Chapter 51

JACE

Jesus Christ, not again. 5:30 AM and I'm wide awake. Third time this week.

My brain just wouldn't shut the hell up, running circles around these attacks. Even with Aria curled up against me, sleep was a lost cause. I stared at the ceiling, my thoughts buzzing.

Fifty rogues. Freaking fifty! Nobody commits that kind of manpower without a damn good reason. And the way they moved—searching, not just attacking. It's like they were looking for something specific. Or someone.

I glanced at Aria sleeping peacefully beside me. Her face softened in sleep, the usual alertness gone. She'd been remarkably calm through all this, despite being sidelined from combat duty. The frustration was eating at her—I could tell even though she tried to hide it.

Could I convince her to stay back permanently after everything settled? She was fully capable of handling herself in a fight. But the thought of losing her made my chest tighten painfully.

I leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before sliding out of bed. The bathroom floor was cold against my feet as I turned on the shower. The hot water might help organize my thoughts about the rogue Gabriel captured. The guy refused to talk, but everyone had a breaking point.

As steam filled the bathroom, I felt arms wrap around my waist from behind. Aria's scent enveloped me, calming the restlessness in my chest.

"Morning," she murmured against my back. "You're up early."

I turned to face her, taking in her sleepy expression. "Did I wake you?"

She shook her head. "I can tell when you're overthinking things." Her fingers traced the tattoo on my chest. "Want to share what's on your mind?"

"Just pack business." I pulled her under the shower with me, letting water cascade over both our bodies. "Actually, I could use your help with something."

Her eyes brightened immediately. "Really?"

"We need to select four warriors for the Sacred Moonlight Gathering. Your perspective could be valuable—you see things differently than we do."

The smile that spread across her face was worth any argument I might get from the elders about involving a human in warrior selection.

"Thank you," she said, standing on tiptoes to kiss me. "I know you're trying to keep me involved."

I ran my hands down her sides. "This won't last forever. Once Dr. Maya gives you clearance, you'll be back to training."

"I know." She pressed closer to me. "We'll figure it out."

"We always do." I tilted her face up. "We're perfect together."

Her smiled. "Perfect, huh?"

Words gave way to action as I lifted her against the shower wall.

The dungeons beneath the Pack House always smelled of damp stone and fear. I nodded to the guards as I approached the silver-barred cell. Inside, the rogue werewolf sat slumped against the wall, his strength sapped by the silver's proximity.

His head snapped up as I entered, nostrils flaring as he caught my scent.

"Alpha Jace," I introduced myself, watching him shrink back instinctively.

"I'll make this simple," I said, keeping my voice level. "Answer my questions truthfully, or suffer. Your choice."

He remained silent, defiance flashing across his haggard face.

"A month ago, someone tried to attack my daughter. Now fifty rogues assault my pack. Why?"

Nothing. Not even a twitch.

Patience had never been my strong suit. I grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the silver bars. His skin sizzled on contact, the stench of burning flesh filling the cell. He howled in agony.

"Next time, it'll be your face," I warned, releasing him. "Talk."

He crumpled to the floor, whimpering. I waited.

After the third round against the bars, his resolve finally broke.

"We were hired to find a girl," he gasped. "A warrior's daughter."

"What warrior? What girl?"

"Don't know his name. Just that his Alpha claims the girl belongs to him. The warrior took her and ran."

Everything clicked into place. Aria. They were hunting Aria.

Something primal surged within me. My vision reddened as Phantom took partial control.

"Aria is ours," we growled, our voice deeper, rougher. "She is our mate."

It took every ounce of willpower to regain control. The rogue cowered, trembling violently.

Dr. Maya, I need you in the dungeons. Bring silver burn treatment.

I sent the mental command, knowing she'd hear it instantly. Then I addressed two guards outside.

Escort Dr. Maya when she arrives. Keep her safe.

Turning back to the rogue, I straightened my clothes. "Once you're treated, you're free to go. My advice? Don't return to your camp. They sent you to die."

After washing the blood from my hands, I headed back to the Pack House. The morning's interrogation left a bitter taste in my mouth.

[Aria, meet me in my office in five minutes.]

I sent the message to her, knowing she couldn't respond the way pack members could. Then I reached out to the others.

Gabriel, Lucas, Hunter. My office. Now.

Within minutes, they filed in, faces grim with anticipation. Gabriel's expression was particularly tense—he could sense something was seriously wrong.

When Aria entered, I pulled her onto my lap, drawing comfort from her closeness.

"The rogue talked," I announced. "They were hired to find Aria. According to him, she 'belongs' to an Alpha she was taken from."

Lucas cursed violently. "Fucking Warren. I knew it."

Gabriel's face darkened with rage, his hands clenching into fists. "That bastard never gives up."

"What's the plan?" Hunter asked, ever the pragmatist. "How do we handle this Alpha?"

I tightened my arm around Aria's waist. "First priority is Aria's safety. She needs protection at all times—preferably someone she's comfortable with. Gabriel, Lucas, maybe Jaspar and Hunter, you'll rotate shifts."

Aria nodded, her expression serious. "I understand."

"I'm calling an Elder Council meeting," I continued. "We need to discuss potentially removing Warren from power, installing Dylan in his place."

Gabriel nodded approvingly. "Dylan's a good kid. Never approved of his father's methods."

The meeting continued for an hour, hammering out security protocols and patrol schedules. When everyone finally departed, Aria remained on my lap, her head resting against my shoulder. We sat in silence, both processing the implications of what we'd learned.

I realized with a pang that with everything happening, we'd barely had time to just be together as mates. That needed to change, no matter what crises arose.

Aria's fingers traced patterns on my arm. "What are you thinking?"

"That I need to make more time for us," I admitted. "Pack business is important, but so are you—so is this."

She looked at me and touched my face gently. Instead of arguing about my broken promises, she simply nodded.

"I believe you," she whispered.

I changed the subject. "The Sacred Moonlight Gathering will need more work from you this time," I said. "The elders asked for you specifically."

"My involvement? But I'm not even—"

"I know," I cut in. "That's what makes you special."

She smiled, looking curious. "You're being mysterious on purpose, aren't you?"

"You won't be disappointed at this Gathering," I promised.

She started to ask more, but I stopped her. I smiled enigmatically, my expression full of hidden meaning.