Free Web NovelChapter 35: Chapter 35
Riley’s POV
"I accept to perform the Rite of the Borrowed Moon."
The moment the words left my lips, the entire room went dead silent.
Every single face turned toward me at once, disbelief written clearly on all of them.
Before anyone could speak, Cane moved.
His hand shot out and wrapped tightly around my wrist, his grip strong enough to hurt. I barely had time to gasp before he yanked me forward, dragging me out of the room.
His brothers followed immediately, their boots echoing harshly against the floor. The doors slammed shut behind us with a loud bang that made my heart jolt.
The moment we were outside the room, Cane released me so suddenly that I stumbled forward, my balance slipping. I almost fell, but I caught myself at the last second, my palm slapping against the cold wall as I steadied my shaking legs.
Before I could even turn around fully, Cane exploded.
"Are you mad?" he roared.
I snapped my head up, my heart racing wildly in my chest. His face was twisted with rage, his jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle ticking beneath his skin. His eyes were cold now, nothing like the calm, controlled man I had seen before.
"Did you even realize what you just did?" he continued, his voice rising. "Do you know what that Rite is? Even werewolves barely survive it!"
He took a step closer to me, towering over me, his anger filling the narrow hallway.
Then his lips curled in something ugly.
"Wait," he scoffed, "do you think we care if you die or not? What exactly are you trying to prove, Riley Grayson?!"
His voice thundered through the hall, making my heart jump violently. I flinched despite myself.
I had never seen Cane angry before.
Not like this.
And right then, standing in front of him, I finally understood something very clearly. These men were not just powerful. They were beasts when pushed. Dangerous, unpredictable, and capable of destroying anything in their path.
Yet even with my hands shaking and my chest tight, I still opened my mouth.
"I did not ask you people to care whether I live or die," I said, forcing the words out even though my throat burned. "You’re the ones who dragged me to this place after all."
Cane’s eyes darkened.
"And now I’m not willing to go back to Ethan," I continued, my voice gaining strength. "I’d rather die than do that. So let me do my thing in peace."
The words hung in the air.
Cane blinked twice, staring at me like I had grown a second head. It was clear he wasn’t just angry anymore. He didn’t even understand me. Not the weight of what I had said. Not the seriousness behind it.
Before he could speak again, Caden stepped forward.
"Riley," he said calmly.
His tone was measured, but there was something chilling underneath it. Authority. The kind that didn’t need to shout to be obeyed.
"You’re acting deaf right now."
I laughed bitterly, the sound sharp and dry.
"Let me be deaf," I said flatly, meeting his eyes without fear. "And I agree to your contract of divorcing Ethan after thirty days. I agree to marry you all. You already proposed the contract. I’ve agreed to it now. I don’t think there’s any going back. We’re all going to be legally married—"
"No."
Caden cut me off instantly.
His voice was firm, final.
"We’re no longer interested in the contract," he said. "We’ll take you back to Crescent Hollow. You’ll go back to your life as Riley Grayson, CEO."
The words hit me like a slap.
I stared at him, my breath catching painfully in my chest.
This whole time, Gunnar hadn’t said a word.
Not a single one.
I turned my head slowly and looked at him. Our eyes met for a brief second. Something passed through his gaze—something tense. Then, without saying anything, he turned away and walked down the hall, disappearing around the corner.
My stomach twisted hard. Something was wrong.
I looked back at Cane and Caden and forced a smile onto my lips, even though it felt like my face might crack.
"I do not want to go back to Ethan after everything that happened," I said quietly. "I do not wish to do that. I would rather not live."
Cane scoffed.
"Then what about your precious company?" he asked sharply. "Are you going to leave it for him?"
"No," I answered immediately, my voice firm despite the ache in my chest. "I’m not going to leave it for him because it’s my sweat and blood. After I get married again to you people, I’ll go back to Crescent Hollow and take everything in that company back."
Determination flooded through me, pushing away the fear.
Before either of them could respond, soft footsteps approached from behind.
I turned just as a woman stopped a few feet away from us. She looked older, dressed in dark clothing, her posture reserved. Her eyes were lowered, her hands folded neatly in front of her. She looked like a reclusive maid, someone who preferred to stay unseen.
"Mistress Sapphire demands your presence in her chambers," she announced calmly. freewebnovёl.ƈom
I blinked, caught off guard.
Cane and Caden both turned to look at me.
I hesitated, then took a step forward to follow the maid, but both men reached out at the same time, gripping my arms and stopping me.
"No," Cane said harshly. "You’re not going anywhere."
The maid lifted her head slightly, her gaze moving to them. She bowed politely.
"The order was approved by Lord Sebastian himself."
The hallway went silent again.
Cane’s grip tightened briefly before he released me. His jaw clenched, his expression dark.
"Go," Caden said stiffly.
I followed the maid down the corridor, my heart pounding loudly in my ears.
Mistress Sapphire’s space were large and dimly lit.
All these spaces and regality all for a mistress?
This place is really interesting!
The air felt thick the moment I stepped inside. The door closed behind me with a soft click that somehow sounded final.
She stood near the window, her back to me.
"So," she said slowly, turning around. "Riley Grayson."
Her eyes scanned me from head to toe, sharp and assessing. "You are braver than you look," she continued. "Or maybe just desperate."
She smiled, but it wasn’t warm.
"You accepted the Rite of the Borrowed Moon not knowing what it does," she said. "Very few humans survive it. Many wolves don’t either."
