Page 30 of Fated (The Bonded Legacy #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

LENA

T he soft click of the lodge doors echoed through the silent lobby. Lena paced with sharp, angry strides, emotions churning like a storm—rage, betrayal, heartbreak—each one cutting deeper than the last.

The scene outside replayed in brutal detail.

She’d known instantly that the leggy blonde wrapped around Kai had to be Ava.

At first, she’d tried to rationalize what she was witnessing.

Seeing the female’s distraught expression and shaking shoulders, Lena had assumed Kai had ended things. She’d even felt a flicker of empathy.

Then Ava had kissed him.

And Kai— her mate —had kissed Ava back.

Lena’s hands flexed and unflexed unconsciously remembered watching his restraint slip, hands moving with intimate familiarity, pressing Ava against the car hood...

No. She wouldn’t let herself relive it.

What terrified Lena most was her own feral response. She’d attacked another she-wolf, drawn blood. She should feel remorse for that violence, but all she felt was Elara’s ferocity echoing in her mind: “ How dare she touch mate! He’s not hers to have!”

She’d demanded Kai fix it before fleeing, but now, pacing the empty lobby—skin too tight, every nerve raw and exposed—she wondered if it was even possible. How did you repair a bond after watching your mate nearly give his body to someone else?

Then came a voice, warm and proud. “There’s my beautiful daughter-in-law! You look—”

Lena whirled on Darius, golden-brown eyes blazing. A growl rumbled in her chest as she stalked toward him, primal rage bubbling to the surface. Her claws extended unconsciously, muscles coiled tight.

“I am not your daughter-in-law.” She stepped into his space, teeth bared.

The towering alpha loomed over her, but she didn’t flinch.

Her head tilted back, staring the arrogant male down.

“And I may never be—especially considering that your son was just wrapped up in his girlfriend’s arms, with his dick out, ready to fuck her on the hood of a car! ”

Darius’s sharp intake of breath cut through the lobby. His commanding presence faltered as his eyes darted between her face and the glass doors, shock and devastation warring in his expression.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Lena cut him off with a raised hand, stepping back.

“Save it.” Her voice dropped to a biting whisper.

“I’m not in the mood, and I have a party to get back to.

” One clawed finger jabbed toward his chest. “I suggest you keep your idiot son away from me tonight unless you want a scene.”

Not waiting for his response, Lena strode past the stunned alpha, head high despite the trembling in her limbs.

Each step toward the banquet hall felt like lifting lead weights.

She paused outside the doors, drawing deep breaths.

Her hands shook as she smoothed her dress, mentally pressing against Elara’s presence until the wolf reluctantly retreated, coiling tight in the darkest corner of her mind.

The mask had to be perfect—she couldn’t let them see her break.

Inside, she spotted her family. Cian, Aiden, Ryker, and Tessa huddled around a cocktail table. Ryker was speaking, gesturing animatedly. Whatever he said had Tessa blushing furiously, Aiden throwing his head back with a howl of laughter, and Cian doubled over, giggling uncontrollably.

The sight sent a bittersweet pang through her chest. These were her people. Her pack. Her anchors. Her posture softened, the fight draining from her body.

Lena counted each inhale and exhale, mentally pressing Elara’s grief down. She grabbed a fresh flute of champagne from the bar, her fingers trembling as she plastered on her brightest smile and walked toward the group.

Ryker glanced up, his grin widening. “Well, if it isn’t the future Luna of Bloodstone,” he teased, lifting his glass in mock toast.

The title landed like the swing of an axe, stealing her breath for a moment, but her smile remained frozen in place.

Lena rolled her eyes. “Don’t start, Ryker.”

Aiden raised his drink. “To Moonshadow and the end of one of the most unpredictable and entertaining summits.”

Lena lifted her glass, willing her hand not to shake. The crystal caught the light, throwing fractured rainbows across her face that helped hide the tears threatening to spill.

“To family,” she managed, voice steady even as her throat closed around the words.

Her pack’s laughter surrounded her like a shield, and for just a moment—enveloped by their warmth, their strength, their unwavering presence—Lena let herself believe that everything would be okay.

But beneath her smile, beneath the careful mask of composure, the bond in her chest throbbed with each heartbeat. Like an open wound exposed to salt air.