Chapter 193
Osman pressed his hands to his ears dramatically, pacing back and forth near the cottage window. “Seriously? How long do they plan on cheering wildly? It’s been forever!” he complained, sounding both irritated and secretly impressed.
Candice leaned beside him to peek out. Sunlight spilled over the clearing where members of the Ivanov Clan were gathered, laughing, crying, hugging each other. Their cheers rose every few minutes in uneven waves — messy, emotional, but full of long-suppressed hope.
“They earned it,” Candice said quietly. There was a softness in her voice Osman didn’t hear often. “Zander must have carried this weight since he was barely grown. Losing his home. Losing his parents. Trying to protect the survivors while running from the Cross Clan. Every day must have felt like a borrowed day p>
Osman straightened slowly, a frown forming. “Hold on p>
Candice didn’t turn to him; she kept watching the celebrating clan.
Osman squinted. “Why… why do I suddenly sense you’re interested in that man? Like… interested interested p>
Candice snapped her head toward him. “What? Absolutely not p>
“You said his name like it was coated in honey,” Osman insisted, pointing at her accusingly.
“Very suspicious tone. Warm. Soft. Almost dreamy p>
Candice’s mouth dropped open. “My tone was normal p>
“Nope. Soft. Definitely soft p>
“That’s just how I talk p>
“Not to me,” Osman muttered.
Candice huffed. “Because you’re annoying p>
“That’s debatable p>
“No, it’s not p>
Althea, lying on the bed but awake enough to watch their bickering, let out a tired laugh. “You two… honestly p>
Both snapped their attention to her.
“Sorry, my lady,” Candice said, immediately going to her bedside. “You shouldn’t be laughing. You need rest p>
Osman folded his arms. “Laughing is fine. She needs joy p>
“She needs sleep.” Candice glared.
“She needs a little entertainment,” Osman countered.
Candice slide him a killing look. “You are entertainment. Mostly because your existence is a joke p>
Osman gasped. “You dare p>
Althea laughed again — softer this time, a weary exhale that still made her eyes warm. The exhaustion in her limbs made her sink deeper into the pillows, yet the sound of their voices comforted her more than silence.
Candice must have noticed because she turned sternly toward Osman. “We’re not helping her rest. Come on p>
She grabbed his wrist.
“Hey—stop dragging me! I can walk p>
“Then walk p>
“I am walking p>
“Then walk faster p>
“You walk faster p>
“Oh for the love of p>
Their back-and-forth followed them out the door, but they didn’t stop even after stepping outside.
“Osman, if you say one more thing about my walking speed p>
“Then walk at a normal pace p>
“I am walking normally p>
“No, you’re floating dramatically like a—like a p>
“Choose your next words carefully p>
“—like a very angry fairy p>
Candice shoved him, and he stumbled with a yelp.
Althea chuckled, finally able to breathe in the quiet. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting exhaustion wash over her. Her muscles ached, her spirit felt stretched thin, but she wasn’t alone. Osman and Candice’s presence, though chaotic, still warmed the air.
Meanwhile, Osman and Candice sat on the cottage steps after finally giving Althea some space. Osman’s arms were crossed tightly, lips pulled into a scowl that he didn’t bother hiding.
Candice nudged him with her elbow. “Stop glaring like that. You’ll scare the squirrels p>
“I’m not glaring at the squirrels,” Osman muttered. “I’m glaring at him p>
Candice followed his line of sight, toward the clearing where the remnants of the Ivanov Clan were still celebrating. Zander stood among them, accepting the clan’s gratitude with a steady, exhausted posture.
“You don’t like him,” Candice stated.
Osman scoffed. “The man used our Luna — our future Luna — as bait to trap the Alpha King. You call that likable?” ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ.net
“He did it out of desperation,” Candice argued gently. “His people have been hunted for years p>
“He’s cunning,” Osman snapped back. “Smart in the wrong ways. And people like him always think the ends justify the means p>
Candice raised a brow. “You mean people like you p>
Osman jerked. “What? How did— That’s not— I don’t p>
Candice’s lips curled into a small smirk. “Thought so p>
“I was trying to be philosophical!” Osman sputtered. “Not confessing anything about me p>
Candice sighed long and slow. “You’re impossible p>
“And you’re too soft on him,” Osman countered.
“I’m not soft,” Candice retorted. But her eyes drifted toward Zander again — thoughtful, sympathetic. “I just… see the weight he carries p>
Candice eyed him. “You’re worried p>
Osman didn’t deny it. “Lady Althea’s strong, but what she tried today could’ve killed her. And the one who put her in that position? Him p>
His voice dropped to a low growl, Beta instincts surfacing. “Alpha King Gavriel will judge him when the time comes. Until then, I’m keeping an eye on him p>
Candice didn’t argue.
Inside the cottage, Althea had drifted into a light sleep, her breathing slow, the edges of her aura still recovering from the clash of energies. The room was dim, lit only by a soft glowstone Candice had set beside her earlier.
A gentle knock sounded. Candice and Osman turned.
Zander stood there. “I need a moment with her,” he said quietly. “Just a moment p>
Osman stiffened instantly. He nearly refused on instinct. Candice touched Osman’s wrist, giving a small nod. Osman reluctantly stepped aside, but he lingered near the door, refusing to go far.
Zander entered the cottage silently.
He approached Althea with slow steps, as if afraid even his footsteps might disturb her weakened state. She looked peaceful — exhausted, pale, but peaceful. Seeing her like that twisted something in him.
He lowered himself to one knee beside the bed. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
She didn’t wake, but her fingers twitched slightly against the blanket.
Zander continued, guilt tightening every word. “I used you. Dragged you into a war that isn’t yours. It was the only way… but that doesn’t make it right p>
His breath trembled. “My clan sees hope again because of you. Because you’re Gavriel’s mate. Because your existence bought us a chance p>
He bowed his head, shoulders lowering in quiet shame. “But you nearly died today trying to correct the mess I made. I won’t let that happen again p>
A brief pause. “If Gavriel kills me for this one day… I’ll accept it. But while I still live, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you p>