Chapter 172

Chapter 172
Erin's POV

As Victor left, the room suddenly felt lighter. Alexander unclenched his fists, his expression softening from icy to gentle.

"Wow, I've never seen you talk to him like that," I said softly, still reeling from the intensity of the confrontation.

Alexander shook his head. "It was bound to happen sooner or later. For years, I've deceived myself, thinking that despite his coldness, he was at least a responsible leader." His voice deepened, "Until I discovered the truth about that fire."

"How long have you known?" I asked.

"A few months," he admitted, his blue eyes meeting mine directly. "When I discovered you were that surviving child, I was... devastated. I'm sorry, Erin, truly sorry."

"You've been carrying this burden alone?" I asked, my chest aching for his pain.

"It's the punishment I deserve." Alexander took my hand, his fingers trembling slightly. "Erin, I wanted to tell you the truth so many times," he took a deep breath, his expression vulnerable. "But I was afraid... afraid that once you knew what my father had done, you'd hate me forever."

"It wasn't your fault," I felt my eyes growing hot.

"But I'm his son!" he closed his eyes in anguish, his voice hoarse. "We share the same blood. I'm mortified by what my father did to your family." He gripped my hand tightly, "If you can't forgive me for this, I completely understand."

I gently touched his face, feeling the warmth of his skin and the roughness of his stubble. My wolf whimpered softly inside me, yearning to comfort her Alpha. "Alexander, we aren't responsible for the sins of our fathers. You helped me uncover the truth, you bravely stood by my side."

His eyes grew moist. "Erin, in my life, I've never been more certain of anything than I am now. I love you—not just because you're beautiful and brave, but because of your resilient heart."

Ignoring his pain, he half-knelt on the bed, holding my hands tightly, his gaze intense. "When I was dying in that forest, my only regret was not telling you in person: I want you to be my only mate for the rest of my life."

"Erin Jones," his voice quivered with emotion, "will you accept me as your mate? Let me spend the rest of my life making up for the harm my pack caused you, giving you all the love and respect you deserve?"

I felt tears sliding down my cheeks, my heart pounding wildly. Looking at this man who had defied everything for me, even his own father, I knew my answer couldn't be clearer.

"Yes," I whispered, leaning forward until our foreheads touched, our breaths mingling. "You're the only Alpha I want."

He cradled my face and kissed me, gentle yet possessive, as if I were the most precious thing in the world. In that moment, all the pain and struggles of the past made sense, because they had ultimately brought us together.

---

That evening, I returned to the hospital with carefully prepared sandwiches and hot soup, my mind still replaying Alexander's proposal. Just as I reached the hospital entrance, the shrill sound of sirens made me pause.

An ambulance came wailing up, medical personnel quickly wheeling out a stretcher. I glimpsed the person on the stretcher—it was Victor Ravenclaw, his face ashen. Behind the stretcher hurried a remarkably striking woman with nearly silver-white hair and stunning violet eyes.

I immediately pulled out my phone to call Alexander and inform him, then hesitantly approached the woman standing outside the emergency room.

"Excuse me," I said softly, "are you with Mr. Ravenclaw?"

She turned to me, those unusual purple eyes appraising me keenly. "Yes, I'm Frida Snow. And you are?"

"Erin Jones," I answered with slight hesitation.

"Ah," her eyes immediately softened, her lips curving into a meaningful smile. "So you're the special Omega."

The familiarity in her tone confused me. Had we met before?

"Can you tell me what happened here?" I asked cautiously, trying to understand the situation.

Frida sighed, disbelief crossing her elegant features. "It's rather absurd. I had just landed when Victor invited me to dinner. The entire process was quite... bizarre." She paused, recollecting. "He was acting strange throughout, emotional, even remorseful about being a failed father. Then suddenly," she shook her head as if she couldn't believe it herself, "he got down on one knee, pulled out a ring, and asked if I would reconcile with him."

My eyes widened, my jaw nearly dropping. "And then?"

"I told him that wasn't possible," she said calmly, with a hint of regret in her voice. "He stood up, his face turned white, and then he collapsed."

Alexander arrived quickly, though despite his attempts to hide it, I could see he was worried. He wore hospital clothes hastily covered with a robe, his face paler than usual.

I immediately went to him, gently supporting his arm. "The doctors say his condition has stabilized," I reassured him quietly.

Alexander nodded, then his eyes noticeably widened when he saw Frida. "Aunt Frida? What are you doing here?"

Frida opened her arms to embrace Alexander, genuine emotion sparkling in her eyes. "Alex, it's been a long time." She examined him carefully, her brow furrowing. "Why are you in hospital clothes? Are you injured?"

"Just a minor conflict," Alexander explained vaguely, clearly not wanting to worry her.

Frida narrowed her eyes, shaking her head. "You're just like your father, always rushing into danger."

Alexander turned to me, obviously wanting to change the subject. "Erin, this is Isabella's mother, Frida Snow from the North Peak pack."

I widened my eyes in surprise. So she was Isabella's mother.

Frida explained her reason for coming to Seattle. "I came to see Isabella and meet this boy she keeps talking about. I never expected Victor would find me."

As she spoke, Isabella rushed into the hospital lobby, her platinum blonde hair flowing behind her. "Mom?!" she exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

As Frida explained the situation, I noticed Carter nervously standing behind Isabella, constantly adjusting his shirt collar, looking ready to bolt at any moment.

Isabella looked at him tenderly. "Mom, this is Carter, my... boyfriend."

Frida immediately straightened her back, looking Carter up and down. "So you're the one who wants to mark my daughter?" she questioned sternly.

Carter's face drained of color as he stammered, "I—I have nothing but respect for Isabella, ma'am."

"In the Northern packs," Frida said sharply, "anyone pursuing a female of my bloodline must pass three tests: strength, wisdom, and loyalty."

Carter looked like he might faint, and Isabella quickly interjected, "Mom! Stop scaring him!"

To everyone's surprise, Frida's serious expression suddenly melted into a warm smile. "I'm just teasing, young man. Seeing how nervous you are for my daughter tells me your feelings are genuine."

The tense atmosphere immediately dissipated, the room filling with relieved laughter. Carter also relaxed, shakily wiping his forehead.

"Carter, your expression was priceless," I couldn't help teasing, mimicking his terrified look. "I should have taken a picture for the Christmas card."

"Ha ha, very funny, Erin," Carter rolled his eyes, but a smile was already forming at the corners of his mouth. "When you meet Alexander's family, I'll definitely get my revenge."

"Too late," I chuckled, pointing at Alexander. "I've already met the scariest one."

Alexander pretended to be hurt, pressing his hand to his chest. "I'm known for being gentle and considerate."

"Right, as gentle as a grizzly bear," Frida quipped, eliciting another round of laughter.

Alexander smiled, giving Carter a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Welcome to this crazy family."