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Chapter 234
~Tempest’s POV~
I broke the kiss abruptly, stepping back as my breath came in shaky gasps. Tears blurred my vision as I looked at him, his face filled with longing and confusion.
"I can’t," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I just can’t do this Ryland. It’s so wrong to do this to you."
"I’m not complaining. Tempest, listen to me. I may not own much or match your position but I love you truly."
"Ryland, stop it."
He shook his head. "No. Tempest—" he continued, but I shook my head. "Tempest, I..." I spun around and sprinted away before he could stop me.
The tears spilt over as I fled, my heart aching with the weight of what I’d just done. I didn’t stop until I was back in my room, the door shut firmly behind me.
Sliding down to the floor, I buried my face in my hands as the echoes of his words and his touch lingered like a ghost.
"I can’t," I repeated softly, though I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince him now—or myself.
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~Luna Star’s POV~
We had just finished the opening ceremony for the pageant and I excused myself quickly to catch my breath. For some reason, my head spun.
I did not know why but my wolf was restless even through Zara’s speech.
Usually when Frost was edgy like this, it meant danger was close. Still, we couldn’t snuff it out. I knew right then that I needed—we needed—air.
From the balcony of the pack house, I leaned against the railing, my sharp eyes following Tempest as she fled from the gardens, her posture stiff, her hands trembling as she disappeared through the doorway.
A pang of concern twisted in my chest.
I sighed, shifting my gaze back to the man standing in the garden below—Ryker Ryland.
He stood frozen, his head tilted down, fists clenched at his sides. Even from here, I could sense the storm of emotions swirling inside him.
For a moment, I remained still, torn between stepping back and letting Tempest work through her feelings or following her to offer the guidance I knew she needed.
She’s too much like her father, I thought ruefully. Stubborn to a fault.
But a mother knows when her child is breaking, even when they try to hide it.
I turned away from the balcony, and my decision was made. Heading down the hall, I stopped outside Tempest’s room and knocked softly.
The sound of hurried footsteps followed before the door cracked open. Tempest’s eyes met mine, red-rimmed and slightly puffy.
"Mom?" she asked, her voice hoarse.
I offered her a small, knowing smile. "May I come in?"
She hesitated, glancing over her shoulder before stepping aside to let me enter. The door clicked shut behind me, and I watched as she paced the room, her fingers running through her hair, her usual composure unraveling.
"What’s wrong, sweetheart?" I asked gently, my voice careful not to press too hard.
"Nothing," she said quickly, her tone betraying her words.
"Tempest." I folded my arms, locking my gaze on her. "I saw you earlier. In the garden. With Ryker."
She froze mid-step, her back to me, her shoulders rising and falling with a deep breath. Slowly, she turned around, her cheeks flushing slightly. "You saw?"
I nodded, my expression soft but unyielding. "I did. I saw how passionately you two kissed."
Tempest sighed, running a hand down her face before gesturing for me to sit. Once I was seated, she leaned against the door, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"What are you going to say?" she asked, her voice quiet, almost defensive.
"That I approve of him," I replied simply, my words catching her off guard. Her eyes widened, and her lips parted slightly in disbelief.
"What?"
"Ryland," I said, meeting her gaze. "He’s a good man, Tempest. Strong, loyal, and he clearly cares deeply for you. I would be proud to see you with someone like him."
She shook her head, her laugh bitter. "You might approve, but what about Dad? Do you think he’ll accept his first daughter, the future Luna heir of this pack, being with a warrior?"
I tilted my head, studying her. "Your father isn’t the issue here, is he?"
Tempest’s jaw tightened, and she looked away, guilt flickering across her features. I stood, crossing the room to place a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Your father never was, else you wouldn’t have started sleeping with Ryker."
Tempest froze. It was funny how my daughters never knew I was always by their side and always felt I was as stern as their father.
"Talk to me, sweetheart. Tell me what’s really going on."
For a moment, she stayed silent, her gaze fixed on the floor. Then she sighed, the fight draining from her posture. "It’s not just Ryland," she admitted finally, her voice trembling.
I guided her to sit beside me on the bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "Then who?"
"There’s... Koda," she revealed in a whisper. "He’s my mate. I—" She hesitated, tears brimming in her eyes. "I had a one-night stand with him before I came back here. And now he wants us to try, to give us a chance and cut off lose ends."
I stayed quiet, letting her speak at her own pace.
"But I don’t know if I can," she continued, her voice cracking. "I like Koda, I do, but then there’s Ryland. He’s not my mate, but I... I care about him so much. And now he’s told me he loves me. I don’t know what to do, Mom. I feel like I’m being torn in two."
Her words hung heavy in the air with emotion. I reached out, gently brushing a tear from her cheek.
"Oh, my sweet girl," I murmured. "You’re carrying so much inside."
She nodded, her lips quivering. "I don’t want to hurt anyone, Mom. But no matter what I do, someone’s going to get hurt. And I—" Her voice broke, and she covered her face with her hands.
I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close as she cried softly into my shoulder. "It’s okay to feel this way," I said soothingly. "Love is messy, and it doesn’t always come with clear answers. But you have to trust yourself, Tempest. Trust your heart."
"How can I, when I don’t even know what my heart wants?" she whispered.