Chapter 142 Chapter 142

Chapter 142 Chapter 142
Author's pov

Location: Moonlit Shadow’s Pack

It was a quiet morning, the kind where the air still carried a light chill and the sky was only beginning to brighten. The morning guards were already relieving the night-shift guards at the fence, exchanging brief murmurs as they settled into position. But their easy rhythm shattered when they noticed a lone figure advancing toward the gate.

Their eyes widened—instantly recognizing him. A ripple of fear passed between them.

It was the notorious Alpha Damian of the Nightshade Wolves’ pack.

One of the guards didn’t hesitate; he rang the warning bell hard and fast, sending sharp echoes throughout the territory.

Inside the pack house, Tristan—now acting Alpha after his father stepped down—was deep in discussion with two elders about strengthening their defenses and improving food supply. The sound of the bell cut through the room like a blade.

Tristan’s expression hardened. In a fluid motion, he reached for his sword and signaled the nearby warriors to move.

Outside, Alpha Damian remained still and composed, almost amused by the tension rippling through the pack. He came alone, yet his presence alone felt like an entire army pressing against their gates.

The gate finally opened, and Tristan stepped out with his warriors tightly flanking him.

“Damian, you are trespassing,” Tristan said, voice steady with authority. “And as Alpha of this pack, I will have to ask you to leave—or face the consequences.”

“Alpha?” Damian repeated, genuinely surprised. He hadn’t known of the recent change in leadership. Then his lips curled slightly. “What threat can one man possibly be?”

“I do not know what game you’re playing, but this is your last chance. Leave,” Tristan warned, aura sharpening. Damian seemed impressed by the young Alpha’s confidence.

“Relax, young Alpha. I’m not here to cause trouble,” Damian replied, tone cool. “I came to talk to you about a serious matter.”

“There is no matter of yours that interests me. So no thanks,” Tristan said, turning away. “Return to your pack, Damian.”

“It’s about Rose.”

Those words made Tristan halt mid-step.

“What about Rose?” he asked, still not turning.

“I think she is in danger,” Damian said.

“It’s not my responsibility to keep her safe. She has her mates now—four of them. They’re more than capable of protecting her from whatever danger you’re talking about.” Tristan began to walk again.

“You don’t understand.” Damian’s voice dropped. “Her mates are the danger.”

This time Tristan turned fully, his jaw tightening. “What do you mean?”

“Let’s talk privately,” Damian replied.

Tristan hesitated for a moment, weighing the risk… then gave a single nod.

“Alright. Come in.”

“Go on then, start speaking,” Tristan said once they were alone inside the meeting room. His tone was clipped and cold; it was clear he did not like the man sitting across from him.

Damian leaned back casually, a sly smile tugging at his lips. “Won’t you even offer me wine or water at least?”

“Do not get it wrong,” Tristan said sharply. “We are not friends, and we will never be. The only reason you’re standing in my home—inside my pack—is because you said Rose’s life is in danger. So if you don’t want this meeting turning hostile really fast, start talking about what brought us here.”

Damian’s faint smile didn’t budge. “I never said we were friends. And trust me, if we met under different circumstances, I’d kill you in a heartbeat. But right now we share one interest—Rose. Both of us want her safe. However…” He lifted his shoulders lightly. “I won’t be able to speak properly when my throat is this dry.”

Tristan frowned, annoyance flashing in his eyes, but he finally called for one of his men and ordered wine to be brought for Damian.

When the cup was placed before him, Tristan crossed his arms. “So now can you tell me what this is about? What do you mean Rose’s mates are a danger to her?”

Damian took a slow sip, savoring it. “You know, from the very first day I fought her mate—what’s his name again? The freak with the mixed-colored eyes?”

“Kavian,” Tristan replied stiffly.

“Yes. Him.” Damian tapped a finger against the cup. “From that very first encounter, I knew something was off about him. I just couldn’t place what. I thought he was using some kind of magic or sorcery. Not until that battlefield… when I realized there were four of them. Quadruplets.”

