Chapter 28 Chapter 28: Orders in the Dark
Chapter 28 Chapter 28: Orders in the Dark
(Introducing Damon’s POV)
We made it back to the compound just before the moon reached its highest point.
The gates closed behind us with a heavy, final clang that echoed through the courtyard. My wolves moved with the quiet efficiency I had drilled into them for years — no unnecessary talk, no wasted motion. Ronan and Jace peeled off to brief the night watch, while Elena stayed at my side as we crossed the main hall.
Ironwood was alive even at this hour. That was one of the things I was proud of. In the distance, I could hear the low rhythm of the night training yard — steel clashing, commands barked, the occasional growl of a wolf pushing its limits.
The armory lights were still on; supply teams were restocking after the day’s border runs. In the mess hall, a group of younger warriors laughed over late meals, their voices carrying the kind of easy camaraderie that only came from knowing they were safe behind walls I had built with my own hands.
This was my pack. Ruthless when it needed to be, loyal to the bone, and efficient beyond anything the other territories could match. I had forged Ironwood from nothing after Kira rejected me six years ago. Every wolf here understood what survival cost.
They followed me because I had proven I would never let them fall the way I had almost fallen. But tonight, that pride felt shadowed. Kira. She was waiting for me in our quarters. I could feel her through the bond — restless, guilty, carrying the weight of Lila’s disappearance like a stone in her chest.
I loved her. That truth had settled deep in me months ago, long before I was willing to admit it out loud. But love didn’t blind me. I still believed she was hiding something massive — the key she kept close, the letters from her mother, the way she flinched whenever her bloodline was mentioned.
The bond hummed with her fear, and that fear made my own instincts scream to protect her, even from herself.
I couldn’t lose her again. Elena cleared her throat as we reached the secure strategy annex. “Alpha, the team is ready for debrief.
”I nodded. “Bring Ronan and Jace. Private room. No one else. ”We stepped into the small, warded chamber at the back of the annex. The walls were thick stone, etched with silencing runes. No one would hear what was said here. Ronan and Jace arrived moments later, still in their field gear. They stood at attention, waiting. I didn’t waste time.
“We found her notebook near the second glow site,” I said, placing Lila’s journal on the table. “She’s been researching the relic for weeks. Old burial rites, anchor seals, Voss bloodlines. She knew too much.
”Elena’s eyes sharpened. “And the tracks?” “Fresh. Heading straight toward Shadowmere territory. She wasn’t taken. She walked. She deliberately went to them. ”The room went still.
I looked at each of them in turn. “We are not telling Kira. Not tonight. Not until I know exactly what we’re dealing with. She’s already carrying enough guilt.
If she thinks Lila crossed the border because of something connected to her, she’ll run straight after her. I won’t allow that. ”Ronan nodded once, solid and unquestioning. “Understood, Alpha. ”Jace’s voice was quieter.
“We’ll keep it contained. ”Elena didn’t nod right away. She studied me, then spoke carefully. “Alpha… I’ve noticed Kira has been off lately. Distracted. Guarded. Like she’s carrying secrets that are getting heavier. If she becomes a problem — if those secrets start costing the pack — I won’t hesitate to do what is deemed right for Ironwood.
”The words hit like a strike to the ribs. My wolf surged forward so fast I had to lock every muscle to keep from shifting. I stepped into her space, voice dropping to a dangerous growl. “You never speak about her like that again. To whom does your loyalty belong? ”Elena didn’t flinch. She met my eyes steadily, but her tone softened with respect.
“I am sorry, Alpha Damon. Certainly, my loyalty is not to Kira. It is to you. Always to you. But I see how much she means to you. And that is exactly why I worry. If her secrets tear you apart… they tear the pack apart with you.
”The anger drained out of me as quickly as it had risen. I stepped back, running a hand over my face. “I know,” I said quietly. “I know she’s hiding something. The key. The letters. Her bloodline. I feel it every time the bond pulls. But she’s mine, Elena. And I will protect what’s mine — even from herself.
”Elena nodded once. “Then we protect her the way you see fit. But if the time comes when her secrets become a blade at your throat… I will be the one to pull it out. ”I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. Because part of me feared she was right. Ronan and Jace exchanged a glance, then quietly excused themselves, closing the door behind them with soft clicks.
The room felt smaller with just Elena and me. She waited a beat, then spoke again, softer this time. “You’ve been different since the marriage, Alpha. More… protective and so soft. More willing to bend rules you never would have before. Is she worth it? ”I looked at her.
Elena had been with me since the beginning — the only one who saw me at my lowest after the rejection. She had helped me build this pack from the ground up.
“She is,” I said simply. “But that doesn’t mean I trust blindly. I still believe she’s holding back something that could destroy us. And that terrifies me more than Marcus ever could.
”Elena’s expression softened. “Then let me help carry the weight. You don’t have to do this alone. ”I nodded once, grateful for her loyalty even when it cut close to the bone. My wrist comm vibrated — a private, encrypted channel only a handful of wolves knew. I stepped away and answered. A distorted voice came through — one of my Shadowmere contacts.
“The girl is alive. She came to us. Marcus has her. ”The line went dead. I stood frozen, the weight of those words settling like lead in my chest. Lila had walked into Shadowmere territory willingly. And Marcus had her. At first, I had speculation, but now that it is confirmed. The only question left was why. And what it would cost Kira when she found out.