Chapter 117
[ 519 words ]
Chapter 117:
She pressed her face into my chest, and her burning tears seeped through my shirt. “Every night, I have nightmares. I dream those disgusting werewolves overseas drag me into a battered van, then throw me into a cramped room that’s dark and damp, and…” She broke off, unable to continue, trembling uncontrollably in my arms.
My heart gave way, and my arms, rigid until then, slowly settled against her back.
Every bit of it had really happened.
If she hadn’t saved me back then, Ivy would never have been captured by the rival pack, and she would never have endured that living hell.
у𝗈𝘂r 𝖽a𝗶𝗅𝘺 𝖽о𝗌𝘦 𝗈𝘧 𝘯𝗼𝗏еl𝗌 𝗼ո 𝗴a𝘭𝗻ov𝖾𝗅𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗆
It was a mental wound she would carry forever, and I could never repay the debt I owed her for saving my life.
As an Alpha, I understood that protecting the person who had saved me was both my instinct and my duty.
“That’s all over now. Stop thinking about it.” I rubbed her back, my voice easing. “I’ll keep you safe. There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ll call the doctor and ask her to examine you, okay?”
Ivy kept sobbing, still rattled, her hands gripping me tightly.
I didn’t speak again and steered her toward the car, keeping her supported and close to me as I tried to take her away from this place first.
Just as I was helping her into the car, something by a stone pillar some distance away caught the edge of my vision.
Lianne was standing there.
I had no idea how long she had been there. The faint light in the garage spilled across her face, making her look deathly pale.
She stood there, watching me hold Ivy and care for her so tenderly.
At that instant, a stabbing pain tore through my chest, so fierce that I could barely breathe.
“Go to her! Explain everything!” Arthur’s voice roared through my mind, telling me Lianne was on the verge of breaking down.
I parted my lips, ready to say her name.
But Ivy gripped my hand tightly, her eyes brimming with dependence and pleading.
On one side was the debt I owed for her saving my life. On the other was the pull of the mate bond written into my instincts.
In the end, reason won over instinct.
I hardened my heart, looked away, and shut the car door.
Lianne’s POV
Watching Ethan walk away, I stood behind a concrete pillar in the underground garage and let out a quiet sigh.
Instead of the crushing pain I had expected, all I felt was a calm sense that it was over.
I had known for a long time that the instant Ivy even frowned, he would give in to her without hesitation.
I no longer had any hope for him, so there was no room left for disappointment. All that remained was a faint, indescribable sense of emptiness.
Just as I had thought, no matter how capable I was or how successful the Sparkle project became, to Ethan, I would never measure up to a single tear from Ivy.
I still loved him. That love was etched into my bones, pulsing dully with that cursed mate bond.
But I had already stopped daring to expect anything from him.
.
.
.
If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.