When the Hidden Luna Rises novel Chapter 22

**Chained by Fate**
**Eliza Rowan**
**Chapter 22**

As Kelsey took the file from Ryan, a slight crease formed on her brow, a telltale sign of her growing unease. The document in her hands was no ordinary piece of paper; it was the deed of transfer for all shares of the Stormclaw Group subsidiary. Each page she flipped through felt like a weight pressing down on her heart, chilling her insides with a sense of foreboding.

This wasn’t merely a stock transfer; it was something far more significant. The legal representative remained Ryan, but the beneficiary of all the shares was unmistakably her. The implications of this were staggering. If the company faced any turmoil, all the burdens would rest squarely on Ryan’s shoulders, while she would reap the rewards of any profits and dividends that flowed in. It was a clean, untainted gift, devoid of strings or conditions.

Gasps rippled through the crowd surrounding them, a collective intake of breath that underscored the gravity of the moment. Ryan, with a slight lift of his chin, spoke with a hint of pride that cut through the tension. “Kelsey, this company is everything I have. Now, it belongs to you.” His voice was steady, yet it carried the weight of his emotions, a mixture of hope and desperation.

“The Mitchell name is irrelevant. You are my mate,” he continued, his eyes burning with intensity. “Stand by my side again, and I promise you, no one will ever dare to hurt you or even cast a glance your way that isn’t filled with respect.” He extended his hand toward her, his gaze pleading, as if he were seeking redemption for past mistakes.

But Kelsey merely stared at him, her silence echoing louder than any words could. Her expression was icy, a chill that sent shivers through those who dared to watch. Whispers began to circulate from a corner of the banquet hall, a murmur of opinions that filled the air with tension.

“She should forgive him, right? After all, Ryan was trapped in his own way,” one voice suggested, laced with sympathy.

“Exactly! What couple doesn’t have their disagreements? And look at what he’s offering her. If she turns him down now, she’ll just seem ungrateful,” another chimed in, as if the weight of their judgment could sway her decision.

“If it were me in her shoes, I’d have said yes already. To have an Alpha kneel and beg for forgiveness? I’d be basking in that dream for weeks,” someone else laughed, the comment dripping with envy.

A flicker of a smile danced on Ryan’s lips, his confidence seemingly unwavering as he anticipated Kelsey’s next move. “Kelsey, everything I have is yours. I can make up for all the pain you’ve endured. Whatever you desire, I’ll provide it,” he stated earnestly.

However, before he could finish his plea, Kelsey stepped forward, a deliberate movement that caused the crowd to collectively hold their breath in anticipation. Andrew, standing at the edge of the light, felt his heart constrict. He clenched his fists tightly, torn between hope and despair. She had the right to choose her path, and if she wished to return to Ryan, he would honor that decision. As long as her happiness was assured, he was more than willing to remain in the shadows, a silent guardian.

The air was thick with an oppressive silence when suddenly, a sharp, tearing sound sliced through the stillness. RIIIP! The transfer documents were shredded in mid-air, the fragments fluttering down like delicate snowflakes beneath the bright lights.

Ryan’s expression froze, the smile on his face vanishing as he stared in disbelief. Kelsey, with calm determination, raised her hand and pushed her sleeve up, revealing her arm. It was a canvas of twisted scars, winding and crisscrossing like a dark tapestry of her past. The faint red and deep purple hues told stories of humiliation and pain, each mark a testament to her suffering, laid bare for all to witness.

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