Chapter 269

Charles

I held up a hand, silencing him with a gesture.

"Your daughter stands accused of treason, adultery, and a no number of other crimes. Be grateful I have not simply executed her."

Tessa's jaw dropped, a gasp escaping her lips. Her gaze flicked back to me, pleading, but I wasn't moved..

"Treason?" He sputted, his voice laced with disbelief. "This is an outrage! She… she's done nothing wrong!"

Taking a deep breath, I gestured for her to be brought closer. I stood and descended the steps as she was presented.

My voice rang out through the hall.

"On the contrary," I said, my voice surprisingly steady. "Tessa has been working to undermine my authority, seducing members of the royal guard for her own ends, sleeping with any number of men, wielding my generosity, devotion to the Goddess' will, and what lingering affection I may have had for her against me." I narrowed my eyes. "I suspect there is more, yet I cannot interrogate her in the manner I wish until this is resolved."

A collective murmur rippled through the crowd. Shock and disbelief were etched on the faces of the Elders. The air crackled with a tension so thick it felt tangible.

"Lies!" He roared, his face turning a deep crimson. "My daughter would never… she's your mate! You can't just accuse her of such things! You can't speak of her that way!"

A bitter smile played on my lips.

"You wouldn't dare," Tessa said softly.

I met her gaze. "Watch me."

She went pale. "Charles--"

I took a deep breath.

" By the grace of the moon, and the strength of the earth--"

"Charles!" She shrieked, starting to struggle. "You'll lose everything!"

"By the light of the Goddess and the might of her hand, I, Charles Blackwood, name Tessa enemy of the Black Woods, enemy of my clan and all my allies--"

"You can't!" Tessa screeched. The magic in the air heaved.

"I call as witness the Goddess to the deeds she has done, known to me and unknown, and in the name of honor, in the name of the crown bestowed upon me--"

"No!" Tessa roared, thrashing.

"In the name of bonds graced and betrayal, sever this bond given by the Goddess--"

"You will regret it!" She screamed.

I set my jaw. "Let the Goddess' will be known."

The air shook. A bright flash of light filled the air. I heard Tessa's blood-curdling scream, and everything went white.

The air hummed in my ears. The hall resonated around me with a raw power that sent shivers down my spine. I closed my eyes as my voice faded from the air and let myself go in the rising wave of energy surged through me, ripping something intangible from my very core.

I relaxed, waiting for the wave of agonizing pain. I'd heard the stories of the bond breaking, tales of lycans clawing at their own skin, driven mad by the sheer force of the severed connection.

But the pain never came.

Instead, I felt a surge of power course through me. It was exhilarating, a heady rush that sent a jolt of energy through every fiber of my being. My senses seemed heightened, the world around me sharper, clearer. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a reality I hadn't known existed.

The surprised gasps and murmurs from the Elders did little to distract me from this newfound sensation. Their shock was evident, their faces etched with a mixture of awe and apprehension. The public display of a bond breaking was rare enough, but the sheer intensity of the reaction, the power radiating from me, seemed to throw them completely off guard.

Then, the flash of light and the sounds of the hall vanished in a flash. The world around me dissolved. I found myself standing on a mountain peak, bathed in the ethereal glow of a full moon. The air vibrated with a raw, primal energy that resonated deep within my soul. And then I saw her – the Goddess.

She stood before me, a majestic figure draped in flowing robes the color of twilight. Her eyes, pools of ancient wisdom, held me captive. There was no judgment in her gaze, only a quiet understanding.

"Charles," her voice echoed through the mindscape, a melody woven from starlight and moonlight. "You have made a difficult choice but a necessary one. Your strength and resolve are commendable."

I couldn't breathe. My chest was tight. She smiled as she leaned forward and kissed my forehead.

"You've done well," she said. "And accept this gift as my apology for everything."

I didn't get a chance to reply.

The vision faded as quickly as it began, leaving me standing in the grand hall, the echo of the Goddess' words resonating within me. My forehead was still warm. Tessa's father blanched. Tessa was wrapped in a bright red light. She crumpled to the ground, a choked sob escaping her lips. The other wolves in the hall murmured amongst themselves, a wave of shocked whispers filling the air.

