I Left Before He Learned My Worth novel Chapter 109

Chapter 109

KAEL

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I sat in the chair beside Ivory’s bed, my hand carefully holding hers, trying to keep my breathing steady even as my wolf raged inside me. The beast wanted blood. Wanted violence. Wanted to tear apart whoever had done this to her.

The problem was, I didn’t know who that someone was. And the uncertainty was driving both man and wolf to the edge of sanity.

Ivory had been moved from the main clinic to one of the private recovery rooms-quieter, more comfortable, better suited for extended rest. Eliza had assured me the worst of the poison had been neutralized, that Ivory would make a full recovery. But seeing her like this, pale and vulnerable, with dark circles under her eyes even in sleep-it made something primal and protective surge through me.

She stirred slightly, a small sound of discomfort escaping her lips. Without thinking, I shifted from the chair to the edge of her bed, carefully gathering her against my chest so she could rest more comfortably. Her head settled against my shoulder naturally, like her body remembered this position even if her mind didn’t.

This was the mos

we’d been physically close since her accident. Since she’d woken up without her memories and started treating me like a stranger. Even during my bonding ceremony with Aria, Ivory had maintained careful distance, professional boundaries, that cold politeness that hurt more than outright hostility would have.

But now, in her weakened state, she’d allowed this contact. Had even seemed to seek it out, unconsciously gravitating toward me in her sleep.

My wolf settled slightly at having her close. At being able to protect her, even if the threat had already passed. At feeling her warmth, her breathing, the steady beat of her heart against my

chest.

I knew I shouldn’t be feeling this way. Shouldn’t be taking comfort in holding another woman when my mate was locked in our chambers under suspicion of attacking this very person. Shouldn’t be letting my wolf purr with contentment at Ivory’s proximity when I’d vowed myself to Aria.

But I couldn’t help it. The emotions were there whether I wanted them or not, complicated and powerful and impossible to simply dismiss.

I knew Ivory wasn’t lying about what she remembered. Her account of events had been genuine-she’d felt someone grab her from behind, felt the pain of impact, and in her

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Chapter 109

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drugged and disoriented state, had connected those two sensations into a single action. From her perspective, Aria had attacked her.

But I also knew—or at least, desperately hoped that Aria hadn’t actually done it. The woman I was bonded to, the woman I was building a life with, wasn’t capable of attempted murder. She was insecure, yes. Jealous of Ivory, certainly Struggling to find her place in the pack, absolutely.

But a poisoner? An attacker who would ambush someone in the forest?

I couldn’t make that image fit with the Aria I knew. The woman who cried over pack members’ disapproval. Who tried so hard to be helpful even when rebuffed. Who showed compassion even to those who didn’t show it to her.

Yet the evidence was damning. Aria had been the only other person present. She’d been seen arguing with Ivory moments before the attack. She’d grabbed Ivory from behind, by her own admission. And the supposed attacker sh

claimed to have seen had conveniently vanished

without a trace.

The boot print and scuff marks Marcus had found were suggestive but not conclusive. They proved someone had been in that tree recently, but not definitively that they’d been there this morning. Not

definitively that they’d shot Ivory.

So I was stuck in this impossible position, caught between two women I cared about, uncertain who to believe and terrified of making the wrong choice.

Through my bond with Aria, I could feel her distress. Her hurt at my hesitation. Her fear of what this meant for us, for her position, for her future. The bond pulled at me, urged me to go to her, to comfort her, to believe her absolutely.

But Ivory was here in my arms, injured and vulnerable, and my wolf was making it very clear that protecting her took priority right now. That regardless of what had happened or who was responsible, Ivory needed me in this moment.

The door to the recovery room suddenly slammed open, making Ivory stir against my chest. I looked up, ready to snap at whoever had entered so dramatically, and found Margo standing in the doorway.

The former maid looked furious. Her face was flushed, her hands clenched into fists, her entire body radiating anger.

“Margo,” I said, my voice low with warning. “This is a recovery room. You can’t just barge in

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“I’m sorry, Alpha Kael,” she said, though she didn’t sound particularly sorry. “But I needed to speak with Ivory. To offer my

services.”

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