Chapter 91
Nathan’s POV
My brother has returned, and hatred consumes me. Yet thoughts of her suddenly flood my mind, triggering a splitting headache.
I need to retreat to my quarters. It’s strange–typically I’m all business, completely devoted to my work, but recently I can’t seem to focus on anything.
I’m back in the Luna Suite, holding Rachel in my arms. The moonlight filters through the window, casting a silver glow across her copper hair. She feels so warm, so real against me.
“I miss you,” she whispers, her green eyes sparkling in the dim light
“I miss you too,” I respond instinctively. “I miss you so much.”
Tears well in her eyes.” You want me to stay, don’t you?”
I try to answer, but my throat constricts. The scene suddenly shifts, and we’re standing at the edge of the castle cliff, the raging waters below us.
“Nathan? Don’t you love me?” she asks again, her voice carried away by the wind.
She’s slipping from my grasp. I reach for her, but my Alpha instincts fail me. I can’t move fast enough.
As she falls, her last words echo in my ears. “Don’t you want me and your child? Don’t you love us?”
I howl in anguish, a sound of pure agony torn from my soul. “NO!”
I jerked awake, my heart pounding wildly in my chest, my body drenched in cold sweat.
This nightmare had been haunting me for days, always the same, always ending with her falling.
Last night, I’d only meant to return to my room to review the battle reports. I hadn’t intended to sleep, but exhaustion had claimed
- me.
I stumbled to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face, trying to wash away the lingering images from my dream. Looking up, I barely recognized the man in the mirror–haggard face, dark circles beneath my gray eyes expression grim and tired.
Is this what I’ve become? Madison’s mocking words from days ago echoed in my mind. But I couldn’t afford to wallow in self–pity. My instincts demanded that I focus on the border crisis.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. Tyler entered, his expression concerned.
“Alpha, are you alright? Were you sleeping?” he asked carefully.
I quickly straightened my appearance. “I’m fine. What’s the update?”
“The border refugees have arrived!” Tyler announced.
“Finally, some good news,” I said, grateful for the distraction.
“King Jason is personally greeting them near the castle gates,” Tyler explained.
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“That doesn’t surprise me,” replied coldly.
Tyler cleared his throat. “He’d like you to be there as well.”
I sighed heavily. “Let’s go. We need to make this quick.”
As we approached the reception area, I saw wagons full of refugees passing through the castle gates. Victoria and other pack members were directing them to their assigned areas.
My nature roared with protective anger seeing these wolves who had lost their homes. These were innocents caught in a war they didn’t start.
“What’s your name, dear?” Victoria asked a copper–haired girl gently
“I’m Maya, and this is my brother Henry,” the girl–replied.
I focused on the siblings–both young, probably no more than twenty years old.
Henry stood protectively in front of his sister. “We can’t find our parents.‘
“Our father was in the village guard,” Maya said, wiping away tears. He might be dead.”
“Don’t think the worst, dear,” Victoria comforted them. “I know it’s scary, but you’re on Ironjaw Pack territory now, and it’s safe. The Alpha will protect you.”
I felt my eyes flash gold momentarily at the mention of my title. Victoria’s soothing voice reminded me of how Rachel had affected me, but I shoved those useless emotions aside.
As the time for the meeting with the king drew near, I left and headed for the conference room to find Jason.
I pushed open the door and saw Jason sitting in a chair. He looked up and asked, “Nathan, why did Tyler take the witness away to speak privately?”
I kept my expression neutral. “The man was frightened by the crowd in the room. He seemed overwhelmed.”
Jason asked, “Was he frightened by everyone… or by you specifically?
My jaw clenched involuntarily. I should have known Jason would pick up on that detail. He hadn
unobservant.
come king by being
“One man’s testimony isn’t enough to draw any conclusions,” I replied evenly. “I didn’t want to cause panic or suspicion during a war meeting. We have enough problems without adding that to the mix.”
Jason nodded slowly. “I understand. That’s why I didn’t say anything at the time.”
“I appreciate that,” I replied.
“Nathan, how should we respond to this crisis?” Jason asked.
“We’re diverting aid from other regions, but we need to continue evacuating civilians from the northern border,” I explained. “Our warriors are limited due to the western front.”
Jason nodded. “Ensure we have sufficient resources to care for these refugees.”
“We’ve arranged accommodations for them–the castle courtyard, the Moon Goddess prayer hall, and vacant houses in nearby
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villages, Tyler reported.
“Good,” Jason approved.
Finally, Jason asked, ‘Nathan, about your brother Carter… what’s your plan?
I tensed. “This is between me and him.”
“This might have been a personal matter before,” he said quietly, “but now, as you well know, our border regions are in bad shape. Villages are being attacked. Civilians are suffering. His eyes reflected genuine concern. “It troubles me deeply.”
I felt my eyes flash gold with emotion as I understood the crushing weight of his words. This wasn’t just about me anymore.
My personal vendetta–justified as it felt in my heart–could be affecting the entire kingdom, leaving me torn between duty and desire.
“I’ll handle it,” I promised.
Jason’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “Good. I trust that you will.”
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