Chapter 227
Eldreth remained perfectly composed, watching my reaction closely. “This is why I came to find you, I was worried this might affect you and your children.”
I pushed the tablet away, unable to stomach reading more. “Thank you for showing me, but these are just ridiculous rumors.”
“The rumors suggest Alpha Tristan is pursuing you again,” Eldreth said carefully, “Is there any truth to that?”
People are crazy, I replied, perhaps too quickly. “There’s nothing between us.”
Something shifted in Eldreth’s expression–a flicker of doubt or perhaps hope. His eyes studied mine as if searching for something.
We sat in silence for a moment, the background noise of the coffee shop washing over us. The espresso machine hissed; customers chatted in low tones. Everything felt normal except for the storm raging inside me.
“Living in this pack, constantly connected to your past, is clearly taxing on you,” Eldreth finally said, breaking the silence. His voice carried genuine concern. “Have you considered relocating? Perhaps to another territory?”
‘I can’t leave,” I replied, staring into my lap. “My family is here. My brother needs me.”
“Until his feelings–or your situation–changes, you’ll never have peace here,” Eldreth pointed out gently.
A lump formed in my throat. He wasn’t wrong. Living in Silverblood territory meant constantly orbiting around Tristan’s world.
“My brother’s illness keeps me here,” I said quietly.
Eldreth leaned forward, his expression brightening slightly. “What if I told you I believe I can heal him? And afterward, your entire family could relocate to my pack’s territory–away from all this drama.”
My head snapped up, hope surging through me. “You can heal Alaric?”
He nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting in a small, confident smile. “I’ve finally isolated the compound causing his condition. I believe I can
create a viable treatment now.”
Without thinking, I reached across the table and grabbed his hand. “Are you serious? You can save him?”
“The treatment process would take months,” he warned, though he didn’t pull his hand away. “But yes, I’m confident we can restore him to full
health.”
Tears sprung to my eyes, relief washing through me in a powerful wave. “Thank you so much, Eldreth.”
Something flickered in Eldreth’s eyes at my words. He gently extracted his hand from mine.
“There is a condition,” he said, voice dropping lower. “I want you to reconsider your answer from the other day.”
It took a moment for his meaning to register. When it did, I felt like I’d been doused in ice water.
“You’re using my brother’s life to manipulate me?” I stood up so abruptly my chair scraped loudly against the floor.
Every head in the coffee shop turned toward us.
Eldreth remained seated, his expression pained but resolute. “I know how this sounds, Lysandra. But after seeing those photos, seeing you potentially getting pulled back into Tristan’s orbit…” He shook his head. “Be with me instead. I can give you the peaceful life you deserve.”
I stared at him, unable to process what I was hearing. The man I’d believed was different–compassionate and ethical—was now leveraging my
Chapter 227
leather’s unitat againd my affection.
thegght we were different, i said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Without another word, I untied my apron and tossed it on the counter. I caught Eleanor’s eye and mouthed I’ll be back before heading for the door, needing an, needing space, needing to escape the weight of another betrayal.
The cold air bat my face as I stepped outside, walking blindly down the sidewalk. Tears blurred my vision, but I refused to let them fall. One man had humiliated me, another was now trying to manipulate me. Was this my destiny? Always trapped between impossible choices?
A car born blared, startling me out of my thoughts. Eldreth’s sleek Mercedes pulled alongside me, the passenger window rolling down.
Lysandra, please. Let me explain,” he called, his voice carrying across the space between us.
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