After Hearing Their Thoughts, I Chose My Rival as My Mate Chapter 05

After Hearing Their Thoughts, I Chose My Rival as My Mate Chapter 05

The people who truly understood me would never abandon me over a single incident.

For example, I had someone deliver the remedy for old injuries to Rowan and deliberately said it was from Serena. He did not take it right away. Instead, he lifted his head and asked, “Where is

Aveline?”

I stepped out and looked at him with a smile. “You’re that sure it came from me, your longtime

rival?”

Rowan did not argue with me. He simply nodded with complete seriousness.

For once, I was the one left speechless.

When the witch healer treating him saw that the remedy had arrived, she immediately began working on Rowan’s old injuries.

Two weeks later, Rowan could already stand steadily while holding on to me.

Another two weeks after that, he could slowly walk across the training grounds.

When he picked up a blade again, the first thing he did was run through the forms he used to practice. The moment the blade cut through the air, I felt as if I were seeing the once-brilliant commander of the northern frontier again.

When I brought him to Father, Alpha King Aldric froze on the spot and nearly lost his balance. With reddened eyes, he pulled Rowan into his arms and could not speak for a long while.

Rowan’s parents had once gone to war beside my father and died for him on the battlefield. Now that Rowan was standing before him again, Father could finally carry a little less guilt.

I seized the chance to make my request. “Father, I want to go to the border with Rowan.”

Father’s face changed at once. “Bloodfang Pack wanted you from the beginning. If you fall into their hands, the consequences will be unthinkable.”

He had always spoiled me, but he did not know that over the years, I had already planted informants along the border.

Rowan would lead from the front while I worked through the shadows.

If both sides moved at the same time, our chances of victory would be the highest.

I had no brothers. As the eldest pack princess of Silvercrest Pack, I could not hide behind Father

forever.

Rowan looked at me with a fierce, almost fervent approval in his eyes. “You are the

suited to fight at my side that I have ever met.”

Before our deployment had even been decided, Serena caused a scene.

person most

She rejected Cedric and Lucian both, then cried and said she was willing to go to Bloodfang Pack for the political mate alliance.

When Father summoned her with a headache, Serena’s voice was soft and fragile. “I am also a princess of Silvercrest Pack. I am willing to share Father’s burden.”

But I heard her screaming in her heart.

[Why does Aveline get all the glory? I can’t lose to her.]

I looked at her and said with a smile, “In that case, why don’t we move on three fronts?”

“Serena’s political-mate convoy will serve as the visible decoy to confuse Bloodfang Pack. Rowan will lead the warriors from the northern frontier, and I’ll send my hidden network through the rear to cut off their retreat.”

“This time, we’ll catch them completely off guard.”

Serena looked at me in confusion.

At that moment, Rowan stepped out from behind me.

Her eyes flew wide open.

“Rowan, your legs…”

Her private thoughts were so shrill they stung.

[Rowan is far better than Cedric and Lucian. That bitch Aveline got to him first again.]

[No. I have to go back to Mother. Rowan should be mine too.]

I met her venomous gaze calmly.

Then let’s see what other tricks she can play.

The order for the political mate alliance was issued quickly. Rowan and I spent every day planning the march, barely sleeping at all.

On the day of departure, Serena stepped past Father and offered me the first toast.

“Aveline, we have never been close, but we are both princesses of Silvercrest Pack. Once I leave today, I don’t know when I’ll be able to return. Consider this your farewell toast to me.”

But in her heart, she was laughing.

[Drink it, and you can go to Bloodfang Pack in my place.]

I lowered my eyes and poured all the wine into my sleeve.

Only after I personally watched her climb into the carriage did I finally let out a breath.

When I turned back, Lucian was watching the departing procession with reddened eyes.

I did not want to pay him any attention, but he stopped me, poured himself a cup, and drained it.

“Aveline, I know I wronged you.”

Then he poured another cup for me and carefully offered it over.

“We have known each other for years. Let this cup be my apology. Don’t be angry anymore, all

right?”

I looked at him coldly.

But his private thoughts were soft, almost tender.

[I only wish Aveline a safe life.]

Remembering that he had once protected me in the past, I eventually took the cup and drank it.

My vision soon went black. When I woke again, I was dressed in Serena’s mate-ceremony gown and tied up inside the alliance carriage.

Outside, night had already fallen.

The carriage curtain was lifted.

Cedric Vale looked at me with smug satisfaction.

“Lucian was right.”

“You really can hear our private thoughts.”