CHAPTER FOUR

Raymond didn’t answer. And that was the answer.

Amber felt it in her chest first. A slow, sinking dread.

Because silence, from a man like Raymond Perry, was never empty. It was calculated. Controlled.

Dangerous. ⸻ “Say it,” Amber demanded, her voice low but shaking at the edges. Raymond’s jaw tightened slightly. “Not here.” That was enough to ignite her anger. “Not here?” she snapped. “You drag me into this, force me into your house, your world, your war—and now you won’t talk?” Her voice echoed against the cold walls. Sharp. Alive. Real.

Behind them, the chained man chuckled softly. “Told you… this would be fun.” Raymond didn’t even look at him this time. But his hand moved slightly. Just slightly. And one of the guards stepped forward and struck the man hard across the face. Silence.

Immediate. Obedient. ⸻ Amber’s eyes flicked to the scene. Then back to Raymond. “You think you can control everything.” “I can control enough “That’s not the same thing.” “It is when the stakes are this high.”

Amber stepped closer to him. Close enough to feel his breath again. But this time— There was no hesitation. Only confrontation.

“You owe me the truth.” Raymond’s gaze locked onto hers. Dark. Heavy. Unreadable. “I owe you survival.” Her chest rose. “I didn’t ask for that.” “You needed it anyway.”

Silence. Tight. Unforgiving. Amber exhaled slowly.

Then— “Fine,” she said. “Then I’m leaving.” She turned. Walked toward the door. One step.

Two— “Your father.” She froze. Didn’t turn. Didn’t breathe. Raymond’s voice came again. Quieter now. But heavier. “He’s the one who gave the order.”

The world didn’t shatter. It didn’t explode. It just… stopped. ⸻ Amber turned slowly. Her face had gone pale—but her eyes burned. “No.” Raymond didn’t move. Didn’t soften. Didn’t take it back.

“That’s not possible,” she said. “He—he wanted me married, he wants the inheritance—” “He wants control,” Raymond cut in. “That’s different.” “No,” he said. “It isn’t.”

Amber shook her head. Stepping back. “No… you’re lying.” “I don’t lie about things that can get you killed.” Her voice broke slightly. “He’s my father.” Raymond’s gaze didn’t waver. “And you were his target.” Behind them, the chained man spoke again—quiet, almost gentle now. “He made the deal himself.”

Amber’s breath caught.

“No…” “He traded your life for power between packs.”

Amber’s legs gave way. She caught herself on the edge of a metal table, her fingers gripping hard. This wasn’t pain anymore. This was something deeper. Something that hollowed you out from the inside.

“My mother…” she whispered. “She found out,” the man said. “Tried to stop it.” Amber closed her eyes.

Tears burned—but didn’t fall. Not yet.

⸻“And he killed her for it?” she asked.

“No,” the man replied.

A pause. “He let it happen.” That was worse. So much worse. Amber looked up at Raymond. Something in her had changed. Shifted. