Chapter 24
xxx
Back when Damon sought vengeance for Ariel, he had ruthlessly crushed the
families of a few “brothers” who had dared speak against her.
Now that they had finally found something to use against him, how could they
not strike back?
1sabelle didn’t care about being used. As long as she could get revenge,
nothing else mattered.
If she couldn’t live well, then why should Damon?
Leaking Thornfang Pack’s military intelligence wasn’t enough. Isabelle created
a new account and went live on Facebook, launching into a public smear
campaign.
She accused Alpha Damon of secretly looking down on the high–ranking
werewolf warriors who had come from other packs to support him.
She claimed he saw them as expendable tools–nothing more than shields
10
11:39 AMD
Chapter 24 Blood and Consequence
for Thornfang Pack’s rise to dominance. Once his pack stood at the top, he’d
kick all outsiders out.
The impact was immediate.
Warriors who had once pledged their loyalty to Damon began walking away.
Thornfang Pack’s military defenses dropped to a critical low.
And Damon’s reputation took another crushing blow.
“She’s lying! I never said any of that!” Damon roared, furious.
But he had no time to chase after Ariel now. He had to return to Thornfang
Pack immediately.
The pack was in chaos.
Stellar Pack loomed on the borders, seeking to seize control. Inside, traitors
aided them from within.
Even if Thornfang Pack survived the siege, it would be a hollow, bleeding shell
11:39 AM
Chapter 24 Blood and Consequence
of what it once was.
0
*
With enemies on all sides, Damon worked himself to the brink to restore the
pack’s morale.
For three months, he barely slept.
Eventually, he had Isabelle imprisoned under charges of slander and inciting
betrayal.
The few loyal warriors left gave their all to fend off Stellar Pack’s invasion, and
in the end, the threat was pushed back.
But victory came at a high price.
The pack had been gutted.
to the mountains,
Alpha Damon’s father, Mr. Knox, who had long since retired to the m
was dragged back into the public eye when the mess broke out.
When he saw his once–mighty grandson reduced to skin and bone, he
30
11:39 AM
Chapter 24 Blood and Consequence
couldn’t help but sigh.
After the crisis settled, he summoned Damon back.
Thump.
The cane hit the floor with a heavy thud.
“Kneel!”
www
www
Pale and gaunt, Damon dropped to his knees. He looked like a shadow of the
man he used to be.
“Damon, is this what I taught you?” Mr. Knox’s voice trembled with rage. “I
warned you over and over to hold true to your heart. A man who honors his
mate brings prosperity. What did you promise me back then? And what have
you done now?”
His chest heaved. The cane struck the ground again and again in fury.
Damon lowered his head, voice barely audible, rough as sandpaper.
Chapter 24 Blood and Consequence
“I was wrong. I… I let Ariel down.”
Mr. Knox shook his head slowly, bitter and disappointed.
“Bring the family punishment.”
The steward brought out the ancestral whip–its leather gleaming, tipped with
thorns soaked in wolfsbane.
One strike was enough to tear a werewolf’s skin open.
The steward raised the whip and lashed it down.
Damon let out a choked grunt. Blood spattered across the floor.
He gritted his teeth, trying to endure. But his weakened body couldn’t hold
After just four or five lashes, his vision dimmed and he collapsed to the
ground.
It was shocking.
- up.
11:39 AM
Chapter 24 Blood and Consequence
Back when Damon was a teenager, he had endured over a hundred lashes
without fainting.
Mr. Knox panicked. He shouted for the pack’s best medical healer.
After taking an antidote for the poison, Damon finally drifted into deep sleep-
for the first time in months.
In the haze of dreams, he traveled backward in time.
Back to the day Ariel accepted him as her mate.
He’d dressed in his finest, heart racing with anticipation as he poured out his
love.
“Ariel, will you be with me? I’ll treat you well forever. In this life, I’ll love only you.”
His hands trembled as he held the custom–designed ring, chest pounding
uncontrollably.
The corners of his lips curled into a smile.
11:39 AM
Chapter 24 Blood and Consequence
He knew she would say yes.
But in the very next second, Ariel turned away without hesitation.
Art
0
Vi
T
