Chapter 303 Chapter 303


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    I frowned slightly. Her wording was deliberate. Not proximity to power, or to the packhouse, to me.


    "Kieran wanted eyes in Silver Fang," I said inly. "Someone close enough to matter. My parents agreed. They believed aligning me with your brother would gain favor with Kieran and restore our standing."


    The wordsnded with quiet rity.


    It seemed that ire wasn''t an anomaly. Kieran liked to employ spies, apparently.


    "I was meant to be a spy," she finished. "He wanted to track Silver Fang''s ns, their ambitions, through me."


    "I see. Why are you telling me this now?"


    "This was all nned a long time ago," she exined. "Over a year. But when you agreed to the arrangement only to dy time and again, my family became concerned. They started to worry that you''d somehow learned of their intentions. That''s why they sent me to meet Lance on my own, instead of following the official channels. They wanted me to find out how much you knew, how much danger they were in for scheming against you."


    I stared at her for a moment-then, unexpectedly for both of us, Iughed.


    I blinked. Her eyes went wide with surprise. "I''m sorry?"


    "I had no idea," I admitted, rubbing a hand over my jaw. "None. The only reason I hesitated was that I didn''t want to force Lance into something he didn''t want. I agreed to the arrangement on the condition that he approved. It would never have gone forward unless Lance agreed to it."


    Her brows drew together. "You weren''t testing us?" She soundedpletely bbergasted, which only made meugh again.


    "No," I said honestly. "I was just trying not to be an asshole."


    The tension in her shoulders eased, a softugh escaping her despite herself. “That


    ins... a lot."


    "My hesitation," I added, "apparently convinced your parents I was onto them?"


    "Yes," she said. "They grew suspicious. Started pushing harder. I''m d they did. If we had followed the usual steps of an arranged marriage, I don''t think that I would have gotten to know Lance as I have. And if I hadn''t... I fear I would have gone along with their schemes."


    "And you didn''t," I said quietly.


    She shook her head. "I couldn''t. Not to Lance. Not to you.” Her voice softened. “He knows all of this now. We''ve talked about it. He told me that it was fine, that there was no need to exin myself. All that mattered was that I chose him.”


    Something firm settled in my chest at that.


    “He''s right. Although I do appreciate that you chose to inform me. In light of everything, every bit of information is beneficial."


    She nodded once, her expression telling me that there was more. I waited, giving her space to decide if she could


    continue.


    "You should know," I added, "that choice cost me my family."


    "As I said, you''re family now."


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    She looked up at me, startled.


    "I mean that," I said. "You chose my brother over ambition. Over maniption. Over safety, frankly." I held her gaze. "As long as you''re here, you''re protected. You will always have a home in Silver Fang."


    Her eyes shone, but she nodded instead of speaking.


    "I promise you this," I continued. "No one will ever use you as a pawn again. Not here."


    "Thank you," she said, voice steady but emotional. "That means more than you know."


    We stood there a moment longer, listening to the quiet hum of the packhouse-wards steady, guards rotating unseen, life continuing.


    It was a promise that I was d to make. I made Lance happy, happier than I''d seen him in many years. He deserved that, and I''d protect it as long as I could.


    When I returned to the nursery, Ellie was already there, seated in the rocking chair with August sleeping against her chest. Iany curled in the crib, thumb tucked into his mouth.


    She looked up when she saw me. "They''re out,” she whispered.


    I crossed the room and knelt beside her, pressing a gentle kiss to August''s hair.


    "They had a good day," I said.


    She smiled softly. "They did."


    I rested my forehead briefly against hers. For just a second, the world narrowed to


    this-warmth, quiet, breath shared.


    Outside, the storm continued to gather.


    But inside these walls, for one careful, fiercely guarded day, we had peace,


    And I would burn the world down before I let anything take that away.


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    Cede is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a ir for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cede''s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.