Chapter 71
Matthew’s POV
The emissary stood as I entered the living room. He was well–dresser, with the confident bearing of someone accustomed to power.
“Alpha Matthew,” he greeted me with a slight bow, “I am Francis Vasquez, spokesperson for the Clifflands Elder Council.
り
I gestured toward the sofa. “Please, sit.”
As we settled into our seats, I noticed that Isabelle had prepared snacks and drinks. I hoped she hadn’t been foolish enough to tamper with them – that would bring down the wrath of the Alpha King. She gave me a small smile before retreating to her room.
I still hadn’t let her move into the master bedroom. Juno’s clothes still hung in the closet, her photos still on the dresser. Isabelle had stopped complaining about it, seemingly accepting this reality.
“What brings Clifflands to my door?” I asked, cutting straight to the point.
Francis smiled diplomatically. “The Alpha King has authorized me to extend an offer of assistance. We are aware of Kieran Halloway’s aggression toward your territory. Clifflands is prepared to help you liberate your people and end his reign.”
I stared at him, momentarily speechless. Then I laughed, the sound harsh even to my own ears.
“You must be joking,” I said. “First, the people who joined Kieran did so of their own free will. I have no desire to force them back
Francis opened his mouth to respond, but I held up my hand.
“Second, let’s not forget that it was Clifflands who created this mess in the first place. You attacked us. You took our wives, daughters, and sisters.”
“That was in response to the aggression from one of your packs-” he began.
“And instead of negotiating, you launched an attack,” I cut him off. “Forestvale has suffered losses we may never recover from. So no, I will not work with the people who destroyed my home and my life.”
Francis’s expression softened in a way. “I understand your grief over losing Juno may be clouding your judgment, Alpha Matthew. I assure you, she is well cared for in Clifflands. The Alpha King personally ensures her comfort and safety.”
The implication made my blood boil, but I kept my face neutral. “My answer is no.”
Francis nodded, seemingly unsurprised. He placed a business card on the table between us. “Should you reconsider, Clifflands will
welcome your call.”
He left without another word, and I finally allowed myself to collapse into the sofa, exhaustion washing over me.
“Kieran wants to meet now,” Quinn informed me just hours later, his voice tense over the phone. “Not tomorrow. Now.”
I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache forming. “Where?”
Maddox’s place. The Emberhill Pack headquarters.”
After hanging up, I told Isabelle where I was going. Concern flashed across her face.
Is that safe?” she asked.
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Chapter 71
I noticed how hard she’d been trying lately training despite her pregnancy, attempting to fill the vold Juno had left. It was an impossible task, but I appreciated the effort.
“It’s just a talk,” I assured her, though I wasn’t convinced myself. “I’ll be back.”
She hesitated, then nodded, letting me go..
When I arrived at Maddox’s territory, I was surprised to see Kieran had come alone. Or at least, he appeared to be alone.
Maddox met me at the entrance, his expression grim. “He’s surrounded the place,” he whispered. “Be careful. Then he left us, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.
Kieran smile as he greeted me. “Matthew. So good of you to come.”
I didn’t return his smile.
Everyone cleared out of Maddox’s office, leaving just Kieran and me. remained standing, unwilling to sit in his presence.
“I’m still angry about what you’ve done,” I said bluntly. “But I’m here to negotiate peace.”
Kieran chuckled, leaning against Maddox’s desk. “You seem to be doing well enough without your Luna. How is Isabelle? Your fated mate must be a comfort in these trying times.”
I ignored his taunt. “What do you want, Kieran? Why attack us to get to Clifflands? They weren’t bothering you.”
His smile faded. “The Alpha King of Clifflands has ruined more than just your life, Matthew.”
“Is that so?” I crossed my arms. “How exactly has he wronged you?”
“Let’s not change the subject,” Kieran said smoothly. “Tell me, how is life with your fated mate? Everything you dreamed of?”
“Stop deflecting,” I growled. “Why do you hate Clifflands so much?”
Kieran’s eyes hardened. “Fine. You want to know? Let me tell you a story.”
He paced the room slowly, his movements calculated and controlled.
“When I was fifteen, Nathanael Levenston decided Fireland wasn’t paying enough taxes to Clifflands. My father refused. So they attacked, much like they did to you.”
I remained silent, watching him carefully.
“They took my mother,” he continued, his voice dropping. “My father eventually agreed to their terms, but they never returned her. Never. That’s Clifflands policy – they don’t give back what they take
The parallel to my own situation wasn’t lost on me.
“My father… he lost his mind with grief. Became a shell of himself.” Kieran’s face twisted with old pain. I had to step up as Alpha at
fifteen years old. Lost my youth, my freedom, everything.”
He stopped pacing, fixing me with an intense stare. “When I killed Nathanael, I thought I s took over. I challenged him to a duel for the title. He refused.”
I shifted uncomfortably, beginning to understand the depth of his.grudge.
be Alpha King. Instead, his son
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Chapter 71
“I decided to let it go,” Kieran continued. “Focus on “And then I met her.”
ruling Fireland. And then…” He paused, something changing in his expression.
A chill ran down my spine, though I didn’t yet understand why.
Your Luna,” he said softly. “That beautiful redhead. Seeing your mark on her neck was… an obstacle. But I figured your marriage would end eventually.”
My hands clenched into fists. “What are you talking about?”
“I planned to wait,” Kieran said, as if I hadn’t spoken. “Bide my time until I could court that red–haired beauty properly. It seemed like a good plan, especially since you’d found your fated
plate
.
His eyes flashed gold – his wolf coming to the surface. “But then Clands took her. Just like they took my mother. That’s when I stopped playing nice.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “You’re doing all this… for
a
woman you met once? That’s absurd.
Kieran shook his head, a sad smile playing on his lips. “You don’t understand, Matthew. You’re not an Alpha like me. It doesn’t matter how long I was with her or how many times I saw her.”
“What are you saying?” I demanded, a strange dread building in my gut.
Kieran met my gaze, his eyes now fully wolf–gold! “Juno is
my fated mate.”
I stared at him in shock, the words hitting me like a
physical blow. Suddenly, everything Kieran had done made perfect, terrible
sense.
This can’t be happening, I thought. But the conviction in Kieran’s eyes told me it was true.
Juno was his fated mate. And now I understood precisely why he would tear the world apart to get her back.
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