99 12 hours , earlier …
Ramsey
— 12 Hours Earlier- ~~
It was a few minutes after midnight when we finally arrived at Blue Ridge Pack Me and my entourage which consisted of my grandfather , the core White Mountains Elders and Cassidy who insisted oning with me despite my refusal .
We made a lot of stops on our way here due to my grandfather’s fragile state and since we were travelling with healers , we had to stop several times for them to attend to him .
Nathan and his father alongside Alpha Logan’s widow had weed us , but there was no sign of L .
Was she purposely avoiding me ?
After we were fed , and I freshened up , everyone went into their room immediately , the journey had worn us out .
However , an hourter , I was still wide awake staring at the ceiling and it didn’t help that Lax was agitated .
Cassidy had slipped into my room at some point , much to Lax’s chagrin and despite my pleas that I wanted to be left alone .
Because of how much Lax disliked her , he was making it impossible for me to get a shut eye .
Finally , at 2.
am , I decided to give up on trying to sleep again .
Risin
quietly from the bed so as not to wake an already sleeping Cassidy , I threw on a pair of casual clothes before slipping out of the room .
The main building of the pack house still buzzed with activities as servants were makingst – minute arrangements for the funeral that would be heldter today , so the ce was a bit lively .
I passed through them , nodding at their scattered greetings for those who recognized me .
I strolled around a bit around the Alpha building , pretending to be interested in the funeral arrangements being made when in reality , I was hoping to catch a glimpse of L .
It was killing me that since she arrived , I’d been unable to see her .
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I’ve been searching all these years and now that I have her at arm’s reach … it’s impossible to even get a peak .
I moved away from the Alpha building and headed for the gate after a while , loving how the cool night air was soothing my frayed nerves .
I had to see her today , no matter what .
Even if it was to corner her and force her to listen to me … I had to .
I was so deep in thought that I didn’t know I had been walking in the direction of the Beta House .
It wasn’t until I was standing at the gate that I realized that .
to
I wanted to turn back , Dack to the direction I hade from but then , I remembered
Nathan bragging about L being in his house .
In the end , I let my curiosity get the better of me and walked into thepound .
For a moment , I contemted going to knock on the doors , like I had done thest time I was here to arrest Nathan but it waste and everyone would be asleep .
Sighing , I circled the main building … looking at the windows , wondering which of the rooms L was sleeping in at this
moment .
14 OF
99 12 hours earlier …
I was so immersed in my thoughts that I didn’t Nathane up from behind me .
“ Looking for someone ? ”
When I turned , Nathan emerged from the darkness , staring at me suspiciously .
He had a vicious look on his face .
Despite being caught , I maintained myposure giving him a defiant shrug .
“ I was passing by ” I said calmly .
“ Thought I’d see if L was awake .
Which of the floors is her bedroom on ? ”
–
I knew the statement would provoke Nathan that was precisely why I had said it .
However , he responded with an unexpected level of calmness that angered me .
“ I heard movement outside the house and I came out to check … ” he paused slightly holding my gaze .
“ But when I left the room , L was sleeping peacefully .
So , I’m sorry you can’t see her .
It took me nearly two hours to rock her to sleep .
My heart flipped anxiously as the meaning of his words settled on me .
I didn’t know if it was a calcted move to get me equally angry but he seeded because Lax snarled with jealousy .
The thought of another man sharing a bed with our mate felt like torture .
Fighting to hide the jealousy from my expression , I nced up at him , but he continued smoothly before I could say another word .
“ Can’t sleep either ? ” He asked with a false friendly tone .
“ Me too .
How about we go for a walk ? Blue Ridge is best appreciated on nights like this .
”
Without waiting for my response , he turned and started for the gate .
I had no other choice but to fall into step beside him .
We walked for a while , allowing the light from the moon to serve as a beacon .
We didn’t say a word to each other … there was nothing to say .
We hate ourselves .
Suddenly , Nathan spoke , breaking the silence .
“ Have you thought about my offer ? ”
I scoffed , shing him an incredulous smile .
“ There was nothing to think about , Nathan .
My answer didn’t change and it won’t in the longest time .
I won’t give up , L … not now not ever .
She’s my mate and I love her .
“ You don’t love her , Ramsey .
You love the idea of having her .
You might want to be intimate with her , you might hate the fact that she’s not one of those weak women you’re used to and you’re pursuing her because you cannot stand the thought of a woman besting you … but you don’t love her :
“ Just because I don’t want to make our bond public doesn’t count as not loving her .
You’re just an Alpha and a Werewolf at that .
Wee from different worlds … you can put up with anything but in my world … perfection is power not warriors , not riches but perfection .
If you’re going to be rich , you have to be perfectly rich … if you’re going to have warriors you have to … ”
“ Have perfect warriors … ” Nathanpleted for me , scratching his cars with his brows scrunched up with irritation .
“ You’ve said that a lot of times already .
Then why don’t you go for your perfect Lycan woman- Cassidy Thorne ? Why are you chasing after a werewolf , Lycan ? ” he
taunted .
14 .
99 12 hours , earlier …
“ Because she’s my mate my only mate .
”
He smiled , unbothered by my deration .
“ I see you’re still as stubborn as ever ,” he mused as a cold smile yed on his lips .
“ You know , it never ends well for stubborn people .
”
I clenched my jaw , feeling my patience thin .
“ And you’re still the most brazen werewolf I’ve ever met .
Nathan .
Every time we meet , you insist on throwing your threats around .
I could crush you with only the flick of my finger , Nathan … do you still remember that I am a Lycan or has your selective amnesia wiped off that information .
”
“ Long ago ! ” he retorted with augh .
“ You’re not anything to me , Ramsey .
I told you … I stopped respecting you from the moment I saw a tear on L’s face and found out you were the cause .
“ Is this a werewolf thing ? Coveting another man’s woman ? I heard y’all act like barbarians … meeting you has confirmed that .
”
“ She’s not your woman , Ramsey Kincaid ,” he said quietly , shing me another cold smile “ And she would never be your woman .
You had a chance once but I’ll make it my life’s mission to make sure … you never know what it means to be with someone like L .
”
Iughed , amused by his confidence .
“ You really scare me .
”
He took a step closer to me , close enough that I could see the cold , dangerous glint in his eyes .
enhanced by the light from the moon .
“ Let me make you a promise , Lycan Leader Ramsey , he said , his voice dropping to a near – whisper .
“ And then , a threat .
”
I held his gaze , mping down on my fighting instinct that hovered at the surface .
“ First , I’ll ensure we renew every trade agreement and every export treaty between Blue Ridge and the White Mountains .
I’ll keep everymitment we’ve made to each other , alliances … you name it .
Business as susual ; his smile grew sharper .
“ But if you don’t leave L alone … ”
He lowered his mouth to my ear , his voice dropping a notch lower .
“ I will destroy everything precious to you .
I’ll see to it that you lose everything you hold dear .
One day , Ramsey , when you least expect it , I’ll bring you to your knees … I will strike and you’ll never see iting .
The words hung in the air between us .
Then as if flipping a switch , he took a step back , pping a hand on my shoulders as if we were friends .
The coldness had left his eyes too ,
“ That , my friend ; he said , grinning , “ Is called a threat .
The first real one I’ve ever made to and hopefully thest .
you
He straightened his jacket casually .
“ Now , stop loitering around my house , I’m not sure , I’ll be lenient the next time .
It’ll be morning soon and Werewolf funerals are energetic … you should get some sleep .
Good night , my leader
He gave me a curt bow before he turned on his heels and left .