Chapter 35 THE BETA'S BURDEN

Chapter 35 THE BETA'S BURDEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

The words seemed burned into Chris's mind.

Beware the wolf closest to your son.

The journal lay open on the desk between him and Anna, its aged pages illuminated by the dim lantern light. Neither had spoken for nearly a minute.

Outside, the wind rattled against the old building's windows.

Inside, silence pressed heavily around them. Chris stared at the final entry again. As if reading it enough times might somehow change the words.

Anna watched him carefully. She could feel his emotions through the mate bond. He was confused and fear clouded his thoughts. She felt the doubt that lingered, not toward Steve but toward everything.

If his father had truly known about the Moonborn bloodline, what else had he hidden?

"What are you thinking?"

Chris finally looked up. His expression was troubled.

"I'm thinking my father chose a terrible time to leave answers."

Anna almost smiled. The situation was too serious to be smiling about it.

"You don't believe Steve is involved."

It wasn't a question. Chris immediately shook his head.

"No I don't."

The answer came too quickly yet Anna sensed the hesitation buried underneath.

Not suspicion, just uncertainty.

Chris closed the journal.

"We're not accusing Steve based on a vision and a cryptic warning."

Anna nodded, slightly relieved because deep down she didn't want to believe it either.

Steve had been nothing but loyal since she'd arrived. The thought of him betraying Chris felt painfully wrong.

Footsteps echoed from outside. Fast and urgent.

Both of them immediately tensed up. The door burst open Tyler stood there, breathing hard.

"Alpha."

Chris was already on his feet. "What happened?"

"The northern patrol just returned." Tyler swallowed. "They found another message."

Chris's expression darkened instantly.



Ten minutes later, nearly every senior member of Blood Moon had gathered near the northern border.

Anna felt her stomach twist the moment she arrived. Another symbol had been carved into one of the massive pine trees.

The same split crescent moon, Draven's mark. Fresh blood still dripped from the bark.

But this time there was something else. A name was carved deep beneath the symbol deliberately.

ANNA BENNETT

The sight made her blood run cold. Around her, wolves exchanged uneasy glances.

Draven wasn't simply threatening the pack anymore. He was targeting her specifically.

Chris stepped closer to the tree. His entire body became rigid, power rolled off him in dangerous waves.

The wolves nearby instinctively backed away. Even Steve looked concerned.

Anna touched Chris's arm carefully. "Chris…."

His jaw tightened. "He was here." The words came out low, almost a growl.

"He crossed our borders again."

Steve examined the surrounding area. "But there are no tracks."

"That's impossible."

"I know." The Beta crouched beside the tree. Frustration flashed across his face.

"It's like they're appearing and disappearing at will."

Tyler swore under his breath. "Maybe we should move the Luna."

Chris turned so quickly the wolf immediately regretted speaking. "Move her where?"

Tyler lowered his gaze. "I just meant… "

"I know what you meant." The Alpha's voice remained calm.

"No one is sending Anna away."

The matter was settled instantly. No one argued further.

But Anna noticed several wolves looked relieved but others looked worried. Fear was still dividing the pack.



That evening, the council hall remained crowded long after sunset. Maps covered nearly every available surface.

Scouts delivered constant updates about the borders. The entire territory had become a fortress preparing for siege.

Anna sat quietly beside Chris while another scout finished his report.

"No signs of movement from the east."

Chris nodded. "How about the west?"

"Nothing."

Steve frowned. "That's what worries me."

Several heads turned toward him, the Beta folded his arms. "If Draven is only three days away, we should be seeing something."

The room fell silent because he was right. Draven wasn't careless. An army that large couldn't simply disappear. Yet nobody could find it.

Anna felt unease crawl through her chest. "What if that's exactly what he wants?"

Steve looked toward her. "What do you mean?"

"He wants us watching the borders."

Chris's eyes narrowed slightly but Anna continued. "What if the threat isn't outside?"

The room grew very quiet, everyone knew what she was implying.

The traitor. The possibility still lingered uncomfortably.

Chris immediately changed the subject. "We'll discuss that later."

Steve glanced at him, almost as if he knew exactly why Chris had redirected the conversation.

The guilt in Anna's stomach deepened.



Hours later, the meeting finally ended.

Most wolves headed home, exhausted and anxious. They were preparing for whatever came next.

Anna remained behind helping them gather maps. Chris and Steve stood across the room discussing patrol rotations.

For a brief moment, she found herself watching them.

The Alpha and his Beta. Best friends. Brothers in everything except blood.

Steve said something and Chris laughed quietly.

The sound surprised her. It had been days since she'd heard him laugh.

Then Steve shoved his shoulder lightly and for the first time all week, Chris actually smiled.

The sight made Anna's chest ache because no matter what the vision said… This friendship was real. Years of trust, loyalty and sacrifice. Could all of that truly be a lie?

No. She didn't want to believe that.

A knock interrupted her thoughts. One of the younger patrol wolves appeared in the doorway.

"Alpha?"

Chris looked over.

"What is it?"

"We found someone."

Steve stepped forward. "Who?"

The patrol wolf hesitated, his expression confused.

"Nobody knows."

Chris frowned. "What do you mean nobody knows?"

The wolf swallowed. "She's human."

Anna blinked.

Steve looked equally surprised. "A human?"

The patrol wolf nodded. "We found her unconscious near the southern river."

Chris exchanged a glance with Steve. Humans rarely wandered this close to Blood Moon territory and certainly not during a looming war.

"Take us to her."



The healer's cabin was unusually crowded as several wolves stood outside whispering nervously.

When Chris entered, the conversations immediately stopped. Anna followed him inside. The smell of herbs filled the room.

A young woman lay unconscious on one of the beds, with long dark hair, pale skin and mud stained clothes.

She looked to be in her mid-twenties. Definitely human and not from the territory.

Chris frowned. "Has she said anything?"

Carlyn shook her head. "She hasn't woken up."

Steve stepped closer then suddenly froze. His expression changed completely. Shock flashed across his face.

Anna noticed immediately and so did Chris. The Alpha turned toward him.

"Steve?"

The Beta didn't answer. He stared at the unconscious woman, completely stunned. As though he'd seen a ghost.

Chris's eyes narrowed. "You know her."

It wasn't a question. Steve nodded slowly. The entire room fell silent.

Anna felt tension ripple through the air.

"Who is she?" Chris asked.

Steve swallowed hard. For the first time in years, uncertainty appeared on the Beta's face.

Then quietly he answered, "She's my sister."

Chris stared at him. "What?"

Steve never talked about family. Nobody had ev
en mentioned a sister before. Yet there she was. Appearing out of nowhere unconscious.

Three days before Draven's arrival. The timing couldn't be worse and judging by Chris's expression...

He was thinking exactly the same thing