Chapter 468
Chapter 468
3rd Person’s POV
“I’m sorry, Lylah.” Jude’s shoulders were rigid with remorse as he stood before her. His voice was low. roughened by guilt. “If I’d known that simply wanting to know you, the daughter of my savior better, would lead to something like this, I would have kept my distance p>
Earlier, after the gathering had dissolved and the accusations had finally been silenced, he had asked to speak with her alone.
Since then, he had apologized more times than she could count, each one sounding more/sincere than the
last.
Jude’s eyes darkened.
“I swear I’ll clear your name. And when I find whoever did this…” A dangerous edge entered his voice. “They’ll pay for it p>
Lylah studied him quietly. “You never expected someone would use us like this, did you p>
Jude shook his head immediately.
“Neither did I.” A bitter smile touched her lips.
“Then you’re a victim too, Jude Knight p>
His jaw tightened. “That doesn’t change the fact that you’re suffering because of me p>
The guilt rolling off him was so thick that even Selestine could sense it beneath the surface. It clung to him. like a wound that refused to close.
“If Alpha Ezra decides to punish me…” he said hoarsely, staring at the ground. “If he decides I deserve to die for dragging you into this p>
Lylah’s head snapped toward him.
Moonlight filtered through the trees, casting pale silver shadows across his face. He looked exhausted. Defeated.
As though he had already accepted whatever judgment might come.
“If Moonclaw chooses to erase my entire bloodline p>
“Stop p>
The sharpness in her voice cut through the night like a blade.
Jude looked up immediately.
Lylah’s gaze hardened. “Kill you? Erase your family? Do you really think my mate is so foolish that he’d punish the wrong person p>
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Chapter 468
For a moment, Jude stared.
The answer seemed to catch him completely off guard.
Lylah exhaled slowly. “Ezra knows everything p>
The memory of his voice lingered in her mind.
Thinking about him eased some of the tension twisting inside her chest.
And yet…
It also made her miss him achingly.
“He doesn’t blame you,” she said softly. “And Ezra certainly isn’t going to kill you p>
Relief flickered across Jude’s features.
Lylah glanced away.
The ache in her chest intensified.
‘If only Ezra were here.
The thought slipped through her defenses before she could stop it.
Goddess.
She missed him.
Missed the steady strength of his arms around her whenever the world became too heavy. Missed the way his large hand would slide into her hair, gently stroking through the strands until every knot of tension unraveled. Missed his voice against her ear, telling her that everything would be fine because he was there.
Maybe some time alone would help clear her head.
“I need a walk p>
Jude immediately frowned.
After everything that had happened, the thought of letting her wander alone made every muscle in his body tense. But he also knew better than to push.
After a long pause, he nodded. “Just be careful. And if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call me. Or
my team p>
Lylah offered a small nod before turning away.
The deeper she ventured into the forest, the quieter the world became.
The sounds of the volunteer cabins faded behind her. The whispers, the stares, the rumors, all of it disappeared beneath the ancient heartbeat of the wilderness.
With a thought, she released Selestine.
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Chapter 468
KICA M
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Soft fur erupted across her body as her wolf emerged beneath the moonlight.
Selestine ran through shadows and moonbeams.
Across roots and moss-covered stones.
The wind rushed through their fur.
The scent of pine, earth, and distant water filled their senses.
For the first time all day, Lylah could breathe.
By the time she finally shifted back, she stood beside a narrow river winding through the woods. The water glimmered beneath the moon, cool and crystal clear. Kneeling at the bank, she dipped her hands into the stream and splashed water across her face.
The chill helped.
For a brief moment, everything felt peaceful.
Then, Selestine growled.
A warning rumble.
Lylah froze.
Someone was behind her.
Nor
Several footsteps.
Several presences.
She turned.
A group of Lunera villagers stood among the trees. Faces she recognized. Some of them had welcomed her into their huts only yesterday. Some she had treated. Some she had spoken with during the outreach
mission.
“Is there something I can help you with?” Lylah straightened from the riverbank, brushing the dampness from her hands.
Yet something was wrong.
Terribly wrong.
Every instinct inside her screamed. Their eyes were fixed on her. Expressions were unnaturally empty, stripped of warmth and reason. What remained was something far more terrifying.
Hunger.
Not ordinary hunger.
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Chapter 468
KIKA
The kind that belonged to creatures driven by a single purpose.
To kill.
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The Betrayed Princess Rising