Chapter 199

Chapter 199:

“I need to know I can stand on my own two feet,” she continued, stepping closer, her hand hovering near my arm but not quite touching. “I need to prove — to the Pack, to Braydon, to myself — that I am not just a liability waiting to be rescued. I can’t be your burden p>

She didn’t say she loved me. She said she didn’t want to be a burden. The distinction cut sharply. She wanted distance.

If I forced her to stay, I would become the monster she feared. I would be no better than the boy who had broken her.

I closed my eyes, fighting the instinct to pull her against me and never let go. When I opened them, I forced a mask of calm indifference onto my face.

“Fine,” I said, the word tasting like ash.

Adella blinked, surprised by my capitulation. “Really p>

“On two conditions,” I countered, stepping into her space until I loomed over her. “One — I approve the location. Two — my Warriors handle the security. Non-negotiable p>

“Deal,” she breathed, relief washing over her face. She looked like a bird that had just found an open cage door. “Thank you, Dallas p>

She turned and headed toward the guest room. As soon as the door clicked shut, the warmth left my eyes, replaced by glacial calculation.

She thinks she is free, Ragnar huffed.

She will be safe, I corrected him. Under my terms.

𝖮𝗋g𝘢𝗇𝘪𝘇𝘦 𝘺𝗼𝘂𝗋 𝘭𝘪𝘣r𝖺rу 𝘰n

I tapped my temple, opening a private encrypted Mind-Link channel to my Beta. “Duncan. Initiate Project Luna. The bird is leaving the nest. Make sure the cage is ready p>

“Understood, Alpha,” Duncan replied instantly.

“And Duncan,” I added, my voice dropping. “Double the search for that diary. I want it found before Braydon can use it again p>

“Already on it p>

I cut the link and turned my attention to the sprawling sofa, where Azalea was pretending to read a magazine — though her ears were twitching. She had been listening to every word.

“Azalea,” I said.

My adopted daughter looked up, feigning innocence with practiced ease. “I didn’t say anything p>

“I have a mission for you tomorrow,” I said, crossing toward her. “Adella is going apartment hunting. You are going with her p>

Azalea raised an eyebrow. “Let me guess — you want me to steer her toward a specific building p>

“Sharp as always.” I allowed a small smile. “There’s a unit at The Aurelia. Make sure she chooses it p>

“And if she doesn’t p>

“Then you haven’t inherited enough of my charm. Make her fall in love with it p>

Azalea studied me for a moment, her expression knowing. “You’re not really letting her go, are you p>

“I’m letting her have the space she needs. The security is non-negotiable.” I met her gaze evenly. “This isn’t about control. It’s about keeping her alive p>

“And the building p>

“It’s the safest residential structure in the territory. Full Pack security, reinforced infrastructure, and a direct line to command if anything goes wrong.” I paused. “Elder Eleanor manages the building. She’ll keep watch p>

Azalea’s lips curved into a slow smile. “You’ve thought of everything p>

“Almost.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. “There’s also the matter of your trust fund p>

Her eyes sharpened. “What about it p>