Chapter 98. It’s Exactly About Trust

Chapter 98. It’s Exactly About Trust
Lia

The tension broke slightly. Warriors turned back to their preparations, conversations resuming in hushed tones.
But Theron caught my eye across the table, and his expression said what everyone was thinking: This alliance was fragile as glass. One wrong move and it would shatter, taking all of us with it.
"Strike teams move out in one hour," Kai announced to the room. "Full combat gear, minimal supplies. We go in fast, hit hard, and extract before they can organize a proper defense. Questions?"
Damien raised his hand. Since discovering his father had died trying to protect the pack, he'd been quieter, more focused. "What about prisoners?"
"No prisoners," Theron said before Kai could answer. "The Circle doesn't take them. Neither do we. This is extermination, not negotiation."
A few wolves shifted uncomfortably. This was different from normal pack warfare, no honor challenges, no surrender options. Just killing until one side couldn't fight anymore.
"Anyone have a problem with that?" Kai's tone made it clear there was only one acceptable answer.
Silence.
"Good. Dismissed. Teams assemble at the north and west gates in fifty minutes."
The room emptied quickly, wolves moving with purpose toward armories and preparation areas. I started to follow, but Kai's hand caught my wrist.
"Not you."
I looked at his hand on my skin, possessive, claiming, terrified, then up at his face. "We don't have time for this conversation."
"Then we'll make it quick." He pulled me into a side room, away from prying eyes and ears. The moment the door closed, his hands were on me, not rough, but desperate, checking injuries, confirming I was real and whole and his.
"I can't lose you again," he said against my hair. "The cell, the trial, watching you fight Viktor, I've already lost you a dozen times. I can't do it again."
"You won't." I pulled back enough to look at him. "I'm coming back. I promise."
"You can't promise that. Not in war." His thumb traced the bruise on my jaw, the split in my lip. "And if I lose you because I let you go with him…"
"With Theron," I corrected. "Say his name. Acknowledge that you trust me with him or admit you don't trust me at all."
Kai's hands tightened on my shoulders. "It's not about trust."
"It's exactly about trust." I covered his hands with mine. "You either believe I'm your mate, your partner, your equal, or you believe I'm a possession that needs guarding from other males. Which is it?"
For a long moment, he said nothing. Just looked at me with those silver eyes that had seen too much violence, too much loss.
"I believe you're mine," he said finally. "But I also believe Theron wants you. And I believe that if something happens to me, if I die in that camp, he'll be there to catch you when you fall. And part of me…" His voice broke slightly. "Part of me is grateful for that. And I fucking hate myself for it."
Of all the things he could have said, I wasn't expecting honesty that raw.
"Nothing's going to happen to you," I said fiercely. "Because I'm going to complete this mission, come back, and watch your back like I'm supposed to. Like equals. Like mates."
"Like mates," he repeated, then pulled me into a kiss that tasted like goodbye and desperation and promises neither of us could keep.
When we broke apart, his forehead rested against mine. "When this is over, when we've dealt with the Eastern Pack and the Circle and every other threat, we're fixing this. The bond, us, everything."
"I'm holding you to that."
"Good." He stepped back, his Alpha mask sliding into place. "Because I'm not letting you go ever again. Even if I have to chain you to my side."
"Try it and I'll break your fingers."
His smile was brief, genuine. "That's my Luna."

Fifty minutes later, I stood at the north gate with Viktor, Theron, and twenty Silvercrest warriors. All of us were armed to the teeth, silver-edged weapons, emergency medical supplies, communication devices linked to Kai's frequency.
Theron moved through his wolves with easy command, checking gear, offering quiet words of encouragement. I watched him lead and understood why his pack was so loyal. He didn't demand obedience, he earned it.
"Nervous?" Viktor asked beside me.
"Terrified," I admitted. "You?"
"Always before a fight." He checked his knives for the third time. "Means I'm taking it seriously."
"Viktor." I caught his arm before he could move away. "Earlier, when you were fighting me in that trial, thank you. For not holding back. For not making it worse by pretending."
His expression softened slightly. "You're pack, Lia. Broken bond or not, you're still pack. And I protect the pack."