bChapter /bb37/bb: /bThe Weight bof /bbSilence /b

Chapter 37: The Weight of Silence

b(/bSophia’s POV)

I stood in the hospital corridor, my fingers trembling as I typed the message to Elena. The photo showed

Marcus sitting beside Oliver’s bed, his hand gently stroking the child’s hair.

“Healer Elena, Marcus is with me and the child, so he won’t being to your family gathering. Don’t wait in

vain.”

I hit send and waited. Minutes passed without a reply from Elena.

A satisfied smile spread across my face. My n had worked perfectly. Marcus was here with me instead of

celebrating with her pathetic family.

The recovery ward door opened, and Marcus emerged quietly. I quickly hid my phone behind my back and greeted him with my brightest smile.

“Is Oliver still asleep?” I asked softly.

Marcus nodded. “He’s resting peacefully now.”

My heart sank as he continued. “I have other pack matters to attend to. I should leave soon.”

Panic shot through me. He couldn’t leave now. Not when I had worked so hard to keep him away from Elena.

“Marcus, you should wait for Oliver to wake up. He’ll be frightened if you’re not

1 grabbed his arm desperately

here.”

My voice cracked with emotion. “Please stay with me. We could return to the way we were before.”

(Marcus’s POV)

Sophia’s pleading eyes brought back memories of our past. Ten years of shared history weighed heavily on

my conscience.

I felt guilty about Margaret ckwood’s interference that had sent Sophia away. Her pregnancy with Oliver had been a consequence of my grandmother’s cruel maniption.

But as I looked at Sophia now, I wondered if my feelings were genuine love or merely guilt. She had been mypanion for a decade, yet something felt different.

Sophia stepped closer and wrapped her arms around me. She pressed her face against my chest, trying to evoke the intimacy we once shared.

I felt nothing but calmness. The passionate connection that once existed between us had fadedpletely. Gently, I removed her arms from around me. “Sophia, I can only help you and Oliver as a friend now.”

(Sophia’s POV)

I watched Marcus walk away, shock and resentment flooding through me. His rejection cut deeper than bany /bphysical wound.

The realization hit me like a crushing blow. His love had shifted away from mepletely.

Chapter 37: The Weight of

bHow /bbcould /bbthis /bbhappen/b? After beverything /bwe had shared, after all my sacrificesb, /bbhe /bbwas /bchoosing bthat /b

she–wolf over me.

My hands clenched into fists as hatred burned in my chest. Elena had stolen what rightfully bbelonged /bbto /bme.

b(/bElena’s POV)

The evening air was cool as David walked me to the entrance of the ckthorne Family Grounds. bThe /bdisastrous birthday celebration weighed heavily on both our minds.

“David, I’m sorry for ruining your birthday,” I said quietly.

David remained unusually silent. His jaw was tense, and he seemed to be struggling with something bhe /bwanted to say.

The sound of an approaching engine made us both look up. A ck Rolls–Royce with the license te Territory–1111 pulled up outside the gates..

Marcus stepped out of the vehicle, hismanding presence immediately filling the space around us. (David’s POV)

I watched Marcus approach with barely concealed anger. The photos and messages from Sophia were burned into my memory.

This man had betrayed my sister. He had chosen to be with another she–wolf instead of honoring hismitment to Elena.

Marcus stopped before us and pulled out an elegant gift box. “David, this is a bted birthday present. I apologize for missing your celebration.”

I refused to take the box. “My birthday has already passed. I don’t need yourpensation.”

Elena looked surprised by my mature response. She had expected me to be excited about receiving a gift from the powerful Alpha.

Marcus didn’t insist. “You can contact meter through Amber Stone if you change your mind.”

He reached for Elena’s wrist and began leading her toward the car. I watched them leave, my heart breaking for my sister.

She had no idea about Marcus’s betrayal. She didn’t know that he had been with Sophia and Oliver instead ofing to our family gathering.

I pulled out Elena’s phone, which I had kept after seeing the messages. With determined fingers, I deleted the entire chat history from Sophia.

My sister deserved better than this unfaithful mate. I would protect her from this pain, and I would make Sophia pay for her maniption.

(Elena’s POV)

The ride back to Moonhaven Estate passed inplete silence. I didn’t ask Marcus why bhe /bbhad /bbeen

His phone rang, and he answered a pack business call. The conversation was brief and bprofessional/b.

After ending the call, Marcus‘ turned to me. “I was dyed by an emergency at the binstitute/b.”

I simply nodded. “I understand.”

Chapter 37 The Wight of

bMarcus /bstudied my bface /bcarefully. “Do you have any other questions about my absence?”

I replied with subtle sarcasm. “I understand that you’re busy with pack affairs, Alpha Marcus.”

His golden eyes noticed the wine stain on my pants. His expression darkened slightlyb, /bbut he didn’tment

(Marcus’s POV)

Back at Moonhaven Estate, Elena went directly to shower without another word. I sat in the Great Hall with a ss of moonlight wine, contemting the evening’s events.

I pulled out my phone and called Amber Stone. “Deliver the Moonhaven Elite Membership Card bto /bbthe /bckthorne Family Grounds tomorrow. It’s a birthday gift for David.”

The silence between Elena and me felt heavier than usual. Something had shifted.

(Elena’s POV)

The next morning, I woke upte on the weekend and prepared to meet Nathan Sterling for lunch. As I headed toward the door, Catherine Hayes stopped me.

“Luna Elena, Alpha Marcus wants you to have this,” she said, offering me a sleek ck gold card with Marcus’s initials embossed on the surface.

I recognized it immediately. It was an unlimited spending card, one of only a few in the Northern Territory.

“Why is he giving me this?” I asked.

Catherine smiled warmly. “Alpha Marcus wants you to use it for anything you need. As his mate, his

resources are yours to use.”

I stared at the card in silence. In our six years of mating, I had never spent his money. I hadn’t wanted him to think I had entered our mate bond for his wealth.

Was this another test? Another way to judge my motives?

I declined the card gently. “I have my own money, Catherine. I don’t need his.”

Catherine insisted. “But Luna, as mates, what’s’his is naturally yoursb./bb” /b

I smiled sadly at her innocent understanding of our rtionship. “Catherine, you don’t understand. He is him,

and I am me.”

bComments /b

bWatch /bbvideos /bbget points /b(b0/10/b)

Vote