Chapter 167 Just Before the Howl Broke Free

Chapter 167 Just Before the Howl Broke Free


This time, Elena chose courage, not only for herself, but also for Dolphus.

She had not planned how to face her grandfather. Still, she refused to stay hidden behind Dolphus when danger rose. A she wolf could not always cower behind her mate.

She did not want Dolphus's wolf to feel the sting of her past bond with Drake. That old tie no longer owned her. She wanted her loyalty, her fire, and her devotion to belong to Dolphus alone. Her wolf had already chosen him.

Shock flashed across Dolphus's face.

He knew Elena deeply. Before this moment, he believed that if the old Gamma ordered her to leave, she would obey without pause. Her blood ran thick. The Farrington name and its honor always came first in her heart.

Dolphus had prepared himself to take the blame. He had planned to say he forced her to stay. He had braced his shoulders for that storm.

Now, her choice stunned him.

His eyes burned with raw heat. He stared at her as if hunger and wonder mixed inside his gaze, like he wanted to pull her into his soul.

“Will you stand against your grandfather for me?” he asked.

His stare pressed into her bones. She squeezed his hand, feeling his strength answer hers, then nodded once. “Let us go.”

Dolphus lost control. He pulled her close, cupped her head, and kissed her with fierce depth. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers. “Elena, remember what you said.”

At the Farrington estate, Raphael Farrington stepped out of the car, his face cold and severe. The pressure around him weighed down the house itself. Even the housekeeper felt it as the old wolf crossed the doorway.

“Have Seraphina and the children returned?” Raphael asked, sharp impatience in his tone.

“Just now, Seraphina called,” Florence replied quickly. “The children were worn out from the amusement park. Lexa fell asleep, so they stayed at the park hotel and will return tomorrow.”

“Are there proper arrangements for that?” Raphael asked again.

“Yes. The penthouse is secured. No one will disturb them,” Florence answered.

Raphael nodded and moved toward the living room. At that moment, Dolphus and Elena entered.

Sweat dampened Elena’s palms. When Raphael turned, his icy gaze sliced toward them. She forced her voice to rise. “Sir…”

Raphael ignored her. His eyes locked onto Dolphus. He lifted his cane and pointed. “You. Come upstairs.”

Elena’s breath rushed. Fear clawed her throat. “Sir, I want to come with you and explain everything to you.”

“Explain?” Raphael snapped. “Explain that this mess is your handiwork? Explain while protecting him?” His voice rose like thunder. “I thought you buried that foolish attachment after leaving Drake. Yet once life smooths out, it returns. Elena, you disappoint me.”

Without the children present, his rage spilled free.

That word struck her harder than any blow. Disappointment. Tears burned behind her eyes.

Seeing the shift, Nicholas motioned urgently. Florence and the servants withdrew at once.

“This is my fault,” Dolphus said. He pulled Elena behind him, shielding her with his body. “Wait downstairs.” Then he faced Raphael. “I will be heading to the study room.”

The servants vanished. The mansion fell silent. Only Raphael, Dolphus, Elena, and Nicholas remained.

“I know I failed you,” Elena said suddenly. She stepped forward, fists tight at her sides. Her eyes glistened red as she met Raphael's stare. “I am your granddaughter. I should explain. I never meant to hide the truth. I planned to tell you slowly after Dolphus left the family. I am sorry for making you angry.”

“Chairman,” Nicholas added carefully, “please hear them first.”

Raphael turned sharply toward Dolphus. “You want to leave this family and this company. Besides what you told me before, is Elena the reason?”

“Yes,” Dolphus answered without pause.

Raphael gripped his cane. Bitter laughter burst from him. “How fine. My adopted son. And my granddaughter.”

He stumbled back.

Elena gasped and rushed forward with Nicholas. “Sir…”

Raphael shoved her arm away.

“Chairman, sit first. I will get your medicine,” his assistant said, helping him down before hurrying upstairs.

