Phoenix 45

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Chapter 45: The Ultimatum

(Elena’s POV)

I pushed open the door of the Recovery Ward. Inside, only Sophia Rivers lay in the bed, her eyes immediately turning wary as she spotted me.

“Elena, what are you doing here?” Her voice carried a sharp edge of suspicion.

I stopped at her bedside and took a deep breath. My hands remained steady at my sides as I looked down at

her calmly.

“I can let bygones be bygones,” I said quietly. “We can call it even. But I have only one request – don’t interfere

with David’s verdict.”

Sophia sneered, her lips curling into a mocking smile. She looked me up and down with obvious disdain.

“What do you mean by letting bygones be bygones?” Her voice dripped with false innocence. “I haven’t done

anything to you. Where’s your evidence?”

She shifted in the bed, her eyes flashing with calculated malice. “David kidnapped and threatened me. Why

shouldn’t I interfere with his verdict? Are you asking me to let him off?”

I smiled, feeling a strange sense of calm wash over me. “Since there are no outsiders here and no recordings,

we both know what’s really going on. There’s no need to pretend.”

Sophia’s mask didn’t slip. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m the victim here, and now you’re threatening me too.”

I clenched my fists at my sides, feeling my nails dig into my palms. After a few seconds of silence, I spoke

again.

“I’m not threatening you. I know you want to become Marcus’s mate, but you can’t get past Margaret

Blackwood.”

The color drained from Sophia’s face instantly. She stared at me as if trying to see through my very soul.

I continued, my voice steady and measured. “Even without you, I could have Margaret Blackwood intervene.

Regardless of what Marcus thinks, I’m not a stranger to being the villain.”

My eyes never left hers. “Do you think Margaret Blackwood would allow you to stay by Marcus’s side if she

knew you’d been pursuing her grandson after returning to the Northern Territory?”

Sophia bit her lip, her face growing pale. “If you have the ability to influence Margaret Blackwood, why are you

seeking me out? Why don’t you go to the old woman yourself?”

I calmly sat down in the chair beside her bed. “I’m giving you a chance. Could you still be with Marcus if I had

Margaret Blackwood intervene?”

(Sophia’s POV)

I was speechless. The old woman hated me with every fiber of her being. I had been eagerly waiting for her to die so no one could stop Marcus from marking me as his mate.

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< Chapter 45 The Ultimaturn

But the old woman was so long–lived! She seemed determined to outlive us all.

I slowly unclenched my fists, forcing a sneer. “Why should I believe you? You want to be Luna since you’re living with Marcus.”

Elena was speechless for a moment. Luna? Did she even need to think about it? She already was.

After a while, Elena smiled. “I indeed don’t want to anymore.”

I stared at her in disbelief. The words hit me like a physical blow.

Elena slowly stood up, her movements deliberate and calm. “I will leave the Northern Territory in forty–five

days. There will be no one to hinder you then.”

She looked down at me with an expression I couldn’t read. “Miss Rivers, consider my words carefully. Give me

a reply after thinking it over.”

Without waiting for me to respond, Elena walked out of the Recovery Ward. The door closed behind her with a

soft click.

The moment she was gone, my face fell completely. My nails dug so deep into my palms I nearly drew blood.

She was supposed to beg me humbly! Instead, Elena acted like she was doing me a favor, saying she was giving me a chance.

Did I need her to give me a chance? Let David go? The humiliation I had suffered would be repaid double!

I picked up my phone with trembling fingers and dialed Heidi Cross’s number.

“Heidi, come to the healing institute. We need to discuss important matters.”

(Elena’s POV)

I sat in my healing chamber, staring blankly at the patient files on my desk. A figure appeared unhurriedly

outside the door.

I didn’t look up, assuming it was a patient. “Have you registered?”

It wasn’t until the man spoke that I froze completely. Those icy golden eyes met mine across the room.

“What did you say to Sophia?”

I clenched the pen in my hand so tightly my knuckles turned white. I had guessed Sophia would tell Marcus, but I hadn’t expected him to care so much. He was anxious about her.

“If you’re not willing to negotiate with me, I’ll negotiate with Miss Rivers. Is there a problem?”

Marcus’s gaze fixed on me with laser intensity. After a long moment, he laughed, but the sound held no

warmth.

