Shattered Bonds A Second Chance Mate (by Yui) novel Chapter 221

Chapter 221

The next morning, the hall felt heavier before anyone spoke.

The weight wasn’t from stone or ceiling beams.

No, it was from the way the air carried rumor, the way the servants whispered behind their hands, the way warriors moved in sharper lines as if expecting commands that would hurt when they landed.

We had set the long dining table again, silver polished, flowers cut fresh, bread warm enough to let steam rise

when torn.

Because, I had insisted on it–on keeping the warmth even as strategy shifted. It mattered that people saw bread and blossoms, not just blades.

But the people had already heard the news: the King Alpha himself would speak new rules at breakfast.

And that was not common.

So, when Francesco entered, followed by Alfonso and Marlow, the room hushed. His presence was enough to silence even the scrape of spoons. Warriors straightened in their seats. Women pressed their children’s hands to keep them quiet.

My mate didn’t sit immediately.

He let the silence thrum until every heartbeat in the hall belonged to him.

Then he placed his hands on the back of the chair at the head of the table–his chair–and spoke firmly.

“Yesterday we welcomed you as family,” he began, his voice deep, steady. “We gave you bread and music and warmth. We offered you safety. And I meant it. But safety without teeth is an illusion. A house that keeps its doors open without guard will be burned. A wolf that shows only its belly will be eaten.”

Murmurs rustled through the hall.

Some elders frowned, confused.

Others nodded grimly, as if they had expected this all along.

But my Francesco’s gaze swept the table. “From this day, patrols double. Curfew returns at sundown. Any stranger who crosses our border without being known will be questioned, not welcomed. The wardens will check every loaf, every flask, every gift brought to this house.”

A gasp rose from one corner–women clutching children.

I heard one whispered, “But… yesterday, he smiled.”

I rose before fear could root deeper. I have to do something.

My voice carried clear, steady: “Yesterday was the welcome. Today is the shield. A family is both. Do

you

fear

Chapter 221

protection? Or do you fear the lies others whisper about us?”

And that shut them.

Francesco’s hand found mine briefly as I sat again, the warmth of his palm saying brava.

Then he continued…

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“I will not play at warmth while enemies sharpen knives. We will show the face they fear–the Lycan they say is ruthless. Yes. To enemies. To those who come in shadow. But to you-” his voice lowered, almost a growl –“to you, who eat at this table, who labor and bleed and raise children here–you will have our strength. You will have me.”

The room trembled with that promise.

I saw awe on some faces, relief on others, fear still lurking in the eyes of those who did not yet know him.

Afterwards, when bread and stew were finally served, the tension did not vanish. It shifted. Men ate in silence, measuring. Women looked at me with questions in their eyes. When one finally spoke–her voice small, uncertain—“Luna, why such hard rules, so suddenly?”

I met her gaze without flinching. “Because safety is not given, it is kept. Do you worry for your children?”

She nodded quickly.

“Then know this: every order the King gives now is for them. Protection first, comfort after. A mother does not feed her children sweets before bread. We are the same.”

Her mouth snapped shut.

Others glanced away, chastened.

But, no one asked again.

By the time breakfast ended, the rules had settled over the hall like a new roof–heavy, strange, but necessary. Alfonso’s jaw was tight with approval. Marlow wore that small, dangerous smile that meant he was already planning drills. Even Monica, who usually frowned at talk of blades, only sighed softly and muttered, “At least this way, fewer will end in my ward.”

But the people–oh, the people–they looked both afraid and oddly proud.

As if to say: ‘our house is hard, but perhaps it will not fall.’

Later, when Francesco and his knights walked toward the training field to begin their sharper regimen, I lingered behind.

My heart was proud of him, but it was also tired, knowing what enemies would twist from this show of steel.

By the time I returned to my chambers that evening, the day had already worn me.

I longed for Francesco’s arms, for the quiet bond–hum that came only when we breathed in the same room.

12:35 Thu, Oct 2

Chapter 221

But when I pushed open the door, I froze.

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