Chapter 249

Chapter 249
Alexander's POV

After Victor was captured, I could finally see Elena. Our contact had been minimal since my relationship with Victor grew increasingly tense, and with her communications monitored, I was deeply concerned about her welfare.

Before returning to the city, I left Sophia in Grace's care. The poor child had been terribly frightened tonight, especially by Victor's hurtful words. I wished she never had to experience any of this.

Upon arriving back in Selene City, I headed straight for the Morgan estate. Throughout the journey, Natasha silently held my hand, as if sensing my worry and offering comfort.

"Mom! Mom, where are you?" I strode through the hallways of the Morgan estate, my pace quickening as I encountered nothing but silence.

Natasha followed closely behind, quickly checking each room we passed. "Elena? Can you hear us?" Her voice trembled slightly, clearly concerned as well.

I stopped abruptly, catching an unusual scent. "Smoke... not ordinary smoke..." I frowned, growing increasingly uneasy at its presence.

Natasha grabbed my arm. "It's coming from the garden direction. Do you think—"

"Damn it!" I immediately pulled Natasha toward the back door, fear surging through me. If Elena had been hurt... I couldn't bear to imagine what Victor might have done to my mother.

We burst through the back door, cold air hitting us instantly. Natasha shivered, pressing closer to me. Scanning the area, I suddenly noticed something unusual in the distance. "Over there!" I pointed toward flickering firelight deep in the garden.

We rushed through the shrubbery, moonlight casting eerie shadows on the ground, making the entire garden seem unfamiliar and dangerous.

"Alexander, I have a bad feeling about this..." Natasha said softly. I could feel her grip tightening on my hand. Her intuition had always been keen, and after witnessing her transformation into a Lunawolf tonight, I trusted her perceptions more than ever.

I didn't respond, just squeezed her hand and quickened my pace. My heart raced until we turned the final corner and I finally saw my mother.

She stood with her back to us before an ancient stone fire pit, her hands throwing something into the flames.

"Mom?" I softened my voice, approaching her slowly.

Elena turned around, tear tracks clearly visible on her face in the moonlight, still clutching a stack of photos. "Alexander... Natasha..." Her voice was hoarse, as though she'd been crying for hours.

Only then did I clearly see what was burning in the flames—Victor's photos. Even all the family photos nearby had been torn in half, with Victor's portions missing, presumably thrown into the fire.

"He came to see you, didn't he?" My fingertips transformed into claws. The thought that Victor might have done something to Elena sent uncontrollable anger surging through me.

Elena nodded, her hands trembling slightly. "He wanted to know where you all went... he wanted to hurt all of you..."

I took the remaining photos from my mother's hands, crumpling Victor's face into a tight ball. "Then let's make him disappear completely from our lives." I tore a wedding photo into pieces and threw it forcefully into the fire. The flames suddenly leapt higher, illuminating the faces of all three of us.

Natasha hesitantly pulled out a photo of Victor holding me as an infant. "What about this one?" she asked softly, her eyes questioning.

Mother shook her head, pain flashing in her eyes. "Burn it. It was never real anyway."

The three of us watched in silence as the photo turned to ash, firelight playing across our faces. I could feel Natasha's gaze occasionally turning toward me, full of concern.

I took off my coat and draped it over my mother's shoulders. "Are you cold? Let's go inside." I kept my voice gentle, not wanting to upset her further.

As we walked back inside, mother suddenly stopped. "My phone... the last time he caught me talking to you, he smashed my phone... I couldn't contact you in time..." Her voice was filled with self-reproach.

Natasha gently took my mother's hand. "It's okay. We're here now." I noticed her gaze falling on the scrapes across my mother's knuckles, her brow furrowing.

"Did he hurt you?" I asked through clenched teeth. If Victor had harmed my mother, I swore he would pay an even greater price.

Mother shook her head, forcing a smile. "No, dear, not in the way you're thinking. He just... threatened."

We entered the brightly lit kitchen, where mother suddenly seemed old and tired. Natasha walked toward the teapot. "I'll make some tea."

Shortly after, mother accepted a teacup from her, holding it with both hands and taking a deep breath. "He said he would destroy all of you... especially Natasha and... the baby." When she repeated Victor's words, her voice carried obvious disgust.

I could imagine that when Victor had said this, he certainly hadn't referred to Natasha and the baby in those terms. He would have used more insulting vocabulary, even for his own family.

Natasha nearly dropped her cup. I immediately stood up and took it from her hands. "He wouldn't dare!" Anger surged through me again, my wolf stirring within.

"He sent all the servants away," mother sighed.

Natasha looked down at her teacup. "It's because of me, isn't it? If I hadn't appeared in your lives..."

"No!" Elena reached out to hold Natasha's hand. "Never think that! Victor has been rotten for a long time."

I paced back and forth in the kitchen, unable to calm myself down. "I need to—"

"Sit down, Alexander," mother's voice was gentle but firm. "What you need to protect now is this family. Our future."

Seeing my mother so calm and gentle despite everything she'd been through, half of my irritation melted away.

I reluctantly sat back down, my fingers drumming on the table. "I've already sent him to prison. After his trial, will you divorce him?"

Elena gave a bitter smile. "The divorce papers have been ready for a long time... just waiting to be signed. I've been waiting for this day."

"You had everything planned..." My voice held admiration and guilt. I had always thought mother was merely enduring Victor's behavior, never imagining she had already mapped out her escape.

Mother suddenly turned to Natasha. "How are you and the baby feeling?" Her gaze fell on Natasha's slightly swollen abdomen.

Natasha seemed surprised by the concern. "I'm... I'm fine, thank you for asking."

My hand slid under the table to hold Natasha's, feeling a wave of warmth and responsibility rise within me.

Mother stood up. "Natasha, dear, could you check if the room at the end of the upstairs hallway is still in good condition? I hope it's not too messy."

Natasha nodded in confusion and left. I knew mother wanted to speak with me alone.

"She's special, isn't she?" mother said softly, removing a thin chain from her neck.

I nodded, my Adam's apple bobbing. "To me, she's one of a kind..." Thinking of Natasha's transformation tonight, my heart filled with awe and love.

Mother handed me a small velvet pouch attached to the chain. "This is your grandmother's moonstone ring. Traditionally... it's given to one's true mate."

I accepted it with shock. "Mom, are you sure? This means..."

Mother simply nodded, stroking my cheek, her eyes full of understanding and love. I felt my face redden slightly and couldn't help smiling. "Thank you, Mom," I said. "This means a lot to me."

After Natasha returned, we decided to go back to the city apartment tonight. As we said goodbye, mother embraced Natasha tightly.

I helped Natasha put on her coat. Walking toward the car, I looked back at my mother standing in the doorway, moonlight draping her in silver. She looked stronger than I had ever remembered seeing her.

"What is it?" Natasha looked at me quizzically.

I gripped the ring in my pocket, taking Natasha's hand with my other. "Just thinking... I'm glad we're together now."