Chapter 123

Chapter 123
VALTOR

Loran hadn’t lied. Kallias Thorn was waiting when I arrived at the border headquarters, the outpost closest to his Pack’s territory. And he was alone.

“I’ve been waiting here far too long,” Kallias said as soon as he saw me. “And I never wait this long just to meet someone.”

Earlier, I’d instructed my guards to confine him to a secured room. If he had come with hidden intentions, I wanted to be certain he wouldn’t vanish before I confronted him myself. Now, we stood face-to-face, the air between us thick with restrained hostility.

My gaze swept over him, assessing, measuring.

Magnus would have sensed hostile intent the moment Kallias crossed our borders. But instead, what my wolf felt was something else entirely.

Submission.

That unsettled me far more than aggression ever could.

“Perhaps you should first know who it is you’re demanding an audience with.” I took a step closer. “What brings you to my territory?”

The words left my mouth rough, edged with displeasure. I didn’t trust this visit. I couldn’t imagine any reason for Kallias to be here that didn’t involve provocation, or worse.

He wanted to stir unrest. Or he wanted to see my wife.

And the excuse Loran had relayed earlier made no sense at all.

“I’m not here to make enemies,” Kallias replied. “I'm asking for permission to enter your territory to search for my Luna. Just me. I won’t bring any of my Pack members with me.”

For a moment, I stared at him.

Then my jaw tightened.

The audacity of his lie, of assuming I would believe it, sent irritation clawing up my spine.

“Your Luna isn’t here,” I said coldly. “Or I would’ve known the moment she crossed my borders. And I would have captured her myself. So save us both the trouble and leave.”

A growl tore from Kallias’s throat, deep and feral. 

His eyes shifted, flashing with the telltale glow of a wolf pressing forward, anger breaking through his carefully constructed calm.

I didn’t react, just simply watched. He had already made one fatal mistake by coming here alone. And he knew—just as well as I did—that if he lost control now, he wouldn’t survive this encounter.

“I know Crystal is here,” he said, closing the distance between us. “I can feel her. I can sense her presence within your territory.”

His voice lowered, sharpened with accusation.
“Unless you’re refusing because you’re the one who captured my Luna.”

Silence stretched between us.

Then I laughed.

The sound broke free before I could stop it, my laugh laced with disdain. His assumption was so absurd, so insulting, that I couldn’t contain myself.

“Bold of you to think I would want your Luna even as a prisoner,” I said, still smiling darkly.

“You still refuse to take this seriously,” Kallias replied. “You mock my situation.” His gaze hardened. “Perhaps you would understand if the same were done to you. Tell me, what would you do if Winter disappeared?”

Every trace of amusement vanished from my face.

In its place rose something lethal.

The air seemed to tighten as my wolf stirred, rage coiling beneath my skin. Kallias noticed immediately and to my disgust, there was amusement flickering in his eyes.

“Speak my Queen’s name again,” I warned, “and you will not leave this place alive, Kallias Thorn.”

“We’ll see,” he said.

I turned away.

Suddenly, guilt slammed into me like a fist to the chest.

I had left Winter alone at the castle.

Kallias might have come alone but what if this was a diversion? What if his men were already moving, exploiting my absence? My wolf surged, restless and uneasy, echoing my thoughts.
I needed to return immediately.

But before I could take another step, the door to my study swung open.

I stopped dead.

“Winter?”

My Queen stood in the doorway. She was wrapped in a dark navy cloak over her silk nightgown, the fabric stirring in the wind as she stepped inside. For a moment, I could do nothing but stare, shock and relief crashing through me all at once.

“You-"

“Yes,” she said calmly, walking toward me. “I followed you.”

Her voice was steady, but I could hear the quiet tension beneath it.

“Because I asked one of the guards to send you a message but they turned me down,” she continued. 

Winter placed her hand against my chest. The moment she touched me, her unease bled into my own chest.

“Did something happen?” I asked, capturing her hand in mine, grounding myself in her presence.

She smiled. The same soft smile she always wore for me. But I knew there was something wrong.

“Say it, Winter,” I said quietly. “You’re frightening me. Are you hurt?”

My gaze swept over her, checking her thoroughly. She looked unharmed but that did nothing to ease the knot in my chest.

“Nothing serious, just a nuisance.” Her eyes met mine, searching. “One that could be resolved if I spoke with my husband.”

“Of course you can,” I said instantly. “Fuck—why did you come all the way here? You should have ordered-" I stopped myself.

Shame burned hot in my chest.

I hadn’t been there when she needed me.

And the guards were useless. I swear I will deal with them later.

“It’s fine,” Winter said gently. “I understand. They told me you were receiving a guest."

Her gaze shifted past me, and then she froze.