Chapter 496

[ 1,062 words ]

[Third Person].

“Do not mistake my patience for ignorance, Alpha,” she said quietly. “I already know why you did it. I am listening to see whether you will respect my granddaughter enough to grow beyond it.”

Meredith’s breath left her in a silent rush. Her grandmother wasn’t asking for a confession; she was testing Draven’s character.

Just then, the old woman leaned back slightly, tapping her walking stick once against the floor.

“Words,” she said, “are easy. Any man can claim change when love is convenient.”

Her head turned fully toward Draven. “So I will not judge you by what you say. I will judge you by what you are willing to swear.”

The room tensed instantly at her statement, her demand.

Dennis straightened. Jeffery’s expression sharpened. Even the servants seemed to still. But Draven did not look away.

“What do you ask of me?” he asked, ready to do anything asked of him.

The old woman lifted her chin. “You will take an oath,” she said. “Not before a crowd. Not before witnesses who will clap for you.”

She gestured subtly toward Meredith. “Before her.”

Meredith’s fingers curled in her lap. She thought her grandmother was going too far because she already knew and trusted Draven’s love for her; therefore, she felt there was no need for him to prove anything, worth more swearing to her.

“You will swear that you will never use my granddaughter as a tool, neither for power, nor for politics, nor for pride. That if the day comes when the crown demands her sacrifice, you will choose her over the throne.”

Draven did not hesitate. “I swear it.”

The old woman’s head tilted slightly. “And you will swear that if she ever asks to leave you—freely, without coercion, you will let her go.”

Meredith’s chest tightened sharply at that. ’This is too much. And not necessary.’

Draven inhaled once, deep and measured. “I swear.”

Silence pressed in again. Then the old woman tapped her stick once more.

“And finally,” she said, voice lower now, “you will swear that you will never raise your hand against her in anger. Not as an Alpha. Not as a husband. Not as a king.”

Draven’s jaw tightened in resolve. “I swear,” he said firmly. “On my name, and on my wolf.”

Instantly, Meredith felt something in the room shift. Her grandmother did not smile, but the air eased.

Then she leaned back, studying Draven for a long moment and spoke quietly. “Very well.”

Meredith exhaled shakily in relief. Then her grandmother turned her head slightly toward her now and placed a warm, steady hand over hers.

“You may keep him,” she said. “For now.”

Dennis blinked, wondering what that was supposed to mean, while Jeffery hid a smile behind his cup.

Draven lowered his head once, respectfully. He did not speak, but he understood that this was not forgiveness but rather permission.

A few minutes later, a soft knock sounded at the edge of the sitting area.

A woman stepped forward and bowed. “The rooms are ready, and your belongings have been placed accordingly.”

Draven turned toward the old woman and inclined his head respectfully. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

She acknowledged him with a brief nod. “You have travelled for hours. Go and freshen up. Rest a little before dinner.”

Dennis and Jeffery echoed their thanks, while Azul and Deidra bowed deeply, their gestures careful and respectful.

When Meredith’s grandmother shifted her weight and moved to stand, Meredith was already alert.

She slipped an arm beneath her grandmother’s elbow, steady and familiar. The others rose instinctively as well.

Gripping her walking stick, the old woman straightened. Then Meredith turned to Draven and said, “Go ahead. I will join you in our room later.”

Draven studied her for a moment, then nodded. He understood that, as she hadn’t seen her grandmother in years, this was the private moment to speak to her.

“I will be waiting,” he said quietly.

Meredith watched as the woman who had made the announcement led the others out. Their footsteps faded, leaving the room still.

Then her grandmother turned slightly. “Take me to my room.”

Meredith guided her through the narrow corridor, familiar despite the years. Once inside the cozy, warm bedroom, she helped her grandmother sit on the bed, set the walking stick aside, and then poured a cup of hot jasmine tea.

She handed it over carefully and sat beside her. And only then did she speak.

“Why did you make him swear?”

Her grandmother lifted the cup, inhaled the steam, and answered calmly, “Because men like him are raised to believe power excuses everything.”

Meredith frowned slightly. “Draven isn’t like that.”

“I didn’t say he was,” the old woman replied. “I said he was raised among them.”

Then, she took a slow sip. “That oath wasn’t for punishment,” she continued. “It was a line. One he will feel before he ever crosses it.”

Meredith’s expression softened. “I trust him,” she said quietly.

Her grandmother nodded. “Good. But trust does not cancel consequences.”

Next, she turned her head slightly toward Meredith, her tone gentler now. “If he ever breaks that oath,” she said, “he will not only lose you. He will lose himself.”

Meredith swallowed. She understood her grandmother’s protectiveness of her completely.

The room settled into a familiar quiet.

“I’m sorry,” Meredith said softly. “I couldn’t tell you I was coming with Draven. And I didn’t expect to bring the others.”

Her grandmother waved it off. “You were never coming alone.”

Meredith stilled. “You knew?”

“I always know things,” the old woman replied simply.

A flicker of worry crossed Meredith’s face. “But will their presence interfere with the reason you wanted me to visit you tonight?”

Her grandmother smiled, warm and reassuring. “No,” she said. “What is meant to awaken will not be stopped by witnesses.”

Meredith’s breath caught, then she frowned slightly and leaned forward. “I already have my wolf,” she said quietly. “So, what should awaken?”

Then she paused for a moment before continuing. “Or is it my curse? Is it finally going to break?”

Her grandmother did not answer right away.

Instead, she passed the cup of jasmine tea to Meredith, who took it from her hands and set it aside on the small table.

Then she clasped Meredith’s hands between her own warm and grounding palms.

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