moment