Chapter 72 72
The woman nods, wipes the blood from her nose, and steps closer. It’s the first time she feels afraid of her son, the first time she sees Emmanuel’s power this close—and it terrifies her.
Thorne places a hand on her shoulder, and she doesn’t hesitate. Her hands press against Emmanuel’s burning stomach as she tries to lock away his wolf, but she feels her son’s body heating up again. Before the fire can consume everything, Thorne grabs Morgana and helps her rush out of the room, because this time his body combusts in a far more explosive way.
When they manage to get out, the woman collapses to the floor, crying and trembling. She feels as though she was inches from death, her body unable to stop shaking.
The Alpha stares toward the room, the closed door, everything seeming to burn behind it. When the fire fades, he peers inside and meets Emmanuel’s gaze—defiant.
He would do the same every time they tried to suppress his wolf; it was his way of defending himself.
Thorne pauses at the doorway, admiring the fierce determination in his son’s eyes. Emmanuel has shown a power few can match, and though Thorne feels pride, he also knows it complicates everything. He steps back into the room, now more controlled, and walks toward Emmanuel, who is breathing heavily but refuses to lower his gaze.
“You’re strong, Emmanuel. Stronger than I imagined,” Thorne says with both admiration and severity. “But you cannot challenge me without consequences.”
Emmanuel, still lying on the floor, lifts his head with effort.
“I will never surrender, Father. Neither you nor anyone else will force me to submit.”
Thorne narrows his eyes, assessing his son. He knows he cannot easily break Emmanuel’s spirit, and that inner fire—literal and figurative—is proof of it.
“Then you will learn the hard way, my son. But make no mistake—you will learn.”
Morgana, still trembling, leans against the doorframe, her eyes filled with tears and despair.
“Thorne, please, don’t hurt him anymore.”
Thorne turns to her, his gaze softening for a moment.
“This isn’t about hurting him, Morgana. It’s about teaching him. He needs to understand his place and his responsibilities. He must control his power, not let his power control him. And he cannot challenge me.”
Morgana nods, though her heart breaks as she watches her son suffer. She knows Thorne is right to some extent, but she also knows Emmanuel is not an ordinary wolf. His strength and determination are unique—and that is what makes him special.
Seeing him explode like that, even though Emmanuel doesn’t appear physically harmed, shatters her heart.
Her family is breaking apart, and it all began with that omega.
As Thorne watches his son, his mate remains behind him, not daring to enter the room again. At that moment, his Beta, Darius, approaches.
“Alpha Thorne, all the summoned Alphas are gathered in the great hall. They’re waiting for you,” Darius says.
Thorne turns and meets his gaze.
A vampire had entered his territory—wolf territory—and then disappeared. Even though Thorne had been nearby, capturing Emmanuel took priority. Still, he cannot overlook such a serious violation of the rules. Every action has consequences, and an unauthorized vampire crossing into their land is dangerous—everyone knows that.
“Has Enzo arrived?” Thorne asks.
“I’m afraid not,” Darius replies. “He still hasn’t shown up.”
Thorne lowers his gaze, rubbing his fingers together. He knows Enzo well enough to be certain that none of his vampires would dare cross into wolf territory without cause, so he doesn’t understand what could be happening in vampire lands.
“Morgana, go rest,” he tells his mate. “You need to recover.”
She nods and leaves. Then Thorne turns back to his Beta.
“Any word on Ezequiel?” he asks quietly.
“No. Nothing. They’re still searching, but… they lost the trail a long time ago,” Darius answers.
The searches for Ezequiel and Lois have yielded nothing. As a second option, Thorne knows he can pressure Emmanuel by capturing Ezequiel and Lois—but without them in his grasp, he can do nothing. He will use every weapon at his disposal to make Emmanuel understand that he must fulfill his duty to the pack, and that nothing else matters.
“Is Alpha Joseph here?” Thorne asks, referring to Lois’s Alpha.
“Yes, he’s arrived as well,” Darius replies.
Thorne looks over his Beta’s shoulder and steps closer.
“I want the forces reinforced along the border with the vampires—and with the humans as well,” he orders.
Darius nods and leaves to carry out the command.
Thorne walks toward the great hall, where the other Alphas—and Enzo—will gather to discuss the measures to be taken in response to the territorial violation.
As he enters the great hall, Thorne senses the palpable tension in the air.
The Alphas of the various packs are assembled, each accompanied by their retinues of advisors and warriors. Among them stands the imposing figure of Alpha Joseph, whose eyes scrutinize Thorne with a mix of curiosity and distrust.
Thorne takes his place at the head of the table, his eyes sweeping over every face present. Enzo’s absence is conspicuous, and Thorne cannot help but feel a stab of unease.
With a gesture, he calls for silence and begins to speak.
“Brother Alphas, we have convened this meeting due to a grave violation of our laws,” Thorne begins, his voice firm and resonant. “A vampire has crossed our territory without authorization—an offense we cannot allow.”
Murmurs fill the hall as the Alphas discuss among themselves, weighing the implications of such a transgression. Thorne raises a hand, restoring order.
“I have ordered reinforcements along our borders with both vampires and humans,” he continues. “We must be prepared for any eventuality. We cannot allow our security to be compromised.”
Alpha Joseph steps forward, his expression severe.
“Thorne, this violation cannot be ignored. But we must also consider that this could be an isolated incident. Do you have any reason to believe this is part of a larger strategy?”
Thorne nods, his expression grave.
“I know Enzo. I know he would not allow an incursion like this without a compelling reason. We must investigate further. But until then, we must strengthen our defenses and ensure our packs are protected.”
Peace has endured for so many years that the thought of war torments them all.
Yet the image of Emmanuel, his body engulfed in flames, will not leave Thorne’s mind.
He is a dangerous weapon.
He is a lethal weapon.