Chapter 319
Frustrated, I could see the lies Tony was spinning, taking my long–distance Alpha rule and twisting it into something it wasn’t. For too long, I let him lead the crowd through this tale of my neglect. But now, determined and annoyed, it was time for me to wrestle control of this narrative away from him.
“I love my mate,” I said, surprising Tony into silence. The crowd also quieted. I was pleased, knowing that I had gotten their attention. “My mate and I didn’t have an easy time of things, and that was mostly my fault. I’m not a perfect man, though I try to be. I had driven her away. But she is my true mate, so I had to go and win her back p>
The crowd stayed quiet, even while Tony scoffed. The one thing I could trust on him to underestimate was love, and with how much regard the pack viewed fated mates. Tony, as a perpetually single playboy, had no concept of a love like the one between Amber and me.
Truly, I pitied him for it. Our love was eye–opening, earth–shifting. Once I allowed the love into my heart, my life was never the same, and I was better for it.
“I eventually did win her back… But then we faced another problem, which was why I had to leave the pack again, more recently.” I took a breath. This next part would be difficult to speak off.
“Our daughter has a medical condition. Her wolf appeared far too early. My mate had long been looking for a cure, but as rare as this condition is, she struggled to find leads. Then, recently, finally, she had one. We had to go to Rafael’s pack to see it through. I couldn’t allow my family to suffer alone and went with them.
“Because of this, my mate, Healer Amber, was able to develop a cure for Alice’s condition, which would help not only our daughter, but kids around the continent suffering from the same issue p>
“That’s very nice,” Tony said dismissively, “But the issue is that you weren’t here p>
“Healer Amber is the one who made this cure. My mate. And she has credited my assistance as well, and that of our daughter. She has cured the incurable, and the whole of the continent knows it. The whole of the continent can trace that success back to our pack.
“The success of this cure is shared by each and every one of you. We are pack. That makes us family, which makes us united in all ways, our successes and our failures p>
Though the stage lights were blinding me from seeing too many details beyond the first few rows of the crowd, in the faces of the people there, I could see their feelings starting to shift.
“It’s true, that I had to leave the pack to help accomplish this. And it’s true, that I needed to depend on others during that time, though I still maintained oversight, completing all of my Alpha duties remotely. But I ask you: Look at your own lives. Have I allowed anyone to suffer in my absence? Has anyone’s life added more difficulty because of my troubles p>
The shift in the crowd’s perception continued as they started whispering to each other.
Meanwhile, Tony glared at me.
Amber’s POV
I could hear Julian’s words and was so proud of him. We’d already discussed sharing Alice’s diagnosis, so I knew
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to expect it. I was pleased that he had told the story well.
My pride extended to the pack, who was truly listening to what Julian was saying and allowing his words to affect them.
No one’s life was worse because of his absence. Julian was just such a good, powerful Alpha that he could lead remotely without the pack being affected.
His heart stayed with his pack, no matter where his body physically was.
Everyone was starting to see that now.
Yet, as happy as I was, Olivia grew more and more furious.
I moved to the edge of the railing, proudly looking down at my mate and his victory.
I was so transfixed that I didn’t think to defend myself.
Olivia, with a roar, rushed toward me and roughly shoved me straight over the side of the railing.
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Florence
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.