The messenger's disappearance leaves the packhouse frozen in place.
Wolves stare at the glowing golden barrier as if it's a second sun.
Some fall to their knees.
Some whisper prayers.
Some stare at me like they've seen a goddess.
Others… like they've seen a weapon.
Aiden doesn't look at any of them.
He only looks at me.
His hands still cradle my face, his thumbs brushing my cheeks gently, almost protectively.
Too intimate.
Too honest.
Too much.
"Aiden…" I whisper.
He steps closer, voice low.
"We're leaving."
Before I can ask what that means—
Elder Mira steps between us, trembling but determined.
"Alpha, you must come to the Council hall. Immediately."
Aiden doesn't look at her.
"I don't take orders."
"The pack is frightened," she argues. "They need guidance. Answers. Leadership."
"They'll get leadership when I say—"
"Alpha."
Her voice cracks.
"This is not a request. If you do not speak to the Council, the pack may revolt."
The air tightens.
Aiden finally turns to her, slow and deadly.
"Revolt?"
Elder Mira swallows.
"Some wolves believe the witch—"
"Say her name," Aiden snaps.
Mira flinches. "Liyana."
"Good," he growls. "Continue."
"Some believe Liyana is… cursed."
The air chills.
"…that she might bring ruin."
Aiden steps forward. "She saved all of you tonight."
"And summoned the Shadow King's messenger," Mira whispers.
Wolves whisper around us, frightened.
Serene appears at the back of the group, arms clenched tightly, eyes fixed on Aiden like he's slipping away from her drop by drop.
"She is dangerous," Serene whispers loudly enough for wolves to hear.
"She is a witch. A cursed one. That thing came here for her. Not us."
Aiden turns his head sharply.
"Serene."
She stiffens, but continues anyway.
"You're blinded. By the bond. Can't you see? She's a threat!"
Wolves murmur in agreement.
"She draws danger."
"She's a witch."
"She cursed the barrier."
"The Alpha is losing his mind—"
Aiden's wolf surges so violently the ground cracks under his feet.
"ENOUGH!"
Silence falls instantly.
He takes one slow, terrifying step toward Serene.
"You think she is the danger?" he growls.
"You think I don't know danger when I see it?"
Serene trembles. "Aiden… I-I am only trying to protect you."
"From what?" he hisses. "The woman who protected all of you tonight? The woman who strengthened your barrier? The woman whose power saved this pack?"
Serene's eyes shine with unshed tears.
"She will destroy you," she whispers, voice cracking. "I'm scared for you."
He stares at her for a long time.
His voice is ice when he speaks.
"And I am tired of repeating myself."
He jerks his chin toward the Council Hall.
"Let's go. All of you."
But Serene doesn't move.
She steps in front of him abruptly, blocking his path.
"Aiden… you never treated me like this before she came."
Aiden's jaw tightens.
"You were never disrespected before she came. That's the difference."
"She turned you against me."
"No one turned me," he says coldly.
"You did this to yourself."
Serene's breath breaks—
but she doesn't step aside.
Instead, she grabs his arm.
"Aiden, please… don't go to the Council with her. Leave her behind. Just this once."
That's when Aiden completely loses his patience.
His voice drops into a rumbling Alpha command.
"Take your hand off me."
Serene freezes.
But she doesn't let go.
Instead she whispers:
"I love you."
Wolves gasp.
The world goes still.
Aiden slowly removes her hand from his arm.
"You love an illusion," he says quietly.
"You don't love me."
His next words hit like a blade:
"And I will never love you."
Serene's knees buckle.
Kai mutters under his breath, "Oof. Devastation level: Alpha."
Ethan elbows him. "Shut up."
Serene doesn't scream.
She doesn't fight.
She just steps aside, tears falling silently.
Aiden walks past her without another word.
He takes my hand.
Not my wrist.
My hand.
And leads me into the Council Hall.
Inside the Council Hall
Every elder, every Alpha representative, every ranked wolf is present.
Faces pale.
Eyes cold.
Fear heavy.
Aiden pulls a chair out and gestures for me to sit.
I shake my head.
"No. They'll think you're trying to protect me too much."
"They're right," he answers. "I am."
But he stands beside me anyway, a silent declaration that he is my shield.
Elder Rowan—the sternest of them all—steps forward.
"Alpha Aiden. Explain what happened."
Aiden's voice is even, calm, authoritative.
"Shadows attacked the inner courtyard."
"That is impossible," Rowan says sharply. "Our barrier—"
"Failed," Aiden cuts in.
Elders whisper anxiously.
Rowan narrows his eyes. "Failed… because of her."
Aiden's wolf surges.
"Watch your tone."
Rowan glares. "Alpha, she is a witch."
"And I am the Alpha King."
Rowan slams his cane on the floor.
"Your judgment is compromised!"
"My judgment kept you alive," Aiden growls.
"Her magic made this pack's barrier stronger than it's been in decades."
Rowan steps closer.
"And what price will we pay for that magic?"
I lift my chin. "Ask your Shadow King."
Gasps fill the hall.
Aiden puts a hand on my back—a silent apology, a silent warning, a silent comfort.
Rowan turns to Aiden.
"She is unstable. Dangerous. A threat we do not understand."
"And you never will," Aiden retorts, "if you keep treating her like a monster."
Rowan slams his hand down.
"Alpha Aiden Black, you must choose."
My breath catches.
Choose?
"Choose what?" Aiden growls.
Rowan's eyes flick to me.
"Choose between your pack—
and the cursed witch who will bring its end."
The hall freezes.
Aiden goes utterly still.
Silence thick as smoke fills the room.
Then—
Aiden gives a low, humorless laugh.
He steps forward, aura exploding outward.
Wolves stumble back.
Even elders retreat.
"Is that your concern?" Aiden snarls.
"That she will destroy the pack?"
Rowan swallows. "Yes."
Aiden takes another step.
"Then hear my decision."
Every wolf leans forward.
Every breath halts.
Aiden's voice thunder-cracks through the hall:
"Liyana stays.
Under my protection.
Under my roof.
Under my bond."
Wolves gasp.
Rowan stares, stunned.
"And if the Shadow King comes for her," Aiden continues, voice growing sharper,
"he will meet my claws first."
Rowan's voice shakes. "You risk war."
Aiden's wolf snarls.
"I risk nothing."
He looks down at me.
"I protect what's mine."
My heart stops.
The entire pack hall buzzes like lightning.
Elders are speechless.
Warriors exchange looks.
Serene—standing in the doorway—covers her mouth in shock.
But Aiden isn't done.
He turns back to the Council.
"My final decision—"
He wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side.
"—Liyana will live in my private quarters.
Anyone who approaches her without my command will answer to me."
Wolves explode in whispers.
Serene breaks into sobs.
Elder Mira nearly drops her cane.
I freeze in shock.
"Aiden…" I whisper.
He looks down at me, eyes fierce.
"I told you," he murmurs.
"I'm not letting you go."
The bond pulses hot—
dangerous
intense
alive.
And just when the hall is about to erupt—
A cold wind blows through the windows.
Candles flicker violently.
All lights go out.
And a voice echoes.
Not the messenger.
Not a shadow.
"So the wolf has chosen."
The Shadow King's voice.
Inside the Council Hall.
Every wolf drops to their knees in terror.
Aiden pulls me behind him.
The bond surges painfully hot.
The war just got closer.