EPISODE 7N
I looked Ronan straight in the eyes and gave a firm nod.]
I wasn’t going to stay with him. My chest tightened, but I trusted my gut, and it was screaming for me to walk away. That single gesture, so small yet so final, made the blood drain from Ronan’s face. He stood frozen, his jaw locked tight, until Valor stepped between us with a calm, commanding presence.
“Since she doesn’t want to stay with you,” Valor said, voice low but clear, “she will be held under our custody.”
Ronan’s body tensed, his aura prickling like static in the air. His lips curled into a snarl.
“Who do you think you are?” he barked. “You think you can bring her out of my packlands without my permission?”
I held my breath. Tension crackled around us like lightning ready to strike.
But Valor only smirked, lifting his chin slightly as he met Ronan’s glare with steady eyes. Then, without warning, the atmosphere shifted. He released just enough of his alpha aura to darken the skies above our heads.
The pressure dropped.
It was like something heavy was pressing down on us from all directions, like the air had turned thick and hard to breathe. All around us, people were affected. Some dropped to their knees, others staggered back, gasping. Even the warriors, those trained to resist intimidation, couldn’t hold their ground.
This simply showed how powerful Valor is.
Ronan stood tall for a second longer, his pride refusing to yield, but his limbs began to shake beneath the weight of Valor’s presence. The air around him shimmered as he struggled against the pressure, but he wasn’t immune.
Valor’s aura wasn’t just strong. It was absolute.
“I think you misunderstand,” Valor said,
a request, Ronan. It’s a warning.“D
tone eerily calm for the power he was wielding. “I’m not asking. I’m informing you. This is not
Ronan took a step back, forced to retreat under the weight of authority he couldn’t match. His pride might have flared behind his eyes, but his body knew better. He was smart to know if it’s time to step back or forward and this time going against Valor won’t bring any good results.
Seeing that things had come to a conclusion, I decided to follow my stance. I moved to stand beside Valor, the choice solidifying in my chest like a stone sinking into still water. The pup on Dan’s arms barked, as if knowing that I am coming with them.
But before I could reach him, Mara rushed forward. Her fingers curled around my hand, her grip tighter than expected. Her eyes shimmered with moisture, but there was no warmth behind them. Only something blank and gloomy, clearly pretending to be concerned.” “Are you really choosing him?” she whispered, her voice trembling with sadness. “It’s my fault, isn’t it? You changed because of me. If I hadn’t… if i hadn’t stayed… Maybe things would’ve been different.“M
Her words didn’t move me. I’m not sure why she is apologizing but I could clearly see that she was kind of happy to know my state. I’m sure Valor could see it too, but the others would only look at Mara as if she is the most pitiful person in the room.
I tried to pull my hand away, uncomfortable with her touch, but she didn’t let go. I hated how cold her fingers felt against mine, like claws rather than comfort.
“Mara, don’t,” I muttered, trying again to pull free.M
But she clung tighter. “Please, don’t hate me. I didn’t want things to be like this. I still care about you. We can be considered sisters, weren’t we?”
Sisters? I don’t remember anything but this idea almost sent the wolf inside me to laugh in disdain.W
I said let go, I snapped, and gave her a gentle push.
To my shock, she stumbled back with an exaggerated gasp, her body twisting as if I’d shoved her with real force. She collapsed to the ground, clutching her stomach in a dramatic motion that made every eye turn toward us.
“Mara!” Flora shrieked.
Gasps echoed around the clearing.
“Why did you push her?” Flora cried, running toward her. “She’s pregnant!”
‘I didn’t- My voice faltered. My hands were still half–raised, and I saw disbelief spreading across the faces around us.W
Flora knelt beside Mara, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “If you didn’t want to come, then don’t. But pushing a pregnant woman? What kind of monster are you? She’s only concerned about you and this is the way you treat her?”
“I barely touched her! My voice cracked, panic rising in my throat. “She’s faking it!“#
Mara whimpered, curling in on herself as if she were in pain. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset her… I’m just… still feeling weak…”
“You don’t have to apologize, Flora said firmly, turning her glare on me. “Ronan, it’s better this way. Let this barren woman go. There’s no bond, no child, why hold on to something that brings nothing but pain? Take care of Mara and your baby instead.”
The word “barren” stung more than I expected.
My breath caught, the insult cutting deep. I bit my tongue, swallowing the scream trying to claw its way out. I’m not sure why but only heanng those words sent my heart to an extreme pain I almost wanted to cry.
Ronan’s expression twisted with something dark. His fists clenched, his jaw grinding as he turned toward Flora with a look of barely concealed fury. I could see he hated her words, hated being ordered around like this in front of everyone. But he didn’t say anything. Because Mara was still on the ground, still holding her belly.
7:03 PM dd ·
Because his child might be at risk.
He barked an order to a nearby wolf. “Get the healer. Now.“%
Mara played the role of the fragile mate perfectly. Her eyes stayed downcast, and she leaned into Flora’s touch like she belonged there. Like I was an outsider, Ronan looked at me one last time.
And I expected anger.
I expected cruelty or mockery or something petty.%
But what I saw was worse.
“I will come and get you back,” he said before leaving.M
