Chapter 24: Protecting My Love
Chapter 24: Protecting My Love
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Sebastian’s POV
Ever since that bastard Basil started his endless rambling, I regretted bringing them to the party.
But talking about Melissa’s family made me feel hopeful, so I wanted the entire North to know I was serious about her.
Joy clouded my judgment, making me forget that my stepmother, Debra, was not an easy person to deal with.
To this day, I suspected that my father’s death had deep ties to her.
Although I acknowledged my father’s political achievements, I could not deny that he was a cruel person who made people wish they could cut him to pieces. He had indulged my brothers in their hunts, allowing them to rape and murder innocent girls, kill their subordinates, abuse their wives, and persecute helpless children.
These acts of cruelty intensified after he married Debra.
My father who was originally the mate of my birth mother changed a lot in personality after he had this lover.
The North had turned into a synonym for barbarism, and as the old Alpha, he refused to accept any advice, even beginning to pressure the southeast and southwest regions to
collect taxes.
Whenever someone resisted, my father unleashed a significant military force to intimidate them through sheer violence.
Most regions agreed to accept my father’s rule, but it was all superficial. Soon, they formed a triad alliance and a special task force, and during that war, my father killed. many. Among them were the parents of that mad dog, so I understood his feelings during the ambush.
But now, nothing mattered more than my dear Melissa. I didn’t want her to feel pressured by my family issues.
I never expected that once we entered the villa, things would spiral beyond my control.
When I found Melissa, my stepmother was hurling nasty remarks at her. Upon seeing me, Debra didn’t stop but instead smiled at me.
“My dear son, your behavior has truly disappointed me. You haven’t visited me in so long, and now you bring a secondhand whore to this place to cavort.”
Hearing Debra’s taunts made my blood boil, and I shot my head up, barely containing my fury.
“If you continue like this, your position as Alpha might become unstable. Do you know
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Chapter 24: Protecting My Love
you’re still mingling with this whore here? You’d be better off fetching Rachel to bet Luna. Otherwise, being seen with a prisoner like this makes you look like a joke.”
Before I could react, Melissa stepped in front of me.
your
“Excuse me, ma’am, but I must interrupt you at this moment. It’s clear that what you said. has hurt Sebastian, and I hope you will apologize for your earlier remarks.”
She was always like this. Even when Debra’s words inflicted obvious harm, even when she revealed some things I had tried to hide from her, Melissa steadfastly stood before me.
“Watch your words,” I said, taking Melissa’s hand. I wouldn’t let her face this alone.
“Enough, Mother. In front of our Alpha, we should behave ourselves. Otherwise, we might end up like these prisoners.”
“Vince, your voice is as irritating as ever. If your current business is nearly wrapped up, I can arrange for you to be sent elsewhere.”
Looking at this younger brother with whom I shared a thin blood tie, I almost reached the point of disgust.
Especially the way he looked up to gouge out his eyes.
and down at Melissa made me wa right then and there.
Sensing the weight of my presence, Vince quickly lost his earlier bravado. He fell silent, standing next to his mother.
At that moment, I noticed Shakti gazing at me with eager anticipation; she seemed to have said something distasteful earlier.
“Alpha! I am so pleased to see you here tonight,” she said, a smile lighting up her face as she approached me and bowed.
Long before this batch of captives arrived in the North, Martell had warned me about a peculiar Luna. She had been married to her Alpha for many years without any semblance of a marital relationship. Although the Alpha preferred men, Shakti could have sought out other partners, yet she did not.
It wasn’t until the day I met the captives that I recognized Shakti bore a striking resemblance to Debra. This prompted me to arrange for someone to investigate her. identity.
I soon discovered that she was a distant relative of Debra, and while her feelings for me might be genuine, they could easily transform into a weapon aimed at Melissa at any time and place.
“You may be my brother, and you may be my nominal mother, but I hope you both remember that I am also the King of the North. Your two sons have no Alpha blood in them. I will not yield to anyone, nor will I show you mercy because of our blood ties. Watch your words. If you offend us, Vince, you know the consequences.”
Not wanting to waste energy on Shakti, I lifted my head and called Vince’s name, though
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Chapter 24: Protecting My Love
my words were directed at Debra.
Seeing them together today solidified my belief that Debra had a plan.
Especially those gathered at the door; it was evident they aimed to part Melissa and me, giving Debra the perfect opportunity to exploit.
“Dear Alpha, Mother only wanted to meet this woman; there’s nothing else intended. Otherwise, why would I speak to her so kindly?”
Sensing the tension in the air, Debra suddenly burst into laughter and affectionately approached me, stroking Melissa’s face.
“Don’t take what I said earlier to heart; it’s really not a big deal.”
“Of course, ma’am. I’m doing quite well now, better than many of the captives. Regardless. of whether I will become Alpha’s lover as you just mentioned, at least we are together for
now.”
Melissa stepped back, avoiding Debra’s touch. She looped her arm through mine as if to claim her territory, filling me with a sense of security.
“As for the Alpha imposing sanctions on other regions, I will do my utmost to support him; after all, the North’s safety is reliant on his efforts.”
How could I thank this clever little one? Once again, she saved me from being in a dilemma.
Things didn’t unfold as Debra had hoped; her expression soured noticeably.
I didn’t even bother greeting my older brother as I directly took Melissa and left.
Once seated on the couch, I pulled Melissa into my embrace.
“I’m sorry; perhaps I should have told you… I killed the Beta of the mad dog and sent his head to your ex–husband. While I suspect this ambush isn’t directly tied to him, I had to do it to intimidate him. Beyond that…”
I had my selfish motives for this action, worried that this jealous expression might drive Melissa away.
“I hope your ex–husband never comes near you again. That’s why I didn’t mention it to you–nothing more.”
After I finished speaking, Melissa tenderly held my hand and kissed it.
“I know, Sebastian! You’re not a brutal person, and I always believe in you.”
I squeezed her hand tightly, and we stepped onto the dance floor, the music and movement easing my tension.
When we returned to the castle, we started enjoying another crazy night.
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Chapter 24: Protecting My Love
But I never anticipated that Debra would treat Melissa as an enemy, uncharacteristically bringing my brothers back with her.
