Lisa’s POV_
The drive back felt endless, yet I could not bring myself to close my eyes. Every time I tried, I saw Fenric’s face. His cold eyes were staring into mine as if he could still reach for me across the distance. My body was stiff, pressed between Rylan and Kael, and though exhaustion weighed on me, relief carried me higher.
I was free.
The hum of the car was steady but my chest still felt tight. I stared at the window. My reflection was faint against the black of the night.
Sierra’s voice whispered in my head. We made it out. You’re safe.
“For now,” I whispered under my breath.
I felt Kael’s arm brush mine again. I stole a glance at him. His jaw was tense, his gaze sharp, as if he was still in battle. There was a restless energy in him like he would spring at the first
sound of trouble.
But even with that, he had saved me.
I turned to Rylan. He looked weak. His skin was pale in the dim glow of the dashboard. His breaths were shallow, but his hand rested near mine as if he was trying to reassure me even though he was the one who needed rest.
My throat tightened. I reached out and touched his arm gently. “Rylan, are you okay?”
He turned his head slightly. His lips curved faintly, though his voice was tired. “I’ll be fine, Lisa. Don’t worry.”
Before I could reply, Kael’s voice cut through. It was deep and firm. “He will be fine.”
It sounded less like comfort and more like a warning. I looked at him quickly, catching the storm in his silver eyes. He wasn’t even looking at Rylan. His gaze was fixed straight ahead but his tone was sharp.
Sierra’s amused laugh echoed inside me. He’s jealous.
No, I tried to deny it, though my heart knew better. He’s just tense.
Tense? Sierra teased. Look at him. He doesn’t like Rylan so close to you.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I didn’t answer her.
1/5
The car slowed as the trees began to thin. My pulse quickened. I knew this path. My chest swelled with relief as the Frostbane pack’s mansion came into sight. Its stone walls loomed tall, lit by the golden glow of lanterns.
I was coming back home.
The SUV rolled to a stop right in front of the main doors. Before the car had fully settled, the front doors of the mansion burst open. Alexandra came running down the steps. Her face was pale. Her braid was bouncing against her back as she rushed forward.
The moment the door opened, she threw her arms around me and Rylan both. Her hug was desperate. “Oh, thank the goddess! You’re alive….both of you.”
I felt her grip shake as she clung to me. Her words were spilling out fast. “Lisa, I am so sorry. This is all my fault. All of it.”
I blinked at her. I was stunned. “Alexandra?”
She pulled back. Her eyes were red. Her chest rose and fell quickly. “I was the one who brought that woman to make it look like Rylan was cheating on you. It was me. I did it.”
Her words hit me like a slap. My throat tightened. My hands trembled in my lap.
“I didn’t know what else to do,” she went on, her voice cracking. “Fenric… he blackmailed me. He said he would harm my mate if I didn’t obey. I was so scared, Lisa. He’s dangerous. You know what he’s capable of. I just….I thought if I did what he asked, my mate would be safe.”
Her voice broke completely then, and she covered her face with her hands. “I should have told Rylan. I should have told all of you. I was a coward. I thought I was protecting the one I loved, but instead I hurt you both. I let him use me.”
I stared at her. The truth fell into place like shattered pieces finally aligning. So it had been Fenric. Always Fenric. His schemes, his manipulation, twisting everything until I doubted the man I loved.
Relief and shame crashed through me all at once. I swallowed hard. My throat was tight.
Sierra’s voice was steady. Now you see. Rylan never betrayed you. It was Fenric’s trap all along.
I took Alexandra’s hands in mine, pulling them away from her face. Her cheeks were wet with tears. “Alexandra… it’s okay. I understand. You did it because you were scared and because you love your mate. Anyone in your place might have done the same.”
Her eyes widened. I could see the disbelief flooding them. “You… you forgive me?”
Chapter 114
Claim
I nodded. “Yes. But next time, if you ever find yourself in such a situation, you must talk to Rylan first. You can’t let fear make your choices for you. You’re not alone, Alexandra. Don’t carry burdens like that on your own.”
She sobbed again, but this time it was softer, like the weight was lifting. “Thank you. Thank you, Lisa.”
gave her a small and sad smile. “It’s alright.”
When I turned, my eyes found Rylan. He stood only a few steps away. He was watching me with something raw in his gaze. There was pain, love and hope.
My heart clenched. I took a step toward him, my words trembling. “Rylan… I’m so sorry. I doubted you. I doubted us. I should have known better. I should have trusted you. I should
have known you could never cheat on me.”
His eyes softened instantly. He reached for me and pulled me into his arms. His lips found mine in a kiss that was desperate and full of longing. The moment our mouths touched, tears pricked my eyes. It felt like a piece of me was being restored.
But then….
A low grunt came from behind us.
We pulled apart. I was startled. I looked over my shoulder. Kael stood there. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest and there was a stormy expression on his face. His jaw was set hard. His silver eyes became dark.
Sierra purred inside me. He’s jealous again. He can’t stand you kissing Rylan.
Heat rushed into my cheeks.
I pulled away from Rylan gently and went to Kael. “Kael,” I said softly. “Thank you. For saving us. You risked your life going against Fenric, and I’ll never forget it. You didn’t have to, but you did.”
His eyes softened just a little. The storm was easing. His voice was deep. “I would do it again. Without hesitation. You don’t need to thank me.”
Something inside me twisted. My chest tightened with emotion I couldn’t name.
Rylan stepped forward then. I saw the flicker of dislike in his eyes but his voice came out steady. “Kael… thank you. You saved Lisa, and you saved me. I owe you.”
Kael’s gaze flicked to him. He appeared cool and unreadable. He didn’t answer right away. Then, after a beat, he said, “Prepare some rooms for me and my men. We’ll be staying here
tonight.”
Rylan stiffened. His brows drew down. “You’re not going back to Nightshade?”
Kael shook his head. His voice was firm, final. “No. I’ll stay here. To make sure Lisa is safe.”
Tension hung thick in the air. I saw the muscle in Rylan’s jaw tighten, the argument rising in his throat. But I touched his arm and shook my head softly.
His chest rose as he sighed heavily. “Fine. You’re welcome to stay.”
The words were forced but he said them anyway.
Morana, who had been silent until now, leaned forward slightly. “Lisa, I will return tomorrow morning. I’ll bring Althea’s diary. It will help you understand the truth better than my words alone.”
I nodded quickly. I could feel the emotion swelling in my chest again. “Thank you, Morana. For everything. I don’t know how to repay you.”
She gave me a small smile. “Live. That will be enough.”
Her words lingered in me even as Rylan slipped an arm around my shoulders and led me toward the house. The familiar scent of the Frostbane mansion wrapped around me.
Inside, Rylan gave instructions quickly to the maids. “Prepare guest rooms for Kael and his men.” His voice was clipped but firm.
I felt Kael’s gaze burning into me. I turned slightly and found his silver eyes locked on me.
Before I could say anything, Rylan swept me into his arms, bridal style. My gasp caught in my throat as I clutched his shoulders.
He looked down at me. There was a small smile tugging at his lips. “You’re home, Lisa. Let me carry you inside.”
Sierra hummed with warmth in my mind. He’s staking his claim. Making sure Kael sees who you belong to.
I glanced over Rylan’s shoulder. My heart skipped a beat. Kael stood there, his face dark with jealousy, his eyes flashing silver in the light. He didn’t say a word but the look on his face said everything.
