BRIDE OF WRATH のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 71 - チャプター 80

ZEPHYRIt had been a month and some days since I left Aspen for London. A month and some days since anyone had seen Lyla… since I stood before my pack as Alpha. And the first question out of their mouths wasn't even about my welfare, but about my wife. The minute I stepped into the meeting hall, the whispers began.Heads turned and necks craned, eager to see if Lyla was with me, as she hadn't been the last time. Taking my seat on the high chair, I silenced the room with a long, sharp whistle. "Let's begin."Elder Scott was the first to speak, seated in the middle of the room. "You were away for over a month, Alpha," he began. His tone wasn't disrespectful, but it held a hint of curiosity. "And now you return without the Luna. She was notably absent at the last gathering as well, and we still don't know why." I didn't bother hiding my irritation. "Last I checked, my personal life isn't subject to council review."The second elder, Gabe, always eager to insert himself, raised his

Athena arrived the next morning, just after Lyla had left for work.She insisted it was time to return, that she'd missed her office, her routine… her staff. I'd missed mine too, but today, I stayed back. As the Alpha of this house, it was my responsibility to welcome a guest of Athena's stature. Troy stood beside me near the front entrance, with his arms crossed behind him, and the same unsmiling expression he always wore. Classic Troy.If he ever smiled unprovoked, hell would freeze over. The sound of tires on gravel drew our attention as a matte black cruiser pulled up the driveway and came to a stop. One of the guards got out first, moving to open the door. Athena stepped out gracefully, wearing a high-collared cream blouse tucked into wide-legged trousers, the colour matching her stilettos. Her silver hair was swept up into a loose bun, drawing attention to her neck and clavicle. Two guards and a maid who looked like she didn't want to be here followed behind. "Mr. Wrath,"

Waiting for Alice to make a mistake had led us nowhere.Patience had its limits. So when she didn't slip, we stopped waiting and decided to confront her instead. She showed up at the mansion dressed provocatively, under the impression that I'd summoned her for something else.But her confident smile dropped the moment she strutted into my study and saw Lyla seated beside me, with Troy and Garrett standing behind us, arms folded. Alice froze in the doorway, paling. "Alpha," she said, bowing her head stiffly. Her voice was ice-cold. Then with a reluctant mutter, she added, "Luna."Lyla rolled her eyes instantly at the sight of her outfit, but she didn't say a word.I gestured to the chair across from us."Take a seat, Alice."Her eyes shifted to Troy nervously, then to Garrett, before she slowly crossed the room and sat.Clearing her throat, she tried to sound curious, but her eyes were worried, and her entire body was tense. "Have I done something wrong?" she asked."You tell me,"

"Apologize to me," I whispered, unbuckling his belt slowly.He leaned back, his eyes trained on mine with a cocky, unapologetic glint."I'm sorry, mama," he drawled playfully, although I could feel the heat."You don't sound sorry," I said, still taking my time in unfastening his pants. "I'm not," he replied, still with that smirk.I fixed my straps and got off his lap, faking annoyance as I turned away.I'd barely made it two steps before I heard him push his chair back.Zephyr caught me by the waist, pulling me against him, before turning a little to clear the things on his table: files, books, papers, pens, with a glide of his arm.They scattered across the floor. He then lifted me and set me on the edge of the table, caging me in with his arms, as he leaned in."I love when you put up an attitude," he drawled sexily. "Especially a fake one."I blushed."You see, I just can't let you go, Wildflower, not especially after making such a mess on my pants," A hand slid between my thi

Athena twirled in front of the dressing room mirror, holding two dresses against her chest— one pale blue and one black."Which one screams 'I'm the princess of one of the most respected werewolf packs in Aspen, but also totally approachable and sweet?'" she asked, wiggling a brow at me."Neither," I replied with a short laugh, flipping through the rack. "But that black one does scream, 'I'm secretly into my brooding bodyguard.' Y'know, matching colours and all'" I paused what I was doing, smirking at her. "Go with the black.""I'm not into Troy," she muttered."Right. You're not," I replied flatly.After a moment, she gave in with a sigh. ''Okay, maybe a little," she admitted in a mumble.Zephyr hadn't slept much the night before, due to Stefan's message. Alex, his private investigator, had confirmed that Christina had returned to Aspen a week ago. It was her first time back since the scandal. If not for an urgent work issue that popped up early that morning, I was certain Zephyr w