Chapter 143

We reached the southern forests just as the sun dipped below the horizon. This would be our campsite for the night before crossing into the Moon Valley Pack’s territory at dawn. The vans were carefully concealed, and the entire group moved deeper into the woods, carrying our backpacks.

It was my first time setting up a tent, and thankfully, Leif stepped in to help, sparing me from inevitable embarrassment. Meanwhile, Kenzo was preoccupied with securing the perimeter, his phone pressed to his ear as he coordinated the attack with other group leaders. Managing so many people spread across the vast southern region had to be a logistical nightmare, yet he remained composed—strict, unwavering. His authority was absolute, his commands leaving no room for question.

I had to admit, he looked undeniably attractive in that role.

As soon as he finished what must have been his hundredth phone call, he made his way toward Ian and me, where my tent was still a work in progress. Without warning, he pulled me into a firm, reassuring embrace.

“All that talking drained me. I need to recharge,” he murmured, resting his forehead in the crook of my neck with a deep exhale.

Leif, ever perceptive, took a step back, affording us as much privacy as the situation allowed. I shot him an awkward smile, unsure how to react. For a few moments, I remained still, but then my arms hesitantly encircled Kenzo’s waist, my hands tracing the hard muscle of his back. As I completed the embrace, he let out a quiet chuckle.

“I feel better already,” he purred, the low vibration of his voice sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.

“Maybe you should lie down...?” I suggested, though the words felt uncertain even as I spoke them.

Kenzo lifted his head, meeting my gaze with a small, knowing smile. His hand trailed up to cradle the back of my head, gently pressing my cheek against his firm chest.

“I still have a few reports coming in from the intelligence squad,” he sighed, fingers weaving through my loose hair. “I need to be on my feet until they arrive—just in case we need to adjust tomorrow’s strategy.”

The way he held me, I could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, strong and sure. The sound was unexpectedly soothing, his warmth chasing away the lingering tension in my body. I shifted slightly, settling more comfortably against him, inhaling the familiar scent that clung to him.

“You can sleep in my tent if you want,” he offered, his voice edged with amusement. “Nights out here get cold. I could keep you warm.”

I knew he wasn’t making a purely suggestive remark. A werewolf’s body ran hot, comparable to a human with a fever. Still, the idea of sharing a tent with Kenzo was dangerous for reasons that had nothing to do with the temperature. If I lay beside him, I doubted sleep would be the priority.

I didn’t trust him.

More than that, I didn’t trust myself.

I was growing too accustomed to his touch, my body responding to him in ways that reminded me of how I once reacted to Hadrian. My heart was still healing, my mind still in turmoil, yet I craved the physical comfort, as if it could somehow piece me back together.

“That’s definitely not a good idea,” I chuckled, though there was a nervous edge to it as I pulled away from his chest.

Kenzo grinned, eyes trailing over me in a slow, deliberate manner. “I won’t force you,” he said, though the playful glint in his gaze suggested he wasn’t done teasing.

Taking a steadying breath, I turned back to my tent, determined to finish setting it up. But I was acutely aware of Kenzo standing behind me, watching my every movement. His presence made me clumsier than usual, and it didn’t help that he seemed to enjoy it.

“Need a hand?” he asked, amusement dripping from his voice as he bent to pick up a peg I had just dropped.

“No, thanks,” I muttered, snatching it from his grasp.

Kenzo leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough to send a shiver down my spine. “Or you could just forget about the tent and sleep in mine. I’m sure my sleeping bag is big enough for both of us—if we spoon.”

Unlike me, he had no problem ignoring the twenty-something people around us who were openly enjoying the show. I could practically hear them suppressing their laughter.

I wanted to kiss Ronan when he arrived just in time, reports in hand, effectively pulling Kenzo’s attention away from me. The moment he walked off, I finished assembling my tent in record time.

After placing my backpack inside and unfolding my sleeping bag, I zipped up the tent and pulled out my phone to call Freya.

"You're not fighting yet, are you?" she asked the moment she picked up.

I chuckled. "No, we're camping in the woods. The siege starts tomorrow."

"Promise me you'll stay safe," she demanded, her voice laced with worry.

"Freya," I sighed, "you know I can't promise that. But I won’t let myself go down easily," I added with a light laugh, hoping to ease her tension.

"Don't say it so casually! And don’t use the ‘k’ word!" she scolded, her voice rising in alarm.

"Hey, you were the one who encouraged me to join this campaign," I reminded her.

"I did..." she admitted, her voice trembling slightly, "but that doesn’t mean I want you getting hurt."

"I'm a big girl, Freya. I nearly kicked Kenzo’s ass once," I said, a hint of pride in my voice.

"You did?!" Her mood shifted in an instant. "I need details!"

I laughed at her enthusiasm. "We had a training session, and he made me attack him while he was in his wolf form... I even managed to cut him a few times."

"Wow! Thalassa, that’s incredible!" she gasped, genuine admiration in her tone.

Her excitement made me smile. "See? I’ll be fine tomorrow. I can handle myself in a fight," I assured her, though I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince her or myself.

"Alright, that makes me feel a little better," she giggled.

"Now tell me—what’s happening at the Palace?" I asked, unable to focus on anything else while knowing Freya and Varen could be in danger.

"We’re staying in the west building with the security guards, so we’re mostly cut off from everything happening in the main hall. But we heard that Selene is up to something, and whatever it is... it’s going to be big," Freya said, her voice tight with unease.

My stomach knotted. "What have you heard? Tell me everything."

"Selene called in her personal doctor today, and she scheduled a special meeting with all the nobles and the Palace council. We don’t know what it’s about, but if she’s gathering the most powerful vampires in the kingdom, it can't be anything good…"

She was right. It sounded like Selene was planning something major—something Hadrian likely knew nothing about.

"Anyway," Freya continued, sensing my rising anxiety, "don’t worry about us, Thalassa. We’re well protected. You just focus on the fight ahead."

I exhaled slowly, trying to let her words ground me. Freya kept reassuring me that she and Varen were in the safest part of the Palace, and for now, that had to be enough.

As we exchanged goodbyes, a shadow shifted outside my tent. I straightened, my senses sharpening, then unzipped the door.

"Knock, knock," Kenzo grinned, rapping his knuckles against the air in front of him.

I stepped outside, phone still in hand. "Yes… Alpha?" I teased, batting my lashes at him.

He cleared his throat, stepping closer. "We’re moving out at 4 AM. I’ll give you more details on the way," he said, his lips twitching like he was fighting a smirk.

"Thank you, Alpha," I replied sweetly, flashing an innocent smile. "Sleep well."

"Yes… good n—"

A sharp notification sound cut him off.

I glanced at my phone and froze. The sender’s name flashed on the screen: Freya. Below it, the first line of the message read: This is King Hadrian’s number…

Panic jolted through me. I shoved the phone into my pocket, but it was too late. Kenzo had been standing close enough to glimpse the screen over my shoulder. The shift in his expression confirmed it—his eyes darkened, his jaw tightening.

His voice dropped to a low, controlled tone. "I suggest you get some sleep. Immediately."

I bristled at his sudden shift in demeanor. "That’s exactly what I was about to do, Alpha," I replied, irritation creeping into my voice.

"Good night," he bit out before turning sharply on his heel and walking away, tension rolling off him in waves.

I let out a heavy breath, waiting until he was out of sight before pulling my phone back out. My hands felt unsteady as I read the full message:

This is King Hadrian’s number, the one below. He called the Palace and asked me to give it to you. He also wanted me to tell you that fate is leading him south, and you will see him again soon.