Blood Truth
I turned to see Nate approaching, his Beta scent strengthened by protective pheromones. He positioned himself between Karl and me.
“I’ve alerted the territory guardians,” Nate stated firmly. “Isabelle has my protection now. Besides, she’s a strong, capable wolf who doesn’t need anyone’s validation to thrive.”
Karl’s face contorted with rage, his Alpha pheromones flooding the area as he glared at Nate.
“I am Isabelle’s true mate,” he snarled. “Who are you to claim her? By what right do you call her yours?”
Nate remained unmoved, his posture relaxed but ready.
“Mate? The separation documents she filed are more than sufficient grounds to nullify your claim. Your actions alone would justify ten severances under pack law.”
At these words, veins bulge at Karl’s temples, his control slipping as he lunged toward Nate.
Before he could make contact, territory guardians appeared, restraining him and escorting him to the border for questioning.
Nate gave me a reassuring smile before following to ensure proper procedures were followed.
I sat on the wooden swing outside my door, watching snowflakes melt on my fingertips.
My communication crystal vibrated. A message from an unknown sender appeared:
“Think you’ve won, Isabelle? I’m carrying Karl’s pup. Your victory is temporary.”
I laughed bitterly and deactivated the crystal. Natalie was both foolish and pitiful, sacrificing everything for a wolf with no loyalty.
I removed the small red box from my pocket that Karl had left. Inside was indeed a ring–the first one he had ever given me.
When Karl’s pack was just beginning, we had barely enough resources to feed ourselves through winter.
Yet that winter solstice had been my happiest. Karl had spent weeks crafting a simple silver band, polishing it by hand until it gleamed.
The craftsmanship was obviously amateur, our initials crudely etched inside the band.
But I had treasured it more than the elaborate ceremonial jewelry he commissioned when formally proposing our mating years later.
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Blood Truth
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Before leaving, I had thrown it into the trash.
I didn’t know how Karl had recovered it, but seeing it again made me question myself.
How had I entrusted my heart so completely to someone who could betray me so thoroughly?
The snowfall gradually ceased. Nate returned with two steaming cups of herbal tea and sat on the swing beside mine.
“Thank you,” I said in a simple tone.
Nate smiled warmly. “I overstepped by calling you my mate.”
I shook my head and laughed genuinely for the first time in months.
Nate had claimed me as his mate to protect me from Karl, but he had indeed helped me find
a legal expert in pack law to formalize my separation.
Now I could no longer bear the thought of still being bound to Karl in any way.
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