**The Heart I Buried for You by Serene Lockwood**
**Chapter 231: The Price of Breaking Ties**
**Luis’s POV:**
The sudden, thunderous impact of Erick’s palm crashing onto the table sent a shockwave through the private chamber, the sound echoing ominously off the walls. It was a startling reminder of the brewing storm, a moment that hung in the air like a heavy fog, thick with unspoken words and unresolved tensions.
Within moments, a formidable line of werewolf guards appeared, their silhouettes casting long shadows across the room, guns drawn and ready, an intimidating display of power that made the atmosphere even more charged.
I glanced at Ruth, her face paling to an ashen hue, fear etched deeply in her wide, anxious eyes. Yet, amidst the escalating chaos, I remained seated, an unmoving bastion of calm in a tempest of emotions, my gaze locked onto Erick’s fierce glare.
“Let’s take a moment to reflect on our shared history,” I began, my voice steady and unwavering, cutting through the tension like a knife. “The Mooncrown Pack and the Blackcreek Pack once forged a powerful alliance to establish the GL Group overseas. Now, the company’s valuation has skyrocketed into the tens of billions. Given our broken engagement, the Mooncrown Pack has decided to withdraw their support unconditionally and hand over control of the company to you as compensation.”
As my words settled in the air, I noticed a flicker of relief cross Erick’s features, though the tension still coiled tightly around us like a serpent ready to strike.
With a dismissive wave of his hand, he signaled for the guards to retreat, their imposing presence fading back into the shadows from whence they came.
Turning his attention to Ruth, he spoke with a tone that was both authoritative and cutting. “Mrs. Eaton, while our Blackcreek Pack may not possess the same strength as the Mooncrown, the purity of my daughter’s bloodline is beyond question. Our family name commands respect, and many Alphas have sought her hand in marriage. If you undervalue her worth, we will not force this union upon you.”
Ruth sprang to her feet, her voice rising in a desperate protest. “Erick, no! That’s not what we meant!”
Beside him, Julie stood tall, a victorious smile lighting up her face as she clutched Erick’s arm possessively. “Well then, it seems dinner is officially over. Let’s not linger here any longer, darling.”
With that, they swept out of the room, their entourage trailing behind them, leaving only the sound of Ruth’s ragged breaths and the suffocating silence they left in their wake.
Alina rushed in, her brow furrowed with concern as she moved swiftly to support Ruth, who looked as if she might crumble under the weight of the moment.
“Luis! Do you even grasp the magnitude of what the Mooncrown Pack just forfeited due to your actions? The GL Group’s assets—gone in an instant! Are you trying to drive me into a fit of rage? Your uncle poured his heart and soul into this match. You could have salvaged everything with one simple alliance, yet you chose to destroy it all!”
I rose from my seat, my tone calm and measured, a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling around us. “Mrs. Eaton, I have made my position clear from the very beginning. I will not agree to a marriage of convenience. You chose to ignore my words.”
I paused for a moment, softening my tone as I added, “And I have refrained from revealing the truth about the Blood Moon Curse.”
Locking eyes with Ruth, I allowed a slight, knowing smile to touch my lips. “If Alpha Erick were to discover that I am dying, and that you intended to use his beloved daughter merely as a breeding vessel… well, let’s just say that the GL Group wouldn’t be enough to mend that catastrophe.”
With that, I turned to leave, but Ruth’s voice sliced through the air, sharp and accusatory. “So it all comes back to that Omega, Deanna! Why can’t you see? She’s manipulating you!”
I chose silence, continuing my path away from the chaos, unwilling to engage further in the fray.
—
Inside me, the little pup stirred gently, as if sensing the weight of my melancholy, a reminder of the life growing within me amidst the chaos.
Lowering my gaze, I found myself staring blankly at the tiled floor, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts that spiraled around my mind like a tempest.
So engrossed was I in my contemplation that I miscalculated my footing on the staircase, stumbling forward, my heart racing as I fought to regain my balance, a physical manifestation of my inner turmoil.
—
In the aftermath of that tumultuous dinner, the air was thick with unspoken tension and unresolved emotions. Luis, having made his stance clear, stood firm in his convictions, even as the stakes escalated beyond the mere financial loss of the GL Group. The confrontation with Erick had not only severed ties with the Mooncrown Pack but had illuminated the fragile dynamics of loyalty, love, and sacrifice. As he walked away, the weight of his decision settled heavily on his shoulders, a burden he bore for the sake of his own heart and for Deanna, the one person who truly understood the depths of his struggle. The echoes of Ruth’s protests lingered in his mind, a reminder of the familial expectations and the intricate web of alliances that had crumbled before him.
Meanwhile, Deanna’s world felt equally disoriented, her own heart entwined in a delicate balance of hope and despair. The whispers of the attendants about arranged marriages and pureblood legacies only deepened her sense of inadequacy and isolation. As she stumbled down the staircase, the physical misstep mirrored her emotional turmoil, a reflection of the chaos that had unfolded around her. But within that chaos lay a flicker of resilience, a determination to rise above the expectations that sought to define her. In that moment, as she regained her balance, she felt the stirrings of her own strength, fueled by the love she held for Luis and the life they could carve out together, irrespective of the ties that sought to bind them. The heart she buried for him was not lost; it was merely waiting for the right moment to rise anew.
—
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the upcoming chapter, readers can anticipate an escalation of the tension as the consequences of Luis’s bold decisions begin to unfold. With the Mooncrown Pack’s withdrawal from the GL Group leaving a gaping hole in both power and prestige, the stakes have never been higher. Ruth’s desperation will likely reach new heights as she grapples with the fallout of her family’s shattered alliances, and the looming threat of Erick’s wrath will cast a shadow over every interaction. Will she be able to rally her family and salvage what remains, or has the damage been irreparably done?
Meanwhile, Deanna finds herself at a crossroads, her internal struggle mirroring the chaos erupting around her. As she navigates the complex dynamics of her relationship with Luis and the expectations placed upon her, the arrival of the pup within her adds another layer of urgency and vulnerability to her journey. Anticipate a moment of reckoning as Deanna confronts the implications of her connection to Luis and the brewing conflict with the Blackcreek Pack. Will she find the strength to embrace her destiny, or will the weight of her circumstances pull her under? The next chapter promises to delve deeper into these intertwining narratives, setting the stage for explosive revelations and heart-wrenching choices.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Marked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis)