He answered after two rings, his voice warm and steady. “Brielle? It’s late. Is everything alright?”
Hearing him broke whatever control I had left.
“Benedict…” My voice cracked. “He… he betrayed me.”
“What?” His tone sharpened immediately. “Who?”
“Alpha Xavier,” I whispered, choking on my tears. “He… he didn’t show up at our wedding because he was saving his child. With another woman. Victoria—his childhood sweetheart. She has his son. He’s been lying to me the entire time.”
Silence followed.
A dangerous silence filled with restrained fury.
“He did what?” Benedict’s voice dropped, his Alpha authority bleeding through. I could almost feel his power surge even through the phone. “I’ll gather our warriors right now. He won’t get away with this, Sam.”
“No!” I said quickly. “Please don’t.”
He hesitated. “Brielle—”
“I don’t want war,” I said firmly, though my voice trembled. “Just give me until my birthday. After that… I’ll leave Stormvale. For good.”
“Brielle…” His voice softened, laced with pain. “You don’t deserve any of this. You should’ve told me sooner.”
“I know.” My voice broke again. “I kept hoping he’d change… that maybe the man I loved was still there.”