Chapter 9

Elara's mind went completely blank.

No wonder she had been puzzled before about how Kaelen seemed like a completely different person.

It turned out she had mistaken her savior!

Elara's eyes reddened as she looked up at him. "Since you were the one who saved me, why didn't you say anything back then?"

Damien snorted coldly. "I didn't expect you to be such a fool, mistaking your savior. And I didn't want to use a life debt to morally blackmail you."

"Elara, what I've always wanted was never settling for less, but your genuine affection. Do you understand?"

Damien's eyes were clear and bright, without any scheming, completely sincere.

Elara could no longer hold back her tears. They spilled over as she stood on her tiptoes, actively wrapping her arms around his neck, her body trembling.

"Damien, I understand. From now on, let's live a good life together."

"I mistook my savior for ten years, so I'll spend countless more decades making it up to you."

With those words, Elara took the initiative to kiss him.

Damien's eyes curved slightly at the corners. He gently pulled her into his embrace, his voice magnetic: "Let's go to bed."

Once a man had tasted desire, there was no stopping him. It was nearly dawn when Damien finally let Elara fall asleep.

......

At the Vance family pack house in the Crimson River territory.

Seraphina sat between Alistair and Lyra, acting coquettish: "Daddy, Mommy, you're finally back. During these years abroad, I thought about you every single day."

"It's good that you're back. These years when you weren't home, your mother talked about you every day." Alistair smiled as he looked at Seraphina.

Seraphina put on an innocent act: "But wasn't sister here? She must have taken very good care of Daddy and Mommy these three years."

At the mention of Elara, Lyra's expression darkened: "Don't mention her to me. As expected, since I didn't raise her myself, she's not on my side. Mated for three years and can't even produce a pup, doesn't even come home!"

"If only you could be my real daughter instead."

Lyra had said such things many times before.

A flash of smugness crossed Seraphina's face, but she quickly put on an understanding expression: "As long as Mommy doesn't mind me, I'll always be Daddy and Mommy's precious daughter."

While the family of three was enjoying their reunion, Kaelen arrived, looking travel-worn.

"Alpha Kaelen, are you here to see Daddy and Mommy?" Seraphina immediately stood up and went to Kaelen's side.

As soon as Kaelen entered, he looked around but didn't see Elara anywhere. Disappointment flashed across his face.

"Alistair, Lyra."

Seeing that only Kaelen had returned, Alistair's face showed slight displeasure: "Kaelen, did you come back alone? Where's Elara?"

Kaelen didn't know how to respond. Should he say that Elara had severed their mate bond and disappeared?

Before Kaelen could speak, Seraphina answered for him: "Sister wasn't feeling well and was at the pack healing den a few days ago. She's probably resting at home now."

Kaelen didn't want to tell the elderly couple about their bond severance for now, so he went along with Seraphina's words: "Seraphina is right. Elara isn't feeling well and is resting at home. She asked me to come see you both in her place."

Lyra showed no appreciation and snorted coldly: "Not feeling well? How is it that she's always sick whenever it's time to come home?"

"Kaelen, you're her mate. You can't just let Elara do whatever she wants."

"After all, Elara wasn't raised by my own hands. She just can't shake off that petty attitude. But she's your Luna now, and she represents your reputation too."

Kaelen had no patience to listen to lectures. He agreed with whatever they said: "Alistair and Lyra are right. But I still have pack business to handle, so I'll leave now."

Seeing Kaelen about to leave so hastily, Seraphina instinctively wanted to follow him, but Alistair called out to stop her: "Seraphina, you stay here."