All Chapters of The Ruthless Alpha Who Bought Me Is My Mate : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

~~Fenrir’s POV~~The tracks were nothing out of the ordinary. There were standard deer trails and a few rabbits; nothing that called for my attention. Yet here I was, crouching down with Jarek beside me, pretending to examine evidence that did not exist.“There’s nothing here,” Jarek said flatly. “There was never anything here.”“We needed to be thorough.”“We have been thorough. For three hours.” He stood up, dusting the dirt from his knees. “You could have sent anyone to do this. Why are you out here instead of…” He trailed off, but I caught the knowing look in his eyes.“Instead of what?”“Instead of being with Lady Imogene.” He did not even try to hide the smirk on his face. “The entire pack is talking about how you spent the night in her room. And then you left before dawn to trudge through the forest looking for nonexistent threats.”I stood up too now, and gave him a look that would have made any other wolf back down. “My personal life is not pack gossip.”“It absolutely is whe

~~Imogene’s POV~~Weeks had passed since that day with Fenrir, and we spent most nights together, talking until late, exploring each other's bodies. But we both understood the value of space, of not rushing despite the intensity between us. I kept my own room, my own space, even as I found myself gravitating toward his rooms more often than not.This morning was one of those mornings when I had woken in my own bed. After washing and dressing in a simple gown of deep amber, I made my way down to breakfast. The smaller dining room had become my preferred spot, though I had grown more comfortable in the communal hall as well.Beth was there, setting out fresh bread and honey. “Good morning, Lady Imogene. Did you sleep well?”“Very well, thank you.” I took my usual seat and accepted the tea she poured. “Has Fenrir eaten yet?”“Hours ago.” She smiled knowingly. “He was up before dawn. He said something about wanting to finish training early so he could—” She stopped herself, flushing sligh

~~Imogene’s POV~~The council chamber was not as imposing as I had expected. It was a circular room with a large round table at its center, chairs arranged so that everyone seated could see each other clearly. Tall windows let in afternoon light, and the stone walls were decorated with maps of the territory and it’s surrounding regions.I arrived a few minutes early, unsure of the protocol, and found Lyric already there. She looked up from the papers she was reviewing and gave me a nod of acknowledgment when she saw me.“Lady Imogene. I’m glad you could join us.”“Call me Imogene, please.” I took a seat, choosing one that was neither too visible or too far hidden. “Thank you for allowing me to observe.”“Allowing?” Lyric’s lips quirked. “Fenrir made it clear your presence was not optional. For us, I mean. You were always welcome, but he wanted to ensure we understood that your input would be valued.”I blinked, surprised by her directness. “That is quite generous of him.”“That is typ

~~Fenrir’s POV~~I woke before dawn the next day, as usual but this morning felt different. The weight I felt in my chest was not the usual one of responsibility or the mentally draining tasks that needed completing. It was Imogene, her head resting on my shoulder, one arm thrown across my chest, as she slept peacefully. I shifted carefully, not wanting to wake her, and she made a small sound of protest, her fingers curling against my skin as if to keep me in place. That made my chest tighten so much it was almost painful.The morning light was just beginning to creep through the curtains. I watched Imogene sleep, committing this image to memory. The way her lashes cast shadows on her cheeks. The slight part of her lips. The peaceful expression that only came when she was deeply asleep, all her walls down. Right now, in this quiet morning moment, all that mattered was the woman in my arms and the truth we had spoken to each other in the dark yesterday.Imogene stirred, her breathing

~~Fenrir’s POV~~I knew Imogene was pushing herself too hard. I could see it in the shadows under her eyes, in the way she forced her smile to remain bright when I asked how the preparations were going.But I also understood why she was doing it. She needed to show the pack, and herself, that she belonged here on her own merit. Interfering too much would undermine that and confirm the very doubts she was trying to disprove.So I watched. And waited. And tried to be there when she needed me, even as frustration built under my skin at my helplessness.Three days before the festival, I found her in the main square, directing the placement of vendor booths. I watched from a distance as she consulted her notes, gave instructions to the waiting merchants, and adjusted positions to ensure proper spacing and flow.She was good at this. She had a gift for organization, for seeing the big picture while managing details. Under different circumstances, watching her work would have filled me with