hapter 117
Kieran’s POV
And what about me?” I demanded, leaning closer. “What about my peace? My happiness? Am I supposed to just sacrifice everything for a woman who doesn’t even know I exist?”
“That’s exactly what love is,” Matthew replied softly. “Putting her needs before your own.”
I stood, shaking with barely controlled rage. “I can’t do that. I won’t.”
“Then I wish you luck,” Matthew said, “but I won’t help you disrupt her life.”
“You’re a hypocrite, Harrington,” I snarled. “You lecture me about letting go while you sit here wasting away, still pining for her. Look at yourself! You’re pathetic.”
His face hardened, a flash of his Alpha dominance breaking through his misery. “Be careful, Halloway. You’re in my
territory now.”
I wanted to grab him by the throat, force him to see reason. But what was the point? He would never help me get Juno. He was too selfish, too caught in his own pain to see mine.
“Send Elton in,” I said coldly. “At least you can help him, even if you won’t help me.”
Elton entered Matthew’s office nervously, his eyes darting between us as if sensing the tension. He explained his situation quickly–how his people were struggling, how they needed work and possibly a new place to live.
“Why not take this to Clifflands headquarters?” Matthew asked. Surely the Alpha King could resolve this.”
“That bastard?” Elton spat, his anger flaring again. “He’s the problem! His men demand development taxes from my people. When we can’t pay, he sends enforcers to attack us.”
“They took three of our women last month,” he continued, his voice dropping to a growl. “Said it was payment for our
‘debts.‘ We haven’t seen them since.”
Matthew frowned. “Don’t be so quick to judge. Two days ago, enforcers came to me demanding development taxes too. I panicked, but my Beta urged me to stay calm. We contacted the Alpha King’s office. They never issued such orders. The problem lies with the Council. I suspect Alpha King doesn’t even know about the attacks on your people.”
“Are you really that naive?” Elton asked, incredulous. “The Alpha King controls everything. Nothing happens without his knowledge. And he’s marrying your ex–wife, Harrington. You think he wants Juno to see him persecuting her people? Of course he’ll deny involvement.”
I had to admit, Elton’s point made sense.
Matthew sighed. “Perhaps you’re right. Regardless, I can offer part–time work for your people. I can’t let them settle here permanently–it would be politically complicated. I don’t want problems with Clifflands.”
Elton’s face lit up, clearly not having expected even this much. “Thank you, Alpha Harrington. This means more than you know.”
As we prepared to leave, I nodded to Matthew. “Thank you for your time.”
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Chapter 117
I understood his position, even if I couldn’t accept it. But one thing was clear–1 couldn’t give up on my fated mate. I
wouldn’t.
“How do you maintain your leadership in Dawnshere?” I asked ton as we drove back to Willowbrook, genuinely curious about his situation.
Elton smiled, looking more relaxed than I’d seen him. “Riddicks pack was originally a small settlement in the Dawnshere region. My ancestors were the first Alphas there, established the earliest werewolf community.”
He gazed out the window, pride evident in his voice. “The whole area is called Dawnshere now, but my pack still maintains its identity as Riddick’s pack.”
After a pause, he added quietly, “I’ve prepared my son to take over if necessary. My daughter too, though it’s less traditional. I’d give up everything to ensure my people’s safety
I nodded, thinking of my own father who had collapsed after losing my mother. If only he had been as strong as Elton, who had continued leading even after Nathanael Levenston took his wife.
“How Old were you when it happened?” I asked, unable to curb my curiosity.
“Nineteen,” Elton replied, his voice tight. “Just nineteen. But I had twins to raise. I couldn’t fall apart.”
“Your children,” I said carefully. “Did they ever meet their mother?”
Elton’s knuckles whitened as he gripped the steering wheel. “No When I begged to at least let the children see her, he threatened to take them too.”
My respect for him grew even more. Nineteen–just a kid really losing his mate and raising children alone while leading a
pack.
“You should visit Dawnshere,” Elton suggested suddenly. “See my son and daughter. It would be my way of thanking you.
He smiled, a genuine one this time. “Dawnshere isn’t developed like Willowbrook, but it’s peaceful. Good for the soul when you’re troubled.”
“What’s it like there?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“We’re surrounded by forests and lakes,” Elton said, his voice warming. “The air is clean. At night, you can see every star in the sky. My daughter says it’s the closest thing to heaven on earth.”
I considered his offer. “That might be a good idea. I need to think, and my head’s too cluttered right now.”
“Come tomorrow,” he urged. “Stay as long as you need.”
Go to Dawnshere, Storm whispered in my mind. We need a quiet place to plan how to reclaim our fated mate.
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