Chapter 220 Too Late


    Kirby’s POV


    The private room was a wreck, only Leiss and I remained.


    9 +8 Pearls


    I fought to restrain the murderous urge tearing through me, veins bulging at my temples, my body strung taut like a drawn bow.


    Leslie’s words echoed again and again in my head, each one a de carving me apart.


    Leiss patted my shoulder and pressed me back into the chair, setting out fresh bottles of liquor. “I know why you’re here. Drink.”


    He filled my ss, lifted his own, and downed it.


    I emptied mine in one gulp. The burn scorched down my throat, loosening my body by degrees.


    I buried my head against my knees, my shoulders trembling.


    “She rejected me again, Leiss…” My voice rasped, raw, unfamiliar even to my own ears. “It hurts


    so much…”


    Leiss frowned, unsettled by my rambling. “Do you really like Leslie that much?”


    Even in my haze, the sound of her name tore a reflexive answer from me. “Like her… I like her so much… I’d give my life to love her… but she doesn’t care!”


    My words broke, choked with remorse.


    I wanted to love her earnestly, the way she once loved me without reservation. But my chance


    was gone.


    “You’ve had enough. I’ll take you home.” Leiss sighed.


    “I want to <i>see </i>Leslie…” My voice slurred, fading into incoherence,


    “Fine<i>.</i>” Leiss exhaled helplessly, hefting me onto his shoulder.


    Leslie’s POV


    I was about to rest when my securemunicator buzzed.


    It was Leiss.


    9:12 Thu, Sep <b>18 </b>G.


    Chapter 220 Too Late


    <b>82 </b>


    +8 Pearls


    “It’s me,” his voice edged with guilt. “Kirby’s drunk. He’s outside your house. Could youe out for a moment? We’ll leave right away.”


    I fell silent, fury boiling in my chest. My voice came out like ice. “Get him out of here!”


    “Toote,” Leiss pressed, evasive. “If you won’te, I’ll leave him at your door. If he freezes to death, you’ll be responsible.”


    The line cut off before I could reply.


    I cursed under my breath, my irritation spiking.


    Was everyone around me insane?


    Father and my brothers were already asleep. Quietly, I slipped on my shoes and stepped outside.


    There he was–Kirby, slumped on the cold white jade steps of the Pack’s main estate, reeking of liquor, looking pitiful and discarded, like some abandoned hound.


    I approached silently, my gaze cool, my tone sharp. “Kirby, are you addicted to putting on a show?”


    He lifted his head. Those eyes, usually deep and guarded, were bloodshot, rimmed red.


    He stared at me, his voice hoarse, dreamlike, almost broken. “I’m sorry, Leslie… If I had another chance, I would… remember you.”


    My chest jolted, a faint tremor.


    But coldness rushed in, sweeping it aside.


    The scars he left on me–every one of them carved by his own hand.


    How could I possibly forgive?


    I opened my mouth to answer, but before I could, he toppled sideways, unconscious.


    I stood motionless, my mood sour, the past rising like a flood.


    Even in the still of night, those memories throbbed, raw and unbearable.


    Do I regret it? Of course.


    If I could have chosen, I’d rather have given up being a wolf than have met this so–called fated


    mate on Ostovia.


    9:12 Thu, Sep 18 <b>B</b>..


    Chapter 220 Too Late


    …


    :


    Then I wouldn’t have loved him. Then I wouldn’t be broken.


    I drew a long breath, my eyes burning despite myself.


    82


    +8 Pearls


    Themplight stretched our shadows together on the ground–so sharp, so unbearable to look <ol><li>at. </li></ol>


    Three years ago, had he ever been this defeated for me?


    If back then he had drunk himself into ruin over me, I would have wokenughing from the


    dream.


    But now… it was toote.


    I wiped away a tear and said tly, “Kirby, we’re even. Let’s just pretend we never knew each other.”


    He didn’t stir.


    I hesitated, then turned to leave.


    But after two steps, bitterness twisted in me. I clenched my teeth, went back, and kicked him hard in the ribs.


    Then I strode back inside and mmed the door.


    Leaning against it, I pulled out mymunicator and dialed Leiss.


    He’d shut it off.


    I tried Ryan instead. He picked up quickly.


    “It’s me,” I said, my voice cold, leaving no room for argument. “Kirby’s drunk outside my door. If you don’t want him to die here, get him out. Otherwise, I’ll have the guards throw him in the moat.”


    I cut the line without waiting for a reply.


    Less than twenty minutester, from upstairs I saw Ryan’s car pull up, then leave again.


    Atst, silence returned,


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