Bound by Alpha's Deception: My Step-Brother's Secret Vengeance novel Chapter 9

The words burst from Percival's mouth, surprising even himself.

He never imagined that news of Rosiane would drive him to destroy his own carefully orchestrated Mating Ceremony.

But with emotions surging through his blood like wildfire, rational thought had abandoned him.

Lloyd released a heavy sigh, stepping closer to his friend. His eyes reflected concern rather than judgment.

"Are you still convinced this is just about revenge? Perhaps being so close to the hunt has blinded you to what's been happening in your own heart."

"Think about it—the first time you skipped a pack gathering because she needed you, the night you panicked when she got sick, today's loss of control at her disappearance... your feelings transformed long ago without you noticing."

"Be honest with yourself. If she had walked into the ceremony today, wearing the dress you chose for her... would you still expose those private memories to the pack?"

"You might have fooled everyone else, but your wolf knows the truth."

"As your packmate, I offer one final counsel: don't let ancient hatred blind you. Only Alpha Alfred knows what truly happened years ago. Perhaps it's time you asked him directly."

Lloyd stepped back, giving Percival space.

Without another word, Percival's body shimmered with barely contained energy and shifted into his wolf form—a massive silver-gray beast with burning amber eyes. Toring away from the ceremonial grounds.

Lloyd's words haunted him as he ran, the cold wind whipping through his fur.

He forced himself to confront the question: if Rosiane had appeared at the ceremony today...

Could he have truly gone through with his plan?

The answer had always been within him.

His hatred had simply blinded him to the truth, or couldn't bear to see it clearly.

His growing affection for Rosiane felt like betrayal of his mother's memory.

He had forbidden himself from loving her and denied every pull toward her.

But the heart follows its own path, beyond any wolf's control.

By the time he recognized his true feelings, it was too late.

He sent dozens of desperate mind-links to Rosiane.

Pouring out years of suppressed emotion and confessing his terrible wrongs against her.

Now as empty and cold as if she had never existed at all.

He sat heavily on the edge of her sleeping place.

Shifting to human form, he lit one ceremonial herb bundle after another, the sacred smoke meant to guide lost spirits home.

Until the remnants covered the floor around him.

His communication stone vibrated with Alpha Alfred's signal.

At the same moment, word reached him of projected memory-captures displayed at the ceremonial grounds.

Images of intimate moments between him and Rosiane, night after night.

The captures showing Rosiane curled trustingly against him, like a young wolf seeking protection.

He accepted the connection, and Alfred's voice came through, cold with fury.

"Percival Kensington, explain these memory-captures immediately! What is their meaning?"

"What have you been doing to Rosiane all these years? Is her disappearance connected to your actions? Answer me!"