Chapter 25
Karla’s POV
1 thought showing Soren the ultrasound would finally make him understand that we were over. Instead, he seemed more determined than ever. following Nikolai and me around the European territories like some deranged stalker.
Today, we were at an art exhibition featuring works from pack artists across different territories, I was admiring a stunning landscape painting when the ground began to shake violently
“Earthquake!” Nikolai shouted, immediately pulling me toward the nearest ext
The museum erupted into chaos–wolves and humans alike scrambling for safety as paintings crashed from the walls and display cases toppled over.
That’s when I heard the crying
A small wolf pup, maybe five years old, was crouched behind a fallen sculpture, too terrified to move. Her parents were nowhere to be seen, probably separated in the panic!]
Without thinking, I let go of Nikolai’s band and ran toward her.
“Kaela, no!” Nikolar’s voice was sharp with fear, but I was already scooping the child into my arms.
That’s when I saw Soren
A massive painting had fallen and struck him in the head. He was on the ground, blood trickling down his face, reaching toward me with desperate hope in his eyes
For a split second, he probably thought I was coming to save him.
I ran right past him without a glance
Nikolai met me halfway, shielding both the pup and me as we made our way to safety, Behind us, I could hear Soren calling my name, but I didn’t look back
Outside, I carefully checked the little girl for injuries while Nikolai contacted pack security to help locate her family. When museum staff finally carried Soren out on a stretcher, I was too busy comforting the frightened child to pay him any attention.
“Kaela,” Soren called weakly trying to get my attention. “My head it really hurts.
didn’t even turn around. “Then find a doctor. It’s not my problem anymore. Don’t worry–I’m sure they won’t abandon you mid treatment to me.”
I heard him collapse behind us, but I was already walking away with Nikolai and the rescued pup
Soren’s POV
The words hit harder than the falling painting had. As consciousness Eaded, I realized this was it–she really was done with me
You
did
When I woke up in the hospital, the doctors explained I had intracranial bleeding that required immediate surgery. But they needed a family member to sign the consent forms.]
I tried calling Kaela, only to discover she’d blocked my number completely.]
Desperate, I contacted Professor Grimweald–my old mentor who’d taught me everything about neurosurgery, and Nikolai’s grandfather, Surely he’d help his former student, especially given the family connection||
“I told you before,” his voice was ice–cold over the phone. “I don’t have students who abandon patients on operating tables. You’re on your own.”
The line went dead.
In the end, I had to find a foreign surgeon willing to operate for an exorbitant fee. The surgery saved my life, but damaged my spinal cord. I’d never walk again!
As I lay in that hospital bed, staring at the wolf bone bracelet I’d brought with me, I finally understood. This was justice–cosmic payback for everything
I’d put Kaela through
I put the bracelet on my own wrist. If I was going to suffer like she had, I might as well do it properly.
Three Years Later Karla’s POV
Graduation day at the Lycan Institute was everything I’d dreamed it would be. I walked across that stage with my Master’s degree in Inter Territory Relations, with Nikolai and our two–year–old daughter Beatrice cheering from the audience.
Our flight back to the northern territories was packed with other graduating wolves, all heading home to take up positions in their respective packs.
That’s when I saw him.
Soren was in a wheelchair near the departure gate, flanked by Interpol officers. Apparently, the international pack courts had finally caught up with him for the Duskrend murders. His three years as a fugitive were over
He looked broken. Hollow–cheeked, grey–haired despite being barely thirty, his once–powerful frame reduced to skin and bones. The wolf bone bracelet on his wrist had clearly been doing its work
Our eyes met across the terminal, and for a moment, time stopped.
Isaw recognition dawn in his face, followed by something that might have been peace. He looked at Nikolai, at our daughter playing happily in her father’s arms, at the life I’d built without him
Then he smiled–not with bitterness or regret, but with what looked like genuine happiness for me.]
His hand moved to the bracelet on his wrist, fingers tracing the carved bone with something approaching fondness. Then his eyes closed, and he slumped forward in his wheelchair.
The officers started shouting medical personnel rushed over, but I could tell from here that it was too late.]]
Soren Blackvein was gone.
“Mama?” Little Bea tugged on my jacket. “Why is everyone running?”
“Just some excitement, sweetheart,” I said, lifting her into my arms. “Nothing for us to worry about.”
And for the first time in my life, that was completely true
I had everything I’d ever wanted–a mate who cherished me, a healthy daughter, an education that would let me make a real difference in the pack world. The past was finally, truly behind me.
As we boarded our flight home, I didn’t look back at the commotion by the gate.
There was nothing left there for me to see.
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