Chapter 47 Kaden's POV
The room they locked me in was small and windowless.
Not quite a cell, but close enough to a single chair and table concrete walls. A guard posted outside the door who wouldn't speak to me no matter how many times I demanded to be released.
Victor's people had brought me here to some facility on his estate and left me to sit for hours. No phone, no way to contact my pack, nothing.
I had tried reasoning with them, tried explaining that Selena had stabbed herself, that this was a frame-up, that I was being held against my will.
They didn't care.
"Mr. Voss will handle this in the morning," was all they would say.
So I sat and waited and tried not to lose my mind thinking about what was happening back at the pack house.
Elara would wake up and I wouldn't be there. She would ask for me and no one would know where I was. She would be scared, vulnerable, alone.
My wolf paced inside my mind, snarling, demanding we break out of here and get back to our mate.
But I couldn't not start a war without giving Victor exactly what he wanted, proof that I was unstable and violent.
So I waited.
Finally, around noon the next day, the door opened.
Elder Marcus walked in, followed by Elder Rowan and Elder Vera. Their expressions were grave.
"Alpha," Marcus said. "We have been negotiating with Victor Voss all morning."
"Negotiating what? I didn't do anything. Selena stabbed herself to frame me."
"We know that is your version of events," Rowan said carefully.
"My version? It's the truth!"
"Regardless, we are in a difficult position. Victor is threatening to go to the other packs. To tell them you attacked his daughter that you are violent and unstable."
"And you are just going to let him spread those lies?"
"We are trying to find a solution that works for everyone," Vera said. "One that avoids open conflict."
I stood up, my chair scraping loudly against the floor. "What kind of solution?"
Marcus pulled out a document. "Selena has made an offer. She will drop all charges and won't pursue any legal action against you or the pack. Will tell her father and the other packs that this was all a misunderstanding."
"In exchange for what?"
"She wants to return to Blue Moon Pack not as Luna," Marcus added quickly.
"Just as a regular pack member she wants to live on pack lands again."
I stared at them. "You can't be serious."
"It's a reasonable compromise," Rowan said.
"She gives up her claim to be Luna. You avoid being branded as violent. The pack avoids conflict with Victor's allies."
"She poisoned a member of this pack! She framed me for assault! And you want to let her back?"
"We want to avoid a war we can't win," Marcus said bluntly.
"Victor has powerful allies. If this escalates, if he convinces other Alphas that you are unstable, we could face sanctions, trade embargoes or even military action."
"So we just give Selena whatever she wants?"
"We give her something small in exchange for something much larger, peace and stability."
I wanted to punch something, I wanted to shift and tear this room apart. But I forced myself to stay calm.
"No," I said.
"She is not coming back to my pack."
"Kaden, please think about this rationally," Vera said.
"She won't be Luna, she will have no official position. We can place restrictions on where she can go, who she can interact with. We can keep her away from the omega she targeted."
"You really think restrictions will stop her? After everything she has done?"
"It's better than the alternative."
Before I could respond, the door opened again. Ethan walked in, looking harried and stressed.
"Alpha," He said, relief evident in his voice. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. What's happening at the pack?"
Ethan glanced at the elders, then back at me. "Everything's under control, the borders are secure, no new attacks. But..." He hesitated.
"But what?"
"The omega, the one who was poisoned. Damian says she's asking about you. Trying to hide it, but she's worried she hasn't eaten since yesterday and barely slept."
The guilt hit me like a physical blow. I had promised to protect her, to be there for her, and instead I was locked in a room on Victor's estate while she suffered.
"I need to get out of here," I said. "Now."
"That's what we're trying to arrange," Marcus said. "If you agree to Selena's terms-"
"I'm not agreeing to anything."
"Then you will stay here until Victor decides what to do with you, which could be days or weeks."
"He can't hold me against my will. I'm an Alpha, this is illegal detention."
"And who is going to enforce that? The Council of Alphas? They won't get involved in internal pack politics. By the time they investigate, the damage will be done."
I looked at Ethan. "Can I speak to you alone?"
The elders exchanged glances but filed out.
When we were alone, I lowered my voice. "How is she really? Tell me the truth."
Ethan's expression was troubled. "She is scared, Kaden. Damian says she keeps asking if you are okay, if you are hurt, if you are coming back…”
“She is trying to act like she doesn't care, but..."
He paused. "The bond is still affecting her. And the baby-"
"Don't say anything about that in front of the elders," I interrupted quickly. "They can't know."
"I know but you need to get back to her. Whatever it takes."
"What do you think I should do?"
Ethan was quiet for a moment. "I think the elders have a point about the political situation.”
“Victor has allies who will believe his version of events. But I also think bringing Selena back into the pack is dangerous. She has proven she will do anything to get what she wants."
"So there is no good option."
"No there isn't." He paused.
"But if Selena's in the pack, at least we can watch her control her movements. We know where she is and what she is doing."
He had a terrible, logical point.
"How long do I have to decide?" I asked.
"The elders said Victor wants an answer by the end of day. After that, he is going public with Selena's accusations."
We talked for a few more minutes, then Ethan left to give me time to think.
Hours passed I paced the small room, weighing my options every choice had consequences I couldn't accept.
Finally, around five in the evening, the door opened again. Marcus, Rowan, and Vera entered.
"We need your decision, Alpha," Marcus said.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then we will have to make the decision for you. As elders, we have the authority to override your judgment when the pack's survival is at stake.”
"You would go behind my back?"
"We would do what's necessary to protect the pack," Rowan said. "We don't want to but we will if we have to."
I stared at them, fury building in my chest. "You are threatening to undermine my authority as Alpha."
"We are trying to save you from yourself," Vera said. "And save the pack from a war we can't win."
"Get out," I said quietly. "All of you. Get out."
They left without another word. I sat alone in that room for another hour. Then the door opened one final time.
Marcus walked in, followed by the others. But their expressions had changed. There was something final in their faces.
"What did you do?" I asked, dread filling my stomach.
"We made the decision for you," Marcus said.
"We have agreed to Selena's terms that she will return to the pack under the restrictions we discussed when the agreement has been signed."
"You had no right-"
"We had every right and it was done. Victor is releasing you now you are free to return to pack lands."
I wanted to rage at them, wanted to throw them all out and revoke their positions. But the damage was already done.
"This isn't over," I said.
"No," Marcus agreed. "But at least the pack survives another day."
Victor's guards escorted me out of the facility. I walked through the estate in a haze of anger and frustration.
But I only made it to the hallway near the main entrance before I heard her voice.
"Kaden!"
I turned.
Selena was running toward me. She looked perfect, her injury bandaged but clearly not serious, her hair styled, makeup applied. Like she hadn't just stabbed herself and framed me for assault.
"I'm so glad we could work this out," She said, reaching me.
"Stay away from me, Selena."
"But we are pack mates again we should-"
"We are nothing, you live on pack lands under strict supervision. That's all."
She smiled. That same calculating smile I had seen so many times. "We'll see."
Then, before I could react, she threw her arms around me.
Hugged me.
Her body pressed against mine, her face buried in my chest.
I stood frozen, too shocked to move for a second.