All Chapters of Reborn Before the Mark: I Married His Wolfless Uncle: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

“I wanted to meet you.” Valerian allowed the confession to remain between the delegations as though it were a diplomatic term rather than a threat. Lorelai refused to reward it with surprise.“Then you have met me,” she said. “Return to the ford.”A quiet sound moved through the Noctis delegation. Valerian’s attention sharpened. Karl remained beside Lorelai, silent and visibly controlled.“The Crimson Court proposes a controlled commercial corridor beginning west of the ford and ending at the southern trade junction.”His finger traced a route along the river. It also crossed three patrol exchanges, passed within sight of a hidden supply station, and cut between the eastern reserve line and the nearest reinforcement route.“A narrow corridor,” Valerian continued. “No deviation. No military cargo. All wagons inspected at entry and exit.”“By whom?” Lorel

Caelan’s petition turned Lorelai’s rejection into evidence that she had been incapable of making it. She read the first page while Karl’s delegation broke camp.Canvas snapped beneath the morning wind. Riders tightened saddle straps around them.The High Council messenger remained near the eastern path, waiting to confirm that the summons had been received. The petition claimed Lorelai had suffered severe distress after rejecting the mate bond.That part was true. It described the pain that had doubled her over, the nights she had slept poorly, and the way familiar scent and proximity still triggered her wolf.Those details had never belonged in a Council record.Lorelai turned the page. Then came the more intimate claims. She had anticipated their marking ceremony. She had discussed the life they would share after his succession.She had reacted physically when the rejection took hold. Karl stood beside her, reading withou

“I refuse.” Lorelai’s answer crossed the Council chamber before Corinne finished presenting the examination request.Corinne turned toward her with measured concern. “Refusal may be interpreted as fear of the result.”“Then record that I fear an examination controlled by a woman competing to replace me in a position I no longer want.” A murmur moved through the tiers. Corinne’s expression remained smooth.“I am a licensed healer.”“You are also offering testimony for Caelan’s petition.” The senior Councilor raised his staff.“Lady Lorelai, the Council may require a medical assessment when capacity is disputed.”“Then appoint someone neutral.” She opened the evidence case and removed a smaller packet.“I will submit to an examination limited to physical injury caused by the rejection, current mental orientation, and evidence of e

“Did you marry Karl Ashborne freely—and do you intend to remain his wife?”The question stripped the chamber of every argument except Lorelai’s answer. Karl stood beside her without reaching for her. Caelan watched from the center circle. The rejected bond still ached, but pain was not authority.“Yes,” she said. “I married Karl freely.” Caelan’s face went rigid.“And your condition when the marriage was contracted?”“I was in pain. I was angry. I was afraid of remaining in Moonridge.” Caelan seized on the admission.“Then you were not capable—” The Councilor struck his staff against the stone.“You will remain silent.” Lorelai continued. “Pain influenced what I needed. It did not erase my ability to decide how those needs would be met.” She looked toward the marriage contract on the evidence table.“I negotiat

The riders closed both paths at once. Karl moved Lorelai behind the nearest outcrop before the first man reached the clearing. Not far. Not fully hidden.Enough to break the angle of the drawn crossbow. A bolt struck the pine where her shoulder had been.“Three east,” Karl said. “Four west.” They had not stumbled into an interception. They had been herded toward one. Lorelai looked past Karl’s shoulder.“North,” she said. “No cover.”“After the rocks.”Karl assessed the slope once. Another bolt struck stone. He seized both horses’ reins and drove the animals into the clearing as moving cover. Then he caught Lorelai’s hand and pulled her toward the northern rocks.“Go.”He pulled her across the exposed rock. They reached the slope as steel rang behind them. A rider appeared above them. Karl threw his knife. The man jerked backward.Disarmed