جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 8

Today was supposed to be my bonding ceremony with Felix.I stood at the altar, watching him in his black formal wear.His gaze was drifting. Not really on me.He opened his mouth to speak, and his phone buzzed violently in his pocket.I knew his number was impossible to reach for most people. Except Willow Perkins.Willow's brother Hugo was Felix's best friend. After Hugo died saving Felix, Felix took Willow in. Took care of her himself. Down to the smallest detail.And sure enough, the second that ringtone hit, Felix's brow snapped tight. He didn't even glance at me. Just pulled out his phone.Willow's name flashed on the screen.He answered. The voice on the other end came through clear, thick with tears."Felix, I'm hurt. My leg hurts so bad, there's so much blood. Please, you have to come save me."The moment he heard she was injured, his face went white.Not a second of hesitation. He shoved the Moonstone token, the one meant for my finger, back into his pocket. His voice came out

Three days passed. Felix didn't return the money. Instead, he brought Willow straight back to our new house.Willow sat in a wheelchair, pale and fragile, looking utterly pitiful."Esme, go apply for Frost Pack to grant Willow access to the Spirit Spring for her recovery. Okay?"Felix stood in the hall, and the first thing out of his mouth was something I couldn't possibly do.I looked at him, helpless. "The Spirit Spring is Frost Pack's sacred ground. Only the pack leaders and warriors who've made great contributions can use it. Outsiders are absolutely forbidden. I'm just an accountant. How am I supposed to get you access to the Spirit Spring?"Felix seemed annoyed that I'd refused outright. "Don't you want Willow's leg to heal faster? The doctors said the Spirit Spring could help her recover. And only when her leg is better can we hold our bonding ceremony on schedule."Willow's eyes turned red at the edges. She sniffled softly."Felix, forget it. I know Esme hates me. If my leg sta

Felix's POVThe next day, Frost Pack's leader sent a formal notice to Darkmoon Pack."Effective immediately, Frost Pack hereby terminates all treaties with Darkmoon Pack. Alpha Felix of Darkmoon Pack is ordered to return the twenty million in Frost Pack warrior pension funds that was misappropriated, within three days. If payment is not received by the deadline, Frost Pack will fully withdraw technical support for the southern mining district and permanently cut off the water supply to Darkmoon Pack."The southern mining district was Darkmoon Pack's largest economic pillar for nearly half a century. Its core extraction technology relied entirely on Frost Pack's support.Even more critical was the water. Darkmoon Pack's territory sat in a semi-arid zone. Their only water source came from the living water Frost Pack channeled from the far northern glaciers.Lose both of those, and Darkmoon Pack wouldn't just face immediate economic collapse. It would threaten the entire pack's survival.

Outside the sanctuary, the wind and snow cut like blades.Felix's knees had completely sunk into the ice. Wolf blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, freezing instantly in the bitter cold."Esme, I'm returning the bracelet. I was wrong. Please, just see me one more time."His voice was hoarse, shattered by the howling wind, but every word carried clearly into the sanctuary.The cheers inside fell silent. Tens of thousands of hostile eyes locked onto the pitiful figure on the projection.I sat on the throne, my expression unchanged.Five years ago, when Felix carried me out of that ice cave, he was covered in snow and frost too. But his eyes back then had been bright as stars against the snow. I fell for him at first sight.When did Felix change?Now his eyes finally seemed to hold me again. But I no longer needed them."Esme," my father spoke, "shall I have him removed?"I shook my head. "Let him in, Father."The crowd paused, but no one objected.The future queen's command was a