Chapter 197: The Gift That Never Was
Chapter 197: The Gift That Never Was
(Elena Blackwood’s POV)
I stood there without moving, waiting for Marcus to approach. His golden eyes held a mixture of concern and something else I couldn’t quite identify.
“Why did you come out?” he asked, his voice carrying that familiar Alpha authority even in his weakened
state.
I blinked in surprise. “How did you know where I was?”
Marcus’s gaze fell on my phone, and understanding dawned on me immediately. Of course he would have tracking methods.
“You installed a tracking app,” I stated rather than asked.
He didn’t deny it. His attention shifted to the Moonstone Shopping Bag I carried, curiosity flickering in his
expression.
“What’s in the bag?” he asked directly.
I quickly snatched it away, holding it protectively against my chest. “It’s not for you.”
His eyebrows rose slightly at my defensive reaction. His focus zeroed in on the small box visible through the
bag’s opening.
“Who is it for then?” he pressed, his tone carrying a hint of something that almost sounded like jealousy.
“It’s a gift for my foster brother Adrian Whitmore,” I replied, watching his expression carefully.
Marcus’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. “Does your brother even need gifts from you?”
I simply wanted to give it,” I retorted, my voice sharper than intended. “Is that a problem?”
A shadow of regret crossed his features. “I’ve never received a gift from you.”
The words hung between us like an accusation. My chest tightened with old pain and frustration.
“You told me not to bother again,” I challenged, my voice steady despite the emotions churning inside me.
Marcus looked confused. “When did I say that?”
“The first mating anniversary,” I said quietly. “I gave you a hand knitted scarf. You dismissed it with ‘Don’t waste your effort on such things again.”
His face went pale.
“Since then, I haven’t given you anything.”
Marcus’s chest rose and fell rapidly. “I didn’t know you made it yourself.”
I brushed off his shock with forced lightness. “I made it myself, but my technique wasn’t very good and it turned out rather ugly. It’s normal that you would dislike it.”
“Elena, I didn’t mean to-”
< Chapter 197 The Gift That Never Was
“It’s in the past,” I interrupted firmly. “What’s done is done.”
(Marcus Blackwood’s POV)
The weight of her words hit me like a physical blow. I had dismissed something she’d made with her own hands, something that represented her effort and care.
Elena patted my shoulder gently. “Marcus, we should go back. If you’re out too long, it won’t be easy for me to explain to your father.”
I remained silent, processing the magnitude of my past mistake. How many other gestures had I missed or
dismissed?
Back at the Crimson Moon Lodge, we encountered Alexander Blackwood in the middle of scolding my Elite Guards. His voice carried the full weight of his Alpha authority.
“How could you lose track of him?” he demanded, his face dark with anger.
Seeing us approach, his fury subsided somewhat, though tension remained in his posture.
“Marcus, where did you go without informing anyone?” Alexander’s voice was sharp with concern and
reproach.
Elena instinctively clutched the gift bag tighter against her chest. I noticed the protective gesture and
stepped slightly forward.
“I needed some fresh air,” I replied simply, dismissing the guards with a wave.
Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “Your mother is worried sick about you.”
“I thought you wouldn’t care about Mother’s feelings,” I retorted, “considering you two argued earlier.”
Alexander’s face darkened further. “Don’t change the subject. You will not leave without security again.”
“Understood,” I acknowledged curtly.
Alexander turned and returned to his room without another word. The tension in the corridor was palpable.
Elena sensed my unease immediately. I could feel her concern through our bond, even as strained as it was
“He won’t scold you, I reassured her quietly.
know, she replied, though I could sense her apprehension. “But I still felt the pressure when he was angry
at the guards
She understood the inherent Alpha dominance that came with Alexander’s position. Even indirect exposure to
his anger was intimidating.
Back in her room, Elena visibly relaxed. I lingered outside her door, my mind still churning with regret.
Abruptly, I turned to one of my Elite Guards. “Have you ever knitted a scarf?”
The guard looked surprised by the unexpected question ‘No, Alpha. But my mate has.”
“Did she make it for you?” I pressed, needing to understand something I’d never experienced.
The guard’s face lit up with pride. “Yes, Alpha. She’s quite skilled. She knits sweaters for me and our pups.
He fell silent suddenly, realizing he might have said something inappropriate. His expression grew worried, as if he’d rubbed salt in an open wound.
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Chapter 197 The bit That Never Was
“It’s in the past,” I interrupted firmly. “What’s done is done.”
(Marcus Blackwood’s POV)
18 Punts >
The weight of her words hit me like a physical blow. I had dismissed something she’d made with her own hands, something that represented her effort and care.
Elena patted my shoulder gently. “Marcus, we should go back. If you’re out too long, it won’t be easy for me to explain to your father.”
I remained silent, processing the magnitude of my past mistake. How many other gestures had I missed or
dismissed?
Back at the Crimson Moon Lodge, we encountered Alexander Blackwood in the middle of scolding my Elite Guards. His voice carried the full weight of his Alpha authority.
“How could you lose track of him?” he demanded, his face dark with anger.
Seeing us approach, his fury subsided somewhat, though tension remained in his posture.
“Marcus, where did you go without informing anyone?” Alexander’s voice was sharp with concern and
reproach.
Elena instinctively clutched the gift bag tighter against her chest. I noticed the protective gesture and stepped slightly forward.
“I needed some fresh air,” I replied simply, dismissing the guards with a wave.
Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “Your mother is worried sick about you.”
“I thought you wouldn’t care about Mother’s feelings,” I retorted, “considering you two argued earlier.”
Alexander’s face darkened further. “Don’t change the subject. You will not leave without security again.”
“Understood,” I acknowledged curtly.
Alexander turned and returned to his room without another word. The tension in the corridor was palpable.
Elena sensed my unease immediately. I could feel her concern through our bond, even as strained as it was.
“He won’t scold you,” I reassured her quietly.
“I know,” she replied, though I could sense her apprehension. “But I still felt the pressure when he was angry
at the guards.
She understood the inherent Alpha dominance that came with Alexander’s position. Even indirect exposure to
his anger was intimidating.
Back in her room, Elena visibly relaxed. I lingered outside her door, my mind still churning with regret.
Abruptly, I turned to one of my Elite/Guards. “Have you ever knitted a scarf?”
The guard looked surprised by the unexpected question. “No, Alpha. But my mate has.”
“Did she make it for you?” I pressed, needing to understand something I’d never experienced.
The guard’s face lit up with pride. “Yes, Alpha. She’s quite skilled. She knits sweaters for me and our pups.”
He fell silent suddenly, realizing he might have said something inappropriate. His expression grew worried, as if he’d rubbed salt in an open wound.
<Chapter 197 The Gift That Never Was
After a long silence, I spoke quietly. “Then you are quite fortunate.”
The guard nodded uncertainly, still unsure if he’d overstepped.
Points >
I was filled with intense regret, realizing all that I had missed as Elena’s mate. I could have had that happiness as well – the simple joy of receiving handmade gifts from my Luna, the warmth of her efforts to please me.
The weight of my past coldness toward her settled heavily on my shoulders as I stood alone in the corridor.
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