There was a heavy silence between us, with the only sound being my rough, uneven breathing. Ryder's expression was coldly calm as he seemed to think over my words. Then, without any warning, he suddenly lunged forward...
And I reacted automatically, my body moving before my mind fully understood the danger. Moving quickly to the side, I barely avoided Ryder's reach as he lunged past me, his fingers just brushing against my clothes.
My heart was beating really fast as I ran away quickly, the rush of adrenaline giving me energy to move through the maze of plants and bushes. I needed to get back to where Dante was, breathing heavily and not knowing about the danger that was close by. I didn't want Dante to find out what had happened, didn't want to make him worried that Ryder was there.
Breathless and trembling, I finally reached Dante's side, forcing a smile as I approached. "I'm back," I said, trying to sound casual despite the lingering fear gnawing at my insides.
Where did you go? I was looking for you ?
Dante looked up from where he was sitting , looking concerned when he saw how messy I looked. "Are you okay?" he asked, putting down the glass he held and reaching out to touch my arm.
"I'm fine," I said quickly, brushing off his concern. "I just took a small walk through the gardens. It's really beautiful out there."
Dante studied me for a moment, his gaze searching, but thankfully he seemed to accept my explanation. "Well, I'm glad you're back," he said, offering me a warm smile. " I was about to tell you to go inside and rest.
I felt really relieved as I smiled back at him, thankful for his constant support. But even as I tried to focus on the comforting feeling of Dante being there, my mind couldn't forget about the scary way Ryder had followed me and the words he said ."
I knew I couldn't allow myself to relax and not pay attention, not with Ryder still out there, hiding in the shadows, waiting for his next chance to attack. But for now, while in Dante's arms, I found a temporary feeling of safety and peace in the middle of the chaos that threatened to overwhelm me.
As Dante took me inside to rest, a few moments later, one of his guards came in.
"Your presence is needed outside," he said, bowing politely.
Dante asked me to wait for him, but I was so curious. It felt like something was not right.
With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I followed the guard back outside, where Dante was waiting with some of his loyal subjects in the king's chambers.
Though I made my presence unnoticed as I hid behind a pillar.
"We do not think your decision to take that wolf as a mate is a good one," one of them spoke up, his tone heavy with disapproval. "She's not one of us. And we heard that she is someone else's mate you took in as yours."
I felt a cold knot of dread form in my stomach as the weight of their words sank in. My relationship with Dante had already been fraught with challenges, but now it seemed that even those closest to him doubted the validity of our bond.
Despite the heavy weight of doubt pressing down on me, I squared my shoulders and remained hidden where I was.
As Dante's loyal subjects voiced their concerns, I remained silent, allowing Dante to speak on our behalf. His declaration of support for our bond filled me with a sense of gratitude and reassurance, even in the face of opposition.
A murmur of dissent rippled through the gathered crowd, but Dante held up a hand, silencing them.
"Enough," he said firmly. "I have made my decision, and I will not entertain further debate on the matter. She is a part of this pack now, and she will be treated with the respect and dignity she deserves."
The tension in the room seemed to ease slightly at Dante's words, but I knew that our troubles were far from over. The doubts and suspicions of his loyal subjects would not vanish overnight, and we would have to work tirelessly to prove the strength of our bond in the face of adversity.
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After listening to Dante's loyal followers voice their doubts about me, my heart felt heavy. Even though Dante had stood up for me, I could tell this wasn't the end of our troubles.
As I walked back to my room alone, my mind raced with worried thoughts. What if Dante's pack never accepts me? What if they keep seeing me as an outsider who doesn't belong? I had finally found a place that felt like home, but now it seemed that home could be ripped away.
I paced around the fancy bedroom, wringing my hands together. Dante had been so kind and made me feel safe. But his own people didn't approve of me as his mate. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe I wasn't meant to stay here after all.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. I froze, not knowing if I should answer. After a moment, the door opened and Dante stepped inside, his expression serious.
"Ah, there you are, my dear," he said, striding over to take my hands in his large, calloused ones. "I feared you may have overheard the words of dissent from my council."
I looked up at him, feeling small. "I did hear them. They don't want me here."
Dante's brow furrowed and he cupped my cheek tenderly. "Pay their concerns no mind, my love. They are stuck in old ways and cannot see what I see so clearly in you."
His words soothed me some, but the doubts still nagged. "But what if they never change their minds? What if your whole pack turns against me?"
Pulling me close, Dante rested his chin atop my head. "Then we will endure it together. I will never let them turn me against you, Ashley. You are my mate, my queen, until the end of time itself."
I let out a long, shaky breath, allowing his protective embrace to provide comfort. Dante was powerful and determined. If he truly stood by me, maybe I could find the strength to face whatever opposition came our way.
"Thank you," I whispered against the rumbling strength of his chest. "I won't let you down."