Blossom POV Uncle Alejandro had left everything in a heap on the floor of our room, torn to pieces. But it wasn't just about that. Long before, he had stolen our property and our royal standing. Time and again, our uncle had isolated us, demeaned us, and manipulated us so he could maintain control. I had to admit; my uncle had frequently made me feel angry.Yet, I had never felt the same level of rage for him as I did at this moment. At first, I thought it was because my uncle had worn me down over the years with his deceitful ways, making me numb to his antics. But then I realized my greater anger at Dean was due to sheer disappointment.I expected terrible things from my uncle. It made me angry, but once I understood he wasn't the supportive family member I hoped he'd be after our parents died, none of his terrible actions came as a surprise. I couldn't let myself get all twisted up over his behavior.But Dean? Dean had made incredible, passionate love to me. He promised to always
Blossom POV.Her words were like a balm to my troubled mind, lifting a great weight from my chest. There was something sincerely trustworthy about her that made me believe she was speaking the truth. However, the image of Dean with Liza earlier, with her arms around his neck, still lingered in my mind."Let me offer you a piece of advice," the maid continued with a knowing look. "Don't pay attention to Liza. She's trying her best to drive a wedge between you and Master Dean. But hopefully, she'll be moving out soon."With that, she opened a notebook and started reviewing some housekeeping details. Once we were finished, she and I walked together to the breakfast room. As I entered, I cast a quick glance around, but there was no sign of Dean. Impatience bubbled within me; I was eager to put my plan into motion.As I turned back to the maid, a thought struck me, prompting me to ask if she knew whether Dean would join us for breakfast. The maid, with a gentle nod, informed me that she be
Blossom POV.Caleb, overwhelmed with sympathy for me, instinctively enveloped me in his embrace, and I found comfort in resting my cheek against his chest.I hadn't intended to unload all my worries onto Caleb like that. Sharing everything with him was never part of the master plan I had devised the night before, just before I finally managed to get some sleep. While I wasn't attracted to Caleb in the way I was to Dean, I valued what felt like a fraternal kind of affection from him. Caleb was someone I trusted deeply, someone who might even prove to be a crucial ally in my efforts to bridge the worrisome gap between Dean and me. I believed he possessed a wealth of insight that could potentially guide my path moving forward.Caleb held me close for several comforting seconds before finally releasing the hug and stepping back. As much as he enjoyed having me in his arms, he knew he'd have to suppress his feelings for me. This wasn't going to be an easy task, but it was undoubtedly impor
Blossom POVJust as Caleb moved to pull me into another embrace, believing he'd glimpsed tears in my eyes, I gently pulled back. I wasn't entirely sure why I stopped him from embracing me again, but instead, I quietly thanked him for his comforting presence. Reaching up, I straightened the tie that had gone askew during our earlier hug and offered him a sweet, grateful smile. Caleb was a nice, handsome he-werewolf, I realized, even if I didn't feel any romantic attraction toward him. He might not possess the same charisma as Dean, but he had his own appeals, and I found myself wondering for the first time why Caleb hadn't yet chosen a mate.Meanwhile, I remained acutely aware of Dean's presence approaching from behind me. I could always sense his nearness, both through his distinct scent and some inexplicable connection in my mind. Despite knowing he was there, I refrained from turning around; I acted oblivious to his presence. I was still hurt by his behavior the prev
Dean POV.I hadn't endured such a sleepless night in years—certainly not since the days when my beloved Eliza had first been taken from me. Back then, I could hardly eat or sleep for days on end. I felt like a completely different person. Even when we finally found her, guilt and regret tore me apart. I should have protected Eliza, but I let her down. Now, I feel like I've been given a second chance with Blossom, and I can't afford to fail her too.I've always considered myself strong—stronger than most, in fact. It's been part of my identity as the alpha werewolf my entire life. Alongside my physical strength, I've prided myself on the emotional resilience I possess. That emotional strength has made me a better leader, something I strongly believe. Regardless of what I'm going through, I've never allowed my personal struggles to impact my leadership. Yet since Eliza's death, maintaining that balance has become increasingly difficult. Quincy has pointed out
Blossom POV.I watch as Caleb pulls the glass door shut behind him. He remains so calm that I can't help but think he doesn't feel threatened by Dean. I wonder why Dean didn't come right after him; instead, he lingers in the room with me. I had assumed he would speak to his brother before approaching me, but instead, he's left him waiting.With Caleb gone, I sense a shift in the atmosphere, even if it's just slight. I turn to face Dean and am instantly reminded of how incredibly handsome he is. The moment my eyes land on him, my mind drifts back to last night. I felt so connected to him then; somehow, he made me feel confident, and I was surprisingly unafraid and unshy—things I had worried I might feel.As he approaches, I can feel his piercing gaze penetrating my skin, as if he's trying to read my soul. His ice-blue eyes have captivated me since the moment I first saw him a day ago, and nothing has changed. I still feel myself warming up as he draws closer.I can't let him or those m
Blossom POV.Dean never breaks his stride as he approaches the entrance to the meeting room. He understands what his brother, Caleb, is attempting to do—to lift his spirits and distract him from his inner turmoil—but it simply isn't working. Nevertheless, he appreciates Caleb's efforts, reminded that his brother has been the one constant in his life, sharing many of the same experiences since their childhood.Caleb knows Dean better than anyone else. However, at times like this, when Dean feels the urge to close himself off until he can figure things out, it becomes annoying to hear Caleb say things he already knows but refuses to acknowledge. He senses a conversation approaching in their near future, and frankly, he dreads what Caleb will have to say. Yet, a part of him anxiously awaits his brother's advice on what to do next.They reach the meeting room entrance, and Caleb steps ahead to swing the door wide open. The noisy chatter of the gathered men floods through the entrance, jol
Blossom POVI knew every word I spoke was true. I had every right to be upset, and I saw Dean grappling with the weight of my feelings. I speculated whether he had heard about Liza's attempts to seduce him, which would surely infuriate him more than I was already. But how could I possibly know? What exactly did I know?It could have been Liza, I thought. She wouldn't hesitate to fill my head with lies if she had encountered me in the corridor. I didn't know when that might have happened, but I made a mental note to assess the situation. Dean needed to ask Liza to leave the villa, a clear sign to me that he was serious about our marriage, whether I referred to it as "contractual" or not. Hearing that phrase come from my lips made me realize I no longer viewed our relationship that way. When had that changed? It was certainly how I had thought of it from the beginning, but somewhere along the line, my feelings had shifted. Was it after our lovemaking?"I'm sorry you had to go through t