Chapter 21: Refusing Official Sanctions.
Elliott’s POV
Chapter 21: Refusing Official Sanctions.
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I never expected to receive a reply, but as I stared at the message from the North, I found myself frozen in place for several minutes, surprised.
Melissa was an incredibly captivating woman, and I could easily imagine her shining brightly in the North.
These messages did nothing to lighten my mood; instead, they only deepened my feelings of frustration and jealousy.
Even though I was not by her side, Melissa still possessed the ability to find joy and happiness.
Yet my heart felt shattered, for losing her felt akin to having a vital part of my soul torn
away.
Courteney deliberately avoided my current state as she redecorated our home according to her preferences.
The pressure from public opinion forced me to bring her back, but I forbade her from touching Melissa’s bedroom. It felt like this was the only way I could sense Melissa was still with me–I could still catch her scent.
Because of the ambush, I was forced to expend both energy and resources on repairs to ensure the safety of our pack.
Through these events, I had come to see through the Special Mission Bureau and their so- called official protections and meetings.
Although the notifications and summonis irritated me, I couldn’t bring myself to care; instead, Courteney eagerly volunteered to attend in my place, much to her father’s satisfaction.
I knew many were mocking me, calling me out for feigning depth of feeling now that it
was too late.
Yet Courteney was my destined mate, and I felt an inexplicable intensity towards her that both confused me and made me submit to fate.
I resented how fate had stripped away my free will, ruined my life, and left me bereft of Melissa.
But now, I couldn’t even muster the courage to voice a firm promise, fearing that it would only hurt Melissa and make our current lives even worse.
The news from the North/was fascinating; in addition to Melissa’s handwritten letter, there was also a package included.
Beta informed me that this was sent by the dark Alpha as part of a special arrangement.
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Chapter 21: Refusing Official Sanctions.
Seeing the blood on the outside of the box, I wasn’t worried it belonged to Melissa. Given her current status in the North, even if Sebastian wanted to intimidate me, he would never harm her.
When I opened the box, I discovered, just as I suspected, the head of Atrias Elliotson’s subordinate inside..
His wolf spirit had already been extracted, rendering him devoid of any
memories.
Understanding the other party’s intentions, I waved my hand dismissively at Beta; I had no interest in such a gruesome display.
As I opened the letter sent from him, my palms grew sweaty with anxiety.
“Elliott Kauffman, it is not my wish to greet‘ you in this manner. It is my duty to receive your letter and pass it along to your ex–wife. I generously allow you both to correspond, but regarding matters between us men, I hope you are prepared. The forest and those in the East are vying for your support, especially since Atrias Elliotson is attempting to use this ambush to take Melissa away from me….
I never expected the notoriously savage Northerners to write such eloquent words; Sebastian seemed completely different from the rumors surrounding him.
Yet Atrias Elliotson was likely treading on the dark Alpha’s last nerve. That rabid dog dared to harm another’s pack, which, no matter the reasoning, could be perceived as a challenge to oth
packs.
If I had any power, I should have felt anger towards him, as his actions were entirely driven by Melissa.
Now that I had received such a threat, Atrias Elliotson must have been even more distressed.
I wouldn’t easily concede or allow this guy to manipulate me, but I couldn’t shake my jealousy; I didn’t dare to be as resolute in keeping Melissa by my side as he was.
Not wanting to engage in the self–destructive actions of the East and the forest regions, I suspected the Special Mission Bureau hadn’t anticipated such a situation while maintaining the interests of the Southeast and West.
“So, are we truly no longer participating in official activities?”
Beta frowned, sensing that even with the support of other packs, the Meadowlands remained precarious if the dark Alpha truly lost his mind.
“If those guys really saw us as allies, then why didn’t we hear a whisper about the timing of
this attack?”
The so–called “alliance” merely maintained a facade of harmony; who knew what those aggressive militants were truly plotting?
My mind was in disarray, and I even questioned the divisions between
en regions.
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Chapter 21: Refusing Official Sanctions.
As I had anticipated, after I refused the official summons for the fifth time, that bastard Swan showed up on my territory.
“Atrias didn’t seck anyone’s approval; he simply launched a war because he was irritated by that pack of savages in the North. The southern region, which you and your father–in–law oversee, has also been caught in the crossfire and suffered terribly.”
Swan’s tone was laced with resignation as he glanced at Courteney, choosing not to say much more.
“He’s doing this for Melissa.”
I took a deep breath; it was hard to believe that Atrias and Sebastian were willing to risk a war over Melissa.
Atrias had only seen her once, yet he was ready to risk war for her. Was he declaring war on me? Or was Melissa’s allure powerful enough to shake the entire Pack’s security?
Melissa, as the former Luna, had willingly sacrificed herself for the safety of the Meadowlands; while such a gesture was indeed compelling, it hardly justified their willingness to go this far for her.
Swan and I stayed up until midnight, discussing tactics for quite some time.
“Perhaps Courteney and her father knew about the attack long before it happened.”
I fell silent at his words. From the moment the attack occurred to Swan’s mention of serious injuries within the pack, Courteney’s reaction had been far too calm,
“I don’t know; she’s focused on her pregnancy. There’s so much we haven’t discussed.”
Sensing my reluctance to continue this line of conversation, Swan said no more.
“Atrias brought danger to our doorstep; allying with such a mad dog was perilous, offering us nothing but trouble. The North has never provoked us until the Special Missions Bureau requested our alliance of the Southeast and Southwest. Therefore, I am ready to forsake this so–called official protection. As long as we don’t seek trouble, it won’t come looking for us.”
I gazed seriously at Swan, expressing my thoughts honestly.
He said nothing, merely gave me a meaningful look. After a few casual exchanges, he swayed slightly as he left.
This guy always seemed out of touch, yet in the aftermath of this sudden attack, his territory, alongside the Meadowlands, had suffered the least damage.
When I finished my shower and returned to the bedroom, Courteney approached, cradling her pregnant belly.
Her eyes and limbs had begun to swell
Sitting beside me, her expression was one of deep sorrow.
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Chapter 21: Refusing Official Sanctions
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“Since we moved here, you haven’t touched me. I don’t know if my staying here holds any meaning; you spend most of your time with Aaron, and it leaves me and our child feeling so lonely.”
Noticing my deliberate avoidance, Courteney seemed even more heartbroken.
I found myself at a loss, even though I knew this wasn’t the fault of either of us.
“Courteney, Aaron is still a child; you need to give me some time.”
I moved closer, gently kissing her cheek and stroking her slightly rounded belly.
I completely failed to notice Aaron standing at the doorway, looking dejected as he hugged himself.
