The Apocalyptic Queen's Werewolf Journey (Thora and Darius) novel Chapter 45

**Shadows Hearts by Joseph King**

**Chapter 45: The Engagement Breaks**

**Thora’s POV:**

“Thora!”

The urgency in Felix’s voice was palpable as I felt the force of the blow land squarely on my cheek. He instinctively moved to rush to my side, but I locked my gaze onto him, a silent command that held him in place.

The sting of pain radiated from my left cheek, and I could taste the metallic tang of blood on my tongue. There was no doubt—he hadn’t pulled his punch.

Yet, this agony felt trivial compared to the horrors of being ripped apart by the mutant werewolves during the apocalypse.

I swiped my thumb across the corner of my mouth, wiping away the blood, and then fixed my cold smile on Norman, who stood before me.

My defiance only served to fuel his rage further. He pointed at me, his voice a thunderous roar, “Thora, do you even comprehend the magnitude of your mistake?”

I held his gaze, feeling the weight of his anger but refusing to cower. “I allowed you to strike me, not because I was in the wrong, but to settle a debt I owed you.”

Without this body, my chance at rebirth would have been lost.

I had never cared whether Norman was the biological father of the original Thora; the truth was, I had assumed her life and now had to clear her debts.

This slap—it was a payment for the original Thora’s account.

From this moment onward, I would erase any semblance of father-daughter affection that had existed between Norman and me.

If he dared to provoke me again, I would unleash my full wrath without hesitation.

Norman’s sneer was laced with menace as he retorted, “You think a single slap can erase everything? Don’t forget, I gave you life and raised you! Unless you pay with your life, this debt will haunt you forever!”

“Your sacrifices mean nothing to me,” I replied, my tone flat and unyielding.

The moment the original Thora took her last breath, all ties that bound her to Norman had been severed.

“Mr. Norman,” Caleb interjected suddenly, stepping forward with a fierce glare aimed at me.

“What is it?” Norman’s furious demeanor softened slightly as he turned to Caleb, curiosity piqued.

Caleb glanced at the pitiful figure of Hazel beside him, and with a surge of newfound confidence, he raised his voice, “Mr. Norman, I wish to break off my engagement with Thora!”

The room fell silent, every eye turning toward Caleb in shock.

“What did you say?” Norman’s expression shifted dramatically, disbelief etched across his features.

Caleb lifted his chin defiantly, ensuring his words echoed across the banquet hall for all to hear. “I want to marry a gentle, sensible mate who can help me manage the pack in the future, not a wild girl like Thora who disrespects her elders and attacks her own sister!”

No matter how much disdain he held for me, I was still his daughter on paper.

Gabby’s statement was a blatant jab at me, but it was also a veiled slap in the face to the Greens. By implying that I lacked proper upbringing, she was effectively accusing Norman of failing as a father.

Marcus Lawson, the Alpha of the Argenvale Pack, then chimed in, his voice deceptively gentle yet firm. “This engagement was arranged by the elders, but marriage is ultimately a matter for the young people. Now that Caleb is unwilling, and Thora may not be either, why don’t we take advantage of the presence of the pack elders here today and dissolve this engagement to spare our families from future resentment?”

I turned my gaze to Norman, whose expression was strained, clearly displeased with the Lawsons’ stance, yet he didn’t seem inclined to oppose the dissolution of the engagement.

I understood his thoughts perfectly.

He had never wanted me, fearing that if I married into the Argenvale Pack, my claim to inheritance would jeopardize the interests of the Silverleaf Pack.

He had only resisted before because the engagement had been set by Marlon, and he didn’t dare to defy him.

Now that the Lawsons were advocating for its dissolution, it suited him just fine.

I remained where I was, patiently awaiting his response.

“No!”

But just then, an unexpected voice rang out in opposition.