Chapter 31
The world was quiet when woke, the air soft and cool against my skin,
For a moment, I didn’t move. My body still ached–like something had been pulled from the very core of me. But the pain had dulled now, leaving behind only a strange emptiness and peace
I turned my head slowly, and there he was
Francesco.
Sitting beside my bed, elbows on his knees, hands clasped together in front of his mouth like he’d been praying. His eyes were shadowed with exhaustion, but the moment they met mine, they lit up with a flicker of relief so raw, so real, that it took my breath away
“Thank God,” he whispered, voice rough breaking with emotion.
Before I could speak, he reached forward and gently took my hand, pressing it to his lips as if grounding himself with the touch.
1 gave him a small, tired smile and reached up to cup his cheek with my other hand. His stubble brushed against my fingers, warm and real
“made you worry again,” I whispered, guilt tightening my throat. “I’m sorry”
He didn’t respond immediately, just leaned into my touch, closing his eyes like he’d been holding his breath this whole time. His silence said more than
words ever could.
Memories of earlier flooded back to me.
Audrey.
Her voice had been the last thing I heard before the darkness swallowed me whole. Panicked, sharp, almost trembling
I could still feel the way the band had snapped inside ma–violent and final.
I remembered Audrey rushing in, her warrior instincts thrown into chaos as she called out my name. The bond between us as protector and ward had pulsed with urgency, and then, with no time to spare, she mind–linked the only person she knew would come without hesitation.
Her Alpha.
Francesco
I glanced back at him now–his eyes still watching me like I might disappear again.
“I remember hearing Audrey…. “I murmured. “She was panicking. She contacted you right away, didn’t she?”
He nodded slightly, his jaw clenched. “The moment I felt the shift in the bond, I knew something had happened. Fran here. I didn’t care what I was doing I just… I had to get to you.”
“I didn’t mean to cause chaos,” I whispered, guilt washing over me again. “I just I needed to do it. I needed to be free. I choose you too. You’re my mate
only you.”
He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my lace, his fingers soft and trembling slightly. “You didn’t cause chaos, El. You caused a storm. You terrified me. But… you did what you had to do.” He paused, his voice dropping lower. “And I’ve never been more proud of you.”
My throat tightened, tears burning the back of my eyes. “Even after knowing everything?
Francesco leaned forward, resting his forehead against mine,
“Especially after knowing everything,” he said. “You chose to sever the bond. You took back your life. And now you’re mine, Ellaine. Fully. Freely. No
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more shadows between us.
I closed my eyes, letting those words sink into the deepest part of me,
And I wouldn’t want it any other way.
But wait a minute…
It took me a while to realize… this wasn’t my room. The ceiling above me was different higher, with carved wooden beams and soft light filtering through pale curtains. There was a subtle scent in the air, something earthy and masculine, laced with pine and faint smoke.
Definitely not my apartment.
I blinked and looked around slowly, the plush bedding tucked around me unfamiliar. My heart skipped a beat.
“Where are we?” I asked, my voice hoarse with confusion.
Francesco glanced around the room before meeting my eyes again. “My room,” he said softly
My eyes widened in shock. “What?”
He exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down his face. “You were hurt, EL. Again, Lucas was furious. He blamed me, said I should’ve never let you out of sight.” His voice was thick with frustration, regret, and something else–something more fragile. “He said you needed to be closer. And I agreed. Sol brought you here. To our room.”
My breath hitched. Our room.
This mah… he didn’t just protect me with his strength. He was sheltering me with his choices. With his heart.
Treached up again, stroking his cheek lovingly, feeling the warmth of his skin under my fingertips. The way he looked at me–as though I mattered more than the entire world–was almost too much to bear
“I’m sorry,” I whispered again, guilt rising like a tide in my chest.
But he shook his head, gently catching my hand in his “Don’t ever say sorry to me again,” he said, voice firm yet tender.
He paused, the weight of something unsaid hanging in the air
“Alpha Gregor’s burial will be in two days,” he said finally, his tone shifting, heavier now. “The council has arranged everything.”
My eyes widened again, sorrow twisting inside me at the mention of the late Alpha. “I hope I’m strong enough to go,” I murmured, my voice barely audible.
He turned to me with a look like I’d just grown a second head. “With your condition?” His brows furrowed, and his voice rose a fraction, “Ellaine, you’re not going
I sighed, bracing myself “Francesco—”
“No,” he cut in quickly. “You’re still weak Your soul needs at least a week to stabilize ter what you did. I won’t risk you getting worse.
I gave him a small smile, the one I knew always disarmed him. “You’ll take care of me though, right?”
He let out a groan, tilting his head back in dramatic frustration. “You’re going to kill me, donna mia..
ou’re so unfair.”
I couldn’t help but giggle softly, knowing I am winning.
“But fine,” he said at last, clearly defeated. He leaned closer, brushing his knuckles down my arm. “If you must go…you go with me. And you never laye
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Chapter 31
my side.”
“I never thought of it,” whispered, smiling wider,
And I meant it
The news about their Alpha will be go with me gone wild.
Beta Alfonso, who was usually the calmest among us, looked utterly overwhelmed.
Stacks of papers cluttered his desk, his brow constantly furrowed as he muttered under his breath about deadlines and protocols
Most of the Alpha’s human documents had long expired and needed to be renewed immediately–passports, identification, clearance papers everything. Because we were using human transportation, Francesco had to officially exist in the human system again…
It was strange seeing it all laid out like this this quiet chaos surrounding the Alpha Lycan’s sudden re–entry into the world.
I’d never seen Alfonso this rattled. Not once.
But I suppose it made sense. This would be the first time in over two decades–yes, more than two dekados–that Alpha Francesco Tom Lycaon would leave his territory. Some said he hadn’t even let his room in all that time. Most of the Alphas ruling today had never even soon his face, only heard of his legend in whispers and war stories. They’d likely forgotten what a Lycan Alpha even looked
They were in for a shock.
Even the Blackpine Pack had been left stunned when they learned the Alpha Lycan himself would be attending Alpha Gregor’s burial. What they didn’t know–what no one knew was that he wasn’t just coming as a leader. He was coming as my mate.
Our bond remained a secret, something only our closest circle understood. For now.
We would travel as a group of six Francesco and I at the center, flanked by his trusted protectors Head Warrior Marlow and Jeremy–and by mine, Audrey and Monica. Though officially they were all there for both of us, I know the truth. With my weakened condition, they were mostly there to protect me. Monica, with her medical background, was brought as my personal nurse, ready to care for me at the slightest sign of distress.
Francesco didn’t leave anything to chance,
Alfonso, meanwhile, had been tasked with leading the Halian pack in Francesco’s absence. It wasn’t an unfamiliar role for him–he had always handled much of the Alpha’s affairs, ohen acting as the bridge between Francesco and the outside world. But this time, the responsibility felt heavier, Francesco was leaving his sanctuary, his solitude, his silence–and everyone, especially Alfonso, know what that meant.
It meant something had changed.
And it had. Everything had changed,
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