Chapter 247 No Going Back

Chapter 247 No Going Back
We took two regular sedans to the small town in northern Minnesota. Aurelia looked around the plain car with disbelief.

"Is this... manual air conditioning?" she asked, wrinkling her nose.

"Welcome to undercover work," Julian replied with a smirk. "Can't exactly roll into a remote town in a Bentley with the Sterling family crest."

After a forty-five minute drive, we reached the small town with its brick storefronts, family diner, central park, and small cemetery on a hill overlooking everything.

Julian took charge immediately. "Alright, here's the plan. Kane and Elena, take the south side of town. Isadora, check the cemetery. Aurelia and I will cover the north end."

He handed each of us a photograph of an elderly couple with worried expressions.

"Show this to people, ask if they've seen them," Julian instructed. "Don't mention anything about wolves or packs."

Kane and I visited several places without success. No one recognized the couple, or if they did, they weren't saying anything.

"One more place," Kane said, pointing to a small shop with a sign reading "Margaret's Keepsakes."

A bell jingled as we entered. The elderly shop owner looked up with a smile that faded when Kane showed her the photograph.

"Oh, them. Yes, I knew them. Such a sad story," she said. "They both passed away. Him first, about six months ago. Heart attack. She followed just weeks later."

"What can you tell us about them?" Kane asked.

"They moved here suddenly, about two years ago. Kept to themselves. He would walk through town sometimes, always looking troubled. Like a man carrying a heavy burden."

"Did they ever mention family?" I pressed gently.

Margaret's eyes lit up. "Yes, actually. The old man came in here once, asked if I could help him search online for twin girls. Babies. Said they'd been placed in foster care, but he didn't know where. The poor man was nearly in tears."

My heart skipped a beat. 'Twin girls?'

Kane's face had gone completely still.

"He left something with me," Margaret continued. "Said if anyone ever came looking, I should show them."

She returned with a small envelope and pulled out a photograph. It showed two baby girls, perhaps six months old, dressed in identical but differently colored onesies – one purple, one gold.

Kane stared at the photo, his hand gripping the counter tightly.

"Did he say who these babies were?" I asked quietly.

"His granddaughters. He said they deserved to know their heritage, but he'd failed them."

We thanked Margaret and met with the others by the cars. Isadora had found the couple's graves, and Julian's group hadn't learned much more than we had.

I showed them the photograph. "The old man was searching for twin baby girls – his granddaughters."

Julian took the photo, his eyes widening slightly. Kane watched him intently, and I felt they both recognized something in that image that I couldn't see.

"What is it?" I asked.

Julian hesitated. "I need to confirm something before I can say for certain."

Suddenly, Kane stiffened, his nostrils flaring. "Bear scent," he said under his breath. "Recent. We need to leave. Now."

We moved quickly to the cars. As we drove away, Isadora asked, "Did you smell bear shifters on any of the townspeople?"

Kane shook his head. "No. But that doesn't mean they're not watching."

"The northern territory disputes have been getting worse," Julian explained. "A
pack investigating in a town with bear presence could be misinterpreted."

When we arrived back at the estate, Aurelia rushed off with the photograph while the rest of us walked toward the east wing. I turned to Kane.

"I want to speak with your parents," I said firmly.

Kane's eyebrows rose. "Even if it means defying an Alpha's wish?"

I lifted my chin. "Even then."

Kane led me to an imposing oak door in the west wing and knocked once before opening it.

Alpha Alexander was pacing the length of an elegant sitting room, while Diana sat calmly with a cup of tea.

"Finally," Alexander said, his eyes fixing on me. "I trust you're here with good news."

I took a deep breath. "Sir, I appreciate your concern for the pack and for your son. But I'm not withdrawing from the selection."

"This isn't a request," he replied, his voice deceptively soft. "This is what's best for everyone."

"With all due respect," I replied, my heart hammering, "I don't believe Valerie is what's best for your son or for this pack. She's a snake in wolf's clothing."

"You dare—" Diana began, but Kane stepped forward.

"She's right, Mother. Valerie isn't who you think she is."

Alexander's face darkened. "And you think she is better? This woman with her complicated past?"


"I love your son," I said, the words tearing from me. "I always have."


The room fell silent. Kane's gaze snapped to my face, surprise and something warmer flickering in his eyes.


Diana set down her cup sharply. "Love? What does love matter? Kane needs a mate who brings value to this pack. Valerie comes from a powerful bloodline, with connections throughout North America. What do you bring, Elena?"


"She brings herself," Kane said quietly. "And that's enough."


Alexander's jaw clenched. "Elena, leave us. I need to speak with Kane alone."


I hesitated, looking at Kane.


"Go," he said gently. "I'll see you at the ceremony tomorrow."


"You'll still let me participate in the elimination?" I asked, glancing at Alexander.


The Alpha gave a curt nod. "For now."


As I turned to leave, Kane added, "I won't see you before then. There are... preparations I need to make."


Something in his tone made me uneasy, but I nodded and left. As I walked back toward the east wing, my mind raced with questions.


Tomorrow would bring the next elimination ceremony, and with it, perhaps, some answers. But one thing was certain – I had just openly defied the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack and declared my love for his son.


There was no going back now.