CHAPTER THIRTY THREE


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    CHAPTER THIRTY THREE


    Nn’s POV


    I stood at the window of the guest wing; arms crossed behind my back as I stared down at the stone path of the courtyard. I watched as omegas rushed by with their duties and the guards changing shifts. This wing was modestpared to the others in the Alpha King’s estate. It was set apart, like a polite exile. It was not quite a rejection, but not quite wee either.


    Thest time I visited Silverfang, I was eleven. My father had brought me here once or twice for formal meetings, but even then, something had felt off. The smiles were too wide. The wee was too eager. It was all a performance.


    Behind me, Marco flipped through a book. “What are you looking for?”


    I didn’t look away. “I’m observing routines.”


    “You really n to stay here?” he asked, giving the room a slow look. “This territory isn’t safe, They hate that you’re here even if they’re too


    polite to say it.”


    “I don’t care what they think.” I turned to him. “Let them stew in their difort. We’re not leaving until I get what I came for.”


    Marco pressed his lips into a tight line. “We’ve waited years, Alpha. What makes it different now?”


    “Because the old man is getting soft.” I gestured toward the window. “He let me stay here, so close to his daughter. That alone proves he’s lost his edge. He knows what he did. And he’s afraid.”


    Marco didn’t respond right away. Then he said, “Alpha Jason reached out again. He wants to formalize the alliance. He’s eager.”


    My brow lifted. “The same Alpha who screamed at Talia like a feral mutt at Fangvale?”


    Marco nodded. “Yes.”


    My wolf growled low in my chest. He pushed forward to take control, but I forced him back down. “The first chance we get we should rip his throat out,’ he snarled.


    ‘I don’t give a shit about her. We have more pressing matters to focus on,’ I snapped inwardly. I wouldn’t let the mate bond weaken my resolve. Not when I was this close.


    “His rtionship with the Princess is irrelevant, and I don’t care,” I said aloud. “If Jason wants to ally with Blood Moon, he’ll do so on my terms. I don’t care about his personal drama. If he offers leverage, I’ll use it.”


    Marco set his book aside and studied me. “Are you sure about that?” he asked,


    “Speak inly, Marco,” I ordered,


    “Jason’s reckless and vtile. He let some she-wolf manipte him at will. That kind of man can’t be trusted. He’s not the useful kind.”


    “I know what he is.” I spoke calmly. “But I also know he’s the only Alpha foolish enough to go up against the Alpha King for something personal. That makes him valuable.”


    I turned back to the window just in time to see a flicker of movement.


    Across the courtyard, beyond the hedges and ornamental trees, the rose garden spread like a tapestry. Blooms in every shade swayed in the breeze. Talia walked through them, wearingvender again just like the night of the


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    banquet. Her hair caught in the light as she paused to brush her fingers across a cluster of white petals. The faint wind carried her scent again: roses, clean and sweet.


    I clenched my jaw. Are roses her favorite flower? They were too delicate and too easy to crush, just like her.


    Marco stepped beside me. “You chose this wing because of her, didn’t you?”


    “My wolf remembered her scent, that’s all. He’s curious. I’m not.” I responded.


    “Still smells like roses?”


    I didn’t answer.


    “She’s just my enemy’s daughter,” I said tly. “Nothing more. If she’s stupid enough to get in my way, I’ll crush her. If she stays out of it, she’ll live longer.”


    Marco studied me for a beat longer. “You’re sure that’s all she is to you?”


    I turned slowly to meet his gaze. “This isn’t about her. It never was. My father is dead because of the Alpha King. Our pack was nearly wiped from the map. That’s not something I’ll ever forgive.”


    My voice dropped to a cold edge. “I came to expose the truth and watch the perfect, honorable Alpha King crumble. I’ll reveal who he really is before I burn it all down and if using the Princess is the way to do it, I’ll do it.”


    I looked back at Talia in the rose garden. She crouched beside a bush, carefully lifting a fallen bloom and tucking it behind her ear. I’ll let her enjoy her peace for now.


    Let her think that she and her family are untouchable.


    And when the timees, she’ll be treated like every other obstacle in my way.