Chapter 104
Chapter 104
Nolan POV
Lance didn’t knock. He never did. He just pushed the door open and came inside, his jaw tight, his movements
restless.
I’d been in my office all morning pouring over employment records for every person that had worked in the pack house in the past five years. I was already high strung, the revelations from my meeting with Cassian yesterday at the forefront of my mind.
My wolf stirred instantly, wary. Lance only carried himself like that when he was about to start a fight.
I set my pen down and leaned back in my chair, narrowing my eyes at him. “What p>
“You really going to play dumb with me?” he shot back, closing the door a little harder than necessary. His eyes were burning, the same fire I’d seen in him since we were boys. That old rage he always carried toward me. “Ellie told me about Felicity p>
My stomach dropped, but I forced my face to remain calm. “What about her p>
“Don’t start with me, Nolan.” He stepped closer, bracing his hands on my desk. “Ellie told me everything. The way Felicity cornered her. The things she said about you- about the two of you.” His voice cracked, anger sharp at the edges. “And you didn’t think you should mention that p>
I straightened slowly, letting the silence stretch before I answered. “Lance, what are you talking about? When did this happen p>
“Yesterday,” Lance snapped out. “Do you really expect me to believe that you don’t know p>
The words grated. My wolf snarled, furious that he was questioning me. “Watch your tone,” I warned. “No, I don’t know. Ellie hasn’t said anything to me, and I haven’t spoken to Felicity today. I’ve been busy p>
“That’s always your excuse.” He leaned forward, voice low and unyielding. “Not this time. This isn’t just about Felicity. This is about you, about whatever it is you’re hiding p>
I frowned. “What the hell are you talking about p>
His gaze
searched mine, like he was digging for something I’d buried deep. “Felicity told Ellie that she’s got some dirt on you. She said there’s some secret between the two of you that makes it impossible for you to leave her p>
The words hit like a blow to my ribs. My breath caught, and for a moment I couldn’t speak. Memories surged, the rogue lands, the blood, the weight of promises I could never unmake.
My jaw flexed, but I kept my tone cold. “Drop it p>
He slammed a hand against the desk, rattling the pens. “Don’t tell me to drop it! Is she blackmailing you or something? Is this about what happened to our parents p>
I stood abruptly, my chair scraping back against the floor. My wolf pressed hard against my skin, demanding I shut him down before he crossed any further lines. “I said drop it, Lance p>
But he didn’t. He straightened, shoulders squared, and voice like steel.
“I’m not going to stand by and let you subject her to this bullshit again. You swore that you would protect her from Felicity if she came back. I’m not going to allow you to break your promise to her, not gain p>
“It’s none of your damn business, Lance p>
1/3
Chapter 104
+25 Bonus
“I love her, Nolan. I love Ellie p>
The world went still. For a heartbeat, I thought I’d misheard him. But conviction
in his eyes made my wolf snarl so loudly inside me I almost flinched.
“What did you just say?” My voice was low, dangerous.
“You heard me.” His chin lifted, defiant. “I’ve loved her for months now, maybe longer. And I can’t keep pretending I don’t p>
Rage, white-hot and consuming, surged through me. My wolf clawed at me, demanding I tear the room apart. She’s my wife,” I growled, every syllable laced with warning.
Lance didn’t back down. “She’s miserable, Nolan. She doesn’t want this life with you. And you know it p>
The accusation cut deep because there was truth in it. But hearing it from him, my own brother, was unbearable.
“You think you know what she wants?” I snapped. “You think you understand her better than I do p>
“I don’t think, I know.” His voice cracked again, softer now, raw. “I see the way she looks at me. I see the way she breathes easier when I’m around. She deserves more than your anger and your secrets. She deserves someone who can make her happy p>
I shook my head, disbelief warring with fury. “And you think that’s you p>
“Yes,” he said simply, no hesitation. “It’s me p>
For a moment, the air between us vibrated with violence. My wolf was pacing, howling, demanding blood. But beneath the fury was something else. Fear.
Because as much as I wanted to deny it, as much as I wanted to tear his words apart, some small part of me knew he wasn’t wrong.
I forced myself to steady my breathing, to lock away the storm clawing at my insides. “You’re out of line,” I said finally, voice low.
“Maybe I am.” His expression softened, though his resolve didn’t waver. “But I can’t keep pretending. I want to be with her. And I’m asking you-” he swallowed hard “-to back off. To let me try.
The audacity of it made my vision blur. My fists clenched at my sides, every muscle taut. “You’re asking me to step aside,” I repeated, almost disbelieving.
“Yes.” His voice was quiet, but steady. “I’m asking you to let me love her the way she deserves p>
Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. Finally, I exhaled, dragging a hand over my face.
“You don’t understand,” I said, forcing the words out carefully. “Even if I wanted to-” my throat tightened, the lie bitter on my tongue “-it’s not possible right now. The media are circling like vultures. Every move we make is being scrutinized. The council’s breathing down my neck. Ellie is under a spotlight she never asked for, and any scandal, any shift in her place here, would be dangerous for her. We still don’t know who targeted her or why p>
It was an excuse. A weak one. And we both knew it.
Lance’s lips pressed into a thin line. “So you’re keeping her locked in a cage, for her own good p>
“I’m protecting her,” I snapped.
“No, Nolan.” His voice was sharp, cold now. “You’re protecting yourself. From the truth. From me p>