Chapter 97. Theron Returns

Chapter 97. Theron Returns
Lia

The war room was packed with bodies and tension.
Maps covered every surface—topographical layouts of the Eastern Pack's encampment, guard rotations Viktor had pieced together from scout reports, escape routes marked in red. The air smelled like sweat, blood, and the sharp ozone scent of wolves preparing for battle.
I stood beside Kai at the head table, hyper-aware of how the room had divided itself. Feril wolves on one side, Silvercrest on the other, with a no-man's-land of space between them. Old prejudices didn't disappear just because you had a common enemy.
Theron moved through that divide like it didn't exist, his presence commanding attention without demanding it. He'd changed into tactical gear—all black, fitted close enough to move but reinforced at vital points. His silver hair was tied back, revealing the sharp angles of his face.
I caught myself noticing and immediately felt Kai's attention snap to me.
"The main camp is here." Theron tapped the largest cluster of tents on the map, ignoring whatever silent conversation was happening between Kai and me. "Approximately forty warriors, plus Ronan and his inner circle. They're expecting a defensive stance from Feril, not an offensive strike. We use that."
"And the northern force?" Viktor asked, his arms crossed as he studied the map.
"Smaller. Maybe twenty wolves." Theron traced a route with his finger. "They're positioned to sweep in once the main force engages. Classic pincer. But they're exposed—no natural defenses, relying on the assumption that you'll be too busy with the frontal assault to notice them."
"So we hit them first," Kai said. "Take out the northern force before they can coordinate with Ronan."
"Exactly." Theron's eyes met Kai's, and I watched them measure each other. Two Alphas, forced into alliance, neither quite trusting the other. "I'll lead a strike team north. You handle the main camp. We hit simultaneously—they won't know where to reinforce."
"You'll need someone who knows Feril's territory," Viktor interjected. "The northern approach has difficult terrain. Easy to get turned around in the dark."
"I'll go." The words were out of my mouth before I'd fully thought them through.
Every eye in the room turned to me.
"Absolutely not," Kai said flatly.
"I know that territory better than anyone except Viktor, and you need him here coordinating the main assault." I kept my voice level, factual. "I've run those trails a hundred times. I can get Theron's team in position without alerting the guards."
"You can barely stand," Kai growled. "Your ribs are broken, you're still fighting silver poisoning, and you went feral three days ago. You're not going anywhere near combat."
"Then I'll collapse in the field instead of here. Either way, I'm not staying behind." I turned to Theron. "You need a guide. I need to prove I'm not the liability everyone thinks I am. Seems like our interests align."
Theron's expression was carefully neutral, but I saw the calculation in his eyes. "She has a point about knowing the terrain."
"No." Kai moved between us, his body a wall. "She's my mate. My Luna. I'm not sending her into enemy territory with…" He stopped himself, but the implication hung in the air.
With you. With another Alpha who'd offered to take her away from all this.
"With the only person who's been honest about what he wants," I finished coldly. "Unlike some people who lock their mates in cells and call it protection."
The room went silent. Even the warriors pretending not to listen stopped pretending.
Kai's jaw worked, muscles ticking beneath his skin. When he spoke, his voice was dangerously soft. "We're not doing this now."
"No, we're doing this exactly now." I stepped around him to address the room. "Everyone here knows what happened. You all watched them chain me, watched them set up that farce of a trial. Some of you participated." My eyes found the wolves who'd stood guard during my imprisonment. "So let's be clear—I'm not asking permission to fight. I'm telling you I'm going. And anyone who has a problem with that can take it up with me after we win."
Seraphina, who'd been quietly observing from the corner, chose that moment to interject. "Lia's right." Her voice was measured, sympathetic. "She needs to prove herself to the pack. Show them she's not unstable, not a liability. Sitting out the battle will only reinforce their fears."
I wanted to tell her to shut up, that I didn't need her false support. But she wasn't wrong, and everyone knew it.
"Besides," Seraphina continued, moving closer to Kai with practiced ease, "she'll be with Theron. He's proven he can keep her safe." She placed a hand on Kai's arm, her touch light but possessive. "You need to focus on the main assault. Can't do that if you're worried about her."
Kai looked at her hand on his arm, then at me. I saw the moment he made his decision—saw the resignation, the anger, the fear he was trying to mask as pragmatism.
"Fine." The word came out clipped, final. "But Viktor goes with you. Non-negotiable."
"Viktor's needed here…" I started.
"Non-negotiable," Kai repeated, his Alpha command bleeding through. "You want to prove you're stable? Prove you can follow orders."
It was a test. We both knew it. Could I submit to his authority without losing myself? Could he trust me to come back?
"Fine," I echoed. "Viktor comes with us."