Semua Bab HIS BIGGEST MISTAKE: Bab 41 - Bab 50

KAI POVMarcus found it three days into our investigation. A single financial transaction buried in hundreds of pages of records that matched exactly with a Council meeting date from six months ago. Wire transfer. Substantial amount. Originating from an account registered to Alpha Cornelius Blackwood, senior Council member and one of the most respected wolves in our entire territory system."It can't be him." Beta James was staring at the document like it might bite. "Cornelius has been on the Council for over a century. He's the one who pushed for omega protection laws. Who advocated for rogue rehabilitation programs. Everyone respects him.""Everyone respects him because he's been playing the part for a hundred years." I traced the transaction details with one finger, my gut churning. "Perfect cover. Be the voice of progressive change while secretly funding the extermination of True Alpha bloodlines. No one would ever suspect.""We need more than one transaction." Elara was pacing b

KAI POVI left Thornwood territory with every wolf who was still loyal to me. Thirty-seven warriors. Not the impressive force my father used to command. Not the hundreds of wolves who once followed the Thornwood name without question. But these thirty-seven had chosen to stay after everything. After I'd rejected my mate publicly. After half the pack defected to Elara. After I'd admitted I was wrong and started tearing down the toxic traditions my family had built for generations.These wolves believed in the version of me I was trying to become. And right now, that meant more than numbers."You sure about this?" Beta James was driving because I was too wired to focus on something as mundane as traffic laws. "Showing up at the Council chambers with armed warriors. They could call it an act of war.""They attacked Shadow Creek first." I checked my weapons for the third time. Silver blades because Cornelius had proven he wasn't invincible. Wolfsbane grenades because sometimes you needed

KAI POVThree days. Seventy-two hours of watching Elara breathe but not wake. Of monitoring her heartbeat through our bond and feeling nothing but exhaustion so deep it was like she'd disappeared somewhere I couldn't follow. Dr. Chen kept assuring me this was normal. That power exhaustion of this magnitude required days of complete rest. That her body was healing itself. That she'd wake when she was ready.I didn't believe her. Couldn't believe her. Because Elara looked dead. Pale skin. Barely moving. So still that I kept checking to make sure her chest was rising. The only thing keeping me sane was the bond between us. It was there. Steady. Carrying her exhaustion and my panic in equal measure. Proof she was alive even if she couldn't wake up.The twins were terrified. Luna hadn't stopped crying since we brought Elara home. Aiden had gone silent, which was somehow worse. Both children refused to leave her bedside except when I physically carried them out for meals and bathroom breaks

KAI POVI watched Elara accept my petition in front of the entire Council and felt something break open in my chest. Relief so profound it was painful. Joy that made it hard to breathe. Gratitude that she'd chosen me despite every reason not to. She'd said yes. Actually said yes. Agreed to complete the bond. Agreed to be mine properly instead of just tolerating me for the twins' sake.But the look on her face when Helena announced the ceremony would be within the week made me pause. She'd gone pale. Started swaying slightly like the exhaustion was catching up again. I steadied her automatically, supporting her weight while trying to figure out what was wrong."You okay?" I asked quietly while the Council continued discussing logistics. "You look like you're about to pass out.""Just tired." She leaned into me more heavily. "And overwhelmed. This is a lot to process.""Too much?" I was already second-guessing the public petition. "I shouldn't have done this in front of everyone. Should

KAI POVDay one of Elara's thirty-day test started with therapy at eight in the morning. Dr. Reeves was a no-nonsense wolf who specialized in Alpha trauma and toxic pack dynamics. She'd been recommended by Elder Iris after I'd admitted I needed professional help deconstructing everything my father had taught me. I'd been seeing her for two months already but this was different. This time Elara would be reading the session notes. Would see every ugly truth I'd been unpacking. Every admission of how damaged I'd been. Every moment of vulnerability I usually hid from everyone."Your mate wants transparency." Dr. Reeves said when I explained the new arrangement. "That's healthy. Shows she's taking your transformation seriously enough to verify it. How do you feel about that?""Exposed." I admitted. "Terrified she'll see how messed up I actually am and decide I'm not worth the effort.""And if she does?" Dr. Reeves pushed. "If she reads these notes and decides you're too broken to trust?""