Chapter 423 Without Resistance

Chapter 423 Without Resistance
Hope Elara's POV

Midnight stayed front and center in my mind.

I didn't know what to say after that.

This was something I had to talk to Valduz about.

Right?

Was this betrayal?

Was that why he warned me this would end badly?

Or...

Did he mean it would end badly for Ansley?

I leaned back and replayed everything.

What Valduz had said.

What Ansley had confessed.

None of it made sense.

And yet...

There didn't seem to be anything to argue with.

"Pernicious sent me the list of everyone involved," Ansley said, breaking the silence.

"They'll all be at today's meeting."

"If you're serious about keeping this position..."

"You'll have to address them yourself."

"The same way you did before."

"You have to be assertive."

"You have to take control."

"It's the only way they'll understand who you're meant to be."

I stared ahead.

"That's not what I wanted."

She didn't hesitate.

"What you want doesn't matter anymore."

"You serve them now."

"Everything else comes second."

"They're your responsibility."

"The same way Zenep and Zoey are."

"You're their Alpha."

"The mother of everyone who depends on you for protection and guidance."

"When children misbehave..."

"You correct them."

"You put them in time-out."

"Or you send them away."

"The choice is yours."

"You'll have an elder council."

"But they're there to teach tradition."

"Not to rule you."

"You need them because you're still learning."

"One day you'll teach Zoey yourself."

"So he won't need them."

She looked at me.

"Everything you do now..."

"Will shape the kind of Alpha he becomes."

"You always have to lead by example."

"Don't cry in front of them."

"But don't be afraid to show your anger."

"Remind them what you are."

"Every chance you get."

"My father has been teaching you from his own experience."

"So has my brother."

"My mother isn't an Alpha."

"And you aren't a Luna."

"It's different for Alpha females."

"They see a mother's instincts as a weakness."

"And they've already tried to use yours against you."

She paused.

"Show them what those same instincts can do."

"Show them why a she-wolf is far more dangerous than a male when her family is threatened."

"You have my wolves."

"Give the order..."

"And they'll obey."

"I won't let anyone hurt you."

I took a slow breath.

Then nodded.

"What's the signal?"

"One finger means move."

"Two means aim."

"Three means fire."

"A circle means surround them."

She demonstrated each motion.

"Show me."

I copied her.

She frowned.

"Like you mean it, Hope Elara."

She did it again.

"Again."

I repeated the signals.

"Good."

"Remember every one."

"A single mistake can cost lives."

"Okay."

I nodded again.

We finally reached the pack.

As I reached for the door...

Ansley stopped me.

She leaned over and adjusted the protective vest over my stomach.

Making sure it covered the baby properly.

I took a slow breath.

Her scent surrounded me.

For a moment...

It felt exactly like Valduz was standing beside me.

Like it was his hands adjusting my vest.

The feeling caught me off guard.

When she pulled away, she let out a quiet sigh.

"Are you sure you don't just want to stay Nate's mate?"

"You'd still own Royal Threads."

"It would give all of us some peace of mind."

I looked at her.

"You're an Alpha."

"And you're the CEO of Valduz Enterprises."

She gave a small nod.

"I've trained for this my entire life."

"I'd die for it."

"It's in my blood."

"My father's."

"My brother's."

"I've never known anything else."

I studied her for a moment.

"If you had the choice..."

"Would you give it all up?"

"Yes."

The answer came instantly.

"I would've wanted to be a daughter."

"A sister."

"And a proper mate."

A sad smile crossed her face.

"This life takes away the part of us that makes us truly beautiful."

"I wouldn't want that for you."

She leaned back and reached for the door.

Before she could open it...

I gently placed my hand on her arm.

She looked down at it.

Then back at me.

Choose her.

Midnight's voice echoed inside my head.

For me.

For us.

That's all she needs.

I met Ansley's eyes.

"I want to make you a deal."

A faint smile touched her lips.

"I hear you like good deals."

"We have that in common."

"I don't want your money."

"I don't need it."

I shook my head.

"That's not what I'm offering."

I took a slow breath.

"I'd give this up."

"We'll train Zoey."

"When he's old enough..."

"We'll send him to that school in England."

"This pack can become part of yours."

"You can lead it however you think is right."

She looked at me carefully.

"And what do you want in return?"

"I'll teach you."

"Teach me what?"

"How to be a proper mate."

"My mate."

"You can have that."

I held her gaze.

"It's a simple yes or no."

"I'll step down."

"I'll let you and Valduz protect me."

"I'll stay as the owner of Royal Threads."

"And I won't fight either of you anymore."

Ansley slowly turned to face me.

She searched my eyes.

As if she was trying to see whether I was lying.

Without saying a word...

She got out of the car.

A second later, my door was ripped open.

Her eyes burned bright red.

"Ansley!" Valduz shouted.

She grabbed my face and pulled me close.

"Let her go, Ans!"

"You said without resistance."

Her voice was low.

Deadly calm.

"If you break that promise..."

"This deal is over."

She shoved me back.

Then turned just as Valduz reached us.

Suddenly...

Midnight took over.

Before I even realized what I was doing, I jumped out of the car.

I caught Ansley's hand.

Then spun her around.

She crashed into me.

"This is never going to be over," I growled.

With one sharp pull...

I sank my teeth into her neck.

She gasped.

I pushed her away.

She stumbled backward.

Her eyes widened in shock.

Blood trickled down her neck as she struggled to keep her balance.

"You..."

Her hand flew to the bite.

"You marked me."

Her eyes lifted toward Valduz.

"Don't look at him."

I stepped forward.

"He had nothing to do with this."

"You wanted my promise."

"Now you make yours."

I pointed at her.

"Without resistance."

"Say it."

"You marked me!" she shouted.

"Say it!"

Midnight roared through me.

Ansley's eyes slowly faded from red...

Back to green.

She clenched her jaw.

"Without resistance..."

"Alpha Valduz."

"Say it."

For a long moment...

She said nothing.

Then she finally gave in.

"Without resistance."

The instant the words left her mouth...

Midnight let me go.

Satisfied.

The world tilted slightly.

I shook my head, trying to clear it.

Ansley walked back toward me.

She gently took my elbow to steady me.

"That was scary," I admitted with a shaky laugh, pressing a hand against my chest.

"You made a promise."

"I expect you to keep it."

"Otherwise..."

"She'll be the one to remind you why you shouldn't break it."

Ansley turned toward Valduz.

"Watch her."

"She's stepping down."

"The pack is mine."

Then she looked back at me.

"And so is she."

She flashed Valduz an insulting gesture before turning to the wolves behind her.

"Carmen."

"You and your team are staying behind."

"Protect your Luna."

"Not a single scratch on her."

"Alpha."

A woman stepped forward and bowed.

When she looked at me, she dropped to one knee.

"Luna Valduz."

"My name is Carmen Yellowstone."

"Delta Two Eleven."

"Alpha Valduz has asked that you come with us to the packhouse."

"You and the Rogue King can wait for her there."

Before I could answer...

A familiar voice laughed behind me.

"That must've been one hell of a drive."

Perry grinned.

"Please..."

"Don't leave out a single detail."

"That bitch hates everyone."