Chapter 420
Third Person’s POV
After treating Eugene’s wounds, Lance looked at the group of werewolf warriors before him. Except for Eugene, he didn’t recognize a single one.
As for the individual who was still unconscious due to severe torture, Lance scrutinized him for a long while but still couldn’t determine his identity.
Eugene struggled to prop himself up and raised his hand. “Eugene reporting in!”
After a moment of silence, everyone began to announce their names one by one.
“Josh reporting in!”
“Martin reporting in!”
Lance turned away, and the tears he had been holding back finally streamed down his cheeks.
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It took a while for him to compose himself, his voice choked with emotion, “On behalf of Alpha Bentley’s legion, I welcome you all back!”
Eleven people, all alive! No one could fathom the depth of his exhilaration at this moment.
They covered their faces, tears seeping through their fingers, yet they dared not weep aloud.
The Alpha Bentley Legion–they would never forget they were part of it, even though their commander had fallen heroically.
Now, they could finally declare with pride that they belonged to the Alpha Bentley Legion.
A weak voice came from the ground, “Marsh, reporting in!”
Lance firmly grasped the hand Marsh weakly lifted–he couldn’t raise it high like the others, only a feeble motion.
Marsh opened his eyes, but only one would obey; the other was too swollen to open.
His face was so bruised it was unrecognizable, with a split lip and a crooked nose.
The left side of his face was more swollen than the right, and his right eye was nearly sealed shut from the swelling, giving him an almost inhuman appearance.
He was gaunt, reduced to skin and bones.
Despite this, the number of wounds from torture was heart–wrenching.
Tommy, tending to his injuries/couldn’t hold back her tears.
Burns from branding irons, whip marks, torn fingernails, and punctures from steel needles in his fingers…
The prolonged torture had left his ten fingers swollen like bananas, red, puffy, and pus–filled.
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Chapter 420
He grimaced through a smile, a shadow of his once–handsome fare
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Lance couldn’t bear to look at his smile or his face, feeling as if a mountain pressed on his cheat, making breathing difficult.
It was clear Marsh had endured unimaginable torment.
Lance stepped outside, sat at the door, and gazed at the hanging moon.
The journey home would be long, but he was determined to bring everyone back safely.
After regaining his composure, he heard Eugene ask Caldwell, “How are my parents and Gloria? Is my brother Abbot alright?”
Caldwell paused before replying, “They’re all well. But believing you sacrificed, your mate dissolved the mating and moved on. She’s now mated with someone else.”
Caldwell chose honesty to spare Eugene false hope, preparing him for the reality upon their return.
Eugene fell silent for a long while. Lying on the ground, he cradled his head in his arms, burying his face deeply.
Everyone watched with sympathy, realizing their own mates might have found new mates.
Of the group, only Griffin had no mate.
As Sibyl’s nephew and a former common soldier, he had fought bravely but been captured.
Magnus, Algier’s adoptive elder brother, wasn’t into books but loved fighting.
He went to war and became a squad leader before being captured.
He’d been engaged before leaving, and his “death” news had likely reached home. His fiancée might had married someone else, and Magnus hoped she was happy.
But it was Eugene’s plight that weighed heaviest on Magnus’s heart. Over the years, Eugene often spoke of Gloria and their life together.
Marsh had mentioned Eugene’s mate was timid and wouldn’t cope well with his supposed death, likely grieving for a long time.
Marsh hoped she wouldn’t wait in the Hornbeam Pack, as they might never return.
Their years of danger, with constant risk of capture–a fate worse than death–had tested their loyalty.
Their choice to remain faithful had broken their promises to their mates, and they knew they were the ones in the wrong.
This is for the best. She’s After a long silence, Eugene lifted his head, forcing a wry smile through his to mated again and won’t have to endure loneliness these past years. She’s a social soul; it would have been too much to ask her to stay. I was the one who wronged her. I truly wish her happiness.”
Klein, unable to bear listening, rose and joined Lance outside.
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Chapter 420
*** Come
His usually stern face grew colder. “Two are seriously injured. We’ll have to delay our departure for a few days.”
“We can’t linger too long. Our supplies are running low,” Larice said with a heavy sigh, watching the moon drift through the clouds–now bright, now dim.
“We leave in three days at most. Those who can’t walk, we’ll carry”
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