Chapter 123
The sky had started to dim as the black SUV raced through the winding forest road that led to the airport. Alpha Draven Blackthorn sat in the back seat, cradling a bouquet–not of fresh flowers, but of carefully folded origami roses.”
Each crease held a memory. Each petal, a prayer.}
His thumb grazed one sharp fold, reopening a shallow cut. Blood welled at the edge. He stared at it for a beat, unfazed. Pain is familiar
now.
It was impossible not to remember that night seven years ago. Back then, he had been just another cocky Alpha–in–training with too much pride and too little sense.
When Ella Moonfall had walked away after one of their epic fights, he panicked–desperate to win her back without using wealth or power.
So, instead of roses plucked from royal gardens, he bled into paper.
Ninety–nine folded apologies.
The memory flickered vividly in his mind–Ella standing under the moonlight outside her dorm at Crescent Moon Academy, arms crossed, chin raised like the proud she–wolf she was. Her scent had hit him like fire back then–wild lavender and pine. He’d stood there with trembling hands, red ears, and a heart caught in his throat.
“I’m sorry I made you mad. I’m such an idiot!“}
She’d laughed, her eyes crinkling the way they only did for him. When her fingers brushed his paper–cut hands, her amusement turned to concern in an instant.
“How dumb can you be? Apologizing and still managing to hurt yourself–what is this, a tragic attempt at pity?”
She dragged him straight to the school clinic, not letting go of his hand even once.
Since then, those paper roses had become his signature surrender, his olive branch whenever his Alpha temper got the better of him. And it always worked–Ella’s heart was stubborn, but it was also soft. At least, it had been.”
Now, as he approached the Airport, Draven stared at the bouquet. The paper was the same pale blue as before, soft to the touch. He had even made a small, intentional cut on his thumb–hoping she’d see it and scold him again, her voice half–angry, half–worried. That look in her eyes… He craved it more than anything.”
“Ella…” he rehearsed under his breath. “I know I was wrong. I should never have–no. Too cold.”
He tried again. “Ella… I’ve been such a bastard these past few years, but I never stopped-“}
His phone buzzed sharply, slicing through his thoughts. He glanced at the screen. Elder Alpha Alaric Blackthorn.
He hesitated before answering.
“Draven Blackthorn!” His father’s voice thundered through the line, shaking even his wolf. “Get your tail to the hospital. Now.“>
-0
The VIP ward of Blackthorn Medical smelled of disinfectant and tension.”
Draven had barely stepped inside when a file came flying in his face. His Alpha reflexes kicked in; he caught it midair, his jaw tightening.
“Dad, I was just about to go find Ell-“}
“Find who?” His father, Alaric, growled, his tone vibrating with suppressed fury. “Look at what you’ve done!“>
Beside him stood Freya, cradling her swollen belly, her aura pitiful and faintly sweet, like wilted honeysuckle masking something sour underneath. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her voice trembling.}
“Sir, Elder Alpha, please don’t blame Alpha Draven. It’s all my fault…”
“Silence,” Alaric snapped, eyes still pinned on his son.”
Draven’s fists clenched. “Dad…”
He knew immediately that Freya Hart had gone behind his back again and summoned the Alpha Patriarch with tales of betrayal and obligation.%
“She’s pregnant with your child,” Alaric bit out. “And this is how you take responsibility?“}
Draven’s wolf bristled inside him, snarling against the leash. “I didn’t mark her. We were never-“}
‘I don’t care what excuse you think you have,” Alaric cut him off. His voice radiated through the room. “You need to give her a proper title. This isn’t about love. It’s about legacy. About bloodlines.”!
At that, Freya’s mother dabbed at her tears dramatically. “Our Freya truly loves your son, Alpha. She only ever-”
Alaric turned toward Freya, his voice softening, falsely sweet. “Freya, why don’t you take your mother home for now? You need your rest.“>>
As soon as the door closed behind them, the temperature in the room dropped.
The act was over.
Elder Alpha Alaric turned to Draven with the gaze of an Alpha used to obedience. “You are going to do what’s best for this pack.” “I’m not marrying her. Draven’s voice was low and final, edged with steel. “I’m bringing Ella back.“”
Alaric snorted. “Bring her back?” He scoffed, straightening his posture, even in the hospital bed. “The Moonfalls fell from grace years ago. Ella can’t even bear pups anymore. What future can she offer this pack?”
Draven’s wolf surged, its canines threatening to break the skin. “You don’t speak her name with disrespect,” he warned.
But Alaric wasn’t done. “You need a Luna who can give this pack heirs. Stability. Power. Not a broken she wolf clinging to an old
But Alaric wasn’t done. “You need a Luna who can give this pack heirs. Stability. Power. Not a broken she–wolf clinging to an old
bloodline and a dying name.“}
Draven stepped forward, his eyes glowing faintly gold, his wolf pressing against the seams of his skin.
“She is not broken. And she is not dying. She is mine.”}
Alaric’s nostrils flared. For a moment, two Alpha wills collided, their power crackling in the air.
“You think I’ll just stand aside and let you ruin everything I built?“Alaric growled.”
“No,” Draven replied. “But you’ll learn–one way or another–that I’m not the scared pup who bowed to your command.“>
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