Jace had expected Blackstone territory to be colder. Not the climate, Hollowshade was farther north and harsher, but the people, the land, the bones of the place. Rhett Calder’s reputation was all discipline and steel. Command without compromise. Jace assumed that would be carved into the very stones of his territory.
He wasn’t wrong, but he wasn’t entirely correct either. The first thing Jace noticed when they crossed the perimeter was the silence. Not empty. Not lifeless. Controlled.
Blackstone wolves moved with precision, quiet, sharp-eyed, alert to every shift in the air. They didn’t bow when Rhett passed, but they made space. That kind of respect didn’t come from fear. It came from belief, and maybe a little fear.
Jace had served under two Alphas in his life. He’d never seen wolves behave like this. He kept his expression blank and his posture relaxed, non-threatening, neutral. Mira walked beside him, her eyes constantly scanning, never settling. She was tense, but focused. Purposeful, like she was preparing for war but wasn’t sure who the enemy was yet. Jace knew the feeling.
The main pack house was larger than he’d expected, built into the side of a hill overlooking a valley lined with dense forest and exposed stone. A blend of timber and stone, it had a clean, deliberate design—no wasted corners. No extravagance. Just strength.
They arrived late in the day, escorted by two quiet warriors who didn’t speak unless spoken to. Rhett led the way without explanation, barely glancing back.
When they entered the Alpha’s house, Jace was surprised by the interior—simple, yes, but warm, dark wood. Clean lines. Soft lighting. The scent of sage and cedar. It wasn’t just a fortress, it was a home.
Rhett turned to face them once they entered the foyer. “You’re not staying with the others.” Jace blinked. “I thought the task force was quartered in the barracks across the compound.” “They are,” Rhett said. “You’re not.” “Why?” Mira asked bluntly.
Rhett’s gaze flicked to her, unreadable. “Because the bond is volatile. You don’t know what will trigger it. If you go into heat, I don’t need half my soldiers losing control at your scent.”
Mira arched a brow. “So this is containment?” “This is control,” Rhett said. “You’ll have the east wing. I’ll take the main suite. Stay out of restricted areas. Keep your scent in check. And don’t talk about what we are to anyone.”
The words “what we are” landed hard in Jace’s chest. Not who. Not mates. Just a thing. A threat to be managed. Jace nodded anyway. “Understood. Mira said nothing.
Rhett gave them a tight nod and disappeared into the corridor that led deeper into the house. Jace didn’t move right away. Mira exhaled through her nose and walked toward the stairs without looking back. “He’s charming, isn’t he?” “Like a dagger to the ribs,” Jace murmured.
Their assigned wing was quiet and spacious, if sparse. Jace dropped his bag in a guest room with a wide bed, a wardrobe, and a view of the treeline below. Mira took the room across from his without comment.
Neither had said anything about the sleeping arrangements, but the tension still hung like fog. He didn’t know if the bond would escalate, but he could feel it now, buzzing at the base of his spine, tightening whenever Mira was too far away and flaring whenever Rhett got too close. Three magnets forced into alignment. Only two of them acknowledged it.
Later that evening, a knock at Jace’s door interrupted his pacing. It wasn’t Mira. Rhett stood in the hallway, sleeves rolled to his forearms, a look of barely leashed irritation behind his calm.
Jace opened the door wider. “Something wrong?” Rhett stepped inside without invitation.
“You were Hollowshade’s top scout,” he said. Jace blinked. “Yeah. Before the Summit, I led recon and dealt with neutral-zone negotiations.”
“You good at reading people?” Rhett asked. Jace eyes him suspiciously, “Yes.” Rhett crossed his arms. “Then read me. What do you think I’m going to do?”
Jace hesitated. “You’re going to try to keep the pack stable. Keep your command intact. You don’t want to accept the bond, but you won’t reject it either, because you’re still waiting to see if it gives you an edge or exposes a weakness.”
Silence. Then, a faint nod. “Close enough.” Jace studied him. “You afraid I’m going to interfere?” “No. You’re a Beta. You won’t challenge me.” It wasn’t said with malice. Just a fact. “But I need to know,” Rhett continued, “if you’re going to push her, Mira, into making a decision.”
Jace’s jaw clenched. “No. I wouldn’t do that.” Rhett tried to keep a calm expression, but the glint in his eye gave him away: “You’ve got feelings for her already?” One side of Jace’s mouth went into a slight smirk, his blue eyes shining, “I don’t even know her yet.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Rhett said. “The bond doesn’t care.” Jace’s hands curled at his sides. “Neither do the Council’s laws.” That made Rhett pause.
“You know,” Jace added, “if they find out about us, what we are, we’re all done, stripped of rank. Exiled. Or worse.” Rhett’s gaze hardened. “That’s why we stay quiet. Until we figure it out.” Jace nodded, but as Rhett turned to leave, Jace asked, “And what happens if you do feel it? With me.”
Rhett paused. Didn’t answer. Then walked out.
Later, when the house went quiet and the forest sang under the moon's weight, Jace lay awake, staring at the ceiling, Mira’s scent barely lingering across the hall.
He was inside enemy territory, but part of him had never felt more at home, which was the most dangerous part of all.
