Chapter 60
Lisa’s POV
When we reached Frostbane, the sky had already begun to darken. The cool evening breeze brushed
against my skin as Rylan and I walked up the front steps of the mansion.
Alexandra was waiting at the door. Her arms were crossed and her face lit up with curiosity the second
she saw us.
“Well?” she asked eagerly. “Did you find out anything important?”
I shook my head, trying to keep my voice steady. “My father wasn’t there. And my mother… well, she
admitted that I am not her biological daughter. She said I was adopted. A warrior found me as a baby near
the northern ridge, and Alpha Alexis gave me to them. But she didn’t know anything else.”
Alexandra’s smile faded slightly, but she stepped forward and squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll keep looking. You’ll find out more about your birth parents. We just have to stay hopeful.”
I nodded quietly. Hope was hard to hold onto, but I didn’t want to give up.
She glanced down at her watch and then smiled. “Anyway, I should get going. I have a date tonight.”
Rylan raised an eyebrow. His voice was laced with disbelief. “A date?”
Alexandra grinned mischievously. “Yes. A real one. With a real man. One who actually brushes his hair and
wears shoes. Can you believe it?”
Rylan snorted. “The last time you dated someone, that i***t cheated on you with his secretary.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I remember, thank you. But this one is different. He is sweet and kind. He listens to me and respects me. I don’t think he is the cheating type.”
Rylan crossed his arms. “Still. You know I worry.”
Alexandra poked his chest. “You don’t have to be so overprotective. I’m a grown woman, Rylan. I can take
care of myself.”
Rylan sighed heavily. “I’m assigning a few guards to follow you. No arguments. It’s not up for debate.”
She groaned dramatically. “Ugh. You’re impossible.”
He ignored her and added, “Also, you’ll have to introduce him to me soon. I need to evaluate this guy
myself.”
Alexandra laughed. “You sound like a grumpy old uncle.”
He gave her a deadpan look. “I’m serious.”
She kissed his cheek. “Fine, fine. Goodnight, big brother. Don’t wait up.”
Then she winked at me. “Wish me luck, Lisa.”
“Good luck,” I said with a smile.
She waved and left. Her heels were clicking on the stone path. Rylan signaled to Fred who immediately
followed her.
I turned to him. “It’s nice that she is dating. She deserves to have fun.”
He nodded but his eyes stayed on the door. “Yeah, but I’m worried. I just don’t want her to get hurt again.”
“Maybe this time it will work out. Maybe she’ll find someone who truly makes her happy.”
Rylan sighed. “Let’s hope so.”
We went to the dining hall where dinner had already been set. Warm candlelight danced across the walls
and soft music played faintly in the background.
As we ate, Rylan did his best to cheer me up. He cracked jokes, made fun of his own cooking attempts, and even told a story about Alexandra locking him out of the training room for wearing mismatched
socks.
I laughed a few times, but my mind kept drifting.
To Kael.
To his voice.
To his eyes.
To his words.
He said that he made a mistake.
He said he regretted rejecting me.
He said Roxanne drugged him.
I stared down at my plate.
Sierra stirred inside me.
You’re thinking about him again, she said softly.
I can’t help it.
You felt it. The truthwood worked. He wasn’t lying.
But what does that mean now? What am I supposed to do with that truth?
You don’t have to decide yet. Just admit it matters.
I gripped my fork tighter.
Rylan noticed the shift in my mood. “You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?”
I looked up slowly. “I don’t want to. But yes.”
He leaned back in his chair. “You don’t owe him anything, Lisa. Not your thoughts, not your heart, not your
forgiveness.”
“I know.”
“He hurt you deeply, repeatedly.”
“I know.”
“Then why do you still look so torn?”
I didn’t answer right away.
“Because I don’t know what to feel anymore,” I whispered. “Everything is a mess.”
Rylan reached across the table and touched my hand. “You’re allowed to be confused. But don’t forget
who stood by you when no one else did.”
I met his eyes. They were steady and honest.
He was warm and safe.
“Thank you, Rylan. For everything.”
He gave me a soft smile. “Always.”
The rest of the dinner passed in comfortable silence. But inside me, nothing felt still.
Not when Kael’s voice still echoed in my ears.
Not when my heart still fluttered from memories I tried to bury.
Not when the truth had already taken root and refused to let go.
