claimd and

Chapter 30

Elise’s POV

It wasn’t a coincidence that Alvira wanted me at the party; it seemed too obvious that she had something planned for me. But I could place a finger on what she was really playing at.

I couldn’t even bring myself to decline, but when all the elders were looking at me with so much judgment and hate for harming their most precious she–wolf, of course, I had to accept.

Especially since more harm was already done to my little reputation, the servants and other wolves looked at me with much contempt for hurting Alvira when I didn’t do it at all.

The day of the rites ball came, and I was in my chambers, pacing up and down as I watched the sun go down.and so did my confidence I had earlier to face Alvira and the whole pack.

I was so lost in thought that I couldn’t care less if I caught a cold from how damp my hair still was as I walked out to the small balcony on the edge of my room. The sunset looked elegant–the only peaceful thing in my life right now.

I heard the door open quietly. I was expecting Hana, but instead, I took in the familiar cedar scent before I heard a voice that I’d been avoiding for a while: “Elise,” Rygan said to me.

I turned to see him leaning against the closed door. I walked down the steps of the high platformed balcony to meet his level, but I was not sure since he towered over me. His eyes were stoic yet intensely stuffing my every move, every breath.

Just looking at him made me remember that night of the Lunar rites, his his breath clung to me hotly and how my body exploded into a million pieces in his hold, I shivered from just the mere thought of those strong hands around me again but the image of him with Alvira still haunts me as I cleared by throat pushing those thoughts down as I swallowed a deep breath before looking up at his storm grey orbs.

“What are you doing here, Rygan?”

“I want you to explain to me what happened and not avoid it like you’ve been doing all day. I need to know what transpired between you and Alvira so I can protect you; no one will hurt you with my words.”

“Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t,” I said to him. I wondered if those words would make him hate me, wouldn’t that be good for me? I’d finally be free from his confusing actions that make me indecisive if he wants me, so it’s best if he doesn’t like me or trust me, right?

“You are my priority,” he said to me. I felt my heart waning for him, but i stopped herself. I knew I needed to be cold and indifferent to him to stop.

“Priority?” Elise scoffed. “I stopped becoming that when you broke my heart. I stopped becoming that when you…

You know what? I don’t want to talk about it; we have the party in an hour, and your fiancée is waiting for you,” she retorted. Holding strong and not letting any words or his gaze affect her.

“You don’t need to go; I will take care of Alvira myself”

“So that the whole pack will think that I hate you and have it out for your fiancée?” She replied bitterly, her damp hair covering her cheek when she flailed her arms while talking.

1/3

J

15:36 Sun, Sep

Chapter 30

Rygan had the urge to much her, but when he reached for her, she pulled back and said, “Don’t, please.”

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. With Hana’s voice echoing through, she had come with Elise’s dress.

Rygan headed for the door, opening it to be met with Hanna, who jumped in shock “A–alpha” she stuttered, bowing as Rygan exited the room. She bowed in respect, but Rygan didn’t dare stay long. It confused the young girl, who stared from Rygan to Elise, who looked troubled.

“I’m sorry. I think I interrupted your talk with Alpha Rygan,” she replied with a disheartened smile.

“No? No, we were already done here. Let’s get ready, shall we?”

“Oh! And my sister told me to give you this,” she called, handing out a small piece of paper to her. She opened the content and read what Vienna wrote,

“Be strong and do not let them bring you down, Vienna writes, and Elise’s heart calms; she needed to hear that.

A small mile appears on her face when she finally turns to Hana, who was still so lovely and kind to her even after hearing about the incident. And when she asked Hana, Hana said that Elsie was not a bad person and continued with her work.

As she worked on Elise’s hair while the gown stayed resting in a closet, a quiet knock she’d made on the door made Elsie’s heart jump, wondering if Rygan had come back again.

But this time, when Hanna got it, she saw Kaide..

Please give me a moment,” Elise muttered, and the minute the door was closed, Kaide walked up to her in fast steps.

And for a moment, she was frightened that he was going to attack her for what happened to his cousin, Alvira. She closed her eyes for the finishing blow, but was only met with a warm hug.

“You’re okay,” he muttered. “God, you’re okay.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Let me just say, my family is a bit extreme in their punishment especially what happened,” he explained. Elise wondered if she believed her if she told him that she wasn’t the one who pushed her. She wondered about it but never asked.

“I will protect you; they won’t be able to punish you; Alvira is just a little angry, that is all, and I will talk to her, but it was more than anger, and Elise knew it was something else since a woman’s intuition is never wrong.

“Beta Kaide, we only have a short time left before the rites banquet,” one of his delta wolves said. He gave Elsie one last look before he left. I’ll see you at the ball, and I’d very much like a dance.”

Hana came in a second later, and the gasp on Hana’s lips when Elise tried on the dress was something that stunned Elise, she looked good and loved the dress more than she should have.

“I was shocked that it was Alpha Rygan who picked this for you; it was so beautiful!” Hanna was excited, and Elsie peered at herself in the mirror but froze when she heard Hana’s words.

“Alpha Rygan picked this.”

“Yes, he did. I’m sure he wanted you to have a good time; he is so generous.”

“A good time, huh?” she whispered. A lot of people would be studying and judging her when she goes to the party, but she isn’t going to show she is afraid of anyone.

The party had started with live performances from the band and people dancing and celebrating their loved ones who had completed the final turn and ritual

15:37 Sun, Sep T

Chapter 30

But it all stopped as they all purned to the door when Elsie arrived, and all eyes were now on her.

And she was going to prove them all wrong.

目