Chapter 179
Drake's POV
Alaric walked toward me. His pale blue eyes locked onto mine. His silver-white hair fell forward as he crouched.
"Let's confirm what we already know," Alaric said.
His voice was soft. Almost gentle. But his eyes were cold.
He reached for the chains. His fingers moved fast. The silver fell away.
I dropped. Hard.
My knees hit the concrete floor. Pain shot through my legs. My hands slapped the ground. The burns on my wrists screamed.
"Fuck—" The word came out thick. Stupid. My tongue was still too swollen.
Can't even land properly, Ragnar said in my head.
Alaric grabbed my wrist. I tried to pull away. He held tight.
"Look at that," he said.
He turned my wrist. The burns were already healing. Skin knitting back together. Faster than they should.
My stomach dropped.
"Your healing speed proves it," Alaric said. "Your wolf is back."
We're done, Ragnar said. They know everything now.
My heart hammered. I looked up at Alaric. Those pale blue eyes saw right through me.
Casper stepped forward. His amber eyes locked onto me. The warmth in them was gone. Just cold fury.
"All of you," Casper repeated. His gaze swept the room. "Out. Now."
His jaw tightened. I felt it then. The fear. Real fear.
About time you felt something real, Ragnar said.
I wanted to argue. Couldn't. My mouth wouldn't form the words.
Casper's gaze flicked to me. Disgust flickered across his face.
"Mom. Dad." He looked at Alpha Austin. At Luna Ella. "Please. This is important."
Luna Ella's hand went to her throat. "Of course, sweetheart."
Here we go, Ragnar said. Your death sentence.
Sarah stood. Her chair scraped against the floor. Loud. Harsh.
She walked toward the door. Her red waves swung. Those green eyes blazed with something vicious.
She slowed when she passed Elowen.
Everyone held their breath. Alpha Austin's jaw clenched. Luna Ella's fingers tightened.
They all knew. Sarah was a bomb about to explode.
But Elowen just stood there. Her amber eyes were calm. Like a lake with no wind.
Sarah stopped. Right beside Elowen.
"Everyone knows now," Sarah said.
Her voice was loud. Proud. Like she'd won something.
Elowen tilted her head. "Know what?"
Her tone was bored. Like Sarah was a fly. Annoying but small.
Oh shit, I thought.
Your former lover is about to make things worse, Ragnar said. Enjoy the show.
"Stop pretending," Sarah said. Her smile was ugly. "You and Drake. Everyone knows you slept with him."
My stomach twisted. Jealousy. Guilt. All mixed up.
"And that man you've been hiding in your bedroom," Sarah continued. "Yeah. We all know about him too."
The room went silent.
Who the hell is she talking about? I thought.
How should I know? Ragnar said. You're the one who lost her.
My chest tightened. Someone else. Elowen had someone else.
Elowen laughed. Soft. Gentle.
"Ah. Okay," she said.
That was it. No denial. No tears. No anger.
Just... okay.
Casper's face darkened. Cassian's eyes narrowed. But neither spoke.
Sarah's smile faltered. "Don't turn your back on me, bitch. You don't deserve to be part of this family. You'll drag everyone into the mud with you."
"That's not your business, Sarah," Elowen said.
She turned. Walked away. Head high. Shoulders straight.
Like Sarah didn't matter.
Sarah stood there. Her face red. Her fists clenched.
Where's the fight? I thought. Where's the drama?
I'd expected screaming. Tears. A full breakdown.
But Elowen looked... powerful. Untouchable.
She's grown, Ragnar said. And you've shrunk.
I forced words out through my swollen tongue. "Fuck... you."
Each syllable was torture. My jaw throbbed.
"What was that?" Alaric asked.
He was still standing near me. Watching.
I shook my head. Couldn't speak anymore. My mouth wouldn't cooperate.
Can you read her emotions? I asked Ragnar silently.
Yes, he said.
What's she feeling?
A lot.
I gritted my teeth. What specifically?
None of your business.
Why not?
Not telling you.
I wanted to punch something. Ragnar was useless.
You're the useless one, he shot back.
People started moving. Leaving.
Ethan went first. His shoulders were tight. Uncomfortable. He didn't want to deal with this mess.
Alpha Kade followed. His black hair and amber eyes caught the light. He moved smooth. Predatory.
Casper and Cassian stared at me. Their faces showed the same thing.
You're fucked, their expressions said.
And they were happy about it.
Elowen walked to Alaric. Her hand touched his arm. Light. Familiar.
"Keep watching this traitor," she said.
Her voice was soft. But firm. A command.
I felt Ragnar stir. Angry.
She shouldn't touch other males, he growled.
Since when do you care? I shot back.
I don't, Ragnar said. But he sounded pissed.
"Ronan is safe," Elowen told Alaric. "In my room. Cassian arranged guards."
Alaric nodded. "Good."
She smiled at him. A real smile. Warm.
My chest ached.
Jealous? Ragnar asked.
Silence was my only answer.
Liar.
Everyone filed out. One by one.
Sarah shot me a look. Hateful. Scared.
Your ally is weak, Ragnar said. Should've picked better.
The door closed. Only Alaric and I remained.
He leaned close. His breath brushed my ear.
"I know your wolf is back," he whispered.
His pale blue eyes held mine. Like knives.
I didn't need Ragnar's hearing to understand.
I was trapped. Exposed.
And whatever came next would be worse than the chains.
My wrists throbbed. My tongue was still swollen. But I felt it now.
The real pain was just beginning.