Chapter 40
Nephele's POV
"The Council investigation team," Rocco said without preamble. "They arrived yesterday, and they're building a case against you."
He pulled out a tablet, showing me surveillance photos. "Council Alpha Thorne has been interviewing witnesses from the Ophelia incident. He's trying to prove you're unstable."
My legs suddenly felt weak. "But I was defending myself. Defending Fidelis."
"They're spinning it differently," Rocco continued, his voice grim. "Claiming your power was out of control, that you nearly killed your own brother. That you're a threat to public safety."
"That's not—" I started, but Fidelis cut me off.
"It doesn't matter what really happened. They're looking for any excuse to override Kaedan's mate claim and put you in custody."
The room tilted around me. Just yesterday, I'd been learning to skate and laughing with the man I was falling in love with. Now I was back to being hunted.
"There's more," Rocco said grimly. "We have reason to believe Thorne's been in contact with Magnus's supporters. This isn't just about containment—it's about using you."
The words hit me like ice water. "Using me how?"
"Your bloodline," Fidelis said quietly. "The power you showed during the awakening. There are those who would see it weaponized."
My stomach dropped. Through our bond, I could feel Kaedan's fury even from miles away. He was coming, but would he make it in time?
"We need to move," I said. "Now."
Before anyone could respond, the door burst open. A Stormfang guard rushed in, his face grim.
"Alpha King, immediate situation report. Council forces have surrounded the building."
Through the window, I could see black vehicles pulling into the clinic parking lot. Men in tactical gear were taking positions.
My star-shaped birthmark flared with heat as my power responded to the threat. But this time, I wasn't afraid.
I was angry.
"So much for a peaceful Frost Moon," I muttered, then looked at my brother. "Ready for another fight?"
Fidelis smiled, and it was all teeth. "Always, little star. Always."
The storm I'd been sensing all morning was finally here. But this time, I wasn't facing it alone.
Whatever the Council thought they were going to do to me, they were about to learn that the Shadow Wolf had allies.
And we were done running.
"Let's go," I said, darkness stirring around my feet. "Time to show them what happens when they threaten my family."
The clinic's back door led to a narrow alley, but I could already hear boots on pavement. They had us surrounded.
"This way," Rocco said, leading us toward a maintenance tunnel. "Emergency exit."
But as we reached the tunnel entrance, a fake-sounding voice called out from behind us.
"Nephele. I really hoped it wouldn't come to this."
We turned to find Alpha Thorne standing at the alley's mouth, flanked by a dozen tactical officers. His expression was almost regretful.
"Come with us peacefully," he said. "For everyone's sake."
The shadows around me deepened, responding to my resolve. For the first time in my life, I wasn't running from a fight.
I was ready to finish one.
That's when the temperature in the alley plummeted. Frost spread across the brick walls, and I felt a familiar presence that made my heart leap.
Kaedan stepped out of the shadows behind Thorne's men, ice coating his arms, his eyes burning with cold fury. Behind him came Glacier, Rook, and a half-dozen Stormfang guards.
"You might want to reconsider your position," Kaedan said, his voice carrying deadly calm.
Thorne spun around, his confidence evaporating as he found himself surrounded. "Alpha King. This is Council business—"
"This is harassment, and you have no authority here," Kaedan said, moving to stand beside me. The moment he was close enough, I felt the mate bond settle, the constant ache of separation finally easing. "It ends now."
"Actually, I do." He pulled out an official document. "Emergency powers granted by Council majority vote. Nephele is to be brought in for evaluation and containment."
"Let me see that," Fidelis demanded, but Thorne held it back.
"The Council voted this morning. Five to two in favor of immediate action."
My blood turned to ice. Morrison was supposed to be back. That should have made it five to four in my favor.
"Where's Morrison?" Kaedan asked, ice spreading from his feet across the alley.
Thorne's smile was cold. "Delayed by family emergency. Indefinitely."
The bastard had orchestrated this. Waited until Morrison was out of reach, then forced the vote.
I could feel my anger building, and beside me, Kaedan's jaw clenched as frost started forming on his hands.
"The facility is prepared for her comfort," Thorne continued. "She'll receive the best care while we assess her abilities and develop appropriate safeguards."
"Safeguards," Kaedan repeated, ice coating his forearms. "You mean chains."
"I mean protection. For her and for everyone else."
That's when I stepped forward. "Enough," I said, my voice cutting through the alley. "I've heard this speech before. From Magnus, from Ophelia. Always for my own good. Always for everyone's safety."
My birthmark started glowing through my jacket, bright enough that I could see the star shape clearly.
"But here's what you don't understand," I continued, darkness spreading out from my feet. "I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of the Council. I'm not afraid of anyone anymore."
Thorne backed up a step as the temperature dropped. The shadows around me weren't wild like before—they moved exactly where I wanted them.
"Nephele," he said carefully, "you're proving our point. This power is dangerous when uncontrolled."
"Uncontrolled?" I laughed, and the sound had edges. "This is what controlled looks like."
The darkness spread in a controlled circle around us, blocking off the tactical team's approach routes. Not random destruction. I knew exactly what I was doing.
"You want to see dangerous?" I asked, and I could see my power ramping up. "Dangerous is backing a Shadow Wolf into a corner and threatening her family."
"Nephele—" Kaedan started, but I held up a hand.
"No, Kaedan. They need to understand." I looked directly at Thorne. "I spent twenty-two years being told I was powerless. Being bled, controlled, used. But I'm not that girl anymore."
The darkness got thicker, and I watched several tactical officers step back without realizing it.
"I am Nephele, the heir to the Shadow Wolf. And I will not be caged again."
I could feel the strength coming off me, and Kaedan's own frost abilities kicked in automatically. Ice spread from his feet while darkness pooled around mine.
"Stand with me or stand aside," I said to Thorne. "But I'm done being afraid."
For a moment, the alley was silent except for the sound of nervous breathing from Thorne's men. Then one of the tactical officers spoke up.
"Alpha, maybe we should reconsider—"
"Enough," Thorne snapped. "This is exactly what the Council warned about." He gestured to his men. "Take her into custody."
That's when Kaedan moved.