Chapter 442
Chapter 442
3rd Person’s POV
“Who p>
Tessalonika’s expression never shifted. The elder healer merely adjusted the sleeves of her heavy robes “You’ll know soon enough p>
Then she turned and left without another word, clearly enjoying the unrest she left behind.
But before Tessalonika disappeared through the doorway, her gaze briefly met Lylah’s.
It lasted only a second.
Still, something about it made several wolves in the room suddenly suspicious.
Seraphina’s face darkened instantly.
Why would the mentor look at her?
Seraphina clenched her fists beneath the table, fury flashing across her features.
She was the most suitable candidate. Everyone knew it.
By noon, a knock sounded against Lylah’s cabin door.
When she opened it, an elderly wolf stood outside wrapped in a thick wool cloak.
“My lady, my name is Stoff. I’m a Lunera villager who will be assisting this program.” he introduced gently. “There’s been a change in the accommodation arrangements. I’ve come to escort you to your new cabin p>
Lylah’s instincts stirred immediately.
“I’d like to see the cabin first,” she replied calmly.
Stoff nodded easily and guided her deeper into the settlement, toward one of the newer cabins built a bit farther from the crowded volunteer quarters.
When they finally arrived, the wooden door suddenly burst open.
Serap
Seraphina stormed out.
Her eyes were red-rimmed with humiliation, fury radiating so strongly that even the air around her seemed heated. She nearly collided with Lylah before stopping short.
For one sharp moment, pure hatred flashed across her face.
Then she shoved past her without a word and disappeared into the fog.
Lylah watched her leave before slowly lifting her gaze toward the cabin doorway.
A familiar figure emerged.
1/3
Chapter 442
Jude Knight leaned casually against the wooden frame, though the tension beneath his posture betrayed hum instantly. The male offered her a smile that looked dangerously close to nervous.
“Lylah, you’re here already.” His gaze flicked behind her. “But where are your things’ Didn’t Stoff tell you to move in p>
Lylah stared at him quietly.
“You followed me all the way to Lunera Valley, Sir Knight p>
The calm accusation sliced cleanly through the air.
Jude straightened at once, “No no I’m here for my company’s outreach campaign. I’m not following you like some obsessed creep p>
“Then how do you know Stoff personally?” Lylah tilted her head slightly. “How do you know he came to relocate me? And why would a stranger to this Valley have authority over volunteer accommodations p>
Every question struck with terrifying precision.
Jude’s wolf shifted uneasily beneath his skin.
Lylah looked at him steadily, calm as falling snow.
“Jude, I already told you and the others before. I don’t need this kind of favoritism p>
The male exhaled heavily, his shoulders finally sagging in defeat.
“… Fine,” he admitted hoarsely. “I followed you here p>
The confession lingered between them beneath the cold Valley wind.
Among all five of them, Jude had been the one trapped beneath Cora’s lies the longest. The one who defended her the fiercest. Supported her the most blindly.
And now guilt gnawed at him like a starving beast.
“I just…” His jaw tightened. “When I saw the condition of this place… saw the cabin they assigned you… Lylah, this Valley is isolated. Dangerous. I couldn’t stop worrying p>
Her expression remained unreadable. “Are you doubting I can survive this p>
‘No!” Jude answered immediately.
Too quickly.
His wolf bristled at the implication itself. Because the truth was the exact opposite.
He had never met someone like her before.
If it had been Cora, she would have demanded immediate withdrawal the moment her shoes touched the mud.
213
14:21 Tue, Jun 9 MM
Maple 147
But Lylah walked through the discomfort without complaint.
A warrior’s daughter to the bone.
“I know you can survive it,” Jude said more quietly this time. “That’s not what I meant p>
Lylah’s gaze drifted toward the fog-covered Valley beyond the trees.
“I already understood what this path required when I chose it. We all knew there would be hardship waiting for us here.” Her voice remained calm, but steady with conviction.
Then her eyes lifted back to his. “But I still chose this dream anyway p>
“Because the suffering was never greater than the purpose behind being a healer,” Lylah continued gently. “If I can ease someone’s pain… help the injured stand again… make frightened pups smile even for a little while p>
A faint warmth touched her expression. “Then every difficulty becomes worth enduring p>
Silence swallowed the space between them.
Jude simply stared at her.
Stunned.
3.5K
H
3.3
1
The Betrayed