We Built a Kingdom From Ashes That Still Remembered Love by Aila Frost 790
We Built a Kingdom From Ashes That Still Remembered Love by Aila Frost 790 Summary
Judy learns from Gavin that the Moon Gem, believed to belong to Lila, was actually created to suppress Lila’s overwhelming birth powers until she came of age. Gavin’s father stole the gem years ago and hid it away, falsely claiming it was a family heirloom. Gavin also reveals that Levi hinted the gem hasn’t found its true owner yet, casting doubt on Lila’s status as the Blackwell heiress, though this conflicts with how everyone treats her.
Judy wants to confront the Blackwells directly to understand her mysterious dreams and the situation better, but Gavin strongly warns against it, fearing the family’s influence. He promises to meet with Zachary Blackwell to seek answers and insists Judy stay away from the manor until it’s safe. Judy reluctantly agrees, feeling frustrated but resigned to wait for more information.
During this tense conversation, Judy notices Erik struggling with his wolf’s influence, his eyes flickering unnaturally between gold and black. Concerned, she tries to intervene despite Gavin’s warnings that Erik’s wolf is out of control and dangerous, especially with her unborn baby involved. Judy insists on talking to Erik, confident he won’t harm her, and Gavin reluctantly lets her approach.
Sitting beside Erik, Judy senses his inner turmoil as he admits his wolf is furious because he’s resisting something—specifically, claiming their mate. Erik’s struggle reveals a deep conflict between his human side and his wolf, hinting at a significant and potentially dangerous shift about to occur. Judy’s determination to understand and help Erik highlights her growing involvement in the complex supernatural dynamics surrounding her.
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“What did he say exactly?” I asked, leaning forward with curiosity.
Gavin sighed deeply before responding. “He implied that the Moon Gem isn’t truly Lila’s,” he explained. “Apparently, the gem was created to suppress Lila’s birth powers because they were too overwhelming for a newborn to control. The plan was for her to receive it when she came of age—her own blood would activate the gem, restoring her abilities. But years ago, my father stole it and locked it away in a box that blocks all magic. He lied, saying it was a family heirloom passed down through generations and that one day it would be mine once I became Alpha. But he died before passing it on, and my mother has kept it hidden all this time.”
I nodded slowly, already familiar with that part of the story.
Gavin’s frown deepened as he continued. “Levi also said the gem hasn’t yet found its true owner, even though it’s with Lila. That suggests she might not actually be the Blackwell heiress. But that doesn’t add up—everyone treats her like family.”
“Did Levi say anything else?” I pressed. “Does he think someone else might be the real heiress?”
Gavin shrugged, a hint of frustration in his eyes.
“I’m not sure. Getting that much out of him felt like pulling teeth,” he muttered. “He’s tight-lipped about everything else.”
“Of course he is,” I muttered under my breath. “Maybe we should just go straight to the Blackwells and ask them ourselves.”
“No,” Gavin said sharply, cutting me off. “That’s the last thing we should do. I don’t want you tangled up with that family, Judy. I don’t trust them.”
I crossed my arms, feeling a stubborn edge rise within me. “If they’re connected to these dreams I keep having, then I’m already involved. I need to understand what’s happening to me, Gavin. I need to fix it before I pass out again.”
He fell silent for a long moment, weighing my words carefully.
“I have a meeting with Zachary Blackwell later this week,” he finally said, his voice firm and resolute. “I’ll try to get some answers from him and let you know what I find out. But you’re not going back to that manor until I say it’s safe.”
I exhaled slowly, leaning back in my chair. That was as much as I was going to get for now, so I kept my mouth shut. Just then, a low growl from behind caught my attention. I glanced back a few rows and saw Erik struggling against his wolf’s influence; his eyes flickered between gold and black, far from the usual warm brown I was used to seeing.
My brow furrowed with concern. Matt was looking up at Erik anxiously. I knew Matt was capable of defending himself if things escalated, but I wasn’t willing to let it get that far.
