I Was the Stepping Stone novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9

“Well. You’ve truly outdone yourself.”

Alaric’s eyes were bloodshot blurry.

Seeing him again after so long sent an unavoidable pang through my chest-my heart clenched so tightly I could scarcely breathe. This was the man I had loved across lifetimes. The years I spent with him still rest somewhere deep in my heart,

deeper than I could realize, deeper than death could reach. Maybe that’s why I still came back to him after living my

previous life like that.

The same man who had stripped me bare in a blizzard and abandoned me to save another woman.

He was the one who had pushed me away.

And yet here he stood, towering over us as if I were the one to be judged.

I tried to pull free from Henry’s hold, but his grip only tightened.

“He’s here for trouble,” Henry said, shielding me behind him. His voice was low, his stance protective-far more composed

than his years suggested.

“She is my woman,” Alaric snarled. “I’m taking my woman back.”

“I’ll sever your hand today if you resist. If you still refuse to step aside, I’ll take your head.”

Steel flashed as he drew his sword, its tip leveled at Henry’s throat.

Henry merely smirked. In one fluid motion, he yanked me backward, pivoted, and kicked the silver spear leaning against the wall into his grasp. Catching it midair, he twirled it with practiced ease, the blade’s edge slicing so close to Alaric’s

face that it stirred the strands of his hair.

The two men stood frozen, their auras clashing like rival storms.

Then, with a swift change of position, Henry lunged towards Alaric like a rapid leopard.

Alaric dodged the spear’s thrust, his entire body radiating lethal intent. Within seconds, the room erupted into violence-

blades clashing, furniture splintering under their fury.

“Stop! Alaric, have you lost your mind? He’s just a boy!”

Terror gripped me as I watched, certain Henry would be cut down. But Alaric, incensed that I would defend another man,

only struck harder, each swing deadlier than the last.

Yet to my shock, Henry held his ground.

By the time they broke apart, it was Alaric who bore a bleeding gash across his cheek.

“ENOUGH!” I screamed.

Alaric’s jaw tightened, his rage barely contained.

Chapter 9

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*All of this-wasn’t it just to get my attention?” he hissed. “Well, I’m here now. Drop the act and return to the the general’s

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