Chapter 168: Claimed

The Citadel rose ahead of us like a fortress carved from stone. High walls. Sharp towers. Gates that could hold back an army. I'd been here before with Connor. Hadn't liked it then. Didn't like it now. But I was here anyway. For him.

Darian rode beside me. His posture straightened as we approached. This was his world. His people. I was the outsider here.

The gates opened. Guards in dark uniforms watched us pass. Their eyes lingered on me. Curious. Assessing.

I kept my expression neutral. Didn't let them see my discomfort.

The city inside was different from the settlement. Cleaner. More organized. Stone streets instead of dirt paths. Buildings that touched the sky instead of sprawling across the ground.

Too many vampires. Everywhere I looked. Walking. Talking. Watching.

My wolf stirred. Uneasy in enemy territory.

Not enemy anymore, I reminded her. Allies. Friends.

She didn't believe it.

We dismounted near the central square. A stable hand took our horses. Darian thanked him. Turned to me.

"You okay?" he asked quietly.

"Fine."

"Liar."

I almost smiled. "I'll manage."

"I know you will."

Vampires gathered nearby. Not threatening. Just watching. I felt their eyes on me. On us.

One of them stepped forward. Tall. Dark hair. Expensive clothes. He broke into a grin when he saw Darian.

"Voss!" he called out.

Darian's expression shifted. Warmed. "Marcus."

Marcus crossed the distance quickly. Pulled Darian into a brief hug. Clapped him on the back.

Two more vampires followed. A woman with red hair. A younger man who looked barely twenty.

They surrounded Darian. All talking at once. Voices overlapping.

"Where the hell have you been?"

"We heard about the attack."

"How do you keep almost dying?"

Darian laughed. Actually laughed. The sound was easy. Comfortable.

I stayed back. Let them have their reunion. Watched the way they interacted. The familiarity. The warmth.

These were his friends. His family.

Marcus stepped back. Looked Darian over. "You look like shit."

"Thanks."

"Seriously. What happened?"

"Bandits. Ambush. Magic silver chains."

The red-haired woman hissed. "Magic silver? Voss, you're an idiot."

"So I've been told."

"Who rescued you?" the younger vampire asked. "We heard someone went into the camp alone."

Darian's eyes found mine. "She did."

All three vampires turned. Really looked at me for the first time.

The weight of their attention pressed down. I stood straighter. Met their gazes without flinching.

Marcus studied me. His expression shifted from curiosity to something sharper. More interested.

"Who is she?" he asked.

Darian opened his mouth. I spoke first.

"Lyra," I said. "Warrior from Connor's pack."

Silence. Brief but heavy.

Then Marcus smiled. Wide and genuine.

"Connor's pack," he repeated. "The Alpha who married Elizabeth. The parents of the wolf that destroyed the Shadow Queen."

"Yes."

"And you're his warrior?"

"One of them."

The red-haired woman stepped closer. Held out her hand. "Wow. Impressive. I'm Sera. This is Marcus and Julian."

I shook her hand. Firm grip. Respectful.

"It's an honor," Sera said. "We've heard stories about Connor's fighters."

"Have you?"

"Oh yes. You all fought in the war against the darkness and won."

I blinked. "How do you know about that?"

"Word travels. Especially about impressive kills."

Marcus was watching Darian. Watching the way he was watching me.

"So," Marcus said slowly. "You went into a bandit camp alone to rescue Voss."

"Yes."

"Why?"

The question was direct. Not hostile. Just curious.

I met his eyes. "Because he needed help."

"Most people would have brought backup."

"I didn't have time."

Julian whistled. "Fifteen bandits. That's what the report said. You killed fifteen bandits alone."

"Yes."

Sera looked at Darian. Then back at me. Something knowing crossed her face.

"Well," she said. "It's good to finally meet you."

Finally. Like she'd been expecting me.

Darian's expression was warm. Proud. He looked at me like I'd done something extraordinary.

My face heated. I looked away.

Marcus clapped Darian on the shoulder. "We should let you get settled. The High Council is expecting you in an hour."

"I know."

"Good luck. You'll need it."

They left. Disappeared into the crowd of vampires moving through the square.

Darian turned to me. "You didn't have to introduce yourself."

"I know."

"But you did anyway."

"They asked."

"You could have let me answer."

I shrugged. "I wanted them to know who I was."

He smiled. Soft and genuine. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being here. For not hiding."

I didn't know what to say to that. So I said nothing.

We walked through the Citadel toward the High Council chambers. The streets were busy. Vampires everywhere. Some nodded to Darian. Others just watched.

I remembered this walk. Had done it before with Connor. Years ago when he first came to claim Elizabeth as his mate. I used to think he had lost his mind in that moment.

The High Council had been cold then. Suspicious. They'd tested Connor at every turn. Tried to find weakness.

He'd stood firm. Proven the pack's strength.

I wondered if they'd test me too.

The High Council chambers were massive. High ceilings. Stone columns. A long table at the far end where the elders sat.

Twelve of them. Ancient vampires who'd lived through centuries. Who'd seen wars and peace and everything between. And also Elizabeth’s parents were there.

They watched us enter. Their expressions were neutral. Unreadable.

Darian walked forward. I stayed two steps behind. Close enough to guard. Far enough to not intrude.

"Darian Voss," one of the elders said. "Welcome back."

"Thank you, Elder Theron."

"We received word of the attack. We're relieved you survived."

"As am I."

Polite. Formal. Nothing like the warmth he'd shown his friends.

Darian placed documents on the table. "The trade agreements. Finalized and signed by Alpha Connor."

Theron took the papers. Examined them. Passed them to the other elders.

"And your report?" another elder asked.

"The attack was coordinated. Professional. They knew our route. Our cargo. They were waiting."

"You believe it was intentional?"

"Yes."

"Not random bandits?"

"No. They were too prepared."

The elders exchanged glances. Silent communication I couldn't read.

"We'll investigate," Theron said. "Thank you for your report."

Darian nodded.

Then Theron's eyes moved to me. "And who is this?"

"Lyra," Darian said. "Warrior from Connor's pack. She accompanied me."

"Accompanied you? Or rescued you?"

Silence. I felt the weight of the question.

"Both," Darian said.

A different elder spoke. Female. Her voice was cold. "It's unusual to see a wolf in the Citadel by choice."

I met her eyes. "I'm here by choice."

"Why?"

Direct question. Deserved a direct answer.

"I came for him," I said.

Simple. Honest. True.

The elders looked at me. Really looked at me. Assessing. Judging.

I didn't flinch. Didn't back down.

Beside me, I felt Darian's reaction. Felt the bond flare warm and bright.

I glanced at him. Saw his expression.

Like I'd just said something that changed everything. Like those four words meant more than I'd intended.

Maybe they did.

Theron nodded slowly. "Very well. You're both dismissed."

We left the chambers. Walked back into the corridor.

Neither of us spoke.

But the air between us felt different. Charged.

I'd claimed him. Publicly. In front of the High Council.

No taking it back now.