Chapter 436 W-What... Are You Saying?
Sophie didn't give herself time to think, she immediately jumped to hug him. She missed him so, so badly. Leland was standing still like a statue when Sophie held him tightly. Her heart was filled with overwhelming emotion. She was both very happy and relieved. Her tears immediately wet his shirt.
"Leland! You're finally home. I missed you so much... What took you so long? I was so worried." Sophie cried on Leland's chest and told him about the state of their children. Every word she said felt like a stab in Leland's still-bleeding heart.
He felt numb, so helpless, and inadequate. Sophie had to go through it all alone, and here he was, coming to see her only to inflict more pain on her. It took all his sanity not to break down and cry and hug her back
"...the healers have given up and said they can't do anything anymore. I was so scared. I'm relieved that you're here now."
She buried her face in the man's chest. Her body trembled. Leland raised both his hands, eager to hug the woman tightly but he stopped when he saw Anne and Jack. Right now, outside, Eloise was waiting for him and watching him.
He was worried that if he made Eloise wait too long, she would be annoyed and take it out on Jack's soul stone which she was keeping now.
Finally, he let go of Sophie's embrace and pushed her away, surprising Sophie with his sudden rudeness.
"W-what's wrong?" Sophie asked. She was feeling surprised and confused at the same time.
Leland's expression and gaze were extremely cold. This made Sophie freeze and couldn't get the words she wanted to say.
Leland glanced at Anne and Jack for a moment then turned and left the room. Sophie who needed an explanation immediately followed him.
When Leland came out, everyone who saw him was shocked. They were surprised that none of them noticed the arrival of the Alpha.
Leland's gaze swept across the room that was decorated with wedding decorations and looked at everyone who was also staring at him very coldly.
"What's wrong with Alpha?" A lycan, who saw Leland appear, whispered to his friend. He knew that Leland was indeed reclusive and cold, but he also knew the difference between Leland's usual cold demeanor and Leland's face when he was angry.
And at this moment the face before them at this moment was an angry face. Leland was furious and his expression was filled with a murderous aura.
That sharp and cold gaze made those who saw it feel like shrinking into the ground.
Sophie, who also felt this way, fell silent again and wondered what was going on in Leland's mind.
"I-I don't know. Let's tell Beta that Alpha is back." The two lycans immediately rushed to meet Lucas who was planning to follow Leland to Armeria along with Max and the nine other lycans who had previously gone with Leland there.
"I don't know why but I had a bad feeling when I saw him with Eloise. That woman is a witch, I'm afraid she's getting Alpha in trouble right now," said Max.
Lucas was silent, he also had the same thought. Their conversation was interrupted by a lycan's voice calling Lucas.
"Beta!"
The two lycans barged in and surprised everyone who immediately turned their heads toward them.
"What is it?" Lucas asked.
"It's Alpha. He's back."
"What?" Lucas was surprised and immediately stood up, followed by the other ten lycans. Lucas was a little surprised because if Leland had returned he and the others should have been able to smell the Alpha's scent.
"B-but he looks really angry," the second lycan added.
Hearing that, Lucas furrowed his brows while the others looked at each other in confusion.
They finally left the room and went to the main hall where they could hear voices of commotion. They stopped immediately when they saw the Alpha. The lycans who saw Leland immediately gathered. Everyone was confused but no one asked aloud because Leland gave off a killing aura that suppressed their mental.
Eloise who had quietly entered the manor was watching Leland from behind a door. She couldn't wait to hear Leland break his mate bond with Sophie. As she said, the sooner he did it, the faster she would give back Jack's soul stone.
"Sophie Hansley, this is the countdown to your happy hour," Eloise mumbled looking at Sophie who stood near Leland, looking confused.
Eloise covered the scarf over her head to avoid attracting attention and pretended to look concerned like several other female lycans who started coming in to watch what happened in the main hall. A smirk decorated her beautiful face. This was the day she had been waiting for.
Alpha Rad came too with his daughter. He looked at Lily as if asking what was wrong and Lily shook her head slowly. Lily then saw Sophie who was standing two steps behind Leland. She noticed how the woman looked shocked and confused. She felt really sorry for Sophie.
Lucas came forward to greet Leland.
"Welcome back, Alpha. We're so glad to see you here now," he said with a faint smile but what Leland said in response made Lucas and the others very surprised.
"From now on the Alpha of the Blood River pack is you," said Leland looking at Lucas expressionlessly.
Instantly, the atmosphere became noisy like a swarm of bees. Everyone asked each other what the hell was going on and not a few of them doubted their own hearing, including Lucas.
"What did you say, Alpha?" Lucas asked. He thought he misheard.
"Starting today, I'm no longer the Alpha of Blood River Pack," Leland said firmly. He then turned to face Sophie. "Today, I formally break my relationship with this woman. From now on this woman is not my mate."
Leland continued to surprise everyone. Almost everyone held their breaths in unison. To Sophie, this felt unreal. She must be dreaming. This was a nightmare that came to haunt her because she lacked sleep. That must be it.
Sophie's eyes widened. Compared to the others, she was the one who was the most surprised.
"W-what are you saying?" she asked in a stammer.