Burn in the Alpha Princess's Wrath novel Chapter 238

Chapter 238 No Ifs

Leslie’s POV

:

81

+8 Pearls

“Of course not.” His gaze carried regret so raw it burned, sorrow pressed deep into every line of his face. “If I had known I’d meet you there that day, I would never have left so quickly. I would have memorized you–your scent, your face–burned you into the very core of my wolf.”

Kirby’s black eyes pierced me, unflinching. “Leslie, I swear I would have loved you first.”

My breath caught, a shiver running through me. The hunger in his eyes was too sharp, too invasive.

Asphodel’s growl throbbed at the back of my mind, low and displeased.

I forced the chill into my voice. “Too bad life doesn’t deal in ifs. If I had another chance, I would never have accepted a marriage contract.”

That so–called bond had been carved in blood and pain. A lesson branded deep into my bones.

When I returned to Rogue Pack’s royal estate, exhaustion sank through me. Even with the weight of Adler’s project in my hands–a victory that could shake the continent—I felt no triumph.

Perhaps it was because the past had been dredged up too cruelly, too suddenly. I hadn’t prepared my heart to face it.

Alone in the quiet of night, I lay restless. Every time I closed my eyes, the photo flashed back, dragging with it the stench of blood, the snarls of mad wolves tearing through flesh.

The chime of my comm broke the silence. I snatched it up irritably, only for my brow to furrow.

Kirby.

The message glowed beneath the ridiculous label he’d given himself–Savior

Leslie, I’m glad the one I saved was you.

Not someone else. You. I thank the Moon you survived.

Asphodel’s voice snapped sharp in my head. Hmph. The jealous fool suddenly learns sweet words?

I stared out the dark window for a beat, then tossed the device aside. The past was buried.

1/3

9:16 Thu, Sep 18 B

Chapter 238 No Ifs

:

Nothing could change that. Why reopen graves?

Sleep finally claimed me.

D

+8 Pearls

Morning broke with chaos.

News of Rogue Pack’s alliance with Adler had already exploded across the Pack network. Every Pack, every company flooded us with messages of goodwill, desperate to cling to the edges of such glory.

My private comm nearly melted down with requests. Luckily, I had silenced it the night before.

I sent Astrid a quick reply, washed, and went downstairs.

“Thorbane?” He stood in the living room, face carved in steel, ending a call as soon as he saw

1. me.

“You’ve got a careless heart,” he said sharply.

I blinked at him in confusion. At the table, Father Lars folded his paper and smirked.

“What exactly did you say to Adler? His people are already meeting your brother for follow–up. The shift in attitude is almost suspiciously quick.”

I exhaled and relayed the essentials of the night before. Understanding dawned across their faces.

Only Carl muttered, shaking his head with mock pity. “So Adler’s son’s already that big. Guess you’ve got no chance with him, sis.”

“Get lost,” Father snapped.

“Seconded,” Thorbane added flatly.

I laughed, finishing breakfast before heading to headquarters with Thorbane.

The morning council convened, the room full of voices until our arrival cut the noise to silence. Dozens of eyes swung toward me, gauging, probing. My heels struck sharp against the floor as I walked to the central seat, radiating the unyielding aura of an Alpha queen.

Across the table, Damian sat pale and twitchy, stealing glances at me and Thorbane, unable to

settle.

Thorbane presided, his voice cool as steel. Reports were delivered, business reviewed. Then, inevitably, the subject veered back to Adler’s project.

9:16 Thu, Sep 18 G.

Chapter 238 No Ifs

…

:

81

+8 Pearls

“The technical department must give this their full support,” Thorbane said. “Every part of this plan is interlinked. One failure and the whole structure collapses. Anything further?”

Heads shook in unison.

But just as the elders thought to adjourn, Thorbane’s gaze flicked toward me. His tone shifted.

“Leslie. Anything to add?”

I smiled faintly, fully grasping his intent.

Lifting my eyes, I let them slide, sharp and deliberate, onto Lucian–who squirmed visibly under the weight of my stare.

Send Gifts

158

✩