Chapter 169 Where Love Refused to Yield

Chapter 169 Where Love Refused to Yield


Raphael turned the question around and let silence do the work. What sounded gentle was meant to force Elena to speak, to make her decide with her own mouth whether she would restrain Dolphus from his hunt for vengeance. If she chose that path, the Farrington family and Raphael himself would not find it easier to accept the bond between her and Dolphus.

The room stayed still for a long stretch of time.

“I do not know how deep his hatred runs,” Elena said. “I do not know if I can stop his hunt. Every wolf has a path they must walk. I have mine. I must shield my mother. I must guard the two children and protect you. He cannot stop me from doing that. He never will. If revenge is the task fate carved for him in this life, I will not chain him.”

Raphael stiffened. He had believed his words already showed compromise, yet Elena did not bend. His voice sharpened. “You are set on staying with him. Raphael tore apart a massive criminal web. There was no praise, no honor, not even the courage to let the world know that Adrian Crawford still breathes. All because the enemies were too strong. They feared revenge would reach him. They feared blood would answer blood.”

Elena stepped closer and clasped Raphael's hand. Her eyes burned red, yet her tone stayed sincere. “I have thought about all of this. To the outside world, Dolphus and I share blood ties. Even if he casts off the name Dolphus and walks as Adrian, no one would believe we would stand as mates.”

Seeing the resolve carved into her face, Raphael chose to bear every truth.

“The Crawford Group rose like a storm in Nevada and Arizona,” he said. “ Its power rivaled the Farrington Corporation. Yet Grayson Crawford still fled back to Pasadena to hide. Even then, death found him. His mate and child were dragged into that shadow. You should know how ruthless the foes he hunts truly are. They are beasts without mercy.” His head throbbed as he spoke. “Knowing this, you still choose him. You would risk the safety of this entire pack.”

“I will not leave him,” Elena replied. “But I will wait.” Her voice stayed level. “I will wait until his hunt ends. I cannot bring danger to the Crescent Moon pack.”

This was her ground.

She had chosen Dolphus. Her feet would not move from his side. She would not block his claws from striking his enemies, yet she also had lives bound to her care. She could not let desire place her family under threat. Waiting was the only path left open to her. Waiting until his vengeance was complete.

No matter how fierce the enemies standing before Dolphus, she believed he would finish what he began.

“You said that even if I never take a mate in this life, it would not matter,” she continued. “You told me to raise the two children well and lead the company with strength. I accept that. Until Dolphus completes his purpose, your plan is my plan. I only add one thing. I will wait for him.”

Her answer struck Raphael without warning.

Elena’s fingers held his hand tightly. As he studied her face, he saw the stubborn fire burning within her, his breath caught. Heat filled his eyes. Memory clawed at his chest.

After a long pause, his own words trapped him. Elena had thrown them back at him without mercy. He pulled his hand free, words failing him.

“Enough,” he snapped. “Enough. You all have plans. You weave your paths without care. “ You can go with him. I do not wish to see you now.”

In his heart, accepting their bond felt like madness. In reason, Dolphus, driven by hatred, was even less fit to stand as the Farrington heir. One wrong step could cost him his granddaughter’s life.

From the moment Dolphus wanted to walk away from the Farrington name, Raphael knew he had lost his son. He refused to lose his granddaughter as well. He would not draw danger to his daughter or to the two young cubs.

He could not accept it.

“Leave,” Raphael roared. “Take Dolphus and get out of my house.” He turned his back, denying her his gaze.

Elena did not question the words. She nodded once. “I will settle everything. I swear no harm will touch this family, I will make it right.”

After her final words, she stepped out of the Gamma's study room. She paused in the hallway and turned to Nicholas.

“Please watch over my grandfather,” she said. “Thank you for everything you do.”

Nicholas nodded at once. His lips pressed together before he spoke again. “I will. Do not worry.” He hesitated, then added carefully, “I am not family, so I know that I'm not supposed to talk. But Miss Elena, I hope you will think about your grandfather and the honor of this family.”

Elena caught his meaning at once. She bowed her head slightly. She did not argue or defend herself. Her voice came out soft but firm. “If anything happens, at any hour, call me. I will return immediately.”

Nicholas watched her walk away, knowing her answer was already set.

Downstairs, Dolphus remained on one knee in the wide living room. When he saw Elena come down the stairs, his thoughts ran wild.

Elena crossed the room without hesitation. She bent down, picked up the glasses from the floor, and helped Dolphus rise.

Dolphus took the glasses from her hand, and said,

“Did you speak with him,” he asked. “Are you going to listen and leave me?”

The way he asked exposed a deep weakness.

Dolphus knew how much the Farrington family meant to her. He believed her feelings for him could never match his hunger for her.

