Chapter 291 Something Happened
Chapter 291 Something Happened
Ella's POV
My words seemed to touch the softest part of his heart. The coldness in his eyes slowly melted away as he gazed at me for what felt like an eternity, long enough for me to think he might reject me again.
But instead, he pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly, almost crushing me into his body with a firm embrace.
“You always do this, Ella.” His voice was low and husky, tinged with a hint of affectionate sigh, echoing in my ears. “You always manage to break down all my defenses so easily.”
He let go of me but still held my hand, leading me into the room. He didn’t mention resting alone anymore; instead, he guided me to the couch by the fireplace and sat down.
“Stay with me.” He sat beside me, pulling me into his embrace, letting me rest against his chest. “But you must promise me, no matter what you hear or feel, stay here, stay by my side, and don’t go anywhere.”
“I promise.” I nodded, pressing my cheek against his solid chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, feeling a strange sense of peace wash over me.
Mason didn’t speak, just held me quietly. His fingers gently combed through my long hair, his touch incredibly tender.
I could sense that he was in a state of high alert.
Though he was sitting beside me, his will and commands had already been conveyed to his most loyal subordinates in ways I couldn’t comprehend.
Time passed, maybe an hour, maybe longer. Mason’s tense body finally showed signs of relaxation.
He lowered his head and kissed my hair.
“It’s over.”
With swift and decisive actions, he had secured his stronghold in the shortest time possible.
“The traitors…” I hesitated, unsure how to phrase it.
“Will be imprisoned in the dungeon, awaiting the council’s judgment.” His voice returned to its usual calmness. “As for those who were misled, I will give them a chance to redeem themselves. The Silverblade Pack doesn’t need cowards and traitors, but we won’t abandon anyone who still has loyalty in their hearts.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. This was the greatest mercy Mason could offer. He was a fair and just Alpha, cold but also just.
He seemed unwilling to continue the heavy topic and shifted his attention entirely to me.
He gently stroked my cheek with his fingertips, his gaze focused and tender. “Are you tired? Hungry?”
I shook my head, then nodded.
The emotional rollercoaster had left me exhausted, but thinking of the baby inside me, I felt I should eat something.
“A little.”
He chuckled softly, the sound dispelling the last bit of gloom in the room.
He stood up, walked to the door, and whispered a few instructions to the guard.
Soon, a sumptuous yet light dinner was brought in.
He didn’t let the servants assist but personally arranged the food on the table, then lifted me from the couch and placed me gently on the chair by the table.
He served me a bowl of warm soup, scooped some with a spoon, blew on it, and brought it to my lips.
“Drink some soup to warm your stomach first.”
I felt a bit embarrassed, wanting to do it myself, but he insisted.
His movements were a bit clumsy but filled with patience.
He fed me, spoonful by spoonful, like a child being cared for.
A warm feeling surged in my heart, sweet and overwhelming. The attentive and caring man before me seemed entirely different from the decisive Alpha from earlier. Yet, they perfectly merged into one, forming the Mason I deeply loved.
After dinner, he accompanied me for a slow walk around the room to help digest. He held my hand the entire time, matching his pace to mine, walking very slowly.
“Mason,” I stopped and turned to face him, “Owen said the place is full of unknowns and harsh conditions…”
He interrupted me, pulling me to the window, then turned to look at me with intense eyes.
“We can’t hide forever. The witch won’t give up; her desire for the child will follow us like a shadow. Instead of waiting for danger to come, it’s better to end this threat quickly.”
His words deeply moved me. Yes, for our child. This reason was enough to overcome all my fears. I placed my hand over his, nodding firmly.
“Alright, let’s leave now.”
He smiled with satisfaction and kissed my lips.
Just then, a hurried knock on the door interrupted the moment.
“Come in.” Mason’s voice regained its Alpha authority as he shielded me and looked towards the door.
The door opened, and Owen walked in quickly. His face was unusually grave, even more so than in the stone chamber earlier. He held a piece of freshly decoded intelligence, the paper trembling slightly in his fingers.
“Something’s happened.” Owen’s voice was hoarse and tense, skipping any formalities and getting straight to the point.
Mason’s brows furrowed immediately, pulling me closer. “Speak.”
Owen took a deep breath, as if the words he was about to say would drain all his strength. His gaze passed over Mason and landed on me, filled with pain and a kind of despair I couldn’t understand.
“I just intercepted and decoded another part of the witch’s plan. About… about the ancient bloodlines.”
Owen’s voice was incredibly strained. “She’s been not only plotting but conducting various forbidden experiments over the years. She believes many ancient bloodlines, though powerful, have certain ‘flaws.’ So, she’s trying to use her evil powers to ‘correct’ and ‘pollute’ these bloodlines to make them fit her requirements.”
My heart sank, a sense of foreboding gripping me instantly.
Owen’s gaze fixed on me, speaking each word with deliberate emphasis. “The Nachtsonne Pack’s bloodline, Ella, our bloodline is on her ‘pollution’ list.”
“What do you mean?” Mason’s cold voice carried a dangerous warning.
“This pollution, or curse, doesn’t show up normally and doesn’t harm the host. It’s like a dormant seed, lying deep within the bloodline.”
Owen’s fist clenched tightly, his knuckles white from the pressure. “But once the host becomes pregnant, this seed activates. It forms a vicious curse with one purpose: to prevent the birth of a new life with purer, stronger power from coming into this world.”