---- 410.


    MY POSSESSIVE WOLF KATHERINE Whatever mystery that small chest held, I would have to uncover itter.


    First, because we needed to go home.


    And second, because, as expected, it wouldnt open so easily.


    "Mom, is it safe to leave? The .


    the Lady Prescott, shes not in the forest with her bad son, is she?" Lavinia clung nervously to my skirt, ncing toward the ruined garden and beyond the fence.


    "Dont worry, sweetheart, Im here to protect you.


    No one will ever harm you," Elliot answered for me, lifting her protectively into his arms My heart couldnt feel warmer But, Father Duke, theres a monster out there.


    You have to be careful, its...


    its really fierce..." I twisted my lips at her words.


    Daughter, that monster is the same one holding you right now your adoptive father! Asubtleugh gleamed in Elliots eyes as he nced at me for a second.


    "Lavinia, we didnt see any monster.


    It was probably arge animal, and you got confused because of fear," he exined, downying the matter.


    ---- In the future, we would tell her, of course.


    But children arent very good at lying, and our survival depended on keeping this secret.


    Lavinia didnt look entirely convinced, but she didnt bring it up again, though her eyes continued scanning the surroundings with lingering fear.


    We''ve had breakfast.


    Now, lets go home," Elliot finally said, and we set off.


    There was no talking about our appearancewe looked like war survivors, half-dressed and filthy.


    The Duke had his feet wrapped in curtain fabric as makeshift shoes, his hair a mess, ragged but safe.


    We crossed the forest, guided by Elliot and Voraths instincts, who wouldnt stop speaking in my mind.


    His mark tingled on my nape.


    I still wasnt used to the idea of being imed by a werewolf.


    Like a united family, we left behind the dangers of the swampy area.


    No wild animal dared approach with the deadly warning of a lycan in the air.


    Finally, we reached a guard post between the forest and the castle.


    "YOUR GRACE!" The soldiers shouted from the tower as soon as they saw us and immediately started rushing toward us.


    "Donte any closer!" Elliot barked, stepping in front of me.


    His overwhelming aura instantly chilled the soldiers enthusiasm.