Chapter 27 CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
ALORA
The alarm howls through the pack house at three in the morning, jerking me awake. My heart hammers as I hear shouting outside, the sound of wolves shifting, the acrid smell of smoke drifting through my window.
I rush to look outside and freeze. Flames light up the northern border, and I can see wolves engaged in combat—too many to count.
The connecting door slams open, and Alpha Stone fills the doorway. He's already half-dressed in tactical gear, his eyes glowing silver.
"Stay in this room," he commands. "Lock the doors. Don't open them for anyone but me or Marcus."
"What's happening?"
"Border breach. Northern Pack." His eyes lock onto mine with burning intensity. "Stay. Here."
He's gone before I can respond, and I hear his roar echo through the pack house as he shifts and races toward the fighting.
I move back to the window, watching the chaos unfold. Silver Creek wolves pour out to meet the attackers, a coordinated defense that speaks to years of training. But the Northern Pack came prepared—their numbers are overwhelming.
Sarah bursts through my door, her face pale. "We need to get to the safe room. All non-combat wolves—"
"I know." I grab a robe, wrapping it around my nightgown. "Let's go."
She leads me and several other slaves down to the basement safe room—a reinforced space designed to withstand attacks. Young wolves and non-combatants huddle together, the sounds of battle muffled but still audible above us.
I pace the small space, my wolf restless. Every instinct screams at me to go to him, but I force myself to stay still. To obey his command.
Minutes feel like hours. The fighting sounds intensify, then fade, then surge again.
"What's happening up there?" one of the younger wolves whimpers.
"The Alpha will protect us," an older slave says firmly. "He always does."
I press against the wall, trying to calm my racing heart. Through the stone, I can feel vibrations—heavy impacts, the sound of bodies hitting the ground.
Then I smell it. Smoke. Not from outside anymore, but from inside the pack house.
"Fire," someone gasps.
Panic ripples through the safe room. Sarah grabs my arm. "Stay calm. The room is fireproof—"
A massive impact shakes the entire structure. Dust rains down from the ceiling, and several wolves cry out.
"They're trying to breach the safe room," Marcus's voice comes through a speaker system. "Hold tight. We're driving them back."
Another impact. Then another. The door groans under the assault.
My wolf surges forward, demanding I protect these wolves. But I force her down. If I shift now, if I reveal what I am, everything is over.
Then—silence.
The impacts stop. The sounds of fighting fade.
Long minutes pass before the door finally opens. Marcus stands there, covered in blood, his expression grim but victorious.
"It's over. Northern Pack retreated." His eyes scan the room. "Everyone accounted for?"
Sarah does a quick count. "Yes, Beta Marcus."
"Good. Return to your quarters. Stay alert—there may be stragglers." His gaze lands on me. "Alora. The Alpha wants a full report on everyone who was in the safe room. You're in charge of taking names and any injuries."
My stomach unclenches slightly. A normal task. Nothing sinister.
I help organize the count, noting a few minor injuries from falling debris. By the time I'm done, dawn is breaking. I make my way back through the pack house, seeing the destruction. Broken windows, scorched walls, blood staining the floors. Wounded wolves are being carried to the medical wing.
Through the windows, I can see the aftermath outside. Bodies being collected. Border defenses being reinforced.
And Alpha Stone, still in human form, standing with his command team. Even from here, I can see the tension in his shoulders, the way his wolves give him space.
I return to my quarters and knock on the connecting door to deliver my report.
"Enter."
He's at his desk, now dressed in clean clothes though his hair is still damp from washing. Maps are spread across his desk, markers indicating attack points.
"The safe room report, my Lord." I set the paper on his desk, keeping my eyes down.
He doesn't look at it. "Any injuries?"
"Minor ones. Bruises from falling debris. Nothing serious."
"Good." He leans back in his chair. "You followed orders. Stayed where I told you to stay."
"Yes, my Lord."
"That's twice now you've obeyed when it mattered." His voice is measured, controlled. "I'm starting to think you might actually be trainable."
The words sting more than they should. I'm just property to him. A puzzle to solve, but still property.
"Is there anything else, my Lord?"
"Yes." He stands, moving to the window. "The Northern Pack will return. Their Alpha was testing our defenses tonight, probing for weaknesses." He turns to face me. "Security protocols are changing. No slaves outside the main house without escort. No one goes anywhere alone. Understood?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"That includes you especially." His eyes pin me in place. "Your training with Master Kane will be conducted in the main house. Your duties will be limited to my chambers and study. You will not leave this wing without my explicit permission."
My heart sinks. He's locking me down, restricting my already limited freedom even further.
"May I ask why, my Lord?"
"Because I don't trust the Northern Pack not to have left scouts behind. Because three of my wolves are dead and twenty more wounded. Because I will not risk any member of my household until I'm certain the threat has passed." His voice hardens. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, my Lord."
"Good. Dismissed."
I turn to leave, but his voice stops me.
"Alora."
I pause at the door. "Yes, my Lord?"
"You did well tonight. Staying calm in the safe room. Helping organize the count." A pause. "Your obedience is noted."
It's the closest thing to praise I've ever received from him, and it shouldn't make my chest warm the way it does.
"Thank you, my Lord."
Back in my room, I sink onto my bed, exhausted. Through the connecting door, I hear him speaking with Marcus.
"The Northern Alpha was asking about rumors," Marcus says. "About something valuable in our territory."
"Let him wonder." Alpha Stone's voice is cold. "Let all of them wonder. But no one touches what's mine."
"Alex, if they figure out—"
"Then we go to war." A pause. "I've been preparing for this. Triple the border patrols. I want scouts watching every pack within a hundred miles. And Marcus?"
"Yes?"
"Find out who's been talking. Someone leaked information about my household to the Northern Pack. I want to know who."
Their voices fade as Marcus leaves, and I'm left staring at the ceiling.
The Northern Pack came looking for something.
Alpha Stone is tightening security around me.
And somewhere, someone in this pack knows more than they should.
I close my eyes, but sleep won't come.
Because tonight proved what I've feared all along.
No matter how well I hide, no matter how carefully I lie, the truth is already drawing predators to Silver Creek's borders.
And when they finally discover what I am, not even the Beast will be able to protect me.