Where The Ice Gives Way (Charlotte and Blake) novel Chapter 208

Chapter 208 Mercy Has Limits

Emily

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“What if whatever explanation my parents have tomorrow makes everything more complicated?” I whisper, turning in Theo’s arms until

we are facing each other. “It would be easier to keep believing they didn’t love me.”

“Hmm.” Theo brushes my damp hair behind my ear. “Nothing good in life ever comes easy, Petal.”

“This is pretty easy.” I point between us, and he laughs softly.

“We fought our silent battles to be here, Em.”

I look down at the space between us. He is right. Theo waited while I learned how to speak around him. He stood close without closing

me in. Even tonight, when I kissed him, he pulled away first and gave me the chance to decide whether I wanted more.

That still does nothing to settle the noise in my head.

“It’s your choice whether you hear them out,” he says. “But don’t you want the chance to know if your story with them can have a happy

ending too?”

I lift my eyes to his. “You know, when Charlotte was telling me about you, she said you were playful. She didn’t mention wise.”

His eyebrows shoot up, and a devilish grin spreads across his face. “You girls talked about me? Do tell me more.”

I swat his chest, but he only laughs and pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“I’m really glad you fought for yourself today, Em.”

His arm settles around my waist. My face rests against his chest, and his heartbeat fills the quiet space beneath the sound of the

television.

I am rudely pulled back into the world by someone trying to break down the cabin door, and I don’t think it’s the pizza guy.

Theo shoots upright. The blankets twist around his legs, and he nearly falls face–first onto the floor before catching himself on the

bedside table.

“What the fuck?” he grumbles, dragging the sheet free and stumbling across the cabin.

I push myself up against the pillows as the banging comes again.

“I’m coming,” Theo snaps.

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Chapter 208 Mercy Has Limits

He throws the door open.

“Oh, good. You’re still awake,” Blake says cheerfully as he strides inside.

Theo stares at him with flattened hair, bare feet, and the expression of a man considering murder for a ruined moment.

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I might be upset too, except the smell of pizza and coffee follows Blake into the cabin, along with Charlotte. She carries two large,

steaming boxes in her hands, and the smile on her face brightens when she sees me sitting up in bed.

“Good evening,” she chirps, crossing the room.

“Is it?” I ask curiously.

“It is when you have coffee.”

She sets the boxes on the mattress and motions impatiently for Blake to hand over two of the cups from the tray he is carrying. He passes

them across, then takes the other two toward the table where Theo has dropped into a chair.

Charlotte sits beside me, pulls out a slice of pizza and shoves it into her mouth before she pops the lid from her coffee and begins adding

sugar.

“We’ve been at Munroe, settling things there,” she says, stirring the drink with a wooden stick.

My eyebrows rise, and I wait for her to continue.

“Who puts pineapple on a pizza?”

Her attention disappears entirely.

I turn toward Blake, who reaches across for two slices, passing one to Theo.

“Dad managed to contact the neighbouring pack,” Blake says. “Their Alpha heir is in his thirties, and their current Alpha isn’t looking to retire anytime soon. They’re more than happy to transfer Munroe to him. He’ll take over there while his father continues leading their pack. The two packs will operate side by side, and when their current Alpha eventually steps down, they can decide whether to merge.”

“Franklin Pack?” I ask.

Blake nods. “You know them?”

“I know of them. Thomas was always whining about how soft they were.”

Blake lets out a tired chuckle. “Yeah, that checks out. They operate a lot like Wellington. They live among humans, support the town, and care about whether their people are fed.”

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Chapter 208 Mercy Has Limits

Theo points his pizza at him. “When is that happening?”

“They’ll arrive in the morning to begin the transition. Dad will stay until he is satisfied the Munroe wolves are safe.”

I look down at the coffee Charlotte places in my hands. The cup is warm against my palms.

“So…” My fingers tighten around it. “What is going to happen to Thomas and Marcus?”

The cabin goes quiet.

Even Charlotte stops picking off the pineapple.

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Blake sets down his slice and leans back in the chair. “Thomas is still in the cells. Bennett and two Franklin guards will remain with him

until the transfer is complete. Dad has taken statements from the rogues, the guards, your parents, Gregory, Lacey, and anyone else

willing to speak.”

“What happens after that?”

“He faces a formal pack tribunal,” Blake says. “Abuse of Alpha authority, unlawful imprisonment, neglect, issuing death threats against

pack members, attempted forced mating, and taking hostages. The Franklin Alpha will decide whether he remains imprisoned there or is

transferred to their secure holding facility.”

I take a sip of coffee. It is strong and sweet, and the heat catches at the back of my throat.

“He won’t be killed?” I ask.

“Not unless he gives them a reason,” Blake says. “Dad chose to spare him. The Franklin Alpha intends to honour that.”

I nod slowly. I do not want Thomas free, but I guess I don’t really want his death on my hands either.

“And Marcus?” I ask.

Charlotte pulls the pizza box to rest on her lap as she deposits the pineapple.

“He’s in one of the guest rooms at the estate,” she says. “Dr Hale is monitoring him, and there are guards outside the door.”

I search her face. “Is he still…”

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