Chapter 65
Eden
Itell them everythin
No sugarcoating. No soft edges. I speak the truth as it is the torture, the dungeons, the betrayal, and the blood. I speak of the Nightmare Court, of Azriel’s suffering of Mara’s cruelty and wish to eat my flesh. I speak of Paris and Logan, about how they can’t have children before I’m sacrificed to Mara They already know this, but I tell them again and add how terrible Mara is. She has destroyed the Dream Court and turned it into the Nightmare Court. I don’t know what her and game is, but I doubt it is good and Azriel needs to be saved from her clutches.
When I finish, silence falls over the Fagerlöf family
Stina’s lips are pressed into a tight line. Johan’s eyes darken. Adam and Jens exchange a glance, and Elvira can’t stop Edgeting, as if waiting for them to reject her again.
But they don’t.
Johan stands first, his posture rigid with decision. “We will stand with you, Eden. You’ve formed your own n pack and the Fagerlöf family will help you build
Adam grins fiercely. “Always wanted a good excuse to punch Marcus, in the face.”
Jens cracks his knuckles. “Count me in.”
Even Stina, so soft and nurturing, has steel in her voice. “No one throws one of my daughters into a prison cell and gets away with it. Alpha Logan will get to taste my bite tonight!”
Ronja prins. “And I will bite him
“You’re going nowhere, young lady.”
Ronja pouts with her arms crossed, clearly wanting to go even though she is too young to shape shit.
“You stay with grandma,” Johan says gently. “This fight isn’t for pups”
“But I’m not a baby anymore!”
Outside, the winter air as sharp Snow blankets the
the ground, glittering under the bla
The Fagerlos step outside one by one and shit into their woll forms Blond fur ripples into place. Five powerful wolves, each large, proud, and looking like oversized golden retrievers with pointed ear
Stina and Johan are the biggest in their family, followed closely by Adam and Jens. Elvira, smaller than the rest but quick and sleek, shifts last. Their howls rise into the sky together, a song of unity and purpose.
Acel grins beside me “Time to suit up.”
He steps away from the group and shis
Forget how breathtaking it is every time. One second he’s a towering man, the next he is a a massive wall of rich chocolate fur and golden green eyes. His passink into the snow like tree roots and his wags slightly.
He looks back at
at me expectantly
I walk forward and try to climb up.
Keyword try
My fingers can’t even reach the top of his back. I hop, push, scramble…and slide right back down, landing with a grunt in the snow.
13
Chapter 65
Au yawns. Abig, fake, exaggerated yawn,
Oh, shut up!” I grumble. “Sorry I don’t have giraffe legs like you.”
There’s a chull and I roll my
“You’re messing with me, aren’t you?”
Another chuff and then I hear his voice through the mind–link inside my head. “Shortstack,
My heart flutters “The mind link it is working”
“Oh, you can hear me now?” Axel asks and lies down, respect shining in his eyes. ‘Means you’re truly my Alpha now. Climb up.”
“Thank you,” I say primly and climb up
His fur is warm and I settle in, grabbing hold of the thick ruff around his neck,
We move as one.
The golden wolves fall in around us, paws thudding against the frozen earth in a unified rhythm. Snow swirls behind us as we ride toward the heart of our old world–the mansion of Alpha Logan Valentine
The Valentine mansion rises out of the trees like a monument to arrogance.
Tall, Cold Familiar
Wolves pour from every direction as we approach. Dozens. More. They circle, forming a tense perimeter. Low growls ripple through the ranks as recognition dawns.
We are not their pack
And they look ready to attack,
I shiver but force my eyes ahead. There’s a group of important wolves there.
Paris stands beside Logan, blonde and venomous, her Luna sash gleaming in the weak sun. Hilda, stiff and upright, stands behind her like a loyal dog. Joakim, Axel’s smaller twin, lurks near Logan’s right shoulder, wearing his Beta title like a second skin.
Former Alpha Marcus is farther back, watching with hooded eyes. Elder Yang is at his side, frowning with disapproval.
And behind them, the rest. Pack elders. Warrior wolves. Fighters. Old friends. Wolves who once sneered at me. Some flinch now as I approach.
Logan’s eyes are on me,
He looks me up and down like he can’t believe what he’s seeing.
Then he speaks. “Eden.”
I slide off Auel’s back from far away and land lightly in the snow. Then I walk while keeping my head high.
“Logan.”
He takes a step forward. “You look… different.
He sniffs the air subtly, then blinks. “You’re not… you’re not a wolf anymore.”
2/3
Chapter 65
No. I never was I’ma fox”
A collective gap.
Paris rolls her eyes. “t always knew you were a freak.”“”
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