Chapter 123 Too late!!
Alberto wandered alone through the garden, the late afternoon sun warm on his back. He bent to pluck a cluster of white jasmine, fingers careful around the delicate stems. The scent was sharp and sweet, a small distraction from the ache still lingering in his body and the complicated tangle of emotions Fernando always left behind.
Footsteps approached on the gravel path. Alberto didn't turn immediately he recognized the gait.
"Alberto," Darius said, stopping a few paces away. His voice was calm, almost too measured.
Alberto straightened, jasmine still in his hand. "Darius. What do you want?"
Darius stepped closer, hands loose at his sides. "I need you to come with me. There's an old wolf temple on the eastern ridge. It's been abandoned for decades, but something's stirring there. I could use your help."
Alberto raised an eyebrow, twirling a flower between his fingers. "My help? Since when do you need anyone for a temple visit?"
Darius shrugged, expression neutral. "It's complicated. Old wards, old magic. You're the strongest wolf who can use magic here besides Fernando. Your presence would make things easier."
Alberto studied him for a long moment. "Why not ask Fernando? He's the one who handles pack business."
Darius's gaze didn't waver. "Because I don't want to alert him. Not yet. If it's nothing, no reason to worry him. If it's something... better to handle it quietly first."
Alberto let out a short laugh. "You want me to sneak off with you behind his back? After everything that's happened lately?"
"It's not sneaking," Darius said. "It's discretion. Fernando's protective. You know how he gets. He'd turn it into a full hunt before we even know if there's a threat."
Alberto glanced down at the flowers in his hand, then back up. "And if I say no?"
Darius tilted his head. "Then I'll go alone. But I'd rather not. You're good at sensing things others miss. I trust your instincts."
Alberto considered it. The temple was old, yes rumors of lingering spirits, forgotten rituals. If something was walking there, ignoring it could be dangerous for the whole pack.
"Fine," he said at last. "But we make it quick. And when we get back, you tell Fernando yourself. No more secrets."
Darius nodded once. "Agreed."
They left the garden together, Alberto still holding the jasmine. He tucked the stems into his shirt pocket as they walked, the faint fragrance clinging to him.
The path to the eastern ridge was narrow, overgrown in places. Darius led, silent for most of the way. Alberto followed a step behind, senses alert but not alarmed.
After twenty minutes of steady climbing, the ruins came into view crumbling stone arches, moss-covered altars, the faint outline of what had once been a sacred circle.
Darius stopped at the entrance, an arched gateway half-swallowed by vines. "Here."
Alberto stepped up beside him, scanning the shadowed interior. "Looks quiet. Too quiet."
"That's why I wanted you here," Darius said. "Feel anything?"
Alberto closed his eyes briefly, reaching with his senses. Nothing sharp, nothing dangerous, just the low hum of old power, dormant.
"Nothing active," he said, opening his eyes. "Whatever stirred, it's gone quiet again. Or never woke up."
Darius nodded. "Still worth checking inside. Come on."
They passed under the arch. The air inside was cooler, thick with the smell of stone and earth. Darius moved toward the center altar, Alberto trailing.
Halfway across the circle, Alberto felt the shift—too late.
Something hard cracked against the back of his skull.
Pain exploded, white-hot. His knees buckled.
He tried to turn, tried to snarl, but darkness rushed in fast.
The last thing he heard was Darius's voice calm, almost regretful.
"Sorry, Alberto. This wasn't personal."
Then nothing.
Alberto woke slowly, head throbbing like someone had taken a hammer to his skull. His mouth tasted of copper and dust. He tried to move, but thick ropes bit into his wrists and ankles, pinning him to a hard wooden chair. The bindings were tight too tight for casual restraints. He flexed against them, testing.
Nothing gave.
He reached inward, calling for his wolf. The familiar heat, the restless presence that always answered is gone. A dull void sat where his power should be. He pushed harder, straining to shift, to summon claws, anything.
Still nothing.
A low chuckle echoed from the shadows.
Alberto's head snapped up. Darius stepped into view, arms crossed, a smug smile curling his lips.
"Welcome back," Darius said. "Took you longer than I expected. Thought Engimas were supposed to be tougher."
Alberto glared, testing the ropes again. "What the hell is this, Darius?"
Darius circled the chair slowly. "Insurance. Can't have you ripping my throat out before we have a little chat."
Alberto bared his teeth. "Untie me and we can chat all you want. Face to face."
Darius laughed again, sharper this time. "No thanks. I like you right where you are helpless." He stopped in front of Alberto, leaning down so their faces were level. "Tell me something. Why did you help Samael escape? You knew he was guilty. You knew what he did to the pack. And yet you let him walk."
Alberto's eyes narrowed. "You're calling me a traitor? Look at yourself. Kidnapping your own alpha? Binding my power? You're the one who looks guilty here."
Darius straightened, smile fading. "Don't play innocent. I heard it all. You covered for him. Why?"
"Because I don't believe he did it," Alberto said flatly. "Not all of it. Someone framed him. And you're awfully desperate to make sure he dies before he can prove it."
Darius's expression darkened. "Shut your mouth."
Alberto leaned forward as far as the ropes allowed. "No. Why are you so bent on killing Samael? What did he really see? What does he know about you?"
Darius stepped closer, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I said shut it."
Alberto didn't flinch. "You're scared. I can smell it on you. Whatever Samael found out, it terrifies you. That's why you dragged me here instead of going straight to Fernando. You're buying time."
Darius grabbed Alberto's jaw, forcing his head up. "You think you're clever. You think you know everything. But you don't know shit."
"Then enlighten me," Alberto snarled. "What are you hiding?"
Darius released him with a shove that rocked the chair. "You'll find out soon enough. And when you do, it'll be too late."
Alberto laughed, short and bitter. "You really think you can take me down? Even without my wolf, I'm still stronger than you."
Darius smirked. "That's why I didn't come alone."
A loud growl rolled through the air outside deep, multiple voices overlapping in fury. The sound vibrated through the stone walls.
Alberto's head turned toward the noise. "What did you do?"
Darius walked backward toward a narrow side door half-hidden in the shadows. "I called in a favor. Those who will end you are already here."
Alberto strained against the ropes again. "You sold me out? To whom?"
Darius paused at the door, hand on the frame. "Doesn't matter. They'll finish what I started."
Alberto's voice rose. "Fernando will rip you apart for this. You know that, right? He'll hunt you to the ends of the earth."
Darius's smile was thin, almost sad. "Maybe. But he'll be too late for you."
He slipped through the small door and was gone.
The growls outside grew louder, closer. Footsteps several sets heavy and deliberate.
Alberto yanked at the bindings again, ignoring the burn of rope against skin. His wolf was still silent, his power still locked away.