Chapter One Hundred and Ninety One
THANE’S POV
I didn’t like the idea of the Raven Clan Leader in there with her. But Riley had been willing to let go of her pride and make a bargain—the very same bargain I had practically begged her for for days.
Let’s say it hurt my ego that she had so quickly accepted my terms just to have a few minutes with the man. Was he worth that much to her? If did kill him, how long would she mourn him?
That had been the question on my mind.
“That’s it, Axel; I’m going in.”
He smirked, “It had only been minutes, but I don’t like him in there with her either.”
“We’ve given her enough time, right?”
“Not quite enough; if they were ‘getting at it‘ in there, then they would need a few more minutes.” Axel taunted.
That’s the line.
I walked to the door and pulled it open.
The metallic smell of blood hit my nose triggering an instant alarm, my eyes scanned Riley frantically to make sure she wasn’t hurt.
She was fine.
Oh. If she was hurt, at least that would be my little excuse for killing the man, but well, I might have to wait for another opportunity.
Riley was wiping her mouth, and then I stared at her
She was ‘fine‘.
like I really noticed her.
As in completely healthy. A few minutes ago she had been so pale and frail I feared she might lose consciousness at any second. But now she looked completely fine.
Axel and I exchanged stares; he was thinking exactly the same thing, I could tell.
“I’ll let you free passage out of our pack, but don’t you think I don’t know you are involved in the attack,” I warned him.
The man who I now knew as Nick had a tight frown on his face.
“You can’t hold her here forever.”
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Chapter One Hundred and Ninety One
“I think it’s up to me to decide that,” I say with a small smirk.
“You don’t deserve her, Alpha King.”
“And do you? I bet marrying her was a ploy to get your pack more attention and reference.” “It is working right?” He says with a smile, “You used her too; we are no difference. I do love her, but as you said, that is not the only reason I proposed to her.”
“The only claim you have on her is the simple jewel; don’t be quick to brag.”
“You really think she would fall for you again?” wish you were there to see what she went through. For a whole month, she wouldn’t leave her room, she wouldn’t eat, the whole pack heard her cries, she always had nightmares, and she called out your name. You were never there, so don’t you think you have any claim on her, She might have loved you; she might have obsessed over you, but.I guess you taught her how to live without you. When you weren’t there, I was there for her, ready to pick up the pieces. She only started healing, and yet, here you are, ready to shed her to be pieces once again. But what you don’t know is that she is stronger than ever before.”
I wouldn’t show it, but damn if he wasn’t right. I had been a fool, and he had witnessed the pain I put her through. I should have known better, but I didn’t.
“What did you do? When we left, she had been… different,” I said, deciding to talk about something else, something that had been quite disturbing.
“By different, you mean healthy?” he questioned, and that was enough to tell me something happened in there.
“I did tell you she is not the same person you knew, didn’t I?, she’s so much more, and it’s all thanks to you,” he says.
I wasn’t going to pry for more information; I wouldn’t let him know how curious I was.
The moment Nick was out of the office, I summoned one of the soldiers. “If he returns to this pack, don’t let him in.” I ordered.
“There is a rumor about her amongst the soldiers; their egos had been wounded by the skilled fighter, a female warrior. If only they knew who she really was.” Axel says.
I had thought she fought really well, but only until now did I wonder if that was also a part of the secret she shared with Nick.
I would find out sooner than later, but now Riley would have to meet up to her own end of the bargain.
I wouldn’t let her spend a night down there.
