My Convicted Wife is My Mate (Bella and Kane) novel Chapter 26

chapter 22-2
The once-powerful Alpha Stonewood - my grandfather was now a shadow of his former self. His skin was pale. His hair was thin and his frame was frail under the hospital gown.

Yet even lying there, with tubes in his arm and oxygen by his bed, his presence still commanded respect.

This man had once built an empire from nothing. He had dominated the world of wolves, raised our pack to unmatched power.

And yet, his only daughter had died at the hands of her own mate — my father. After my mother was killed, I was framed for his crime and cast out of the pack. All that returned home years later were ashes… and me.

I had to find my grandfather, my mom’s dad. He took me in and from there, I helped shape the pack to what it is today.

I walked closer, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest. My throat felt dry, but I didn’t speak.

My grandfather opened his eyes slowly.

“Kane,” my grandfather said finally, “You came.”

“I did.”

We faced each other quietly. The silence between us was so loud you could hear it. It had always been part of us — two men who spoke little, but understood much.

After a while, he said, “I heard from the Beta that the Monroe and Silver Moon packs plan to unite through marriage.”

Of course, he’d know. Even from a hospital bed, he still received daily reports.

“They’re getting engaged in two weeks,” I said. “They sent me an invitation.”

He chuckled. “Are you going?”

“Why shouldn’t I?” I asked dryly. “I’ve always been a sucker for romance, you know? I would be honoured to celebrate their everlasting love and all that.”

He laughed, then coughed, wheezing slightly. “Good. You sound like yourself. Just don’t let beauty and impulse ruin you like your father.”

I knew what he meant by that.

“I was willing to get married once,” I replied. “The only reason I wanted to do that was to secure a Luna and strengthen pack ties. The same thing Damien’s chasing now with Kathy or Gina, or whoever he picks next.”

I looked at him. “I won’t repeat his mistakes.”

He reached out then. His hand shook as he grabbed my wrist.

“Remember that, Kane. Don’t act like him. Your father destroyed everything he touched because he couldn’t control his hunger - not for power, not for women. You’re not him.”

I didn’t answer. The truth in his words was heavy between us.

I looked at my grandfather - the only man who had ever stood by me, the one who had taken in an outcast boy and molded him into an Alpha.

“I won’t repeat his mistakes,” I said again, quieter this time.

He closed his eyes. There was a small, tired smile on his lips. He looked relieved. He’d spent his life turning me into what my father could never be.

I stood there for a long while. The steady beep of the monitor was the only sound between us.

And for the first time in years, I wasn’t sure whether I believed the words I’d just spoken.