“You really are persistent.”

I stood up slowly, meeting his stare. “David is my brother after all. Even if he goes to the enforcement station, I hope he can spend those years safely.”

My voice grew stronger. “I just want fairness. Is that not allowed?”

Marcus approached me, his Alpha presence filling the small chamber. “Fairness? He premeditated k********g. Even if he didn’t cause substantial harm, a crime is a crime. And you’re talking about fairness to me?”

< Chapter 45: The Ultimatum

I felt my heart racing but forced myself to stay calm. “Since no substantial harm was caused, pack law could give a lighter sentence. Would you consider giving David a lighter sentence?”

“No.” His answer came without hesitation, ruthless and decisive.

My heart suddenly trembled, and I felt the blood drain from my face. “Am I wrong to want fairness?”

Marcus’s expression hardened further. “It’s fine if he touches anyone else, but he shouldn’t have touched her.”

His blatant words of protection shattered whatever expectations I had left. I had thought I could reason with

him. Unfortunately, I was being delusional.

With the Blackwood family’s immense power and Marcus’s ruthlessness toward me, how could he possibly

grant my wish?

“Elena, I don’t want you to go to Sophia again because of David’s matter.” His voice carried Alpha authority. “You need to remember, she is the victim. Our matters have nothing to do with her.”

Marcus was about to turn around when I smiled through my tears. “Then am I not a victim?”

Didn’t those things Sophia did to me count? Was I supposed to endure everything in silence?

He stopped, turning back to look at me. His face showed unpredictable depth.

“Marcus, can’t you be soft–hearted toward me just once?” My voice cracked with emotion. “Just once. Once

would be enough.”

Marcus fixed his gaze on me, unmoved by my plea. “Elena, this is what I owe her.”

He left the healing chamber without looking back. I stood there for a long time, his words echoing in my

mind.

“What he owes her.” It made clear who was more important.

My chest ached intensely, as if I couldn’t breathe. After a long time, I smiled bitterly.

Did he ever remember that he also owed me?

(Marcus’s POV)

I left the healing institute and got into my car. The leather seats felt cold against my back.

Amber Stone received a call, then turned back to me. “Alpha Marcus, David has accepted the verdict. The lawyer gave him hints, but he still refuses to admit his mistake.”

Actually, as long as David was willing to lower his head and admit his mistake, the lawyer had a way to ensure David would only be sentenced to two years with a one–year reprieve.

But David had the same temperament as Elena. He refused to yield whenever it came to Sophia’s matters, insisting on going head–to–head with me.

I fastened my cuff buttons with deliberate precision. “If he wants to go to the enforcement station, then let him stay there long enough.”

Amber Stone remained silent. The stubborn fool was speechless.

(David’s POV)

At the Territorial Enforcement Station, I was placed in a detention cell with other inmates. Six or seven men

Charter

Chapter 45 The Liftimatur

occupied the cramped space.

As soon as the pack enforcement officers left, a Tattooed Enforcer sized me up and down. His scarred face

twisted into a grin.

“New here, you’re called David, right?”

I became wary, seeing the unfriendly gleam in his eyes. Something about his posture screamed danger.

The man grinned wider, slowly standing up. “A boss told us to take good care of you.”

I pointed at them, my voice rising. “What are you doing? Want to fight? I’m telling you, there are surveillance

cameras here.”

The tattooed man laughed, raising his chin mockingly. “Take a look for yourself.”

I looked back toward the corner. The camera that had been flashing red was now completely dark.

(Elena’s POV)

The next day, I sat at the dining table in Moonhaven Kitchen. I had only managed a few sips of porridge

before my appetite disappeared completely.

Catherine Hayes came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of fresh fruit. She placed it on the table with gentle

care.

“Luna, your appetite doesn’t seem good these days. How about I make some spicy and sour snacks tomorrow to whet your appetite?”

I looked at her and smiled sadly. “If only you were my mother, I would definitely be happy to have a mother

like you,”

Catherine was stunned, her face showing sudden unease. “Oh, Luna, you’re praising me too much.”

“I’m serious.” I lowered my eyes, feeling the weight of impending goodbye. “Although I know you’re only fulfilling your duty by caring for me, I don’t think I’ll ever forget your kindness.”