“Matt, come sit here,” I said quickly, rising from my seat.
Before I could move, Gavin grabbed my arm.
“Stay here too. I’ll handle him,” he said, standing up.
I hesitated, worried about what Gavin’s ‘handling’ might involve. Shaking my head, I stood my ground.
“No, let me talk to him. I can tell something’s wrong. He won’t hurt me,” I insisted.
Gavin’s expression darkened. “His wolf is out of control—or about to be. I don’t trust him near you or our unborn baby.”
“He’s controlling himself,” I countered firmly. “Trust me, he won’t hurt me. Let me find out what’s wrong, and if it’s too much or he tries anything, you’ll be right here to step in.”
Though reluctant, Gavin finally released his grip on my arm, clearly knowing I wouldn’t back down.
Matt slid into the seat beside Gavin, and I moved toward Erik, who was gripping the chair’s armrests so tightly his knuckles turned white.
I sat down next to him, hoping my presence might soothe his turmoil.
“Hey,” I said gently, touching his arm. He flinched as if my touch hurt him. “What’s going on, Erik?”
“You should leave,” he whispered, voice strained. “I’m having trouble controlling him. He wants to shift.”
“Why?” I asked softly. “What’s happening?”
I glanced out the window and could just make out the faint outline of the Silver Crescent pack’s territory. Thankfully, we’d be landing soon.
“Just go away, Judy,” he said, his tone harsh and unlike himself.
“Not until you tell me what’s wrong,” I replied stubbornly, refusing to budge.
He clenched his jaw tightly, grinding his teeth so hard I feared they might crack. Then, for a brief moment, his eyes returned to their usual brown before flashing gold again.
“My wolf is furious because I won’t do what he wants,” Erik muttered. “He’s tired of me delaying…”
“Delaying what?” I pressed, raising my eyebrows.
A long silence followed, and I thought he might not answer.
But finally, he spoke, and I wasn’t prepared for his words.
“Claiming our mate.”
Conclusion
The chapter closes on a note of tension and uncertainty, with secrets about the Moon Gem and Lila’s true heritage casting shadows over the characters’ lives. Gavin’s protective instincts clash with Judy’s determination to uncover the truth, highlighting the delicate balance between trust and fear that defines their relationships. Meanwhile, Erik’s internal struggle with his wolf and the revelation of his mate claim adds a layer of emotional complexity, underscoring themes of control, identity, and the powerful bonds that connect them all.
Despite the unanswered questions and looming threats, there is a quiet strength in the characters’ resolve to face these challenges together. Judy’s courage to confront Erik’s turmoil and Gavin’s commitment to protect his family suggest that, even amid uncertainty and danger, love and loyalty remain the foundation on which they will build their future. The chapter leaves us with a sense of anticipation, as the characters prepare to navigate the fragile line between destiny and choice.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of secrets surrounding the Moon Gem and Lila’s true heritage, raising questions about identity and loyalty that may shake the foundation of everything Judy thought she knew. As Gavin prepares for a tense meeting with Zachary Blackwell, the shadows of the Blackwell family loom larger, hinting at hidden motives and unspoken dangers that could change the course of their fragile alliances. Judy’s determination to uncover the truth despite Gavin’s warnings sets the stage for confrontations that may test trust and courage in unexpected ways.
Meanwhile, the unsettling shift in Erik’s behavior introduces a new emotional turmoil that threatens to disrupt the fragile peace among them. His wolf’s growing fury and the ominous mention of “claiming our mate” suggest a conflict that is both deeply personal and potentially explosive. Judy’s resolve to stand by Erik, even as Gavin’s protective instincts clash with her own, creates a charged atmosphere of tension and uncertainty. Readers will be left wondering how these intertwined struggles—between duty, desire, and destiny—will unfold as loyalties are tested and secrets come to light.
Sara is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.