Chapter 48 CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
ALORA
The smaller clearing feels suffocating despite being open air. Blackthorne sits on a fallen log, looking relaxed, while I stand as far from him as possible without appearing afraid. Through the bond, I feel Alex's presence like a lifeline—he's watching from the main clearing, his fear and rage burning through our connection.
"You can sit," Blackthorne says, gesturing to another log. "I don't bite. Not unless invited."
"I'll stand." I cross my arms. "You have one hour. Start talking."
He studies me with those calculating eyes, and I force myself not to fidget. "You're braver than I expected. Most wolves wouldn't willingly put themselves in this position."
"I'm not most wolves."
"No, you're certainly not." He leans back, apparently in no hurry. "Tell me something, Luna Alora. Did you ever wonder why your parents chose Silver Creek? Out of all the packs that would have taken a wolfless tribute, why specifically here?"
My stomach tightens. "They said it was because Alpha Stone's reputation would keep people from looking too closely."
"Partially true. But there's more." He pulls out a folded paper from his jacket. "This is a copy of the contract your father signed. The one transferring you to Silver Creek's custody."
He holds it out, and I hesitate before taking it. My hands shake as I read the formal language, the signatures at the bottom. My father's handwriting. Alex's predecessor's signature.
Then I see it. A clause near the end.
Additional compensation to be provided upon successful placement in Alpha's personal service.
"They were paid extra," I whisper, my chest tightening. "For making sure I ended up close to Alex."
"Not just close. In his personal quarters. Where the mate bond would be impossible to ignore." Blackthorne's voice is almost gentle. "Someone wanted you bonded to Alexander Stone specifically. The question is why."
I sink onto the log, my legs suddenly weak. "Who paid them?"
"I don't know the name. The transfers came through three shell companies, professionally obscured." He pauses. "But I know the motive. Someone wanted to test a theory: can a blood-wolf heal the bond madness in a strong Alpha? Alexander Stone is one of the most powerful Alphas in five territories. If anyone could survive a blood-wolf bond, it would be him."
"So I'm what? An experiment?"
"More like a trial run." Blackthorne's expression turns serious. "Alora, blood-wolves are extinct. Or they were, until you. That makes you invaluable for research. For understanding the mate bond mechanics. For potentially breeding—"
"No." The word comes out sharp. "I'm not breeding stock."
"I agree. Which is why I'm telling you this." He leans forward. "Whoever orchestrated your placement with Stone isn't going to stop. They're watching. Waiting to see if the bond holds. If you really can prevent the madness."
"Why do you care?" I meet his eyes. "Why tell me any of this?"
"Because I knew Alexander Stone's father." The admission surprises me. "We were rivals, yes, but we respected each other. When he was killed, when Alex took over at twenty..." Blackthorne's jaw tightens. "I've watched that boy become a man, become an Alpha. He's ruthless when necessary, but he's not cruel. He doesn't deserve to be used as a test subject."
"And me? Do I deserve it?"
"No one deserves to be someone else's experiment." He holds my gaze. "But here's what you need to understand. The six packs I mentioned? They're not just betting on when Stone breaks. They're planning to move regardless. If he stays stable, they'll claim he's being controlled by you—that the bond makes him weak, manipulated. If he breaks, they'll claim he's dangerous. Either way, they have justification to invade."
Horror floods through me. "There's no winning scenario."
"Not as long as you're in Silver Creek." Blackthorne's voice drops. "But if you left willingly, if you came with me, I could protect you. Study your abilities properly, yes, but also shield you from the other packs. And Stone's territory would be safe."
"He'd never let me go."
"I know." Blackthorne stands, moving to look out at the trees. "The bond is too strong. Even if you left for his own good, he'd come after you. Probably tear through half the territories to get you back." He glances over his shoulder. "That's the real curse of blood-wolves, isn't it? Not madness, but obsession. Making your mate so devoted they can't function without you."
Through the bond, I feel Alex's growing agitation. We're running out of time.
"Why are you really telling me all this?" I ask. "What do you get out of it?"
"Honestly?" Blackthorne turns to face me. "I'm hoping you'll convince Stone to be smart. To find allies before the other packs move. To prepare for war instead of pretending love will save you both."
"Love is stronger than you think."
"Maybe." His expression is unreadable. "But is it stronger than six packs united? Stronger than political machinations you don't understand yet? Stronger than whoever orchestrated this entire situation?"
I stand, moving toward the path back to the main clearing. "This hour is over."
"One more thing." His voice stops me. "The one who paid your parents? They're closer than you think. Someone in your inner circle. Someone you trust."
Ice floods my veins. "Who?"
"I don't know. But watch your back, Luna Alora. And watch his too." He nods toward where Alex is waiting. "Because the real threat isn't from outside Silver Creek. It's already inside."
ALEX
The second she steps back into the clearing, I'm moving. I pull her against me, breathing in her scent, checking her for injuries even though I know Blackthorne didn't touch her. I felt it through the bond.
"What did he say?" I demand, pulling back to look at her face.
"Later." Her voice is shaky. "Can we just leave? Please?"
Through the bond, I feel her distress. Whatever Blackthorne told her, it shook her badly.
"We're done here," I announce to everyone. "Fall back to territory."
"Wait." Blackthorne's voice carries across the clearing. "One more thing, Stone. A gift, if you will. Information you'll need."
"We don't need anything from you," Marcus says.
"You do." Blackthorne nods to one of his wolves, who steps forward with more documents. "Troop movements from the six packs I mentioned. They're coordinating. Planning a joint operation for three weeks from now. The full moon."
Marcus takes the papers, his expression darkening as he reads. "These are authentic."
"Of course they are." Blackthorne looks at me. "You have three weeks to prepare, Stone. Three weeks to fortify your borders, call in allies, and decide if keeping one blood-wolf is worth the lives this war will cost."
"She's worth everything," I snarl.
"We'll see." Blackthorne shifts to wolf form, his pack following suit. "Good luck, Alpha Stone. You're going to need it."
They disappear into the forest, leaving us with documents detailing an invasion we can't possibly be ready for in three weeks.
"Everyone back to the pack house," I order. "Emergency council meeting in two hours."
The walk back is silent. Alora won't look at me, and through the bond, I feel her turmoil. Fear. Betrayal. Uncertainty.
"Tell me," I say quietly as we near our territory. "Tell me what he said."
"Someone paid my parents," she says, her voice hollow. "Paid them extra to make sure I ended up as your mate. To test if I could prevent the bond madness."
My steps falter. "What?"
"We're an experiment, Alex. Someone orchestrated this entire situation. And they're watching to see what happens."
Rage floods through me, my wolf snarling. "Who?"
"Blackthorne doesn't know. But he said they're close. Someone we trust." She finally looks at me, and I see tears in her eyes. "Someone in our inner circle set us up."