Chapter 200
The words hung between us, heavy with resignation and self–loathing, and I felt my determination crystallize into something harder, sharper than sympathy. “Then we’ll make our own world,” I said quietly but firmly. One where what you are doesn’t have to be hidden, where the fact that you survived something that should have destroyed you is recognized as the strength it is, not treated as contamination.”
Nina stared at me as though I’d suggested we sprout wings and fly, her expression cycling through disbelief and desperate hope before settling on careful, fragile skepticism. “That’s a beautiful dream, Eileen. But dreams don’t change laws that say my existence is grounds for execution.
‘Laws change when enough people decide they’re wrong.” I held her gaze, willing her to hear the conviction in my voice. And I’m not the only one who thinks the old ways need to evolve. Regis’s father is pushing for reforms in the Council, there are younger Alphas who see the blood purity laws as archaic and cruel, and the fact that you’ve been living and working here, saving wolf lives with your healing skills, proves that the rigid categories we’ve inherited don’t reflect reality.”
Until they decide I’m too dangerous to tolerate, Nina countered, but her voice lacked the absolute certainty it had held moments before. “Until someone like Silas convinces enough people that I’m a threat that needs to be eliminated.”
Then we make sure Silas and everyone like him are exposed before they can build that narrative.” I leaned forward slightly, my hands flat on the work table between us. “Nina, I can’t promise I’ll be able to protect you from everything. I can’t guarantee that the world will magically become safe and fair just because we want it to be. But I can promise that I’ll fight for you, that I’ll stand between you and anyone who tries to hurt you, that you won’t face this alone anymore.” I paused, letting the weight of the vow settle. “If you’ll let me.”
The silence stretched long and taut as Nina studied my face, searching for deception or pity or the thousand ways promises had broken before. I held myself still under her scrutiny, letting her see whatever she needed to see, offering no false reassurances or easy comfort, just the bare truth of my commitment.
Whatever Silas had set in motion, whatever his allies still schemed to accomplish, we had that long to unravel the conspiracy and fortify our defenses.
And this time, I promised myself while watching Nina through the doorway as she returned to her methodical sorting of herbs, this time the survivors would not be left to face the monsters alone.

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