His eyes narrowed. “That’s when I remembered the stories… the tales of four brothers traveling across countries, across cities, leaving nothing but ashes behind as they searched for a rare wolf.”

“The Phoenix wolf,” Tristan said quietly, completing the thought.

Damian smiled. “Exactly. Those brothers are nothing but murderers. And whatever intentions they have toward Rose… they are not good ones. She is not safe in their hands. And neither is this city.”

Tristan’s jaw clenched. “Then we have to warn her—and warn her father.”

“That’s why I came to you,” Damian said, leaning forward. “Because they trust you. They’ll listen to you. But we have to act fast… before it’s too late.”

Rose's pov

Someone came into the tent, startling Laura and me. My heart jumped into my throat—only to drop again when we saw it was Kavian.

“Kavian,” I breathed out, trying to steady the air rushing in and out of my lungs. But the moment I saw his face, my relief faded. He didn’t look like himself. His eyes were sharp, restless, his jaw clenched as if fighting something inside him. He looked… anxious. Troubled.

“Damn, you scared me—” Laura began to say.

“We have to leave. Now,” Kavian cut in, his voice low, tense.

“Leave… like how?” I asked, my heartbeat quickening.

“I’m returning you back to your pack,” he said.

For a moment I just stared at him—stunned, confused, and stupidly hopeful all at once.

“Wait… you convinced your father to let me return home?” I asked, searching his expression. But the look in his eyes told me everything. No. That wasn’t it.

“I’m helping you escape,” he said.

“What?” My voice broke. “Kavian, you can’t do that—your father will kill you.”

“No, he won’t,” he insisted, though the tension in his shoulders said otherwise. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be fine. I just need to get you to your pack.”

But all I could do was worry.

“No,” I whispered. “I don’t want anything to happen to you because of me. I don’t want your father to harm you.”

“No one will harm me,” he said again, firmer this time. “But we have to leave now. Or else there won’t be another chance.”

“Alright…” I exhaled shakily and turned toward my things. “Let me just—”

“Forget those. There’s no time,” he said quickly, grabbing my hand. His grip was warm and urgent as he guided me out of the tent, Laura scrambling behind us.

The cold air hit me first. Then the sight.

The guards who were usually stationed near our tent lay sprawled on the ground—motionless. My stomach twisted painfully.

“Don’t worry, they’re not dead,” Kavian said, reading my expression. “I only made them pass out. Come on.”

He led us forward, weaving us through tents and shadows. “I prepared a horse for both of you up ahead. But we have to be quiet and quick before anyone notices.”

We were so close. I could almost taste freedom. But just when it felt like we might actually make it—

“Hey, you. Where are you going?” a guard called out to Laura and me.

We froze. Panic shot through me like ice.

“Can’t you see they’re with me?” Kavian said instantly, stepping in front of us. “Why would you ask them such a silly question?”

The guard blinked, startled. “Alpha Kavian—my apologies. I didn’t see you.” He bowed his head respectfully.

“Alright then. I’m taking my mate and her friend for a little stroll,” Kavian said casually.

“Understood. But your father—the Alpha—instructed that we shouldn’t let your mate leave the camp vicinity,” the guard replied, still polite but firm.

“I know. But there’s no need to worry. They’re with me,” Kavian said, voice tight with impatience.

“You will forgive me, Alpha Kavian,” the guard said slowly, “but the order was to specifically keep an eye on her. So I’m afraid I’ll have to tag along. I hope you understand.”

Kavian sighed. Not with annoyance—this time with resignation.

“I do,” he said quietly. “And I hope you understand this too?”

The guard’s brows pulled together. “Understand wh—”

Kavian’s hand shot forward faster than my eyes could follow. His claws tore straight through the man’s chest. The guard’s breath hitched—then stopped—as Kavian pulled his heart free.

“Ah—!” I gasped, stumbling backward as Laura covered her mouth with trembling hands.

“Let’s move. Fast!” Kavian snapped, his voice hard with urgency.

And without another second to think, we all rushed toward the horses waiting under a tree.