Chapter 120

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*Author’s note:*
*Dear Readers,*
*This is the penultimate chapter, and I feel compelled to pause here for a moment. I had planned to save this message for the very end, but the truth is, I don’t want these to be the last words you carry with you*. 
*While the book is born from imagination, the shadows of violence against women are all too real. In the United States, nearly 1 in 2 women have faced intimate partner violence in their lifetime.* 
*Disturbingly, homicide stands as the leading cause of death among pregnant and postpartum women, with intimate partners or family members responsible for 60% of these tragedies.* 
*Globally, the statistics are equally alarming. Approximately one in three women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.* 
*These numbers are more than just statistics; they represent our mothers, our sisters, our friends.*
*If you or someone you know is navigating such darkness (like Alicent and Logan's marriage), remember, seeking help is a beacon of strength, not weakness. You’re not alone! Reaching out can be the first step toward safety and healing*.
*With heartfelt sincerity,*
*Sadie*
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***Alicent***

I wake up with Ethan wrapped around me, the way I always dreamed. I sink into his embrace, sighing as a sense of rightness comes over me. 
Then Ethan stirs, opening those beautiful, dark eyes to stare down at me sleepily. “Little Dove.” I love the way he calls me. Desire and love mingle together in those two words. 
“Hey, baby. Tired?” I ask.
His eyes widen as they hover over my neck.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
He then breaks into a huge smile. Worried, I pull away from his arms and reach for the mirror in the nightstand top drawer next to me.
“ETHAN!”
“What?”
“That’s not a bite mark. That’s an attack!” I yell, staring at the huge mark on my neck. So hot. When my fingertips touch it, I blush because I can feel exactly what I felt when he bit me there. “That’s a really scandalous mark! What were you thinking? Did it have to be this big?”  
“Yes.”
“Yes?” I ask, lowering the mirror in my hand to glare at him. “All you have to say is ‘yes?’”
“Yes.”
“Good Lord! Everyone is going to know what we did!”
“Ah, Little Dove, it won’t be just because of my mark that they will know. You do look freshly fucked—” 
“Oh my God! Stop it!” I groan. “You bastard!”
Ethan chuckles, placing the crook of his elbow over his eyes. “Not the appropriate tone to speak to your Alpha.” 
“Right. Alpha Bossy Bastard.” 
He drags me to him and kisses me, holding me bruisily tight like I’d bolt the second he stops.  
“Do the residents of Blackmoon know that their Alpha is *insane*?” 
Ethan snorts. “You’ve met some of them. Do you think they care? They are all batshit crazy as well!” he counters. Then his eyes stare at the mark once more. “I’m glad with the size. It’ll make sure that everyone knows just how off-limits you are.” 
I suck in a breath. For God’s sake! *Who* is he talking about? Who is *this everyone* that wants *me*? 
It still blows me away how jealous he gets. 
Against his lips, I confess, “Ethan, I can’t ever be able to see any other man when you exist, baby!”
He just stares at me for a moment like the words as if he is processing my words. Then Ethan smile before he takes my hand, and leads me to the bathroom, his hands firmly on mine like *my hand is never meant to be without his*.  

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The forest is alive with the golden glow of sunset. I get off Kral with a huge smile on my face as he stops on a smooth rock at the edge of the waterfall. My shorts are riding up a little, and my tank top clings to me in the humid air. 
“Wow!” I say, looking around with one hand still wrapped around my furry wolf. My eyes shift to him. “It looks magical!”
I lift my other hand and pet his head. My toes curl in my shoes. “You are so cute.” 
His eyes roll. And I giggle. “Oh, don’t give me that look, I’m serious.” He growls. “You’re—”
His head turns, and his teeth close around my arm. 
“Kral!” I say, smiling, ignoring him completely as I keep stroking whatever part of him my trapped hand can still reach.
The big black wolf is powerful. I’ve seen him in action. If he wanted to, he could shatter my ulna, rip my arm from my body, but he wouldn’t. 
One thing I’ve learned from him is that his affection and the way he expresses his love for me are different from Ethan’s. He’s a wolf, so naturally, Kral’s more animalistic.
I feel safer with him than I’ve ever felt before.
“Such a sweet wolf—”
Ahhh!
