Chapter 269

• Leah's POV
• Leo slurped fried noodles, sauce smearing his chin, and met my gaze. "I don't think that's wrong. Everyone's got a right to love. Werewolves get mates shoved on us at birth, but that doesn't mean we know how to feel it - or take it. Normal wolves figure it out through family, mates, whatever. But us? Lycans? All we get from blood and bonds is hate."
• He leaned back, eyes glinting with something raw. "You had a mate once, Leah. I never did. You had the glory, the wealth, the whole damn Lycan Princess package - I got nothing. When I heard you tossed it all to marry Lucas as an omega, I was fucking livid. Growing up, I envied every scrap you had, and you just… threw it away for some fool's love. And then Father didn't even stop you. Made me wonder if he ever gave a shit about you like I thought."