Chapter 0237

I rise and pull out a chair for him. I position it carefully, keeping distance from both Seraphina and Evelyn. No way I'm letting him near my mate either.

"Sit." My tone leaves no room for argument. A sharp nod sends the guards outside.

"Alpha Sebastian shared your story," Gregory says.

"Every word is true."

"We're aware," Gregory replies while Alistair frowns. "Guardian gifts don't lie."

Victor's gaze flicks to Seraphina, and a growl rumbles in my chest.

He rolls his eyes. "Relax. I'm not after your mate. Already told you I regret what happened with Evelyn." He turns to her. "I owe you an apology. What I did was unforgivable."

Evelyn glances at Seraphina, who gives a subtle nod. He's sincere.

Her eyes shift to Adrian. I see the conflict in his posture—personal vengeance versus his mate's wishes.

"What would you do if we released you?" Adrian finally asks.

Victor blinks, scanning each face in the room. "Is this a test?"

"No games," I say. "I kept you locked up believing you killed my mother. Now that I know the truth, I've got no reason to hold you. Adrian and Evelyn have their own grievances."

"And Sebastian seems to think six months of beatings settled your debt to Evelyn," Adrian adds.

Evelyn steps forward, ignoring Adrian's warning growl. "Seraphina confirmed your remorse. If you truly regret your actions, then yes, I consider your debt paid. But answer Adrian's question—what happens if we let you go?"

Victor shrugs. "Honestly? Been running for two decades. Don't even know how to live normally anymore."

"I'll give you startup funds, but you're banned from my territory," I state.

"Understood."

Adrian's jaw tightens before he turns to me. "Fine. Let him go."

Victor's shock is almost comical. "You're serious?"

"Dead serious. I'm heading to the city tomorrow. You'll ride with me, get your money, and disappear. Until then, you'll have a guarded room. One hostile move toward any pack member, and you're dead. Clear?"

"Crystal." He stands, then pauses. "Thank you. All of you."

The door closes behind him as I mind-link the guards with instructions.

"Meeting adjourned," I announce.

Seraphina and I escort everyone out.

Adrian pauses on the porch. "I'll send over patrol schedules tomorrow."

"Nathaniel will coordinate with you. We start joint patrols at dusk. I'll be in the city overnight—call if anything comes up."

Handshakes are exchanged with Adrian, Alistair, and Gregory. Evelyn hugs us both. Seraphina surprises Gregory with an embrace before they leave.

She returns to my side, pressing against me as their cars disappear. "You okay?"

Her cheek rests against my chest. "Is it strange that Gregory feels like a father to me?"

"Honestly? Everything about this is strange. Your Guardian spirit was mated to his wolf. They had a daughter together who's technically your ancestor. Most messed-up family tree I've ever seen." I kiss her hair. "But family's family. Father, brother, sister—they're yours, which makes them mine too. And gods know we could use more family."

She smiles up at me. I lead her back inside, toward our room.

Our room.

Damn, that sounds perfect.