Page 28 of French Quarter Heiress

I shake my head, my words catching in my throat. "I would never choose anyone over our family. But surely there must be another way, a way to secure our future without sacrificing my happiness."

The don's face hardens, his eyes glinting with a terrifying resolve. "There is no other way, Elise. You will lead the assault, and you will emerge victorious. Or you will marry Adrien and seal our alliance with the fae. The choice is yours."

With that, he turns and strides from the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the crushing weight of my impossible choice.

As I prepare for the assault, gathering my forces and steeling myself for the battle to come, my mind is consumed with thoughts of Beau. The way his eyes sparkle when he laughs, the way his touch sets my skin on fire. The thought of losing him, of being forced to choose between my love and my duty, is almost too much to bear.

I could never be married to someone else. My heart, my body, and my soul belong to Beau. As much as my Father tries, he will never sever the bond between Beau and me.

But I know that I have no choice. I am a Delacroix, born and bred to lead my clan to glory. And if that means sacrificing my own happiness, my own heart, then so be it.

As we storm The Moonlit Den, silver blades flashing and bullets flying, I feel a grim sense of resolve settle over me. I will do what I must, for the sake of my family and my future.

Even if it means losing the only man I have ever truly loved.

17

BEAU

Ilimp into Luc's office, my body still healing from the brutal assault on the Moonlit. Every step sends a fresh wave of pain coursing through my battered muscles. But as I look up and see the fury etched into my Alpha's face, I realize that my physical wounds are the least of my worries.

"Beau," Luc growls, his voice dripping with barely contained rage. "I gave you one job, one fucking job. Neutralize Elise Delacroix and secure our advantage over the leeches. And what do you do? You let her slip through your fingers time and time again."

I open my mouth to defend myself, to explain the complexities of the situation, but Luc cuts me off with a snarl.

"I don't want to hear your excuses, boy. Your feelings for that bloodsucking bitch have made you weak, made you a liability to the pack. And now, thanks to your failures, we're in more danger than ever."

I feel a surge of anger rising in my chest, mingling with the shame and frustration that have been eating away at me for weeks. "I'm doing the best I can, Luc. Elise is a formidable opponent, with Elder blood, mind you. And her father is a ruthless bastard. It's not as simple as just taking her out."

"I don't give a shit how complicated it is, Beau. You're supposed to be my top enforcer, my right-hand man. If you can't handle one little leech, then what fucking good are you?"

I feel my hackles rising, a low growl building in the back of my throat. "I've given everything to this pack, Luc. I've bled for it, killed for it. Don't you fucking dare question my loyalty."

But even as I say the words, I know they ring hollow. Because the truth is, Luc is right. I have let my feelings for Elise cloud my judgment, let my desire for her compromise my duty to the pack.

I’m sure my pack can sense the change in me. How I’m easier to please, I smile more, I’m lighter on my feet. It’s all because of Elise. Her love and passion have softened me. She’s shown me there’s more to this world beyond bloodshed and violence.

And now, with the Delacroix closing in on us from all sides, I know that I have to make a choice. I have to put aside my personal desires and focus on protecting my people, no matter the cost.

Luc is silent for a long moment, his eyes distant and calculating. "Alright, boy. You've got one last chance to prove yourself. Put together a team of our best fighters, and hit the leeches where it hurts. But if you fail, if you let your feelings for that Delacroix bitch compromise our safety again..."

He trails off, letting the unspoken threat hang heavy in the air between us.

I swallow hard, my heart hammering in my chest. "I won't fail, sir. I swear it on my life, on my honor as a wolf."

He nods, a grim smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Good boy, now get the fuck out of my sight and make me proud."

As I leave Luc, my mind is already racing with plans and strategies. I know that the road ahead will be long and bloody, that I may have to sacrifice everything to keep my pack and my mate safe.

But I also know that I have no choice. Because in the end, the pack is all that matters. And I will do whatever it takes to ensure our survival.

Even if it means tearing my own heart out in the process.

18

ELISE

My mind spins with the web of lies and half-truths I've been forced to weave. For weeks now, I've been playing a dangerous game, telling my father what he wants to hear while secretly working to undermine his plans.

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