A heart-wrenching scream tore from her throat. Her body contorted, wracked by what could only be described as a psychic seizure. She frothed at the mouth, clawed at her skin and screeched. It was a horrifying sight, and a pang of guilt flickered within me, a fleeting echo of the affection I once had for her.

Her father roared, shifting and lunging at me. I gestured through the air, throwing him away from me. He screamed as he hit the wall and shift back into his human form. He fell to the ground without moving. Moonlight drifted through the air.

Slowly, Tessa's whimpers had subsided, replaced by a shallow, ragged breathing. The Elders continued to stare at me, their expressions a mix of awe and trepidation.

As I surveyed the scene, a newfound clarity settled over me. The bond was broken. The power coursing through me was heady. Slowly, the scent of stale sweat and fear assaulting my senses. The room was silent, the Elders frozen like statues, their eyes locked on me with a mixture of awe and apprehension.

Except for Esme and Ascher. They were the only ones grinning, their eyes sparkling with what could only be described as gleeful anticipation. Somehow, they knew what had transpired.

A wave of my hand silenced the unspoken questions hovering in the air. My gaze drifted down to my wrist, and a gasp escaped my lips. There, etched in luminous silver, was a challenge circle – a mirror image of the one adorning Grace's arm between her and Mooncrest. A surge of warmth bloomed in my chest, a phantom touch across my skin that sent shivers down my spine.

I could feel her even across the distance. It was as if she was woven herself into the very fabric of my being. Knowing the bond was this strong, filled me with a newfound exhilaration.

I looked down to the mark on my chest, finding it wholly different. I could see Grace's name in the swirling pattern. I grinned.

"I believe that concludes this farce," I said.

With a determined stride, I swept out of the grand hall, ignoring the stunned silence in my wake.

"Arrest her and her father... as well as the rest of her family. Interrogate them about their misdeeds."

I left without even listening to the reply. Right now, I needed to get back to Mooncrest, back to Grace. I didn't bother with a care. I opened a portal, coming out just inside Mooncrest's territory. I shifted and rushed forward, jumping though portals, not bothering to hide my presence. The power egged me forward, the need and desperation. Let all of Mooncrest see me, let Sean and his ilk know that the tide was turning.

I reached Wolfe Medical in record time, shifting as I entered the foyer. The receptionist' jaw dropped as I headed for the stairs, flying up them. The sterile scent of disinfectant hung heavy in the air as I flew up the stairs to the top floor. I burst through the doors of stairwell and raced down the hallawy. My steps echoed through the deserted hallway, fueled by a frantic need to see Grace, to feel her presence.

Ignoring the curious glances from the late-night staff, I made a beeline for her office. The door was ajar, a sliver of light spilling out into the corridor. With a deep breath, I pushed it open, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Grace was perched on the edge of the couch with a file in her hand. Her head snapped up at the sound of the door, surprise flickering across her beautiful features. But before she could utter a word, I was striding across the room, the space between us vanishing in a heartbeat.

Cupping her face in my hands, I devoured her with a kiss, pouring all the longing, the relief, the sheer exhilaration of the past few moments into that single touch. Grace gasped, her initial surprise melting into a breathless surrender. Her arms snaked around my neck, pulling me closer, as if afraid I might disappear.

The door slammed shut behind me. With a thought, I cast up a barrier.

"Charles--"

She moaned as I kissed her again and started pulling her clothes off. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we broke apart, both panting for breath. My gaze held hers, searching for any flicker of doubt, any trace of hesitation.

"Grace," I rasped, my voice thick with emotion, "The Choosing… it's over. The bond with Tessa… it's broken."

Her eyes widened in shock, a mix of disbelief and dawning hope swirling within their depths. Before she could voice the question hanging in the air, I surged forward, cupping her face once more.

"And you," I breathed, my voice husky with conviction, "you are my mate."

Her eyes bulged, but she didn't hesitate to open her mouth as I devoured her. My heart pounded a fierce rhythm against my ribs.

"Charles," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper, "The--Meeting--"

A wry smile tugged at the corner of my lips. I pulled my shirt off and threw it aside.

"It can wait. I'm sure Amira will reschedule."

I kissed her. "I promise, Grace. You may one day leave me for death, but it will not be soon."

My fingers grazed the challenge circle etched on her arm, a silent promise of a future we would build together.

Without another word, I shuffled out of the rest of my clothes and descended on her, starving for everything she was and everything we could be.