Chapter 25.

A heavy silence enveloped us. I could see them grappling with my words, dissecting each sentence as they exchanged loaded glances, each look a tácit conversation happening beneath the surface.

“Second,” I continued, steamrolling through the palpable tension, “I will have an active role in the financial oversight of the pack. I’m not a decorative piece; I have skills and expertise you can’t afford to ignore.”

Zane was the first to break, exhaling deeply.

“Alright, fine. What’s the third condition?”

“I’ll also be leading the female warrior training in the pack,” I announced, my voice unwavering

The atmosphere turned precarious, as if a single word could

12 13

Chapter 25

shatter the fragile understanding we were inching towards. They looked like they wanted to argue, but held back-perhaps finally acknowledging that I was immovable on these terms.

“What about the marking and mating? It’s not just tradition; it’s an integral part of who we are,” Axel asserted, his eyes searching mine for some sign of flexibility.

“And what’s integral to me is having agency, having a say in the trajectory of my own life,” I fired back. “I didn’t get to choose many pivotal events in my life, especially concerning you three. Now, I’m reclaiming that agency.”

A laden pause settled among us. Their eyes met mine, reflecting a complex tapestry of emotions-understanding, disappointment, but also a dawning respect.

“Very well,” Axel said, his voice imbued with the solemnity of a truce. “We’ll a*ide by your conditions.”

They didn’t really have a choice, but acknowledging it out loud felt like a seismic shift in our complicated relationship-a shift towards mutual respect.

12 78%

12 13

Chapter 2

1281 Wourtim

“So be it,” I replied, feeling the weight of my words in the silence that followed.

I had laid down my terms, set the boundaries, and finally reclaimed my space in a world that had so often sought to define me without my consent. As their nods of acquiescence echoed softly in the room, I understood that this was either a new beginning or an extended prelude to an ending. But either way, it was a chapter in my story that I had penned myself.

Holding their collective gaze, I sensed a subtle transformation ripple through the room. The air seemed to clear, as if acknowledging the new dynamics we’d just laid down, the newly- negotiated territories in our tangled relationship. It was as though we’d crossed some invisible threshold and were standing on the edge of a new realm-one laden with uncertainties, but also endless possibilities.

“Is there anything else you’d like to add, love?” Axel asked.

His voice a subdued mixture of acceptance and yearning, the authority of an Alpha tinged with the vulnerability of a man

12 137

facing thehe gravity of his own shortcomings.

“Nold sistetesirsinholy, drawing my words taut, each syllable soakeden aladiend of resolve and finality. “I believe that’s all for” now BuBundledsstand this if these terms are violated, if my agency is dishssespected again, there will be no second chances. Tsever thishisobond, regardless of the consequences.”

The finality of vinedurlanetos feitlike drawing a line in the sand with stick made of ironofoxAxel Damon, and Zane locked eyes

with me, sesmo perhapapofonehe first time, the unyielding pillar of strength t had becomen@hibis was no longer the girl they’d left behind the did they made a chouses for i was a wornan fully in command of ten destiny, wnwind to be sidelined or

subjugated.

There was a shared, almost sacred silentencesasave each considered the magnitude of the coronanawave avere entering was as if an unspoken understand te papssced between us: the while the road ahead was uncertaita and Taveligwiwith challenge It was a path wed walk as equals or not at alla Dannori cleared inis ruoat, breaking the silence.

queesswe should get you set upon the financndidepapaniement heang and maybe introduce you to our female taxons?s?”

Chapter 25

“I’d appreciate that,” I said, my voice softer but not a decibel less firm.

248 Vouchers

Zane took a few steps towards me, and for a moment, I felt the age-old pull of our bond. But it was tempered now, held at bay by the new boundaries we’d just established. He stopped before me, respecting the invisible line I’d drawn.

“We’ll honour your conditions, Luna. You have our word,” he spoke solemnly.

“See that you do,” I warned, looking each of them in the eye, “because my word, once given, is unbreakable. And my word. now is that I will accept nothing less than full respect for the terms I’ve laid out.”

There were no grand declarations of love, no sweeping gestures to conclude this chapter of our intertwined lives. Instead, there was a quiet understanding, a mutual respect that felt like the most honest form of love-unfiltered, uncompromising, and built on a foundation of equal say

|||

12 13 10

Chapter 25

788 Mouchers

For the first time, I felt a sense of completion, a loop closed. Though the mate bond between us still hummed in the background, a soft but unrelenting pulse, it was eclipsed by something far more powerful: a sense of self that no biological imperative could override.

And so, as I followed them out of the office, the setting sun casting long shadows across the room we left behind, I felt the indescribable weight of a chapter closing. I had reclaimed my agency, asserted my terms, and stepped into a future of my own making. And if that’s not the hallmark of a strong woman, I don’t know what is.

LIL

Sᴇarch the FindNovel.net website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Tip: You can use left, right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.Tap the middle of the screen to reveal Reading Options.

If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.

Report
Do you like this site? Donate here:
Your donations will go towards maintaining / hosting the site!