Chapter 93

Ella POV

The look of anger on David’s face was unmistakable—a flash of raw frustration that settled into his tightened jaw. Silence lingered heavily over the crowd, the kind that raised far more questions than answers. If he had hoped to avoid drawing suspicion, he had failed spectacularly.

“You said you wanted to assure us that there will be no disruptions to trades or alliances,” I said, breaking the silence with calm confidence. “I assume that extends to your contracts with other packs as well?”

A murmur of approval rippled through the onlookers. David’s grip on his composure seemed to slip, just for a moment.

“You’re not the type of man who breaks his contracts, now are you?” Alexander added, a subtle challenge in his voice.

David forced a strained smile, though his eyes held a glint of barely-concealed irritation. “Of course not,” he replied tightly. “I’d simply forgotten that contract even existed. After all, it’s for such a minor sum. I’ll pay it immediately to ensure it doesn’t slip my mind again.”

“I think that would be best,” I replied smoothly. “The sooner we settle things between us, the sooner you’ll be completely free to focus solely on Amanda.”

David’s smile wavered, and as he glanced toward Amanda, his gaze darkened. I could feel the silent tension radiating from him, a quiet fury held in check by the watching crowd. We had accomplished exactly what we intended: making a statement that couldn’t be ignored.

Amanda stepped forward, her eyes flashing as she directed someone at the edge of the pagoda. “Go now and get the deed for the land in question,” she ordered, her voice firm. “City Hall is just across the street. It shouldn’t take you long.”

Then she turned to me with a practiced smile. “You’re absolutely right, Ella. I want every connection between you and David severed, so we can focus entirely on starting our lives together.”

David took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, now filled with critical eyes. “So, are there any other questions?” he asked, attempting a casual tone.

A stern-looking older Alpha with dark eyes stepped forward. “Can we assume Lunar Lake will be responsible for the debts incurred by the Gray River pack?”

“Yes,” another voice chimed in. “Will this merger truly combine both packs?”

David’s smile faltered. “Yes, there will be a full merger when I officially take over as Alpha after my father retires. I will, of course, take responsibility for any outstanding debts.”

Despite his measured words, the tension in his jaw revealed his irritation. He scanned the crowd again. This obviously wasn’t how he pictured this going. “Any other questions?” Silence followed though the expressions around us were anything but neutral.

Then, David nodded, wrapping his arm around Amanda. “In that case, I’d like to thank you all for being here and offer a bit of advice,” he announced, his gaze sliding pointedly toward me. “The beauty of the fated mate bond can’t be overstated. I advise everyone here to remind their children to wait for the one who is truly meant for them. Don’t be lured by mere infatuation for the wrong woman.”

David’s eyes lingered on me before flicking to Alexander, who visibly stiffened at the veiled insult. “The wrong woman can cause unimaginable harm to your life,” David said, his tone thick with accusation.

Alexander’s voice cut through the crowd, calm yet resonant. “And it’s wise to caution your daughters about deceptive men,” he replied smoothly, his gaze steady on David. “Sometimes, intentions aren’t what they seem.”

A murmur spread through the crowd, whispers charged with tension. Alexander’s words hung in the air.

The tension broke as a young man dashed up to the pagoda, clutching a stack of papers in his hands, his breath coming fast from the hurried sprint.

David snatched the papers from the young man, who promptly handed him a pen. With a few quick, irritated strokes, David signed in several places, then looked up, his eyes hard. "I just need your signature, Ella, and then this will be over."

I took a step forward, and Alexander followed closely, his presence beside me a constant, silent reminder for David to tread carefully. I accepted the papers from David, my hand reaching for the pen, but before I could sign, Alexander gently stopped my hand.

"We'll review this thoroughly and send a signed copy after my lawyers have gone over it," Alexander said with a polite but unyielding smile. "Ella doesn’t sign anything without their approval first."

I gave David a cool smile. "Just a precaution; I almost forgot."

David’s jaw tightened briefly, but he shrugged, his tone dismissive. “Fine. You know my address.”

"Congratulations to you both," I said, directing a warm smile at Amanda. "I’m glad we can all close this chapter and move on, finding happiness in our own ways."

David gave a curt nod. "Thank you for coming."

He then turned his attention to the gathered crowd. "Food and drinks will be served shortly. I hope you’ll all stay to celebrate with us."

Alexander took a step forward, his hand resting possessively on my waist. "It sounds wonderful, but unfortunately, Ella and I have other business to attend to. So little time for socializing when you’re planning a wedding, as I'm sure you both understand."

With that, Alexander guided me toward the car, his arm still around my waist. As we moved away, a sense of satisfaction bloomed in my chest.

I clutched the signed documents close, knowing we hadn’t just reminded the other alphas and Lunas of David’s broken promises and shameful actions but had also secured a small stretch of farmland to help strengthen my pack’s financial standing. It was a complete success.

Amanda POV

Amanda watched Alexander and Ella walk away, her smile fixed but brittle. She still wasn’t used to so many eyes tracking her every move, analyzing her expression, her posture, her very presence.

But she’d practiced for this moment ever since David had finally called her, whispering that he missed her, that he wanted to marry her. It was everything she’d dreamed of. Now, with their plans set in stone, she knew her happy ending was within reach—but not without ridding herself of the woman who had stood in her way for so long.

Ella couldn’t be allowed to walk away untouched, her schemes and insults unpunished. Amanda had tried every angle she could to expose her, to force her to own up to her lies, but every attempt had fallen short.

That infuriating Alexander had stood between her and her goal, protecting Ella from everything. But Amanda wasn’t out of ideas just yet. The drug she’d obtained for David had worked once—without Alexander’s interference, it could have left Ella at her mercy.

It was now clear to Amanda: if she wanted to get to Ella, she had to go through Alexander. She couldn’t believe that Alexander Black truly loved a girl like Ella—not him. He was five years older, with a worldliness, intelligence, and poise that were leagues beyond Ella’s reach.

The real Ella was awkward and painfully shy, a girl Amanda knew all too well. Whatever confidence Ella flaunted now was just an act, and it wouldn’t hold up under the right pressure.

There had to be a way to break through Alexander’s defenses, to make him see Ella as the unworthy fraud Amanda knew her to be. Amanda would find it. And once she did, there would be no one left to stand in her way or to stop David from claiming his rightful place as king.

With one last glance at the crowd, Amanda straightened, her resolve hardening. The game had only just begun, and she was determined to be the one who emerged victorious.