Lennox''s POV


    Levi stared at us both, his lips parting, his chest rising and falling hard with anger and betrayal.


    He shook his head and stepped back. "You two are insane. Both of you. Completely insane."


    Louis tried to touch his arm, but Levi yanked away like Louis burned him.


    "You want to follow Lennox''s n? Fine." Levi hissed, his angry voice echoing around the hall. "But when this goes wrong, when something happens, when—"


    "It won''t," I cut in quietly.


    He red at me like he wanted to rip the wheelchair apart. "You don''t know that."


    "I do," I said again.


    He looked between us onest time, his jaw trembling, then stormed off down the corridor.


    Louis let out a long breath and rubbed the back of his neck. "This is… going to get messy."


    "I know," I muttered. "But trust me—this is for the best."


    Louis nodded slowly. "So what''s the n?"


    "Simple," I said. "I follow those men with the warriors to the ce they im. If it''s not a trap, the warriors will ambush them immediately. Once I confirm it''s safe—and that we''re not walking into a ughter—I''ll send a signal. Then you and Levie and join the fight."


    Louis frowned. "And how are you going to protect yourself until then?"


    "I may not walk," I said, gripping the armrest, "but I still have my sword. My arms work just fine."


    Louis still didn''t look convinced. "And if it is a trap?"


    "Then better I fall into it than you two."


    His eyes snapped to mine. "Lennox, stop saying shit like that."


    "I''m serious," I said calmly. "Let me do this."


    He looked away, frustrated, but finally nodded. Then he followed me back to the room where the men were waiting.


    Levi was there—fuming, sitting on the couch, ring at no one and everyone at the same time.


    I ignored him and faced the five elite trackers.


    "I will lead the fight," I announced.


    Their eyes widened. A few exchanged quick nces. They tried to hide their unease—but I saw it.


    One finally spoke. "Alpha… with respect… your condition—"


    "My condition is none of your concern," I cut him off. "My best warriors will be joining us. We will be fine."


    Still, they didn''t look happy.


    So I tested them.


    "Luna Olivia will being as well," I lied.


    Panic.


    Instant panic washed over their faces.


    One stepped forward fast. "No! No—Alpha, she cannote. Her abilities… won''t work there. Absolutely not."


    They scrambled to cover the slip, stammering excuses.


    And that was all the confirmation I needed.


    My suspicions were right.


    Something about them stank.


    They were lying.


    Pretending.


    Hiding something.


    I nodded calmly. "Fine. We leave in an hour. Go prepare."


    They bowed and left the hall quickly—too quickly.


    The moment the door shut, I turned to Louis.


    "Where is Olivia?"


    He sighed. "She''s been teleporting—from seer to seer. Begging for help. Asking for ways to break the spell."


    My chest tightened painfully.


    Of course she was.


    She''d burn her body to ashes if it meant saving our sons.


    "Mind-link her and ask her toe back."


    Louis nodded and mind-linked Olivia immediately, but the moment he did, his brows pulled together.


    "I can''t reach her," he said quietly. "It feels like… she''s in the middle of a ritual."


    Of course she was.


    "Fine," I muttered. "If shees back, tell her what''s happening. Golden willmunicate with you both through the mind-link since I… can''t."


    Louis nodded again.


    I wheeled myself back to my room. I needed air… I needed silence… I needed a moment to think without Levi throwing tantrums.


    Not two minutes passed before Golden walked in.


    "Alpha," he bowed. "The warriors are preparing."


    "How many?" I asked.


    "Three hundred."


    "Good."


    Golden nodded. "Two hundred will fight in their wolf forms and the others in human forms."


    I held his gaze for a moment. "Good," I muttered.


    He cleared his throat. "You''ll have to wear armor, Alpha."


    I nodded. "Bring it."


    He left, then returned with the heavy ck armor. He helped me lift each piece, strapping the chest te, adjusting the shoulder guards, tightening the straps around my arms. I hated needing help—but I stayed silent.


    Then the door opened suddenly.


    Annabe walked in,  her eyes widening instantly.


    "Alpha… why are you wearing armor? Where are you going? Please—you can''t—your brothers are capable—"


    I cut her off coldly.


    "Annabe."


    She froze.


    "You are my healer. My nurse. That is all. Never put your mind into matters that do not concern you. Leave."


    Her eyes widened, hurt flickering across her face, but she bowed her head and walked out quickly.


    I exhaled slowly and turned to Golden.


    "Keep an eye on her. And check her background… and her mother. I want everything."


    Golden nodded sharply. "Yes, Alpha."


    After he finished dressing me, he stepped back.


    "You''re ready."


    "Good."


    I wheeled myself back to the living room.


    Levi was still there—still fuming—jaw tight, leg bouncing like he wanted to break something.


    Louis looked worried.


    Very worried.


    I ignored Levipletely and asked, "Where is Olivia now?"


    Louis shook his head. "Still no sign. Still no connection."


    A sharp pain stabbed my chest.


    I pushed it down.


    "If shees," I said, "tell her everything. And tell her to wait. Do NOT let her follow us."


    Louis nodded slowly.


    I looked between them. "Once we leave, Golden will update you through the mind-link. You two wait at our border until you get the signal."


    Levi scoffed loudly. "This is stupid—"


    I ignored him.


    "Let''s go."


    We all stepped outside. The night air pped my face, cold and heavy. Three hundred warriors stood ready, armored, weapons drawn, eyes sharp.


    The five elite trackers approached.


    "Alpha," their leader said, "the hideout is one hour from your border. Maybe Alpha Louis and Alpha Levi should follow us halfway. From there, you can decide together."


    I narrowed my eyes.


    Too eager.


    Too confident.


    Too… nned.


    "No," I said calmly. "They will stay where they are. They''ll be fine."


    The trackers exchanged quick nces.


    Fear.


    Real fear.


    My suspicion sharpened into certainty.


    These men were lying.


    This was a setup.


    A trap.


    But I needed to see how far they''d push.


    "Let''s move," I ordered.


    The warriors shifted, waiting for themand.


    Louis took a step toward me. "Be careful… please."


    I nodded once.


    Levi didn''t even look at me.


    He just muttered, "Let''s get this over with."


    The trackers turned, gesturing for us to follow the path toward the dark woods.