Chapter 111

+5

SAGE

The man escorted us down a dimly lit hallway to our rooms. When we reached the end, I hesitated, glancing back just in time to see Titus and Anna step into two separate rooms. My curiosity sparked, but I quickly shoved it aside. It wasn't my business, and I had no reason to get tangled up in whatever Titus was doing.

I pushed open the door to my room and stepped inside, letting out a loud sigh as I closed it behind me. The silence wrapped around me like a heavy blanket, and I pressed my back against the door, trying to gather my thoughts. It hadn't even been a few minutes when I heard a soft knock.

person

you expected to to see, he

Startled, I straightened, figuring tall frame filling the doorway, his expression unreadable. it must be Elara checking in. I moved quickly to open the door, but when I did, I froze.

," he said, a small, almost sheepish smile tugging at his lips.

stood on the other side,

"I'm probably the last

his

"Holt" I breathed, my voice a mix of confusion and disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

I

"Can I come in?" he asked, his tone calm, but there was an undercurrent of something heavier-urgency, maybe.

I

I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorframe, narrowing

my eyes slightly. "That depends. What's the purpose of this visit?"

"I just want to talk," he said, his gaze steady, like he was trying to convince me of his sincerity. anything to talk about?" I countered, my words blunt but not harsh.

"DO

we ever even have

"A lot, actually" he replied, a flicker of something I couldn't name crossing his face. "You're probably wondering why I'm here."

I studied him for a moment, my

He wasn't wrong-I had a lot of questions. Questions that wouldn't leave me alone until I got answers. Finally, I sighed and stepped back, opening the door wider. "Now that you mention it, yeah," I

stepped i inside, his movements calm but hesitant, like he wasn't sure how to proceed. I closed the door behind him and turned to face him, crossing my arms over my chest. The gesture wasn't meant to be hostile-it was more for self-preservation. With Holt, emotions always felt too

been?" Holt asked, his tone

I answered quickly, keeping it short. I didn't want this to turn into a

light but edged with disbelief. "You don't

knew it wouldn't fool him. Holt had always been able to see through me,

everything back in its rightful place," I said vaguely, hoping to steer the conversation away

but it didn't quite reach his

"That's why I'm here,"

words confusing me. "What do you

to you and His Majesty," he began. "If it weren't for the two of you... I'd have lost the last bit of family I

in his voice that

happened?" I said, my

softer

now.

out," he continued, "my father

"She took her own life." My breath caught, and my hand flew to my

smile. "It's not your fault,"

in his

voice

when she heard about our mother... it was too much. She completely fell apart. I resisted at first-I didn't want to admit

something deep inside me. "How's Annika?" I asked cautiously, remembering his sister. "She's... struggling," he admitted, his She's in a mental institution now. It's

your

other than anger toward him and his family. "I had no idea you'd been through all this," I said softly.

own

I've done so so much for

family, even when we didn't deserve it. And now..." He hesitated, his expression shifting to something resolute. "Now, I think it's time for me

alliances Holt said, his voice steady. "I came here to help. Whatever you need, I'm

changed-there was no denying that-and I couldn't help but wonder if his presence might be exactly what we needed. of the chair in my room, his shoulders tense as if he were carrying the weight of the world. "After everything fell apart, I had to rebuild. Swearing loyalty to Alpha Homer wasn't just about survival; it was about

there was an edge of vulnerability in

my t father's

arms crossed. "And

I

the floor. "Alpha Homer believes in loyalty earned through action, not just words. To him, this duel isn't just about power-it's about trust. He needs to know I'm committed to his pack and his leadership. And apparently, he sees this duel as

Holt nodded, his

gaze

asked, my chest tightening at the

eyes meeting mine with

the same position. Alpha Homer doesn't fully trust him either. The fight isn't just a test for me-it's a test for Titus too. The winner earns the Alpha's trust and, by

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