Chapter 251
The late afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of the royal pack house, casting golden light over the preparations taking place inside. Sonia sat at the long table in the central hall, her hands idly brushing over the polished wood. Around her, Ivy and a few maids worked diligently, organizing weapons, sharpening daggers, and setting out armor.
Ivy moved with quiet efficiency, pausing occasionally to glance at Sonia “You don’t have to sit here,” she said gently, her green eyes filled with coucem “The others can handle this”
Sonia smiled faintly, though the weariness in her face was impossible to hide. “I know,” she replied. “But being here makes me feel useful”
lvy nodded, understanding. “You’re more than useful. Sonia. You’re the reason we’re all still standing”
Before Sonia could respond. Wolf entered the room, his expression uncharacteristically hesitant. He stopped just inside the doorway, his gaze darting between Sonia and Ivy. Then greeted Ivy with a nod.
“Sonia,” he said, his voice softer than usual. “Could we talk! Alone?”
Ivy raised an eyebrow but didn’t protest. She g gestured to the maids, and together they gathered the tools and left the room. “Il be in the next hall if you need me,” Ivy said before shipping out, leaving Sonia and Wolf in a heavy silence.
Wolf stood there for a moment, his broad frame silhouetted against the light streaming through the windows. He shifted uncomfortably, his hands fidgeting as though he wasn’t sure where to begin
“What is it?” Sonia asked, her voice gentle but tinged with curiosity.
He stepped forward, pulling out the chair across from her and sitting down. For a long moment, he simply looked at her, his blue eyes filled with something she couldn’t quite place, guilt, perhaps, or sorrow.
“I need to apologize,” he said finally, his voice low.
Sonia blinked, taken aback “Apologize? For what?”
“For everything,” he said, his gaze dropping to the table. “For not speaking up sooner about Lorena. For letting her slip through my hands. For not being the brother you deserved when…” He paused, his jaw tightening. “When Ramon took you”
Her breath caught, the memory of that time still raw, still painful. “Wolf, that was years ago.”
“That doesn’t make it right,” he said quickly, looking up at her again. “I should have fought for you, Sonia. I should have done something, anything. to bring you back. But I didn’t. And I’ve carried that guilt every day since.”
Her heart ached at the pain in his voice, the weight he had been carrying all this time. “Wolf, you don’t have to do this,” she said softly.
“Yes, I do,” he insisted. “Because I need you to know the truth. Our father… He trailed off, his throat working as he struggled to find the words. “Our father gave the order to leave you. He thought bringing you back would make us look weak. He said…” His voice broke, and he shook his head. “He said you were better off gone.”
Sonia’s chest tightened, a sharp p pain slicing through her at the mention of their father. “I already knew,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Wolf’s eyes widened. “You knew!”
She nodded, trans welling in her eyes. “I found out later. From Daisy. I’ve had time to… process it
“I should have stood up to him,” Wolf said, his voice thick with regret. “I should have done more”
“You were just following orders,” Sonia said, though the words tasted bitter in her mouth..
1 so sorry.
- a. For all of it?
“No,” he said firmly. “I was a coward. And I’m s
The tears came i aleove a whisper
then, falling silently
y down her cheeks as she reached across the table, taking his hand in hers. “Thank you,” she said, her voice barely
“For what?” he asked, his brow i
furrowing
“For telling me the truth. For being here now. That means more than you know.”
Wolf squeezed her hand, his own eyes glistening. “I promise you, Sonia, I won’t fail you again. Whatever happens in this war, I’ll protect you. With my life, if I have to.”
She shook her head, her grip tightening. “No, Wolf. We protect each other. That’s what family does.”
He smiled faintly, a hint of his usual bravado returning. “Deal.”
The sound of footsteps echoed down the hall, and a moment later, Ivy and the maids returned, their arms laden with weapons and armor. Ramon and Blane followed close behind, their presence idling the room with a quiet strength.
“What’s all this!” Ramon asked, his eyes scanning the table.
“Just finishing up preparations,” Ivy said, her tone light but efficient. She glanced at Sonia, her expression softening.
Ramon walked over to Sonia, his hand brushing against her shoulder. “Are you okay?” he asked quietly.
She nodded, her heart steadying at the warmth in his touch. “I’m fine. Just… talking”
His gaze flicked to Wolf, who met his eyes with a nod. Whatever tension had existed between them seemed to dissolve in that moment.
Blane cleared his throat, his voice cutting through the quiet. “The scouts have returned: They’ve spotted movement near the northern border. We should talk strategy.
Ramon straightened, his expression hardening. “Let’s go.”
He turned to Sonia, his hand lingering on her shoulder. “You should rest,” he said softly.
“I will,” she promised, though they both knew it wasn’t entirely true.
As the others filed out of the room, Sonia and Wolf shared one last look. The bond between them felt stronger now, mended by shared pain and an unspoken vow.
“We’ll get through this, Wolf said, his voice steady.
“Yes,” Sonia said, her determination burning brighter than ever. “We will”
As Sonia watched them leave, a sudden chill ran down her spine. Somewhere in the distance, the faint howl of a rogue wolf pierced the air, a haunting reminder that time was running out.
