Chapter 27 27

Chapter 27 27
Chapter 27

Denary's POV

I escorted Amelia back to her chambers, though escort was a generous word. Truthfully, I barely let her take three steps without hovering at her side.

Every muscle in my body coiled tight, ready to catch Amelia if she so much as swayed. She tried to hide her weakness—the trembling in her legs, the shallow rise and fall of her chest—but I saw everything. My wolf saw everything.

And it took every ounce of control not to scoop her into my arms again.

The memory of carrying her back to my chambers flashed through my mind—her weight against my chest, her scent surrounding me, the way she'd unconsciously curled into my warmth. My wolf had almost taken control over my body. 

It was like she belonged there in my arms. 

I shoved the thought away viciously.

When we reached her door, she hesitated, fingers ghosting over the doorframe. She turned to me, and the vulnerability in her eyes nearly broke something in my chest.

"Denary... earlier, when I said I remembered something—"

"I know." My voice came out rougher than I intended.

Her throat moved as she swallowed. "I'm afraid of what else I might remember."

The confession hit me like a physical blow. She had no idea what she was saying—no idea that she should be afraid. That the truth would destroy the fragile peace between us.

I stepped closer, drawn by an invisible thread I couldn't sever. "Whatever comes, you won't face it alone."

“Liar.” my conscience whispered. When she learns the truth, she'll face it very much alone.

Her eyes lifted to mine—wide, trusting, achingly beautiful—and guilt carved through my ribs like a blade.

"Rest," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, and Mei gently guided her inside. The door closed with a soft click that echoed like a death knell.

I stood there, staring at the wood grain, feeling the weight of everything I couldn't say pressing down on my shoulders.

Then the anger returned. 

Jasmine.

That calculating snake had pushed Amelia. Threatened her maid. Looked at me like I was a prize she'd already won.

My hands clenched into fists so tight my knuckles cracked.

Enough.

I turned on my heel and stalked toward the west wing, my footsteps echoing like thunder in the quiet corridors. The two guards stationed outside Jasmine's suite straightened instantly, eyes widening.

"Leave," I growled.

They vanished.

I didn't knock. The door slammed open hard enough to rattle the frame.

Jasmine whirled around, fury already twisting her beautiful features into something ugly. "Denary, what in the world—"

"Stay away from her."

The command hung in the air between us, sharp and absolute.

Her eyes flashed. "So you came running the moment she played the helpless victim? How predictable."

"She said nothing." I stepped into the room, and something predatory must have shown in my expression because Jasmine actually retreated a step. "But I have eyes. I have ears. And I know what you did."

She recovered quickly, wrapping herself in false indignation. "What I did? She's the one throwing herself at you! Sleeping in your bed, making you look like a fool—"

"Careful." The word came out as a snarl. "Be very careful."

Jasmine's jaw clenched. "She's ruining everything. What do you expect me to do? Smile and wave while you parade your little concubine around like she matters?"

I moved so fast she gasped—suddenly inches from her face, my presence filling the room like smoke. "My patience," I said, each word carved from ice, "does not extend to threats against people under my protection."

"Under your protection?" She laughed, shrill and bitter. "Is that what we're calling it now?"

For one damning second, I hesitated.

And Jasmine saw it. Her eyes lit up with cruel triumph.

"There it is," she breathed. "You care about her.”

My spine went rigid. "What I feel is irrelevant—"

"No." She stepped closer, voice dropping to something venomous. "It's very relevant. You made promises, Denary. Our marriage is an alliance between two powerful packs. You think you can break it without consequences?"

"I don't break promises."

Her smile turned victorious.

"But," I continued, voice deadly quiet, "I never made any to you.”

The triumph shattered like glass.

"We were arranged," I said flatly. "A political convenience. Nothing more. You'll receive the respect your position requires, but you will not dictate who I protect, who I trust, or who stands by my side."

For a long moment, she just stared—rage and humiliation warring across her face.

Then she laughed. 

"You've changed, Denary."

Y”es,” thought. And I don't know if it's for better or worse.

I turned away before the anger could consume me completely. "Get some rest. There's a ceremony coming. You'll need your strength."

"Is that why you're keeping her alive?" Her voice cracked. "For appearances? So you can pretend she means nothing while you count down the days until you can cast me aside?"

I stopped in the doorway. Every muscle in my body screamed to keep walking, but her words had found their mark.

"Go to sleep, Jasmine."

I left before she could twist the knife deeper.

But as I walked through the moonlit corridors, Amelia's words haunted me like ghosts.

I think she might be my mother.

My chest constricted painfully. She was remembering. Slowly, piece by fragmented piece, the past was clawing its way to the surface.

And when she remembered everything—when she learned what I'd done, what I'd taken from her—

She would hate me.

And I would deserve every second of it.

Amelia's POV

Sleep was impossible.

Every time I closed my eyes, I was back on that cliff—wind screaming, earth crumbling, the woman's hand reaching for mine as she fell into darkness.

My chest ached with a grief I couldn't name, for a woman I couldn't fully remember.

"Are you in pain, my lady?" Mei's soft voice cut through the spiral of my thoughts.

I pressed a hand to my racing heart. "No. Just... thinking."

She moved closer, concern creasing her brow. "About Alpha Denary?"

My head whipped toward her so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash. "What? No! I mean—why would you—that's not—"

Mei's expression remained perfectly neutral.

Heat flooded my face. "Mei..."

She set down the linens she'd been folding and approached slowly, like I was a spooked animal. "He came running when you screamed last night. And today he spent hours pacing outside your door."

My heart did something strange—a painful, fluttering twist. "He did?"

"He only left when Alpha Donovan summoned him for urgent business." She paused, studying me with those knowing eyes. "He's never been like this before. Not with anyone."

I didn't know what to do with that information. Didn't know how to process the warmth spreading through my chest or the fear chasing close behind it.

Before I could untangle my thoughts, Mei's expression shifted—grew serious.

"My lady..." She lowered her voice to barely above a whisper. "The maid you saw earlier with Princess Jasmine? She's not the only one. There are others watching you."

Ice replaced the warmth in my veins. "Watching me?"

Mei nodded gravely. "Since the hunting grounds, I've noticed eyes following you. Whispers stopping when you pass. Someone wants you gone, my lady. And they're not being subtle about it anymore."

I already knew who.

Or at least, I could guess.

"I'll be careful," I promised, though the words felt hollow.

"No." Mei's voice turned fierce in a way I'd never heard before. "I'll be careful. I won't let them touch you again. Not while I draw breath."

The unexpected loyalty made my throat tight. "Thank you, Mei."

She bowed her head. "You don't need to thank me. After all..." A strange smile touched her lips. "One day, the whole pack will bow to you."

I blinked. "What does that mean?"

"You'll understand soon, my lady."

Before I could press her, a thunderous knock exploded against the door.

We both jumped.

Mei moved instantly, positioning herself between me and the door. "Who's there?"

The door swung open, and Jasper's massive frame filled the entrance.

But something about him was wrong. His usual easy confidence had vanished, replaced by something hard and urgent. His eyes found mine, and my stomach dropped.

"Amelia," he said, voice tight. "You need to come with me. Now."

Fear spiked through me. "Why? What's happened?"