The Wolf Who Loved Too Late

Chapter Seven

"Take the vows?" I whipped my head toward Grant, incredulous. "You actually buy this nonsense?"

He went quiet for a moment, then said, "Delilah's health has always been fragile. If there's really something blocking her…"

I laughed—a sharp, jagged sound that clawed its way out of my chest, tears stinging the corners of my eyes. "Grant, you're truly blind! Sure, you're a war hero, Argentum Town's golden wolf, but I'm no slouch either! Half the pack's finest wolves would've fought for my hand. If Alpha Alexander hadn't forced this bond, I'd never have been bound to you!"

"For years, I've run this estate, pouring my heart and soul into it, never slacking once. You've got Delilah in your heart? Fine, I dealt with it. You want me to hand her everything? I did that too. But now you expect me to shave my head and become a monk for your precious mate? In your dreams!"

I didn't wait to see his stunned expression. I turned and stormed out, refusing to give them another second of my time.

"Helena, wait!" Delilah's voice, thick with fake tears, chased after me as she lifted her skirts to follow. "Can't you just bear to see me—” I quickened my pace, desperate to escape this sickening place. But then, figures burst from the bushes—masked wolves, one clamping a hand over my mouth.

"Mmph!" I thrashed, but they outnumbered me.

Behind me, Delilah screamed, "Help! Grant, save me!" as they grabbed her too.

Grant charged out of the meditation hall, catching only our retreating shadows. "Delilah!" His voice cracked with panic as he sprinted after us, but the abbot blocked his path. "General, no! Those are mountain bandits—vicious killers…"

"Get out of my way!" Grant shoved him aside, but by the time he reached the base of the hill, we were gone.

In a dank cave, Delilah and I were bound together, ropes cutting into our wrists. "Helena…" she whimpered, trembling. "Are we gonna die here?"

I didn't answer. My fingers worked carefully, using a hairpin hidden in my sleeve to saw at the ropes.

Footsteps echoed at the cave's entrance. "Boss, Grant's here with the money!"

The lead bandit, Jed Walker, grinned wide. "Let's go have a chat."

Outside, Grant stood alone in a clearing, a heavy chest at his feet. "I brought the gold. Let them go."

Jed kicked the chest open, gold bars spilling across the dirt. He counted them, then sneered. "Not enough, General. This'll only cover one."

Grant's face darkened. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Pick one," Jed said, pressing a blade to my throat. "Your mate, or your heart's true love?” I froze, my eyes locked on Grant, unblinking.

Who would he choose?

Deep down, I already knew.

"Delilah," he said without hesitation. "Let her go."

The bandits roared with laughter. One jabbed a knife under my chin, forcing my head up. "Hear that? Your wolf would rather save the crying she-wolf than you!"

"What a pathetic mate, huh? All these years, and you couldn't warm his heart!” "Forget him. Come with us—you'll have a better time than in that fancy estate!"

Each taunt was a dagger, twisting in my chest. I bit my lip until I tasted blood.

Grant's face was grim. "Give me one day. I'll bring enough to free her."

"No need," Jed scoffed. "Everyone knows you don't give a damn about your mate. Take your darling and go. We'll 'take care' of Helena."

Grant ignored him, his eyes meeting mine, voice low. "Wait for me.” I watched as he left with Delilah, the sun crawling from east to west, the shadows at the cave's mouth stretching longer and longer.

He never came back.

"Ha! Told you!" Jed kicked over a water bowl, splashing my feet. "Your mate's probably thrilled to be rid of you!"

At sunset, the bandits yanked me up. "Let's go, Helena. You're gonna be our camp's new queen!"

As we crossed a rickety wooden bridge, the river roared below, wild and merciless. "Move it!" one of them shoved me hard.

I stumbled, then stopped. A faint smile curved my lips.

"Tell Grant," I said softly, "the biggest regret of my life was letting myself be bound to him."

Before their shocked cries could stop me, I leaped into the raging current.