Chapter 165 Wolves Don’t Weep


    Leslie’s POV


    I watched Lyana, nearly unraveling before me, struggling to keep her fury in check. Her expression cracked, strained, fragile.


    So now I was supposed to feel sorry for her?


    Iughed quietly–cold and unamused.


    What was this? A pathetic attempt at moral ckmail?


    32


    Finished


    My fingers tapped lightly on the table. “Smoke Pack Alpha, don’t try to guilt me. It won’t work. Because I’m a werewolf who can live without a conscience.”


    When it came to confrontation, I never lost.


    Ten years of unrequited love? No wonder she came in like a storm ready to tear me down.


    But that didn’t make her right.


    I gazed at her seriously, all humor wiped clean.


    “Your feelings may have gone unanswered, but that’s not my fault. Eric doesn’t like you. I’m not the one who ruined anything. I was never a third party in your fantasy.”


    No one gets to im the moral high ground just because they got hurt.


    Lyana and I–we were both the ones who didn’t get chosen.


    But the difference was, I fought for it. I put my feelings out there. I hoped, openly, for Kirby’s


    affection.


    And Lyana?


    She never even tried.


    “But he likes you,” she hissed, fury ring in her eyes.


    I shook my head.


    “Alpha Lyana, please. Since when is someone else’s feelings my fault? He likes me, so I’m to me? And what about you–liking him for a decade without letting go–howe you never let him go?”


    15:51 Wed Sep 17


    Chapter T6S atares Dont Be


    Always someone else’s fault. Always the world’s to me for your heartbreak?


    What a cowardly way to live.


    Finished


    <b>I’d </b>thought she was bolder than that. Cleaner, Sharper. But behind all the sharp edges, she was just another woman hiding behind resentment.


    “Let’s end this here. I stood up slightly, voiceposed. “If you want, I can arrange a meeting with Eric. Let him be clear. We’re adults. If it works, it works. If not–don’t waste time chasing a <b>dead </b>cause. Sound fair?”


    It really was the most mature solution I could offer.


    Why spend your life chasing a ghost?


    For a second, I saw it–hesitation flickered in her eyes.


    But it vanished just as quickly.


    You just want to humiliate me in front of him, don’t you?”


    At <b>that</b>, I was done.


    I raised both hands, gaze cooling. “Then do as you wish. I did what I could. But you’ll never have footing in the capital, or in the noble circles. And certainly not in my territory.”


    That was about as obvious a dismissal as I could give.


    There was no ce for her here.


    Lyana red at me, her Alpha presence ring. “Fine, Leslie. Then don’t me me for what


    I met her gaze head–on, not blinking. “Since when were you ever polite?”


    I called out without even turning my head. “Liam, see her out.”


    For the next few days, Lyana vanished without a trace.


    Liamter reported she’d returned to Smoke Pack’s southern headquarters.


    I raised a brow. That was unexpected. Running back so easily? Didn’t seem like her style.


    Still, peace and quiet was nice for a change.


    Chapter 165 Wolves Don’t Weep


    <b>32 </b>


    Finished


    <i>“</i><i>She </i>won’t swallow that <i>insult</i>,” Asphodel murmured with amusement. <i>“</i><i>The </i><i>Smoke </i><i>Pack </i><i>Alpha </i><i>isn’t </i>the kind <i>to </i>walk away <i>quietly</i><i>.</i><i>” </i>


    I didn’t bother thinking about it. Smoke Pack had nothing to do with me.


    I had Rogue Pack to manage–and that was more than enough.


    At a business g, I walked in with Astrid at my side, our dresses shimmering faintly beneath the chandelier glow.


    I didn’t expect to bump into Eric.


    And his ever–so–charming mother–Melina Luna.


    The moment she saw me, she froze for half a second. Then, smile stered on, she rushed over to grab my hand. “Leslie! I’ve been thinking of youtely. Eric’s asked you over several times- why haven’t you


    visited?”


    <i>“</i>She’s <i>fishing</i>,” Asphodel snorted. <i>“</i><i>Smells </i><i>like guilt</i>.”


    I smiled, cool and polished. “Pack matters have kept me busy, Melina. Haven’t had time.”


    the past.


    She visibly rxed when she realized I wouldn’t bring up


    Fine. I had no interest in rehashing it either.


    A few pleasantriester, she excused herself.


    Then Eric sauntered over, that usual gleam in his eyes.


    I dropped the mask and rolled mine. “Still milking that injury?”


    He grinned, handsome and unruly as ever. “Missed me, didn’t you?”


    “This <i>one</i><i>,</i>” Asphodel scoffed, <i>“</i><i>still </i><i>as </i><i>shameless </i>as <i>ever</i><i>.</i><i>” </i>


    Send Gifts


    138