Chapter 74
Nathan’s POV
The forest blurred around me through tear–filled eyes as I ran on fou paws, my massive black wolf form tearing through the underbrush.
I’d been running for hours, hoping the physical exertion would somehow quiet the storm raging inside me.
But it didn’t!
I slowed to a stop, panting heavily, and shifted back to human form.
Standing naked in the forest as dusk approached, I realized no amount of running would change what happened or distract me from the question that kept clawing at my mind:
How could Rachel do something so terrible?
I retrieved the clothes I’d hidden earlier–pants and a button–down shirt–and pulled them on, barely noticing the mud and dirt that clung to my skin.
Taking deep breaths, I tried to focus. She was just my bought slave, so why was I so heartbroken?
I had to pull myself together, for I had meetings to attend and Alpha duties that couldn’t wait, even for… this.
As I approached the castle, my gaze involuntarily shifted toward the garden cliff edge.
Though I wasn’t standing at the exact spot where I’d witnessed Rachel jump, the image flashed vividly in my mind: her copper hair whipping in the wind, her dress billowing around her as she plummeted into the darkness below.
Another wave of pain hit me so hard my body shook.
“She wouldn’t,” I growled, more to myself than anyone. “She wouldn’t do that.”
The Rachel I knew cherished the Alpha heir growing inside her. She would never harm our child. But I had seen her jump.
In a burst of rage, I slammed my fist into a towering oak with my full strength. The tree trunk caved inward, leaving a massive dent.
Blood dripped from my knuckles, but the physical pain was nothing compared to what was raging inside me.
I forced my breathing to slow, watching as my eyes gradually shifted from gold back to gray.
The warriors guarding the castle entrance looked relieved when they saw me approach–until they noticed my bleeding fist and disheveled appearance.
“Alpha Nathan!” One immediately bowed. “We’ll call Emma right away!”
“Stand back!” roared, charging past them.
They exchanged a glance before towering their heads and returning to their posts without another word.
The Moon Goddess Suite felt achingly empty without Rachel. I stood in the doorway, suddenly aware of how quiet it was without her soft singing.
1/2
Chapter 74
I clenched my fist tighter, intensifying the pain from my already injured hand. Even that couldn’t distract me from the h feeling in my chest.
Forcing myself to focus on something else, I walked to the dressing ble for a towel to wipe the blood from my hand. That’s wh saw it–an envelope with my name written in Rachel’s handwriting.
My chest tightened. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up.
I wanted to open it, but I was afraid that she would say she hated me and that it was a farewell.
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.,
“Alpha, it’s us,” Tyler’s voice came through the door.
I opened the door to find Tyler, Gina, and Victoria standing there, silently watching me.
“What do you want?” asked.
“We were worried-” Gina started, but I cut her off.
“Don’t you have better things to do? Raymond and Madison are still in the castle.”
Gina just stared at me with wide eyes.
I ignored her and turned to Tyler. “How did things go last night after I left?”
Though surprised by my question, Tyler answered immediately. “I spent the remaining time talking with Raymond and the other Alphas. Gina privately reported the situation to King Jason. Most guests were socializing and didn’t notice your absence. Mia took several of our wolves to conduct an extensive search for Rachel…”
Chapter Comments
LIKE
POST COMMENT NOW
< SHARE