Raphael pressed his chest and looked at Elena with fury and sorrow, then shifted his gaze to Dolphus. “When did this begin? How long have you hidden it?”

“Five or six years ago,” Elena said.

“Sixteen years ago,” Dolphus said at the same time.

Their voices collided.

Elena spun toward Dolphus in disbelief. He stood near the table, his face hard, his expression distant.

Her answer marked the night Drake forced her to drink, the night her fate twisted into Dolphus's arms.

But Dolphus's answer reached back to the day she entered the Hamilton family.

He had believed Dolphus's care came from Farrington blood ties. He assumed Dolphus protected Elena because she carried the family line. When she lay broken after the accident and the Hamilton family abandoned her, Dolphus took over her care. Raphael believed it was a duty.

Raphael let out a harsh sound. “One says sixteen years. The other says six years. Did you forget to agree on a story?”

“I loved Elena sixteen years ago,” Dolphus said steadily. “At first, I helped her because I believed my presence kept her from returning here. But as she grew, I watched her strength, her spirit. I fell without control. Sixteen years ago, I knew my heart belonged to her.”

Elena's breath trembled.

“She loved Drake then,” Dolphus continued. “Her eyes saw no one else. I wanted her happiness. I never allowed myself to weigh her down.”

Raphael's lips parted, then pressed together.

“Later, Elena woke from her long sleep. Drake lost his memory and forced her to divorce, even drugging her. That night… Aaron and Lexa were conceived.”

Raphael shot to his feet.

He had believed the children belonged to Drake.

Now the truth struck him like a blade.

Everything became clear. The rushed marriage in Russia. The fierce protection. The unbreakable bond.

Those children were Jack’s.

So the truth stood bare before him. His adopted son had already crossed the forbidden line with his granddaughter years ago, while he remained blind like a fool.

“You two… You two…” Mr. Raphael's body shook as his anger surged. His voice cracked. “Do you even understand the blood distance between you? An adopted son and a granddaughter are bound together, and now with children. How will those pups face the world if this truth leaks out? How will I stand before the pack elders? The spine of the Farrington family will snap!”

Dolphus stood firm. He spoke evenly, without fear. “That is why I chose to leave the Farrington family and Crescent Moon pack. Then Dolphus will fade from this world.”

“That will never happen!” Mr. Raphael roared. “I forbid this bond! Dolphus, do you know what waits for you once you step outside Farrington territory? If you truly care for Elena and the cubs, end this now. End it this instant!”

“Please sir…”

“I cannot,” Dolphus said before Elena could finish.

Nicholas stepped forward with water and medicine. “Chairman, please calm yourself and take this first.”

“I will not!” Mr. Raphael struck the glass aside. Water splashed across the floor. His cane lifted and pointed at Dolphus. “Kneel.”

Without delay, Dolphus bent his knees and lowered himself to the floor. His obedience cut deeper than resistance. Elena's heart twisted painfully. She rushed forward and grabbed the old wolf’s arm.

“Sir…”

“She is young,” Mr. Raphael thundered. “Her heart was ruled by instinct. But you? I raised you myself. Where was your control? Taking a girl when she was drugged. Acting like a beast with no honor. Where is your shame?”

Dolphus did not look away. “I accept my fault,” he said calmly. “But it was my only chance. The only way to break the chains around Elena and make her choose me.”

That night at the Residence Hotel had not been a weakness.

Dolphus knew that without crossing that line, there would never be a future. Elena valued the Farrington family more than herself. She would never fight unless forced to face the truth of her bond.

And time proved him right. Claiming her that night became the strongest choice he ever made.

“I do not regret it,” Dolphus said steadily.

The next moment, Mr. Raphael shoved Elena aside and struck Dolphus hard across the face. The sound cracked through the room. Dolphus’s glasses flew away. Blood filled his mouth.

“She is Seraphina's daughter,” Mr. Raphael shouted. “She is my granddaughter. My blood. She calls you uncle.”

“Grandfather, it is not only his fault. I chose him too.” Elena cried out.