Chapter 7:Extraction

Elena was tired of the antiseptic and blood smell in Blackwood Estate's medical wing after three hours of watching Dr. Chen treat everyone injured in the factory assault.

Dante refused treatment despite his broken ribs, insisting the doctor focus on Katerina because eighteen years of captivity and blood extraction had done more serious damage than tonight's injuries.

Elena held her mother's hand while Dr. Chen tested and connected IV lines to replace Katerina's fluids.

Her mother intermittently woke up and tried to tell Elena about silver wolf abilities before exhaustion took her back under. She last mentioned pack bonds and sensing connections before closing her eyes.

"She needs rest more than anything right now," Dr. Chen whispered, checking Katerina's vitals on the bedside monitor. "Her body has been under extreme stress for nearly two decades and will take time to recover, if she recovers."

Elena didn't want to consider finding her mother alive and losing her within days or weeks.

She was still processing the fact that Dmitri knew Katerina was alive and had been selling her blood to Viktor like livestock instead of his wife.

Elena couldn't express her anger yet because the betrayal was so deep. She felt like a stone.

Marcus appeared in the doorway looking sad, and Elena knew more bad news was coming before he spoke. "We have a problem,"

He said to Dante, who was sitting in a chair near the window with his ribs wrapped so tightly he could barely move.

"In the last six hours, security feeds show hybrid attacks on three pack territories."

Dante stood up slowly, wincing, and followed Marcus into the hallway. Elena tried to give them space for pack business, but her newly awakened wolf heard everything.

Marcus showed Dante the aftermath of the attacks on a tablet, and Dante's jaw tightened.

Marcus said, "Fifteen dead across the three territories," with more emotion than Elena had heard before. " Viktor's hybrids attacked quickly and brutally, then vanished before anyone could defend.

Other alphas are wondering why this is happening now."

Elena said, "Because of me," from the doorway, and both men looked at her. Victor wants my genes and is pressuring Dante. He believes enough packs will force Dante to surrender me."

Marcus's expression confirmed Elena's suspicions that he thought she was right and they should consider it. "The pack is already talking," he said cautiously. "Some think we should negotiate with Viktor before more wolves die."

"We don't negotiate with terrorists," Dante said, but Marcus persisted.

Marcus said, "We don't sacrifice our own people for outsiders either," which hit Elena like a punch.

Dante was protecting her because of an unplanned mate bond, not a pack. I'm not suggesting we hand her over, but we must consider our options before Viktor kills half the Pacific Northwest wolves."

Elena saw two pack members from the factory assault at the end of the hallway as the argument escalated. They'd fought well and followed orders, but now they looked at her like an enemy instead of a rescuer.

One said, "She needs to go," aiming at Dante but focusing on Elena. Victor only wants her because she's a silver wolf and the attacks stop if she leaves."

Using his alpha voice, Dante said, "Nobody's going anywhere," making Elena's wolf submit. Elena is under my protection, no question."

"Then you're choosing her over your pack," the other pack member said, and Elena saw more wolves in the hallway behind them. This was the start of a real challenge to Dante's authority, not just two members questioning his decision.

Dante moved faster than a broken rib should have, crossing the distance and dominating the first wolf enough to make him step back.

"I'm choosing to protect someone who saved my life tonight and helped rescue Lily from a madman's laboratory," Dante whispered, sounding more menacing. "Anyone who disagrees can challenge me directly, but know that if you challenge me, I'll kill you for an alpha position."

Katerina's medical equipment beeped, but the hallway was quiet. Elena saw the doubt on their faces and knew this wasn't over. Nobody challenged Dante directly. Viktor had divided Dante and his pack by making her a liability.

Marcus answered the phone, listened, and looked at Dante like things had gotten worse.

"Isabella Cross calls," he said. Meeting about the silver wolf problem is her request.

Elena's stomach dropped because she knew what that meant. Isabella was waiting for a chance to attack Dante, and Viktor's attacks provided it. If Isabella called a meeting, she was trying to gain territory or power, and Elena would justify it.

Dante said, "Tell her I'll meet her here tomorrow at noon," and Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"You invited her to our land?" Marcus asks. "That shows weakness."

"No, it's confidence," Dante corrected. Isabella wants to see Elena to confirm the silver wolf rumors. I'll show her everything before she makes any stupid decisions."

Elena wanted to say using her as a demonstration wasn't smart, but she understood. Isabella needed to know that Elena was a fully manifested silver wolf with abilities not seen in 200 years, not a helpless human who'd accidentally entered werewolf politics.

The question was whether Isabella would back down or become more determined to eliminate the threat.

While discussing Isabella's call, Katerina woke up again and opened her eyes more clearly and focused. She called herself "Isabella Cross," her voice strained. "She's smart and ambitious, and she'll see you as a regional rival. Be wary of her offers."

"You know Isabella?" Elena asked, returning to her mother's bed.

"I knew her grandmother," Katerina said. “The Cross pack has always wanted to rule the Pacific Northwest and has been waiting for decades to take down the Blackwoods.

Your presence gave them an excuse."

Elena saw her mother examine Dante at Katerina's bed after years of reading about dangerous men. "You marked my daughter," Katerina said without hesitation.

The mate bond formed when our blood mixed, Dante said. "Marking her as bait for Viktor activated her silver wolf genes. Unsure of what would happen."

Katerina nodded slowly after staring at him.

"I see your bond in both of you. That will complicate things because Isabella will say you're too compromised to assess Elena's threat."

"Threat level?" Elena asks. "I've never hurt anyone who wasn't trying to kill me."

Just "You exist," Katerina said. There's enough danger for wolves who remember silver wolves. We could sense and manipulate pack bonds as well as be stronger and faster.

We could force wolves to submit without fighting, break their loyalty to their alphas, and permanently cut their human connection."

As everyone processed that, the room went quiet. Elena could permanently turn other wolves human, which would frighten any alpha who valued pack structure.

Dante: "That's why they hunted you to extinction."

"That's why they'll try again," Katerina agreed. "Unless Elena proves she's not a threat, wolves will always want her dead for safety."