Kral shoves me with his head, and I let out a yelp as I tumble into the cool, rushing water below. I surface, sputtering and glaring up at him. “Kral!” I shout, though I’m laughing too hard to sound even remotely annoyed. “Bad wolfie! I swear, if you weren’t so damn fluffy, I’d—” 
Before I can finish, Kral leaps after me, his huge form crashing into the water with a splash that soaks me all over again. But when he resurfaces, it’s not the big black wolf staring back at me—it’s Ethan. His dark hair is plastered to his forehead, his stupidly perfect grin lighting up his face as he treads water. 
“My wolf is not sweet or cute, damn it, girl,” he grumbles at me, swimming closer. “He’s a beast!”
The waterfall roars behind us, the sunset casting the last rays of sunlight, a golden glow over everything, and for a moment, it’s just us. Perfectly, ridiculously happy. 
I’m about to flick water at his face, but he is faster than me. Ethan catches my wrist, pulling me toward him. Then his lips touch mine, threading one hand in my hair and the other under my ass as I automatically wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck.
Two days have crawled by since the attack, and I’ve finally had a chance to catch my breath and process everything Cedar told me about this so-called power of mine. Let’s just say the more I think about it, the more it feels like I’ve been handed a cursed heirloom I never asked for. 
Witchcraft? 
Seriously? 
It doesn’t sound like a gift, and it does *feel* evil. Dark and twisted. I’m not ready to dive into whatever this is, learn how to use it, or discover how far it goes. Honestly, I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready. When I told Ethan about my decision to hold off on embracing this whole thing, I couldn’t miss the flicker of relief in his dark eyes for the briefest second. He tried to hide it, but I knew him too well. Although his past with the witch, he promised he will be by my side through everything, and I believe him. Even if he’s secretly hoping I’ll never have to tap into whatever this *thing* is. 
Honestly? Same, Ethan. Same.
Ethan breaks the kiss slowly and leisurely, but his hands remain exactly where they are. It is as if he has no intention of letting me slip away from him. And as the last light of the sun fades, I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.

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The new closet is a gift from my in-laws. And it’s huge.
The closet is bigger than my first apartment. Seriously, I could probably fit a small family in here, complete with a dining table and a couch. Rows of designer dresses hang like works of art, their fabrics shimmering under the soft glow of the chandelier overhead. Shoes are lined up like soldiers, each pair more intimidating than the last. And then there’s the mirror, similar to Vi’s closet one—a massive, floor-to-ceiling monstrosity that makes me feel like I’m standing in a high-end boutique rather than my own closet. 
I stare at my reflection, twisting slightly to get a better look at the dress. It’s elegant, all sleek lines and delicate lace, and it fits like it was made for me. Which, technically, it was. Custom-tailored, because apparently that’s a thing normal people do, according to Emma. My hair is pinned up in some elaborate updo that my mother-in-law insisted on doing herself before going with Arthur on a romantic trip to Europe earlier. 
It feels like I’m wearing a costume. Like any second later, someone’s going to tell me at the party that I’m not fooling anyone!
I smooth my hands over the fabric, trying to shake the feeling that I’m a fraud in all this luxury. It’s just a charity auction, I remind myself. Just smile, nod, and try not to spill anything on the dress and embarrass Ethan.
The door creaks open behind me, and I see Ethan in the mirror. Good Lord! 
Ethan always exudes charm and sex. But dressed head to toe in a fitted black suit with a high collar on his jacket, he looks absolutely irresistible. Unfairly handsome! He steps up behind me, his hands resting firmly on my hips, and presses a kiss to the side of my neck before brushing his lips to my mark. 
“You look stunning, my Little Dove,” he murmurs, his voice low and deep. 
I snort, looking at him in the mirror. “I look like I’m playing dress-up in someone else’s life.” 
Ethan growls. “You will be the most beautiful woman there. Come to think of it—” He spins me around to face him. “I don’t know if I want to go anymore. I don’t want them to see you looking so fucking hot like this.” He growls louder. His eyes devour me from head to toe before stopping at the deep cut of my dress. The very spot that perfectly highlights the swell of my breasts. “We should stay. Yeah. I like that plan. I’d rather be here, so I can spread your legs nice and wide and feast on your plump wet pussy all night long.” 
“Ethan!” I slap his chest, feeling my cheeks turning red.
“Don’t worry, love. I’ll do it with you later when we get back. Maybe I’ll slide a finger inside your tight little asshole while I eat you out tonight.” 
My eyes widen so large I think they may pop right out of my head. “I wasn’t worried about you not keeping your word, I was worried that someone might end up hearing you! Goshh”
My heartbeat pounds in my clit. His words immediately have my thighs rubbing together and an ache blossoming deep inside at the thought he painted in my mind. Oh, for the love of God!
