We made sure our warriors were prepared in case we needed to mobilize quickly, and we contacted every one of our allies to let them know what was happening–just in case we required reinforcements.
I was anxiously waiting for ir to call back, so I stepped out <i>onto </i>the rear balcony that overlooked the ocean directly.
Leaning against the stone railing that lined the garden behind the castle, I stared out at the waves when I sensed someone approaching from behind.
“Hovering around me isn’t going to win you any favors,” I said.
“I know. That’s not what I’m trying to do,” Rowan replied.
“Then what are you here for?” I asked.
“I’m just observing. Looking at you, at the person you’ve be,” she said.
“Well, I didn’t get here because of you,” I told her tly.
“I know that. It was Elias. I’ve seen how he treats you–he’s fiercely protective. But you’re not someone who needs protecting, not anymore. So I’m guessing that’s a habit left over from when he first found you,<i>” </i>she guessed.
“Probably. I was in pretty bad shape back then,” I admitted.
“Yeah, your father tends to have that kind of effect on people,” she said quietly.
“Is this the part where you tell me another sad story and hope I’ll feel bad for you?” I asked.
“No, I don’t expect <i>you </i><i>to </i>feel sympathy for me, not ever. And I don’t me you for that. I did leave you behind with a monster, fully aware that he nned to use your powers. I was just too terrified to go back. I know that’s not a good enough reason…” she began.
“No, it’s not. But at least this time, it’s finally the truth,” I cut her off, turning around to face her. There was a strange expression on her face.
“Don’t think that I’m anywhere near ready to forgive you for what you did. But at least now, you’re finally admitting the real reason you didn’te back. You were scared and thinking about saving yourself,” I said coldly.
“I didn’t want to die. I’ll admit that much. But I never stopped thinking about you. I knew you were still alive. And to be honest, I truly believed he’d treat you better than he did. I didn’t
< CHAPTER 69
realize how bad it would be,” she said.
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“Well, maybe he gave you freedom. But he sure as hell didn’t give that to me,” I said.
“I am genuinely sorry. This castle was the only ce I could think of where he wouldn’t be able to track me down. If he ever finds out I’m still breathing, he’ll kill his Beta–and I owe that man my life,” she said.
“He’s still working for my dad. And he knew I was in that house the whole time. He never once tried to help me escape. I used to think he was just clueless like the rest of them. Turns out, he was just really good at pretending,” I said.
“He did what he had to in order to survive. Same as I did. Same as you<i>,” </i>she said.
“No. Don’t lump us together. What I did to survive and what you did are worlds apart. <i>You </i>ran and hid in a castle. I gave my life to a cruel Alpha and his twisted mate,” I said bitterly.
“I know. Wait, did you say mate?” she asked, sounding stunned.
“Seraphina,” I replied simply.
“That traitorous b***h,” Rowan spat.
“You know her?” I asked.
“She used to be my closest friend. When she found out what he was doing to me, she kept trying <i>to </i>persuade me to leave him,” Rowan said.
“There was only one reason she wanted you gone,” I said inly.
“Because she had her eyes on the Luna title. That conniving b***h,” Rowan said, her voice filled with venom.
“Yeah, I’vee <i>to </i>realize that this world is crawling with backstabbing bitches,” I muttered, and Rowan immediately averted her gaze when I said it.
“Lyra!” Elias’s voice called out as he came rushing through the back door.
“What?” I called back.
“ir just dropped a location pin on your phone. It’s where your dad’s pack is,” he said urgently.
“Is everyone set to move?” I asked.
“They’re packing the cars as we speak,” he said.
< CHAPTER 69
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“We’re heading straight for North Carolina. We’ll camp there until we figure out how to break into the pack,” I told him.
“Got it. Let’s go,” he said.
I dashed inside and we both raced up to our room to throw whatever essentials we could into bags before hauling them down to the car.
People had already started piling into vehicles when I nced back up at the castle. Rowan was standing in the doorway, watching us leave.
I could tell she felt remorse for what she’d done to me. But once again, she was choosing to stay behind instead of confronting my father. She kept using his Beta as a shield for her fear, saying she didn’t want him to get hurt. But that was crap. The truth was, she was still too afraid to face him herself.
“Maybe you should patch things up with her before we go. This could get really dangerous,” Elias suggested.
“She’s still too much of a coward to stand up to my dad. She hasn’t earned my forgiveness. Even now, as I prepare to go headfirst into a fight with that monster, she’s just standing there, doing nothing. She won’t even try toe with us,” I said, coldly.
“She’s terrified,” Elias said quietly. <fn2d7c> Read full story at ?ovelFind</fn2d7c>
“I’ve got more reason than her to be terrified. She went through hell for two years. I lived it for fifteen. I don’t care what excuses she makes. If she’s still hiding from him, then she’s not worth any more of my time,” I said, sliding into the car.
Elias didn’t respond. He climbed into the driver’s seat silently and started the engine. One by one, the rest <i>of </i>the cars and vans began to roll out behind us.
We were taking the entire pack because I knew this battle would demand all of us.
The only ones left behind were the children and their mothers. Everyone else was on their way to war–to take down my father and the ck witch.
The moment I managed <i>to </i>push my mother from my thoughts, I turned all my focus to the
mission at hand.
Stopping them from tearing open that portal.
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