Chapter 44: The Price of Pack Loyalty
Chapter 44: The Price of Pack Loyalty
(Elena’s POV)
“Where is he?” I asked weakly, my voice barely above a whisper.
The Kindly Patient smiled gently at me. “He left, said he had something urgent.”
The elderly werewolf thought of something and added, “Oh, right, he paid for your healing treatment, quite a
kind young man.”
I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. After regaining consciousness, I had inquired about the person who
had brought me to the healing facility, only to learn that he had already left.
But he had kindly paid my medical bills with moonlight herb treatments. I felt grateful, though I knew I might
not have the chance to repay this kindness.
The IV drip continued to flow into my system, slowly restoring my strength. My wolf Cora stirred weakly in my
mind, still recovering from the heatstroke.
I wondered who this mysterious young person could have been. In a world where pack politics dominated
everything, such genuine kindness was rare.
(Marcus’s POV)
In the afternoon, I returned to Moonhaven Estate and pushed open the Master Suite door. The room was
empty, just as I had left it this morning.
I realized that Elena had not returned. A strange anxiety began to gnaw at me.
I tried calling her phone, but it went straight to voicemail. I attempted to connect through our mate bond, but
received no response.
She had blocked me out completely again. The silence felt heavier than usual.
Remembering the remote abandoned ruins where Elena had been left, I felt a pang of worry. The area ***‘as isolated and dangerous, especially for someone weakened by stress.
I’rushed out to find her, my Alpha instincts screaming that something was wrong.
As I walked into the estate courtyard, I saw Elena walking towards me through Lantern Grove. Her pale face had regained some color in the sunset, making her look particularly beautiful.
Relief flooded through me. I felt my shoulders relax for the first time all day.
I quickly walked towards her, grabbing her wrist. The force of my Alpha grip nearly caused her to stumble into
my arms.
(Elena’s POV)
“Open your mate bond to me!” Marcus commanded harshly.
I paused for a few seconds and unblocked him. I had blocked him for quite a long time since Marcus asked
me to kneel to Sophia.
Chapter 44: The Price of P
“What happened?” Marcus asked in a deep voice.
My expression remained calm. “I was too weak.”
I explained that after David’s arrest, my emotional turmoil had drained my wolf’s energy. A kind patient at the healing facility had given me some change to take the subway back.
Walking too far, my heels were sore from the shoes, and my toes were cramped. The ten–kilometer walk in the
blazing heat had taken its toll.
Seeing my indifferent demeanor, Marcus felt a strange discomfort. “Couldn’t you have called me?”
I was surprised by his words and looked up at him. “Called you? And then what? Would you have left Sophia
to come and pick me up?”
“I would have sent Amber to pick you up,” Marcus responded.
“Then thank you,” I said with a hint of sarcasm. I pulled my hand away from his Alpha grip and walked past
him.
Marcus turned to watch me, noticing my limping gait. He frowned, trying to ignore it.
But as I was about to enter the Steel Ascent, he swept me up into his arms with his Alpha strength.
I was startled. “Marcus, what are you doing? Put me down!”
“Don’t move,” he said sternly with his Alpha authority.
I looked at him, confused. Remembering his favoritism towards Sophia and how he had left me to walk ten
kilometers in the heat, my heart grew cold.
I would no longer be passionate about him. That part of me had died today..
Inside the Great Hall, Marcus finally put me down. “I’ll get the moonlight herb healing kit.”
“If Alpha Marcus feels guilty…” I began, watching his retreating figure, “You might as well let my brother go.”
Marcus stopped and turned to look at me, his golden eyes unreadable. “Are you negotiating with me?”
“What if I am?” I retorted, meeting his gaze.
A strange look crossed the Alpha’s face. “What qualifications do you have to negotiate with me?”
“If you let him go this time, I can sever our mate bond and give the position of Luna to Sophia!” I exclaimed.
I thought he would be happy to hear that I was willing to give up my position to his beloved Sophia. After all, I
had been his reluctant mate for six years, and now he could finally be free.
And so could I.
However, I did not receive the reaction I expected. Marcus suddenly backed me against the wall, his hand gripping my chin.
His golden eyes were like ice, spreading and then quickly disappearing. “You were the one who asked Grandmother Margaret for this Luna position. Now you want to give it away?”
His voice was deadly quiet. “Elena, don’t overestimate yourself. I don’t care who Luna is. You are not qualified to negotiate with me.”
Marcus left, leaving me alone in the cold silence of the Great Hall. His words, “You are not worthy,” “You are
Chapter 44: The Price of P
not qualified,” echoed in my mind, piercing my already wounded heart.
“He doesn’t care who Luna is.” If he didn’t care, why did he treat me like this?
I slid down the wall, feeling utterly helpless. The marble was cold against my back, matching the chill in my
heart.
Two days later, Richard and Patricia Blackthorne learned that their son was being held at the Territorial
Enforcement Station for suspected k********g. They were stunned.
After visiting David at the enforcement station, they confirmed that he had indeed kidnapped and threatened
someone–Sophia Rivers.
I had just arrived at the Northern Territory Central Healing Institute when my parents were already waiting for
me at the main entrance.
“Elena!” My father strode forward and slapped me hard across the left cheek.
I was caught off guard and nearly fell. My mother quickly pulled her angry mate away.
“What are you doing!” Patricia shouted.
I endured the slap without a word, simply straightening my healer’s coat. The sting on my cheek was nothing compared to the pain in my chest.
Richard grew even more furious at my seemingly indifferent attitude. His finger trembled as he pointed at me.
“Look at her! David kidnapped that she–wolf for her sake, and this is her attitude? David is going to the
enforcement station because of her!”
“If I had known she was such a jinx, I never would have agreed to take her in-”
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