Chapter 45 - The Weight of Promises
1163 Words
Kevin stood with Stephanie near the far edge of the academy courtyard, where the stone path curved toward the training fields. The place was quiet compared to the main square. Only the rustle of leaves and the distant voices of students drifted through the warm afternoon air.
Stephanie stood with her arms folded tightly across her chest.
Kevin watched her carefully.
“You look like you didn’t sleep,” he said quietly.
Stephanie exhaled slowly.
“My father spoke with me this morning.”
Kevin already knew what that meant.
Still, he asked.
“And?”
She hesitated before answering.
“He told me about the agreement.”
Kevin’s jaw tightened slightly.
The agreement.
Between Elliot and Leonard Littlewood.
Between packs.
Between fathers.
Stephanie finally lifted her eyes to him.
Her voice was quiet.
“Do you love Fellicity?”
Kevin blinked once.
Then suddenly he laughed.
A short, incredulous sound.
“Fellicity?”
Stephanie waited.
Kevin shook his head.
“She’s an arrangement.”
His voice carried a hint of irritation.
“A political agreement.”
He stepped closer.
“You know who my girl is.”
Stephanie lowered her gaze slightly.
“I wanted to hear you say it.”
Kevin lifted her chin gently with two fingers.
“You.”
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Students passed in the distance.
The world continued around them as if nothing had changed.
Stephanie looked around the courtyard.
“My father told me something else.”
Kevin raised an eyebrow.
“What?”
“He said I should start considering candidates.”
Kevin nodded slowly.
“That makes sense.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“You’re not surprised.”
“No.”
Stephanie studied him.
“He wants me to choose several possible husbands.”
Kevin looked thoughtful for a moment.
Then he spoke calmly.
“Choose one.”
Stephanie frowned.
“One?”
“Yes.”
“Which one?”
Kevin met her gaze.
“The one I tell you to choose.”
Stephanie stiffened immediately.
“You’re serious?”
Kevin remained calm.
Her voice sharpened.
“You’re willing to give me to another wolf?”
For a moment Kevin said nothing.
Then something in her expression softened his tone.
He stepped closer and gently took her face in his hands.
“Listen to me.”
His voice dropped slightly.
“I’m not giving you to anyone.”
Stephanie’s eyes searched his.
Kevin continued.
“But there are wolves in this pack that are easier to control.”
Stephanie slowly placed her hands over his wrists.
“You mean… you would choose someone loyal to you.”
Kevin nodded.
“Exactly.”
She studied his face.
“But your father…”
Kevin pulled her closer.
“My father won’t live forever.”
The words came quietly.
But their meaning was sharp.
Stephanie looked up at him.
Kevin’s voice lowered.
“When he dies, I’ll be Alpha.”
His arms tightened around her slightly.
“And when I’m Alpha…”
His lips brushed against her hair.
“I can have as many women as I want.”
Stephanie closed her eyes.
“But I only want one.”
Her voice barely rose above a whisper.
“Kevin…”
He lifted her chin again.
“You.”
Stephanie’s expression softened.
A faint smile touched her lips.
She leaned forward and pressed her forehead against his chest.
For a moment she simply stood there, breathing slowly.
“I don’t know how long I can keep playing these games,” she said quietly.
Kevin kissed her forehead gently.
“Not long.”
Stephanie looked up.
“I promise you,” he said softly, “every bit of suffering you endure now will be repaid tenfold.”
She searched his face.
“Do you believe that?”
Kevin’s eyes hardened slightly.
“I don’t believe it.”
He paused.
“I know it.”
For a moment everything seemed calm.
Then Kevin’s attention shifted.
Across the courtyard.
Someone walking toward the academy library.
His body went rigid instantly.
Florence.
She moved calmly along the path, a stack of books in her arms.
Her hair moved lightly in the breeze.
She looked… completely unbothered.
Kevin felt something dark rise in his chest.
Stephanie noticed the change immediately.
She followed his gaze.
And saw Florence.
Stephanie’s hands tightened around Kevin’s arms.
Kevin’s grip on her shoulders tightened unconsciously.
“How,” he said slowly, his voice low and sharp, “does that insolent girl dare show her face here?”
Stephanie swallowed.
She had heard the rumors too.
Everyone had.
Florence had been beaten.
Then sold to Alpha Anthony.
The story had spread everywhere.
And yet here she was.
Walking across the academy grounds as if nothing had happened.
Kevin’s eyes darkened.
Stephanie could feel the tension in his body growing.
“Kevin…”
He was already moving.
Stephanie grabbed his arm.
“Kevin, wait.”
But the anger inside him had already begun to boil.
“That girl,” he muttered.
Stephanie stepped in front of him.
“Don’t.”
Kevin barely seemed to hear her.
Stephanie placed both hands on his chest.
“Kevin.”
His eyes remained fixed on Florence.
Stephanie lowered her voice.
“You’ll only make things worse.”
Kevin’s jaw clenched.
“Worse?”
Stephanie spoke carefully.
“Everyone is watching.”
Kevin glanced around briefly.
She was right.
Students nearby had already begun whispering.
Watching.
Waiting.
Kevin forced himself to breathe slowly.
But the sight of Florence walking calmly toward the library made something twist inside him.
That girl had brought nothing but chaos.
First the scandal.
Then the beating.
Then Anthony.
Now she walked through the academy like she still belonged there.
Kevin’s fists clenched.
Stephanie squeezed his arm gently.
“Let it go.”
Kevin said nothing.
Florence continued walking.
Closer to the library entrance.
Closer to them.
Kevin’s gaze followed her every step.
Stephanie felt his muscles tighten again.
She leaned closer to him.
“Kevin.”
His voice dropped into a low growl.
“She shouldn’t be here.”
Stephanie hesitated.
Then spoke softly.
“She probably has nowhere else to go.”
Kevin’s eyes flashed.
“That’s not my problem.”
Florence reached the library steps.
For a moment she paused.
She looked across the courtyard.
Her gaze passed over the crowd.
And then—
For a brief second—
Her eyes met Kevin’s.
Kevin felt something inside him snap.
Stephanie felt it too.
His shoulders tensed violently.
“Kevin—”
But it was too late.
The hatred that had been building inside him finally pushed him forward.
Stephanie tried to hold his arm.
But the force of his movement pulled him away from her grasp.
He started toward Florence.
Stephanie stood frozen for a moment.
Then she hurried after him.
“Kevin, stop!”
But the dark pull of anger was already dragging him forward.
And Florence had no idea what was coming.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD