Chapter 49: The Devil at Our Door

Claire’s POV

Redwater had been unusually quiet that morning, a silence that unnerved me.  The warriors moved through the courtyard, their eyes darting to the front gates, their shoulders tense as if they were expecting an attack at any moment.

I had a nagging suspicion that something was about to happen.

Then it did.

Before the guards even announced his arrival, I could smell it—rich, familiar, tinged with power and just a hint of dishonesty. When the gates opened and I saw a man I used to know all too well, my stomach turned.

Jared.

Wearing his typical Midnight Moon uniform—dark leather, his Beta standing near his side, and a sickeningly smug expression on his face—he walked in as though he owned the land beneath his feet. The intensity behind his golden eyes sent a chill down my spine as they instantly locked onto mine.

Even though my inner wolf was growling, I made an effort to maintain a neutral expression.

Derek moved to stand next to me, his presence reassuring. He didn't conceal his animosity like I did. He had a fixed jaw and silver eyes that darkened with barely contained violence.

"Jared," Derek said stoically. "I don't have the patience for your lies today, but I would ask what the hell you're doing here."

With a sly smile, Jared looked at Derek and then at me. "That's not the proper way to handle an Alpha who is trying to negotiate, is it?"

"Diplomacy?" Derek gave a chilly laugh. "Are we now referring to that as a threat?"

Spreading his hands, Jared pretended to be innocent. "I have an offer for you."

"Traitors are not subject to our negotiations."

"I would give it some serious thought before dismissing me so hastily." Jared had a smooth voice, but I was too familiar with that tone. Before he tore someone to pieces, he used the same one. "I'm here to get Claire."

A deadly, piercing silence descended upon the courtyard. Even though my breath caught, I didn't show my fear.

Derek's whole body froze. "If you think you can just walk in here and demand her, you're either crazy or just plain dumb."

Jared's head cocked. "Has she been telling you that? That I left her behind? that I had deceived her?" His challenging golden eyes pierced me. "Claire, tell him the truth."

My anger burned like a wildfire. "The truth?" I ignored Derek's twitching fingers at his side, which seemed to indicate that he was about to drag me back, and took a slow step forward. "You mean the real story of how you ignored me? What caused you to allow Lila to turn our pack against me? My tone became stern. "Or the truth about how they attempted to kill me and you just watched and stood by?"

Although Jared's face remained fixed, there was a slight movement behind his eyes.

"Death was never intended for you."

"You failed to prevent them."

His jaw muscle twitched. "I was attempting to keep you safe."

I let out an irritated laugh. I don't recall feeling particularly protected when I was running for my life, so that's funny.

Derek took over at that point, standing just ahead of me. Despite his loose stance, every line of his body was dangerous. Jared, stop playing games. You're more insane than I initially believed if you came here to control her back into your control."

Jared shook his head and let out a sharp exhale. "It appears that she has turned you against me."

Derek said, "No," in a deadly-calm voice. "You did that yourself."

Jared straightened and rolled his shoulders after his smug mask briefly cracked. "Derek, you have no idea what's going to happen. The Midnight Moon is more powerful than before. You declare war the instant you refuse to give her up.

"The instant you betrayed her, war was declared."

Jared's face flashed with something—guilt, hesitation. However, it vanished before I could grasp it.

Jared said, "Last chance," in a harder tone. "Give me Claire, and I'll ensure that Redwater doesn't bear the consequences."

Finally losing patience, Derek let out a low growl from his chest. "Leave."

Jared raised a hand to stop his Beta from moving forward. His eyes were searching and calculating as he looked at me once more.

Silently, "You belong with me, Claire," he said. "You always have."

I balled my fingers into fists. "Once, I did. However, you allowed that to die.

His golden eyes flashed darkly, but he nodded curtly and pivoted on his heel. "So be it."

I sensed the finality of his departure and the threat of war following him, even though he didn't turn around as he left.

My heart thumping, I let out a shaky breath.

Derek remained by my side, his fists clenched and his jaw taut. "This isn't over."

"No," I said, observing Jared vanish behind the gates. "It's only the beginning."

And I was certain that he wouldn't use words when he came back.

Blood would be involved.

The sound of the gates slamming behind Jared echoed through the courtyard like the lid of a coffin. Instead of easing, the tension in the air grew stronger and pressed down on me like an unrelenting weight. Redwater's warriors whispered to one another, uncomfortable with what had just happened.

Derek was still standing. His silver eyes were fixed on the route Jared had followed, and his fists were still clenched at his sides. I could feel the rage barely contained as it rolled off him in waves.

Derek whispered, "He’s testing us," in a low, angry voice. "Trying to determine whether we'll fold before he moves."

Still sensing the burn of Jared's eyes on my skin, I swallowed. "He desired to frighten us. He desired to shake me.

Derek's eyes were more piercing than ever as he turned to face me. "Did he?"

Without hesitation, I met his gaze. "No."

It wasn't accurate. Even though Jared's presence had deeply unsettled me, I resisted giving him any more control over me. Not with everything I had made it through.

Derek looked at me for a long time, as though he could read the battle going on inside of me. Then he turned to the assembled warriors and nodded sharply.

Along the northern and eastern borders, there are two patrols. I want to know if any Midnight Moon wolves even breathe too close. We don't hold off until they attack first.

Swift salutes greeted his command, and soldiers scattered to satisfy his orders. However, the pack's uneasiness was evident even as they moved.

I muttered, "He planted doubt," after the majority of the warriors had departed.

Derek's mouth clenched. "It won't matter."

"It might," I shot back. Jared is skilled at controlling others. He came here to interrogate me with Redwater. If he gives them the impression that I'm a liability—"

With firmness, Derek stated, "They won't."

I exhaled, not sure if I thought that was true.

Footsteps came before I could finish speaking.

Sophia.

Her normally calm face had a hint of urgency as she moved swiftly. "Claire and Derek, this isn't over. Jared came for more than just a conversation.

A shiver went through my body. "What do you mean?"

Sophia gave a sharp exhale. Before his visit, he dispatched spies. Disguised as a rogue, we recently captured one close to the western border.

Derek tensed. "Did they make any remarks?"

"Not much," the woman acknowledged. "But this was more than just threats; I know Jared. He is obtaining data. He has a plan.

My stomach turned over. "And he's giving us enough time to relax before he takes action."

Derek had already started to move. Take me to the spy, please.

My heart thumping, I followed without hesitation.

Jared wasn't merely here to frighten us.

He was here to set the stage for something much worse.