277 No More Running

    Vander

    We walked into the hotel, and as always, it was crawling with beautiful women from Goldenpeak. Too beautiful, too polished–not a hair out of ce. And all I could think about was ric.

    There was a good chance some of them were his. I wouldn’t put it past him. That bastard had no limits. He’d pimp out women like currency–even his own wife. The same woman he imed to love. The same one he burned with jealousy over. That kind of sickness doesn’te from passion, ites from rot.

    When I saw his broadcast, I knew he’d snapped. He hadn’t expected Martha to leave hirm–let alone stand against him. He thought fear would keep her loyal. But how do you expect love from someone you’ve made

    terrified of breathing wrong in your presence?

    He wanted her back, in his twisted way. But he was toote.

    She’s mine now.

    And I love her, too–but my love isn’t weak. It’s dangerous. I’ll burn down everything before I let him near her

    again.

    “We’ll check in, and then Lucian and I will visit his cousin and grandaunt,” I said, breaking the silence.

    Lucian nced at me, surprised by the sudden shift.

    “Yes, Lucian,” I said firmly. “It’s time to fix that rtionship. Lydia should be in your life. Natasha would have

    wanted that.”

    He nodded. No questions. No resistance. That told me everything–he wanted it too. Maybe he had for a

    while.

    At the front desk, the receptionist informed me that both the former Alpha and the current one would be

    arriving soon to pay their respects.

    “Send them to our suite when they get here,” I said without missing a beat.

    If I was going to rebuild what I’d broken, it had to start now. No more running. No more hiding behind grief or pride. This time, I was facing everything head–on–with Lucian and Darian beside me, and Martha in my heart.

    We took a suite. I wanted all of us in the same space–close. I didn’t trust ric, and I sure as hell didn’t trust the women working the hotel. There was something too perfect about them, too rehearsed. They could easily.

    be his eyes and ears.

    The suite was decentfortable, quiet–but it was Darian’s mood that stood out. He was practically

    glowing.

    “Why are you so giddy, son?” I asked, raising a brow at him.

    He grinned wide, and in that moment, I saw the boy he used to be–the little whirlwind who used to dash through the hallways wearing a cape, convinced he was indestructible. That same fire was still in his eyes,

    just more focused now.

    “I can’t wait to see you ge it to that bastard,” he said, voice charged. “Once we’re done with him, we can finally move on. I won’t have to look over my shoulder anymore. Tiffany and Emma will be safe. My mother

    will sleep without fear Lucian and Mara can live without worrying about his shadow creeping back?

    He shook his head with conviction. “Mooncrest will finally have peace. That bastard picked the wrong Algha

    to mess with.”

    Hearing him say that lit something in me.

    My son believed in me–with everything he had. Not just in my strength, but in my ability to end this war for good Lucian looked just as steady. His calm was quieter, but no less solid. Both of them were confident this

    was the final battle–and that we would win it.

    Their faith was my fuel.

    ric had taken enough from us. That ends now.

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