Chapter 164
Chapter 163 The Long-Forgotten Betrothal
LUCIEN POV
I left the lobby, leaving Steven Reese to helplessly watch as his abused mother was taken away, his final
shred of control ripped from him.
He thought he could manipulate Claire, but he failed to recognize my level of devotion, even if unspoken.
There was a potent mix of humiliation and rage in his eyes as I did; it would only be a matter of time
before Steven Reese found a way to strike again.
Behind me, I heard a rush of feet towards Steven.
“Dad!” His son, Jack, rushed forward.
“Worthless fools!” I heard Steven spat with a guttural roar. “Where were you when that bastard had me
cornered p>
This brought a smirk to my lips the entire route out of the hotel and straight to the awaiting car.
The Rolls-Royce’s cabin swallowed me in silence as I settled into the backseat.
“John,” I commanded, pressing my fingers against my temple, “use every resource available to us. Pull
every contact, if you need to, but find every detail about the accident that killed Claire’s father, including
every person involved p>
My gaze flicked to the Reese Group sign fading outside the window.
“Focus your attention specifically on her two uncles and cousins. The condition of the grandmother and
the rise of one brother so soon after another fall are too convenient. I want every detail unearthed. Is that
clear p>
“Understood, Alpha,” John replied from the front.
Leaning back, I exhaled slowly.
What should have felt like a crushing victory over the Reese family instead felt hollow, unravelling into
something darker. It was clear I had only begun to uncover secrets far more complex and sinister than I
had ever anticipated.
If that was true, I needed to get ahead of it quickly so that I wouldn’t risk anything happening to Claire.
“Steven Reese-” The two words slipped soundlessly from my lips.
And Claire-that seemingly fragile girl who had fought her way through despair-what weight was she truly
bearing? I spent so much time pretending to hate her, I should have been watching more closely.
My lips pressed into a silent, grim line as the luxury sedan tore through the night, racing towards the arranged Medical Care facility.
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I carefully guided my grandmother’s wheelchair to the bedside and then lowered myself to my knees.
Tilting my head up, I finally looked thoroughly upon the woman I had longed for day and night. I prayed to the moon Goddess each night for her to watch over my grandmother, just as I did for my parents. I still could not believe she was here, with me, right now.
“Grandma p>
“My dear Moonbeam-I thought-I thought I would never see you again.” Her bony fingers clutched at mine.
“Never, Grandma! Never again!” I cried out.
I got up off my knees and collapsed into those frail arms, my tears gushing forth uncontrollably and soaking the thin hospital gown they had placed her in when we arrived.
“This is all my fault. I came too late-I let you suffer p>
I clung to the fragile frame, breathing in that achingly familiar scent of soapberries and healing herbs.
“Moonbeam, you must not blame yourself,” Grandmother’s trembling hands patted my back, “It is I who failed you. Your parents left this world too soon, and I could not protect you p>
At the mention of the past, new tears traced silver trails down her wrinkled face.
We were the two forgotten and mistreated generations of the Reese family, clinging to each other, until the storm of helplessness gradually subsided, making way for relief and determination.
I suddenly pulled back, urgency sharpening my voice as I asked, “Grandma, tell me everything. How did Uncle Steven and Jack really treat you in the countryside? And what about others p>
The mere thought of my grandmother confined to that remote rural area, enduring unknown hardships, made my heart ache as if pierced by a thousand needles.
I saw Grandma’s lips parted as if a torrent of words choked her throat, but all that escaped was a weary sigh before she shook her head weakly.
After
“Moonbeam-let bygones be bygones. I only wish to see you once more before these eyes close forever.
your father passed, you were his only legacy, and yet they-” Her voice fractured, thick with self-reproach. “They made you suffer. Every time I remember it, it feels like my heart is being deep-fried in
oil p>
I choked back a sob, tightening my desperate grip around those skeletal fingers, “Grandma p>
Her hands smoothed my hair before pausing at my neckline. Her thumb rubbed over the faded scar of Liam’s mate mark, barely visible now.
“That young man who rescued me; he is from the Alpha Thorne family, is he not? The spitting image of his father in his prime p>
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At the mention of Lucien, heat bloomed across my cheeks. I nodded, “Yes. Without Lucien, I would never have found you. I never could have brought you home p>
I summarized how Lucien had cut through the opposition and intimidated the Reese clan, finally whisking my grandmother to safety.
After a prolonged silence, the words finally came, breathed out so faintly they were almost inaudible.
“That Thorne boy-he has grit. You two were betrothed as pups. Knowing he will shield you now-it lifts half the burden from this old heart p>
Betrothed?! Wait, what? Did Lucien know this?
I remembered his words to Matthew regarding arranged mating; had he lied? Was Luna Thorne journaling about our arrangement, and he kept it to himself?
“What?” my voice cracked mid-syllable. “Grandma, what did you just say? Lucien and I-we were engaged as children p>
She nodded.
“Yes. Alpha Emeric was your father’s best friend and fellow soldier. When you were just a baby, the Alpha and Luna of the Crown of Thornes pack came to see you in the hospital, and they suggested the match. That jade pendant you have always worn-it was their promise gift, given to seal the engagement p>
My pendant p>
My fingers flew to the smooth jade at my throat p>
All these years, I had cherished it as my mother’s last memento. I never imagined it marked my destined mating to Lucien from the very beginning.
“Moonbeam-” Grandma’s whisper trembled, “Now that you are back-there is something else. This is something I have kept locked away for over a decade. I could not bring myself to speak of it before. But you are strong now, and with the Thorne’s having your back, it’s time you knew the truth p>
My stomach dropped. Cold dread clawed at my chest as I leaned forward intently.
“What is it, Grandma? Please, just tell me!” I urged, my voice dropping to a hushed tone. “I promise, we are completely alone and safe here. You can tell me anything p>
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.