Ethan opens a wicked grin. “So my Little Dove does like the thought of that.” His grin widens as my already flushed cheeks now flame red hot. “It would take a lot of work to get your ass ready for me to penetrate you there, but I have the rest of our lives to get you ready.”
I close my eyes, making a strangled noise. The throbbing ache in my pussy has me almost spinning. Drunk on Ethan’s promises. “That’s not the point!” 
I open my eyes, turning to the mirror. I glance one last time at the woman there. She still looks like a stranger. But then I slip a rose quartz ring on my little finger, and I instantly feel a positive energy flood through my body and newfound confidence emanating from the crystal.
Much better.
Just like that, the nerves melt away.
Ethan offers me his arm, and I take it, squeezing it lightly. “Let’s do this.” 
“I knew you were eager for my plans for you later.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the smile tugging at my lips.
Before we leave, I stop by Az’s new room one last time.
“Are you sure you can handle them?” I ask Cedar.
He sets a bowl of popcorn and some candy on the coffee table before looking at me. “Wow! Who’s this movie star in front of me?”
I break out into a big smile. Cedar opens his arms, and I move in to hug him, but barely a second after I embrace my brother, Ethan pulls me back possessively, his grip firm. I giggle as he draws me into him, feeling the warmth of his arms tighten around me.
“No touching!” 
Cedar shakes his head, chuckling. “Don’t worry, Allie. Az, Lily, and I are going to binge-watch their favorite movies. It’ll be fun,” my brother says with a smile. He’s going to babysit the kids since Ethan’s parents are already out of town, or *pack*? I still haven’t gotten used to calling Blackmoon that. Josh and Maggie are in Summerville with Theo. And *Vi*... Well, she hasn’t been around much for the last two weeks.
“Thanks for watching them,” I say. “Call me if you need anything!”
“Did you try the mountain climbing we talked about?” Ethan asks him.
Mountain climbing? 
Cedar is afraid of heights! Then again, he *was* afraid of heights. He’s a Werewolf now. What is there to be afraid of anymore?
“I did. The view from the top is beautiful. But she wasn’t there...” *Is he talking about Vi?* “I could see all of Blackmoon from up there. I enjoyed it, though, climbing without being tied in still is an adjustment.”
“Where’s Az?” I ask, looking for my son in the room.
“He’s with Lily in the kitchen,” Cedar answers, laughing. “She’s getting the chocolates she hid from Theo’s grubby, trouble-making, fatty hands.”
I narrow my eyes at Ethan. Theo, huh? Poor little boy. I tsk.
Ethan smirks. “Let’s go, love.” Then he leads me out of the room without me even being able to turn my body to face my brother.
I can only turn my face over my shoulder and wave my hand. “See you later, Cedar!”
Ethan’s hand rests firmly on my waist, holding me possessively as we walk toward the garage in a comfortable silence. For a brief moment, my eyes drift down to the elegant dark red dress flowing around my legs. And just like that, a memory stirs—the old red dress I wore the night I first saw him at his nightclub. The night that changed everything. 
Images of our entire history flood my mind. I remember the time he had to attend an event like this one, but he called Kelly instead because I couldn’t go. I was running from the monsters that had slaughtered my family. 
But now... Now, I learned that my precious brother is alive. And I’m not running anymore. I no longer have to hide. 
I glance up at him, warmth pooling in my chest. Now, I can walk by his side, go with Ethan to a party without fearing who might see me.
I wish I could go back to that version of me from months ago—the one who endured ten years of marriage to Logan, not yet realizing that what she was living through was violence. I wish I could look her in the eye and tell her to stop worrying. To just hold on. 
Because better things are coming. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s stronger than she thinks, and the weight she’s carrying won’t crush her forever. Relief is on its way, even if it feels impossibly far off.
Better things are coming.  
But God, how I wish she didn’t have to break so badly before they did.
Ethan steps ahead of me and opens the car door with a quiet click. Just as I’m about to slide inside, he gently catches my hand, his fingers much warm against mine. He lifts it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. The gesture is quick but leaves me momentarily breathless. “I love you, my Little Dove,” he says before I duck into the car, the ghost of his touch lingering on my skin.
He always makes a point of saying this at least twice a day. Once when we wake up, and again before we fall asleep.  
When I asked Alpha Ethan why he made it such a ritual, he told me it was because *he can love*.