Chapter 206
Chapter 206
Ellie POV
The next morning was gray and still, the kind of morning where the fog clung low over the packhouse and the world felt muted – as if holding its breath.
I stood near the window of the guest room I used at the Moonstone packhouse, a mug of tea cooling in my hands. The events of the previous day replayed over and over in my mind – Kieran’s sharp words, the flash of restrained anger in his eyes, and Nolan’s quiet, watchful presence.
The contrast between them had left me dizzy.
I had always thought I knew who they were – Kieran, the charming and composed ally; Nolan, the unpredictable and volatile mate. But lately, everything had started to blur around the edges, and the certainties I’d clung to for months were unraveling one by one.
When a knock came at the door, I half expected it to be Rae or Cassian. Instead, Nolan’s low voice came through the wood.
“Ellie? Do you have a minute p>
My stomach twisted, but I opened the door.
He stood in the hall, hands shoved into the pockets of his black jacket. He looked tired – shadows under his eyes, stubble rough along his jaw – but there was something steady about him, too. Grounded.
“I wanted to apologize,” he said quietly. “For yesterday p>
“You don’t have to,” I said. “Kieran was the one who p>
He shook his head. “I could’ve handled it better p>
I hesitated, then stepped back to let him in.
The small room felt even smaller with him inside it. The faint scent of pine and smoke clung to him grounding, achingly bittersweet.
familiar,
I sat on the edge of the bed while he stood near the window his shoulders tense. For a long moment, neither of us spoke.
Finally, the silence was too much for me and I said, “I asked Kieran what happened between you two. When you were young p>
Nolan’s gaze flicked to me, then away. “Of course you did p>
“He told me you hurt him. During training. That you went too far p>
He exhaled slowly, the sound heavy. “That’s one way to tell it p>
I set my mug aside, heart pounding. “Then tell me your way p>
He turned fully toward me then, his expression unreadable not angry, not cold, just tired. “We were sixteen. Both of us were training with the other young Alphas before the trials. It was supposed to be about learning cooperation between packs, but it was really a competition everyone knew it p>
I nodded, listening.
I was vaguely aware of how the alpha training worked. All of the alpha sons of a certain age trained together to prepare to take over their packs. It was a test of physical prowess, intellect, and diplomacy. At least, in theory. It wasn’t uncommon for the packs to treat it as some kind of a display of power.
Chapter 208
+25 Bonus
I could only imagine what the pressure was like. My heart sank at the thought of August and lan being subjected to it someday.
“Kieran was talented,” Nolan continued. “Strong. But reckless. He hated being told what to do. One day, the instructors set a test tracking and pursuit in the norther wilds. Everyone was supposed to stay in pairs for safety.” He paused, a faint muscle ticking in his jaw. “Kieran didn’t. He went off alone. When I found him, he’d wandered near a cliff edge. I told him to turn back, but he ignored me p>
“What happened p>
He hesitated, his gaze distant now, as if he were seeing it play out again. “He tried to prove a point. Said I wasn’t his Alpha. He lunged – not to hurt me, just to prove he could get past me – but he slipped. I grabbed his arm to stop him from falling, and my claws-” He stopped, shaking his head slightly. “I was shifting too fast. I didn’t mean to. I lost my temper and it just started to happen. The cut was deep. He still has the scar p>
Ellie swallowed hard. “He thinks you did it on purpose p>
“I know p>
“Why didn’t you tell him the truth p>
“I did.” Nolan’s voice was soft now, resigned. “He just didn’t want to hear it. He went back to camp and told everyone I’d attacked him. I didn’t defend myself p>
I frowned. “Why not p>
His lips pressed together for a moment before he answered “Because if I’d tried, it would’ve turned into a public feud between packs. My father was already furious that the Silver Fang heir had been sent to train with others — he said it made us look weak. If he’d known I’d hurt another Alpha’s son, even by accident He shook his head.” He would’ve made it worse. So I kept quiet p>