Chapter 463 – I refuse to let that happen to you
Chapter 463: Chapter 463 – I refuse to let that happen to you
Vladimir didn’t need to say a word. The freezing wind that suddenly howled across the pack grounds made everything feel urgent and crystal clear.
Seraphine shivered hard as the bitter cold cut through her, leaving her almost dizzy from the sharp drop in temperature.
Without wasting another second, the group picked up their pace and hurried toward the gym, with Vladimir sticking right behind them the whole way like a protective shadow.
By the time they neared the entrance, the snow was coming down in thick, heavy sheets, and the temperature had plummeted so fast it sliced straight through their clothes like icy knives.
Vladimir didn’t hesitate for even a heartbeat. He shrugged off his heavy coat and gently draped it over Seraphine’s shoulders, his movements surprisingly tender and full of care.
"Forgive me for not thinking of this sooner," he told her, his eyes filled with deep, genuine worry that made his whole expression soften. "You need to stay warm out here. If you get too chilled right now, you’ll be suffering from it for the rest of the night, and I refuse to let that happen to you."
Seraphine looked up at him, her heart genuinely touched by the real concern etched across his face. A warm, grateful smile spread across her lips. "Thank you so much for that."
She made sure to skip any formal titles when she spoke to him, letting her voice stay soft and friendly. Another happy thought bubbled up, and her smile grew even brighter.
"And I have to say, I really loved that soup you made earlier. It was amazing."
Vladimir let out a soft chuckle, clearly pleased by her compliment.
"Then I’ll just keep making it for you until Voren finally learns how to do it right himself," he said, a playful teasing smile flashing across his face for a moment before his expression turned serious again. "Now go on inside and get comfortable."
He gestured toward the gym entrance, then added in a lower voice, "I’m still out here searching for Olivia’s husband, and it hasn’t been easy with all these werewolves from different packs crammed into one place."
"With this snowstorm trapping everyone at the gym, I’m bound to run into the Alpha of the Seasoned pack or Olivia’s husband eventually. She isn’t making it any easier, either, refusing to share anything truly useful, and every answer she gives just piles on even more questions than before."
Snow hammered down on his head and shoulders as he paused, already starting to blanket the trees in white. "I can’t push her too hard because of my position and Voren’s reputation. Don’t worry, though. I’ll join you inside soon."
Curiosity sparked brightly across Seraphine’s face. "Where is Olivia right now?"
Vladimir pressed his lips together for a second before answering. "She’s in the car, and that’s why I need to head back." He casually lifted the keys in his hand, letting them jingle softly.
"It’s locked up tight, so don’t worry about her escaping." Then, almost like it was the most casual thing in the world, he added with a perfectly straight face, "She’s duct-taped in there for the time being."
Kael blinked in total shock, his eyes going wide. Corvine just stared at him with his mouth slightly open. Even Seraphine found herself momentarily speechless at how casually he dropped that detail. Vladimir looked completely unbothered, like it was the most normal solution imaginable.
Before any of them could snap out of it and respond, he spotted Alpha King Jaron heading straight toward them from the opposite direction.
The easy smile vanished from Vladimir’s face in an instant. He quietly stepped forward, positioning himself like a solid wall between Jaron and the rest of the group. The message was loud and clear without him saying anything: keep moving.
Seraphine, Corvine, and Kael understood right away and continued on toward the gym while Vladimir stayed behind to deal with the mess he created with Olivia.
Jaron stopped just a few feet away, his face twisted with clear displeasure.
"Alpha Vladimir," he snapped, his intense gaze boring into the other Alpha with heavy frustration dripping from every word. "I spoke to your son earlier. He told me he’s in love with someone else entirely."
His eyes narrowed dangerously. "What about the promise you made to me? Does your word mean nothing anymore after all this time?"
Vladimir took a deep breath and glanced around, mindful of the car where Olivia sat without the heater running. He’d hate for her to freeze before he could get the information he needed about Oriana’s remains.
"The snowstorm is hitting hard. I need to get the car closer," Vladimir said. King Jaron followed him. "I’ll get mine too."
As they hurried toward the vehicles, Vladimir explained, "Honestly, I had no idea my son was already in love when I made that deal with you. I’m sorry about that."
King Jaron stopped dead in his tracks. "What do you mean by that?" The snow was falling heavier by the second, but that was the least of his worries.
He had to get his only daughter married to a powerful Alpha like Voren, but it was becoming painfully obvious that Vladimir wasn’t on his side anymore.
"My son can never marry your daughter, Jaron. You’re going to have to find someone else."
Vladimir had almost reached his car when Jaron grabbed his arm. "I forgive you for missing the dinner party, but you can’t embarrass us like this. I already told everyone that my daughter was going to marry your son."
Vladimir took another deep breath, his patience wearing thin. "King Jaron, my son isn’t the only Alpha out there, and if you must know, I’ve taken a real liking to the sweet little she-wolf he’s chosen. I respect his decision completely. There’s nothing more to discuss."
"No," Jaron refused, his voice rising with desperation. "Where is your wife? I need to speak with her."
This time, Vladimir’s expression darkened dangerously. He let out a low, warning growl. "Back off, King Jaron. This discussion is over." He moved quickly, opened his car door, and slid inside.
Olivia was shivering miserably in the back seat where she laid, her hands, mouth, and legs duct taped, so he cranked up the heater right away before pulling past King Jaron.
The Alpha King clenched his fists tight, fury burning in his eyes, before storming into his own car and driving toward the gym.
He was determined to find out exactly which woman Voren and his father had taken such delight in because once he set his sights on Voren for Athaliah, it was going to be Voren, no matter what.