Chapter 680: Fractures of Loyalty

"I remember seeing her by the window," Ronan said. "More times than I can count. Just waiting for you to come home. And Mum was busy too. She worked with Orion’s mother, you know. But she always came home. Always made time for us."

He shook his head, his voice tightening as the memory settled deeper.

"Sometimes when you came home after her waiting for hours... you were too tired. You always forgot the promise. And she never said anything about it."

Silence filled the room again.

"There were birthdays you missed," Ronan added. "One of them... Orion had to remind you it was mine."

Daniel closed his eyes briefly.

Ronan let out a quiet breath.

"The truth is, you could have been better," he said. "You could have been the man you became after the Enclave attack. The one who stepped in for me... and for Orion... and even for Lysander and Brynhild."

He set the barrel he had been holding down and turned fully to face his father.

"I am asking you to be that man now," Ronan said. "Do not let anger make this decision for you. Sophia is not her mother. Victoria is the one who destroyed our pack. Not her."

Daniel looked at him, conflicted.

"But Sophia is Victoria’s daughter," he said. "How do we know this was not planned? That she was not sent here—"

"You do not even believe that," Ronan interrupted.

Daniel fell silent.

Ronan leaned back against one of the barrels.

"I know how much the Enclave hurt us," he said. "I know what we lost. You lost your hand because of them. I know that. But have you ever considered that we might not be the only victims?"

Daniel frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"You remember the scream that woke almost everyone in the pack?" Ronan asked.

Daniel nodded slowly.

"That was Sophia."

"Yes," Ronan said. "And I spoke to her after that. I know what she went through. And I am telling you—it was worse than anything we experienced."

Daniel’s expression shifted slightly.

"Victoria was not a mother to her," Ronan continued. "She was cruel. Sophia was abused because of the gift she carries. And worst of all, she blames herself for what happened to us, even though she was trying to save us."

Daniel’s brows furrowed.

"If it was not for her, we would not even be alive," Ronan added.

Daniel looked at him sharply.

"What do you mean by that?"

Ronan pushed himself away from the barrel and walked toward the table. He picked up two cups and filled them both with alcohol before handing one to his father.

"You might want to sit down for this," he said quietly.

Daniel hesitated for a moment, then took the cup.

---

While Ronan spoke with his father, Brynhild found Mary in the forge.

The rhythmic sound of metal being struck filled the space, sharp and steady. Mary was working on a blade, her movements precise but forceful, as if she was trying to pour frustration directly into the steel.

"What are you here for?" Mary asked without looking up.

"I am sure you already know," Brynhild replied.

Mary struck the metal harder than necessary, the sound ringing through the room. Then she dropped the hammer onto the table and turned sharply.

"Why are you supporting her?" she demanded. "She is dangerous. We all know that. Even Orion knows that. So why are you defending her?"

Brynhild did not flinch.

"Because Sophia is not Victoria," she said calmly. "And we need to stop treating them as the same person."

Mary scoffed.

"You say that like it is simple."

"It is not simple," Brynhild admitted. "But neither is what you are doing right now."

Mary narrowed her eyes.

"I am not here to convince you to let Sophia stay," Brynhild continued. "You are entitled to your opinion. But I need to ask you something."

Mary crossed her arms.

"What?"

Brynhild’s gaze stayed steady.

"Do you remember how Lysander’s father treated him?" she asked.

Mary’s expression shifted slightly.

"Yes," she said slowly.

"He treated him like he was worthless," Brynhild continued. "Only because Lysander did not become what he expected."

Mary said nothing.

Brynhild stepped closer.

"Do you think Lysander would ever treat his child the same way?" she asked.

Mary hesitated.

"No," she admitted quietly.

Brynhild nodded.

"Exactly. Then answer me this. If we assume children always become their parents, then what does that say about Lysander? Or about any of us?"

Mary frowned.

"That is different."

"Is it?" Brynhild asked. "Because that is exactly the logic you are applying to Sophia."

Mary’s jaw tightened.

Brynhild did not stop.

"You believe Lysander is different from his father," she said. "So why can you not believe Sophia is different from her mother?"

Silence stretched between them.

Mary looked away first.

Brynhild softened her voice slightly.

"I am not asking you to forgive," she said. "I am asking you not to decide before you understand. Meet her. Hear her story. We were not the only ones who suffered. Sophia suffered too."

She turned toward the door.

"And if after everything you still decide she must leave," Brynhild added, "then know this. Orion will not be the only one who walks out."

She paused.

"My family walks with him."

Mary did not respond.

Brynhild left without another word.

---

Orion met Caspian and Madam Tyler at the shrine.

Caspian frowned as Orion entered.

"Orion?" he asked carefully.

Orion stopped a few steps into the shrine.

Then he bowed deeply.

The gesture stunned both of them.

"Please," Orion said, voice low but steady. "Do not judge her for what her mother did."

Madam Tyler’s eyes widened slightly.

Caspian blinked in disbelief.

"What...?" Madam Tyler said softly.

Orion remained bowed.

"I am asking you," he continued, "not to treat Sophia as Victoria. Not to punish her for a life she did not choose."

Caspian exchanged a glance with Madam Tyler.

Neither of them spoke immediately.