Return of The Alpha Heiress

Chapter 85: Richard – Reunion

I wasn’t the only one stunned.

The alphas and members of my legion standing behind me were equally shocked, their whispers rising almost immediately.

"Commander Black is now on equal footing with Commander Dawn."

"If he can send a mind-link to The Healer, doesn’t that mean Commander Black is the true Lycan King?"

"Commander Dawn hasn’t met The Healer yet. Maybe he can mind-link her too."

"No way. Commander Black is definitely going to be the Lycan King."

I heard every unprofessional word clearly.

They sounded less like warriors preparing for battle and more like idle mouths eager to speculate.

Alpha Blooms stepped forward to stand beside me.

"Commander Black should perform the Alpha Vow ritual as soon as possible. Blooms Pack is ready to host it."

Once again, Alpha Blooms proved just how crafty he was.

The Alpha Vow was a sacred ritual where warriors pledged loyalty to a true alpha under the Moon Goddess’s light. Through it, warriors could receive mind-links from their alpha, and also send mind-links back. An ancient ability, invaluable in war and hunts.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Alpha Black begin to step forward.

Before he could reach me, I spoke firmly.

"I will inform you when the Alpha Vow will be held."

The word later made it clear.

They were not to speculate further.

My attention shifted back to Clarissa.

She had already returned her focus to the corruptus before her.

Her small, pale hand rested gently on the corruptus’s head, showing not even a flicker of fear as the grotesque creature continued trying to snap at her.

Has she dealt with corruptus so often this past week that she doesn’t even flinch anymore?

My chest tightened painfully at the thought of her facing such danger alone.

Without realizing it, I stepped forward and gripped the back of the corruptus’s head, restraining it so it couldn’t move.

Clarissa startled slightly at my action.

Then she smiled politely at me, gratitude evident in her eyes.

She was breathtaking.

Yet it felt as though she was hiding too much behind that calm exterior.

I barely registered what happened to the corruptus until she told me to release my grip.

The creature had already reverted into an ordinary werewolf.

The medical team rushed in, carrying the unconscious man to the medical center, while others assisted Clarissa in treating the remaining injured warriors.

I remained rooted where I stood.

I still couldn’t believe I had found Clarissa again.

Once all the victims were treated and transferred to the medical center, a meeting was held in the main hall.

Clarissa stepped forward and introduced herself.

"I am Rissa, The Healer. The vampire threat is growing. Only through unity can we defeat The Sire."

The alphas applauded.

They were clearly pleased by The Healer’s graceful demeanor and her willingness to cooperate despite her lofty position.

Not a single one of them connected Rissa, The Healer, to Clarissa Green, the woman once whispered about with scorn.

Back then, Clarissa bore a deep scar on her cheek. Her face was young, almost childish. She had never been seen as beautiful, elegant, or noble.

Now, she carried herself with confidence, grace woven into every step. She looked like someone raised by a powerful family. Her beauty, especially those striking violet eyes, was far too extraordinary to belong to the adopted daughter of Alpha Green.

Only I knew how beautiful Clarissa truly was.

And only I knew how those violet eyes shimmered with light.

Obby was already howling inside me, desperate to be closer to her.

She had always been my fated mate.

And even now, our bond still clung tightly to us both.

After the meeting, I dismissed everyone else.

Only Clarissa and I remained in the room.

"Is there anything important you still wish to discuss, Commander Black?" she asked with a polite smile that never reached her eyes.

She sat gracefully in her chair, projecting warmth and nobility while maintaining an invisible boundary no one could cross.

I ignored it.

I stepped forward and knelt before her.

"I’m sorry, Clarissa. Forgive me for my foolishness. Forgive me for hurting you. Forgive me for failing to protect you..."

The words I had carried for years finally poured out.

Yet the more I spoke, the tighter my chest felt.

She raised one hand, signaling me to stop.

Then she stood and took several steps back.

"This is our first meeting," she said calmly. "Please don’t behave like this, Commander Black. You may become the Lycan King. I cannot allow a Lycan King to kneel before me."

Her unfamiliar tone and distant gaze pierced straight through my heart.

Obby roared in my mind, breaking apart, as if urging me to cry as well.

But I knew better.

Tears would not earn Clarissa’s forgiveness.

They would not restore her trust.

I finally stood, regret weighing heavily on my shoulders, and explained why I had chosen to disappear, why I had handed the Shifter’s Aide documents to Adrian.

"I only wanted you to be happy. To live with the man you loved. I was deceived by Adrian and Shannon... but it was because I—because I love you so deeply, Clarissa."

My eyes locked onto her violet ones.

She suddenly looked away and began walking toward the door.

"I don’t understand anything you’re saying, Commander Black," she said, reaching for the door handle.

I moved instantly, blocking her path.

I heard her voice tremble.

She felt it too.

The bond between my inner wolf and hers.

She knew my feelings were real.

Her wolf knew it as well.

"Clarissa," I said, grasping her cold hand, "you are the woman I love. You are my purpose."

Her hand trembled in mine.

"What must I do for you to trust me again?"

She turned her face away, refusing to meet my gaze, yet her trembling only grew stronger.

Anxiety flooded my chest.

"Are you in pain? What’s wrong?" I asked, trying to see her face.

When she finally looked at me—

Her eyes were wet with unshed tears.

Behind the glistening surface burned unmistakable anger.

"You can’t unring a bell," she murmured, her voice shaking as she held herself together.

"No matter what you do, nothing can erase my memories. The humiliation. The betrayal. The pain in my heart... and my body. All of it is etched into my mind."

...