Third Person’s POV


    Antes Beata lish, Lance led Adide into the bathroom.


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    5 Five Col


    Amid the swirling steam, he gently helped her out of her heavy uniform. His fingers shid through her hair, lightly massaging her scalp.


    Ouch. Adide let out a soft hiss.


    You haven’t slept in days. Is the headache that bad?” Lance asked, his voice thick with


    concern.


    Under the pressure of hisrge, warm hands, her frayed nerves finally began to unwind.


    “Much better,” she whispered, closing her eyes and letting out a low hum that sounded almost like a pup nuzzling its sire.


    Lance looked at her, and his heart ached.


    She had be so ustomed to being strong, to moving through the world like a soldier cutting through brush.


    He rarely saw that carefree, radiant smile she used to wear back in the Shadow Peaks.


    The agony of losing her family and the fall of her pack had forged this vibrant she–wolf into a relentless, battle–hardened goddess of revenge.


    Later that night, Lance held Adide as they curled up in their oversized bed.


    Her breathing was steady and slow, as if she had finally sumbed to exhaustion.


    But Lance knew better. She wasn’t asleep.


    She was too still. There were no restless shifts, no stray movements, and even her wolf’s fluctuations were being suppressed to the absolute minimum.


    Shey there, perfectly tucked into his arms, but every “peaceful” breath was a carefully controlled performance.


    She didn’t want him to worry.


    The mating bond allowed him to sense the smoldering anxiety deep in her soul, but he didn’t call her out. He simply tightened his grip, using his body heat and scent to build a temporary sanctuary around her.


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    s


    Arbeasand miles away at the Bloodscar Border the wind howled across the permafrost. The


    sode Alpha Zander’s territory was so heavy it felt like the air itself had frozen


    The orders from the capital had arrived.


    The messengers tasked with delivering the news were Magnus and Martin, apanied by a squad of Royal Guards.


    Both Magnus and Martin had recently been promoted to high–tier warriors.


    While Lycan Erasmus had given them the rank, he hadn’t fully integrated them into his inner circle yet.


    This mission was their first real test of loyalty, and for them, it felt ten thousand times worse than facing an enemy de.


    In the military, who didn’t view Alpha Bentley and Alpha Zander as the ultimate gold standards?


    In the mess hall, Magnus and Martin sat for dinner with Alpha Zander. They were scheduled to escort him back to the capital the next morning.


    While Zander himself looked perfectlyposed, the other wolves stared at their medium- rare steaks with zero appetite.


    “Father!”


    Russell suddenly dropped his fork, his eyes rimmed with red.


    “Let me go back with you. No matter what happens, I need to be by your side!”


    Zander’s eyes swept the room. He elegantly sliced a piece of meat, chewed, and swallowed before speaking calmly. “No.”


    “Lycan Erasmus put Jefferson in charge of the troops, so it makes the most sense for me to apany you,” Russell argued, his voice raspy


    “I lost an arm; mybat effectiveness is down anyway. If someone needs to take the fall or face the consequences, let it be me. My wolf… he isn’t whole anymore, anyway.”


    “Enough!”


    Alpha Zander mmed his hand on the table. His aged eyes shed with a piercing light, and a surge of Alpha aura rippled across the room, making the silverware rattle.


    “Are you insulting yourself, or the Moon Goddess who gave you life?”


    17:56 Fn. Feb 6 DBO.


    Zander’s voice was stern butced with pride.


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    “You lost that arm protecting your brothers–in–arms! You lost it guarding this pack’s soil! That is a badge of honor, not a mark of shame! You can still split an enemy’s skull with one hand. You are still a General of the kingdom!”


    Zander reined in his anger slightly.


    “Lycan Erasmus put Jefferson inmand because Jefferson is young. He’s fierce in a fight, but hecks a steady hand. With the Western Tribe’s wolves itching for a fight, this border needs a veteran. You stay here and hold the line for me. That is an order!”


    “Father…”


    Jefferson watched the exchange, his chest tight with unshed tears.


    For over a year, they had brainstormed every possible angle to clear Zander’s name for the Snowdeer Town incident, but they could never find a perfect out.


    “Russell’s n actually makes sense,” Jefferson interjected.


    “When the massacre happened, you were dying from a poison arrow. Every tactical decision was made by us. Russell is more experienced than me; let him stay here to lead the troops. I’ll go back with you and take the me!”


    “Jefferson’s staying. I’m going!” Austin stood up abruptly.


    “My bags are packed. Whether we’re going to the Enforcement Bureau or a dungeon, I’m leaving with you at dawn!”


    Looking at their determined, worried faces–seeing the absolute loyalty of men willing to throw their lives away for their pack–Alpha Zander actually let a small smile touch his lips.


    He set his cutlery down as if this were just a normal family dinner and not the night before an execution.


    “All right,” he said softly. “Are you all so eager to die with me because you think I’ve gotten that old?”


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    <strong>Olivia Harris</strong> is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.