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STEFANO’S POV

As I walked through the corridors of Daeville castle, surrounded by Alpha Matteo's guards, an eerie sense of déjà vu settled over me, and it tasted bitter. Years ago, I’d been shackled here after Matteo defeated me, and now I was back—though this time, my mask of indifference was stronger, better hiding my seething hatred for the so-called Alpha King.

Every inch of this castle was mine by right. The air here still held the scent of my father’s killer, filling my blood with raw fury. Daeville was once my home, perched high on the Eclipse Cliffs. Its walls overlooked the capital of my people on one side and fell straight down to the violent rapids of the Debris River on the other—a fortress built for an Alpha King, though not the one who occupied it now.

I forced my attention forward, focusing on the ebony doors at the end of the hall. Six guards flanked me, casting mocking glances as I walked. They saw me as Matteo’s loyal dog, enjoying the fact that I was about to be punished. I could have killed them in seconds, but they knew I wouldn’t. Not with my mother and sister under constant threat. This leverage Matteo held over me was about to end, though—if all went as planned.

‘Are you in position yet?’ I called through the mind link to Antonio.

‘Almost there,’ he replied. I felt his tension like a pulse through our bond. 'Trying to avoid suspicion. Guards are everywhere.’

‘Handle them quietly and get my mother and sister out. Now.’

A frustrated grunt came through the link, followed by silence. Then, ‘All right. We’re close. Buy yourself some time.’

I steeled myself, breathing in the cold air as the throne room doors opened wide before me. ‘That’s exactly what I intend to do.’

"General Alpha Stefano!" the announcer barked as I entered, and dozens of heads turned my way. The room was filled with nobles, forming a half-circle around the dais where Matteo sat on the throne. The sight of him there—a throne that was rightfully mine—ignited a rage that I shoved deep, letting only my mask show.

Matteo sat dressed in dark leather, adorned with claws taken from defeated enemies. When his gaze met mine, a slow, twisted smirk appeared on his lips. "Stefano!" he called, arms spreading in mock welcome. "It’s been too long!"

My wolf growled low, but I held it in check, approaching the dais with my head lowered just enough to acknowledge his presence. "You called me. Here I am," I said, keeping my tone flat. "What’s so urgent?"

Matteo’s jaw tightened, his thin lips pulling into a sneer. He snapped his fingers, and a side door opened to admit Ornella. She glared at me with vicious satisfaction as she ascended the dais to stand beside Matteo.

So, she had chosen her side. My jaw tightened, disappointment simmering beneath my mask. I’d misjudged her. Whatever she’d told Gianna, it had clearly been tainted with lies.

"Ornella," Matteo drawled, glancing at her. "Enlighten us on what you’ve uncovered about our dear General Stefano."

Her face twisted into a theatrical grimace. "My spies have uncovered treachery. Alpha Stefano has been working with the resistance."

A chorus of gasps erupted behind me, the crowd’s feigned outrage filling the room. They were nothing but sycophants, clutching their wealth and fearing the loss of privilege.

Matteo rose from the throne, his eyes glinting with malice. "Stefano, these are serious accusations. How do you answer?"

I allowed a dark smirk. "My loyalty hasn’t changed since the day I swore it to you, Alpha King."

Matteo’s mocking laugh rang out as he scratched his beard thoughtfully. "Maybe I’ve been too lenient with you," he mused, his eyes hardening. "Wicked dogs, after all, need to be kept on a short leash and punished often."

Snickers erupted from the crowd, but I barely heard them. Time was running out. I stepped forward, keeping my gaze cold and unyielding. "Shouldn’t you need more than the word of a spy to punish your general?"

Matteo's brows arched, and a calculating gleam flickered in his eyes. "You think Ornella's word isn’t enough?"

A dry chuckle escaped me as I met Ornella’s hate-filled gaze. "Perhaps if her claims didn’t coincide with my refusal to bed her."

Ornella’s face flushed with rage as the crowd laughed, but her anger only deepened my own. Antonio, is it done? I demanded through the link, desperate for his response.

It’s done.

I exhaled in relief just as a guard hurried through the doors. He stopped before Matteo, his face pale. "Alpha Matteo—our guests...they’re gone."

Matteo’s eyes widened, then narrowed, filled with wrath as he turned his glare to me. "You did this, you traitorous dog!"

I held my silence, the rage in me finally slipping into a smile. I had shattered his leverage over me. Yet something felt wrong. His reaction should have been stronger.

Matteo strode down from the dais, stopping inches from me. "You think you’ve slipped your leash, dog? Think again." He signaled to the guards at the entrance, and the massive doors opened. General Alvise entered, dragging a chain behind him. At its end, stumbling barefoot over the cold marble floor, was Gianna.

Her bruised face met mine, and a strangled cry tore from my throat. "Gianna."