“Let us go home first,” she said.

Dolphus did not resist. He let her lead him out.

Elena opened the car door and spoke without looking at him. “Sit beside me. I will drive.”

Dolphus reached out with one long arm and pulled Elena from the seat onto his lap.

“Are you leaving me,” he asked. His fingers pressed harder against her cheek. “Answer me.”

Behind the glass of his lenses, his gaze slid to her lips. Those lips had answered him countless times before. Now they held his fate.

He already guessed what had happened. The old Gamma must have revealed the truth of his blood, his past, his enemies. Fear should have taken root in her heart.

He expected her to ask him to abandon revenge or abandon her.

Dolphus's hand shook. The rage coiled inside him stalled.

“I spoke with him,” Elena said. Her voice cracked. “I do not want to leave you.”

“And I will not leave you,” she continued, pushing his hand away from her cheek and resting her face in his palm. “If revenge is your path, I will not stop you. Just as you would never stop me from protecting my pack.”

“And after that,” he demanded.

“Forcing you to deny yourself would not be love,” she said. Tears spilled into his hand. “I will wait for you. I will wait until you finish and return.”

Whether he came back with blood on his hands or chose to walk away from it all, she would wait.

Dolphus's arm locked around her waist. He had prepared himself to lose her. Shock rippled through him.

“I will wait. Before you came into my world, I thought my heart was empty. Now it belongs to you.”

She had fallen long before this moment. She trusted him to catch it.

Dolphus took up the driver's seat and carried her from the garage straight into the house, they moved upward, never pausing until they reached the second floor.

“You are hurt,” Elena said, her hands tightened at his shoulders. The memory of the cane striking his back at the Farrington estate flashed in her mind.

“It is nothing,” Dolphus answered.

Her body went soft in his hold. Before she could speak again, his mouth claimed hers.

The bed caught her weight as he lay her down. Fabric slid away. She pulled him down with her, closing the space between them, letting heat and need take over.

“I am tired,” she whispered. “Let me rest.”

Dolphus hovered above her, caught her wrists, and pressed them gently over her head. His mouth brushed her lips as he spoke low. “Sleep. Do not worry about me.”

Heat spread through the room. The space around them seemed to burn.

Only a few days had passed since Elena joined the Farrington Corporation. But on this day, neither of them went out. Work followed them home. As hours moved on, Elena grew uneasy whenever they were alone. One kiss could spark everything again, leaving no space to speak calmly about tomorrow.

Her phone rang and broke the tension.

Florence spoke quickly. The RushGreen Group had sent a cooperation plan, offering only a small share to the Farrington Corporation.

“Tell Farrell's assistant that half is the lowest point,” Elena said, eyes on her watch. “There is no bargain. Then mention that I am free between four and five.”

“Understood,” Florence replied.

Elena ended the call and skimmed the proposal on her laptop. At the same time, she called Nicholas to ask about her grandfather.

When she heard his pressure was stable and he just finished his breakfast, but he was still angry, Elena spoke gently. “Please watch him closely. Call me if anything feels wrong.”

When she ended the call, her eyes opened as Dolphus lifted her onto the counter. Before he could lean in, Elena turned her head and leaned back on one hand. “How do you still have strength,” she asked, half laughing, “My mouth hurts.”

Dolphus did not retreat. He pulled her close and brushed her lips with his. “We did not finish our talk. You said you love me.”

Heat rushed to her ears. She met his gaze. Without the glasses, nothing hid him. The calm mask was gone. Hunger and focus burned clear. Just looking at him made her pulse race.

“I do love you,” she said. “Because of that, I will not block your path. When you leave the name Dolphus behind and walk as Adrian Crawford, I will wait. Our children and I will be here.”

She paused, watching his face. “You needed my answer before the birthday party. You need to know where we stand because you may be gone for a long time. Am I wrong?”

She saw the truth in his eyes. He could not deny it. Revenge ruled him. Losing her was unthinkable.

He shifted closer to kiss her, but she stopped him with her fingers. “I may need to go out soon. Vallora will likely call.”

If their lips met again, they might lose control.

“How long will you wait,” he asked.

Elena nodded. Her face turned firm. “I will wait. A month. A year. Seven years. However long it takes, I will wait for you to return.”

Dolphus pulled her closer and kissed her hard. At that instant, her phone rang.

She turned to reach for it. Dolphus cupped her face and kissed her again. The phone slipped, fell, and landed in the sink.

The sound faded. Nothing mattered but his mouth, fierce and claiming. Her body softened against him.

The ringing continued again and again.

At last, Elena found her strength. She pressed her hands to his face and pulled back just enough to breathe. Her eyes were red and unfocused.

“Stop,” she whispered. “My phone.”