Chapter 13
“I’ll come with you. I want to have a heart-to-heart with the Ironshade family.”
Alpha Liam spoke with a straight face. It wasn’t a question but a statement. And I just chuckled as I put on my winter coat from the Darkvenom pack.
“You’ve really changed. You used to cry all the time, but now you act like you’re in charge,” I teased.
“I am in charge, Helena. I’m the strongest Alpha in the north now,” he said proudly, with a smug look on his face.
And strangely, I actually liked his arrogance. Alpha Liam’s confidence. I couldn’t deny that it was all true. He was too good for now.
“By the way, Samuel is busy searching for the one who ruined his night.”
My eyes widened. Panic. “What? What if he finds-”
‘Do you think I’m as weak as you?” Liam cut in with a satisfied expression. His hands were folded across his chest. “Everything’s under control. He’s mobilized his entire force, but it means nothing to me. I’ve cleaned everything up without a trace.”
praised Liam’s intelligence again. I never expected it. Besides being known for his strength, he’s also grown into a cunning wolf.
And as for Samuel… my heart felt satisfied.
‘Samuel must be desperate for not finding the culprit,” I spoke more to myself. “He’s worked hard, but to no avail.”
‘That’s true,” Alpha Liam said, straightening my slightly disheveled jacket. We locked eyes. “I’m serious, Samuel looks desperate. He’s done everything he can, but he’s found nothing but destruction. I think that might calm you down.”
remained silent for a few seconds. Liam’s gentle eyes always managed to trap me.
‘Thank you, Alpha Liam,” I said sincerely. “I owe you a lot.”
Before he could answer, Thorne came out of the pack’s house.
‘Am I interrupting you?” he asked awkwardly.
I quickly stepped back from Alpha Liam. “No. What’s up, Thorne?”
‘Just curious. Why is Samuel looking for you, princess? He’s really mobilized his entire elite force.”
I fell silent. Too shocked. Or almost unsure how to react.
“Maybe he’s realized Helena is the daughter of Ironshade,” Liam looked at me and Thorne alternately. “Or perhaps he’s realized he’s fallen in love with Helena and feels lost?”
I nearly choked on my own saliva. Laughing with a sharp tone.
“Feels lost?” I found the words amusing. Even just saying them. “I don’t need it. I’d rather hear him say he wants to kneel.”
“It’s okay, Princess. It will happen soon. Alpha Liam and I have erased all traces of you.” Thorne
spoke firmly. “And we’ll let him nearly die for sacrificing everything for nothing.”
I smirked. That’s good. Samuel had truly acted like an idiot.
“Let’s head to the Ironshade pack. I’ve already told your father about this,” Thorne said again.
We set off.
That morning, the air in the Ironshade valley carried the scent of dew and wet wild grass. The mist still hung low as my steps crossed the edge of the forest.
And at the end of that old stone path… stood a tall gate carved with the Ironshade emblem: a red-horned wolf, howling toward the sky.
I was back.
My body trembled-not from the cold, but from an unavoidable fear.
‘You must be afraid of being rejected. Afraid of being humiliated. Or worse: ignored.” Liam suddenly appeared beside me.
His hand gripped mine tightly. For the first time, my blood seemed to flow faster.
‘But that will only happen in your imagination. It’s all a lie. You will be welcomed,” he continued nodded in agreement by Thorne.
‘Your father is waiting for you, Princess.”
They were completely right. When the gate opened, what I saw wasn’t anger.
t was my father, the King of all Alphas from the Ironshade pack, standing tall, his eyes fixed or ne, and the entire pack welcoming me behind him.
Dozens of wolf eyes stared at me… and fell silent.
bowed my head deeply.
‘I… am back. And I know I was wrong, Father,” I said softly. “I refused your advice, ignored al your warnings. I thought I knew everything. But I knew nothing.”
knelt down.
‘I’m sorry… for dishonoring my family’s name. I don’t deserve to bear the name Ironshade.”
A few seconds of silence enveloped everything.
Then, heavy footsteps approached me.
Until those strong hands touched my shoulder and pulled me into a warm, firm embrace. Father hugged me.
“You’re stubborn. But you’re still my daughter,” he murmured softly. “And your home will always be open.”
Tears fell from my eyes. In his embrace, filled with strength and the scars of war, I rediscovered who I truly was.
Once again, I remembered my foolishness all this time. Leaving a perfect family for a momentary happiness. Which turned out to be fake.
7:34 pm
