I’d meant it as a show of strength, a final assertion of power. Now that momentary satisfaction had become my punishment,
How do I fix this? My mind scrambled for the right words, but nothing came.
The quiet rumble of an approaching car broke the silence. A sleek black Mercedes pulled up smoothly beside us, stopping just feet from where Lysandra stood.
The driver’s door opened, and Eldreth Frostwhisper stepped out. He moved with a quiet confidence, his tailored suit and calm demeanor projecting an effortless sophistication.
Lysandra’s face transformed at the sight of him. The tension in her features melted away, replaced by a genuine smile that reached her eyes.
How dare she took at him that way?
Eldreth nodded respectfully in my direction me. “Alpha Tristan, good to see you again.”
–
not a bow, as he wasn’t from my pack – before walking toward us. He extended his hand toward
I shook his hand, squeezing a bit harder than necessary. “Having fun in my territory, I see.” I kept my voice level despite the storm raging inside, watching carefully for any sign of intimacy between him and Lysandra.
Eldreth blinked, surprise flickering across his face before his professional mask returned.
“How do you know her?” I asked, my gaze shifting briefly to Lysandra. The way she looked at him – with a trust she’d never shown me sharp pain through my chest.
Eldreth glanced at Lysandra, offering her a small smile before turning back to me. “We’re friends.”
“Friends?” The word came out dangerously low.
sent a
I suddenly remembered that Lysandra had helped Eldreth treat my father. His pack had once been allied with hers, but the agreement had expired before the war, leaving her pack without their support. Once, I might have used that as ammunition against him, but the hypocrisy wasn’t lost on me. After all, who had hurt Lysandra more deeply than I had?
“It’s an honor to see you, Alpha Tristan,” Eldreth said, his tone formal. “I sincerely apologize for that night. I wasn’t myself and failed to properly acknowledge you.”
Right. Alpha Tristan. I’d almost forgotten who I was supposed to be, so consumed with jealousy that I’d neglected my position. As head Alpha, I was speaking to a healer from another pack – someone my pack members needed. Diplomatic relations trumped personal feelings, no matter how much I wanted to tell Eldreth to get the hell away from my mate.
Former mate, I corrected myself bitterly.
“Eldreth, thank you for coming,” Lysandra said, her voice gentle in a way that made my jaw clench.
Eldreth shook his head slightly, his eyes conveying understanding.
“I was just about to- Lysandra began.
“How is your pack doing?” I interrupted, pivoting the conversation away from whatever she was about to say.
Eldreth shifted his attention back to me. “Everything is well. I’m here for personal reasons.”
“What reasons?”
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Chapter 209
He paused, glancing briefly at Lysandra. “I’ve been searching for someone I lost track of…” Another glance at her…but I found that person in your pack. So I plan to stay for a while. I know Alpha Tristan wouldn’t force a guest who wishes to remain to leave?
I nodded slightly, keeping my expression neutral despite the turmoil inside. Only my clenched fists and slightly quickened breathing betrayed my true feelings. Lysandra’s cheeks colored at Eldreth’s words, and the sight sent a wave of desperate loss through me. I was watching her slip away all over again.
How can she react to another man that way? Watching their interaction, I realized I might have truly lost her. A week ago, I would have used my Alpha authority to send Eldreth packing without a second thought. Now, knowing what I knew, I had no moral ground to interfere in her life.
I wanted to growl at him: She’s my mate, stay away from her. But I knew the truth I was the one who had driven her away.
“Eldreth, let’s go,” Lysandra said. “I have so much to tell you.”
Eldreth walked to his car and opened the passenger door with a courteous gesture. “Please.”
Lysandra looked at me one last time. Then she turned and slid into Eldreth’s car.
Eldreth nodded politely to me before walking around to the driver’s side.
The evening light faded around me as I stood motionless, watching the car drive away with my woman. In that moment, I felt like I was reliving a night years ago, when I had coldly watched Lysandra leave Silverblood Pack. Only now the roles were reversed – I was the one being left behind.
She doesn’t love me. She meant it.
I pulled my phone from my pocket, the screen flaring too bright in the growing darkness. I squinted as I dialed.
“Varian, I said when he answered, not bothering with greetings. “I need you to come by. Moonvale Bridge. Now.”
A brief pause. “Everything okay, Alpha?”
“Just get here.” I nearly hung up, then added quietly, “I need someone to talk to.”
The vulnerability in my voice surprised even me. When had I last admitted needing anyone?
The driver approached cautiously from where he’d been waiting by the SUV. “Alpha, shall we return to-
“Go back without me. Varian will drive me.”
He hesitated only a moment before bowing slightly and returning to the car. Smart man. I wasn’t in the mood to explain myself to anyone.
I leaned against the railing, staring down at the dark water.
***
“Tristan, are you listening to me?”
Varian’s voice broke through my thoughts. We were in his car heading back to Silverblood territory, the interior dark except for the faint glow from the dashboard.
“What?” I turned to him, realizing I’d been staring out the window for who knows how long.
“I asked you the same question three times, and you haven’t heard a word.” Varian kept his eyes on the road, but concern sharpened his tone. “What happened with Lysandra?”
I ran a hand through my hair, not eager to recount my humiliation. “It doesn’t matter.”
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Chapter 209
*Have you checked social media lately? Someone potted photos of you and Lysandra at the coffee shop. The entire pack is talking.
Let them talk. My voice sounded hollow even to myself.
Varian glanced over briefly before returning his attention to the road. ‘Something happened. What was it?”
I drew a deep breath, feeling my chest tighten with the words I was about to speak. ‘She doesn’t love me anymore.”
Varian’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, ‘She told you that?”
“Not just told me. Made me believe it.” I turned back to the window, watching the shadowy outline of trees blur past. “She looked at Eldreth Frostwhisper like he hung the fucking moon.”
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