Chapter 38 CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
ALORA
The moon hangs full and heavy overhead as I stand on the balcony of my quarters, watching wolves gather in the courtyard below. My hands grip the railing so hard my knuckles turn white. In less than an hour, I'm supposed to shift in front of the entire pack. Show them what I really am.
My stomach churns. This is insane. Reckless. Exactly the kind of thing that gets blood-wolves killed.
But Alex insisted. And some foolish part of me wants to believe him when he says it will be okay.
"Second thoughts?"
I spin around to find him standing in the doorway of the connecting room. He's changed into dark pants and a loose black shirt, his hair slightly tousled. Even now, knowing what he is to me, my breath catches at the sight of him.
"Third and fourth thoughts," I admit. "Maybe fifth."
He moves onto the balcony, his presence immediately calming something inside me. Or maybe making it worse. I can't tell anymore.
"We don't have to do this," he says quietly. "If you're not ready—"
"I'll never be ready." I turn back to watch the wolves below. "But you're right. I'm tired of hiding. Tired of being afraid." I glance at him. "Even if it gets me killed."
"It won't." His hand finds mine on the railing, his fingers threading through mine. "I won't let it."
The touch sends warmth spreading through me, my wolf purring contentedly. She's been restless all day, eager to finally be seen. To run free under the full moon without hiding.
"The elders hate me," I say. "I heard them arguing with you this morning."
His jaw tightens. "The elders are old and afraid of change. Their opinion doesn't matter."
"It does if they try to remove you." I squeeze his hand. "Alex, I don't want to be the reason you lose your pack."
"You won't be." He turns me to face him, his silver eyes intense. "They can object all they want, but I'm still Alpha. My word is law."
"For now." The words taste bitter. "But if the bond madness takes you—"
"It won't." His hands cup my face. "Stop borrowing trouble from the future. Right now, in this moment, we're both fine."
I want to believe him. Want to trust that somehow we'll be different from all the blood-wolves and Alphas who came before us.
But history is hard to ignore.
A commotion below makes us both look down. Three wolves I don't recognize are entering the courtyard, their body language aggressive. My wolf stirs uneasily.
"Who are they?" I ask.
Alex's expression darkens. "Northern Pack. What the hell are they doing here?"
Before I can respond, he's moving, pulling me back inside. "Stay here. Lock the doors. Don't open them for anyone but me."
"Alex—"
"Promise me." His voice carries Alpha command, making my wolf want to submit. "Promise you'll stay here."
"I promise."
He's gone in an instant, and I hear him taking the stairs two at a time. I move back to the balcony, watching as he strides into the courtyard with Marcus at his side.
The lead Northern wolf, a massive male with scars across his muzzle, bares his teeth in what might be a smile. Even from here, I can feel the tension crackling in the air.
I can't hear their conversation, but I don't need to. Their body language says everything. The Northern wolves are here for something. Someone.
Me.
My heart hammers as I watch Alex position himself between them and the pack house. Marcus has moved to his left, his hand resting on the knife at his belt.
This is my fault. The Northern Pack somehow found out about me, and now they're here to claim whatever they think I'm worth.
The lead Northern wolf says something that makes Alex's shoulders go rigid. Then he laughs, a sound that carries up to my balcony and makes ice flood my veins.
Whatever they said, it wasn't good.
I watch as the conversation continues, each second feeling like an eternity. Other Silver Creek wolves have moved to flank Alex, creating a wall between the visitors and the pack house.
Then the Northern wolf's head tilts back, his nose lifting to the air. He's scenting for something.
For me.
I step back from the balcony, but it's too late. His eyes lock onto my position, and a slow smile spreads across his face. He says something to Alex, gesturing toward my balcony.
Alex's response is immediate and violent. His hand shoots out, grabbing the Northern wolf by the throat. Even from here, I can see his eyes glowing silver, can feel the power rolling off him in waves.
The other Northern wolves shift into defensive positions, but they don't attack. They're outnumbered here, in the heart of Silver Creek territory.
Marcus puts a hand on Alex's shoulder, clearly trying to calm him. After what feels like forever, Alex releases the Northern wolf, who stumbles back with a hand at his throat.
More words are exchanged. Then the Northern wolves turn and leave, but not before the lead one looks up at my balcony one more time. The promise in his eyes is clear.
They know. They know what I am. And they'll be back.