After Hearing Their Thoughts, I Chose My Rival as My Mate Chapter 07

After Hearing Their Thoughts, I Chose My Rival as My Mate Chapter 07

The political-mate convoy moved in a long, imposing line straight toward Bloodfang Pack’s camp.

At the same time, Rowan led the warriors around to the rear, and my hidden network had already taken position along both sides of the valley.

Cedric released the signal as agreed. In the next instant, the howls of Silvercrest Pack wolves exploded from every direction.

Bloodfang Pack was caught completely off guard.

That battle was brutal. Even though we had gained the advantage, some of our people still fell in the border snow and never stood again.

That night, I was sitting in the tent treating the wound on my shoulder when Serena walked in.

She looked at the blood seeping from my shoulder, and pain flickered in her eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

I did not look up.

She said quietly, “I thought you followed Rowan just to steal the glory. I was jealous of you, but I never truly wanted you dead.”

She knelt in front of me, her voice trembling.

“Ever since we were little, you were better than me at everything. Swordsmanship, riding, pack governance, even Father’s praise. You never had to fight for any of it. It just came to you.”

“Mother was kind to me in front of others, but in private, she forced me to train until my fingers shook and my knees were bruised.”

“She never understood why the obedient princess she raised with her own hands still could not compare to a wild girl.”

Serena reached out and helped me spread ointment around the edge of the wound.

“That was why she made me steal the people around you. First Cedric, then Lucian.”

“She never asked what I liked. I could only copy you and take what was yours. Whoever you cared about, I had to make him look at me. Whatever you wanted, I had to get it first.”

Her tears fell onto the back of my hand.

“I always thought I hated you. But today I finally realized that she taught me so badly I never learned how to live as myself.”

“Rowan was right, Aveline. You are the bravest and most resilient person in this pack.”

I listened to her private thoughts.

There were no lies, only regret that had come far too late.

On the day we returned in victory with Bloodfang Pack’s war banner, Cedric looked at me with nothing but admiration.

He had finally been brave once. On the battlefield, he blocked a Bloodfang ambush, but he lost one of his legs and became the very broken Alpha he had once looked down on most.

Father personally stood on the ramparts to welcome us. Beside him, Mother looked grim.

When she saw Rowan and me riding the same black horse, she swept a cold gaze over us, looked at Serena behind me.

Serena lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly.

then

At the celebration feast, Father had been drinking and held Rowan’s hand as he talked to him for a long time.

A slice of roasted meat suddenly appeared on my plate. I turned and saw Lucian.

He did not dare meet my eyes. He only asked softly, “Aveline, are you all right?”

I smiled at him.

“I’m sitting here perfectly fine. As for you, it’s time you learned to see the person in front of you clearly instead of splitting your heart in two.”

A piece of meat had also been added to Serena’s plate.

Lucian had always been like this. Unlike Cedric, who played favorites openly, Lucian always believed he was fair enough.

But I no longer needed fairness that came too late.

Father suddenly called me forward, his eyes full of pride.

“Aveline, I still remember the oath you wrote for me last time. Now that you have returned victorious, why not write another oath for Silvercrest Pack?”

The moment he finished speaking, a wine glass crashed to the floor.

Lucian staggered to his feet and stared at me.

Rowan immediately stepped in front of me, his expression darkening.

“Alpha King, you still haven’t set a date for Aveline’s and my mate Ceremony.”

Father burst into laughter. “You brat, you’ve been declaring since you were a boy that you would seal the mate bond with my daughter. Today, I’ll give you what you want.”

After saying that, he looked at Serena.

“Serena’s mate bond should be settled too. Cedric may have injured his leg, but he distinguished himself on the battlefield. Lucian is gentle and steady, and both of them were men Luna Maren once favored for you.”

Cedric had not attended the feast. Lucian, however, looked as if he had been struck by lightning and dropped to his knees in the middle of the hall.

He looked up at me, his voice trembling.

“I refuse.”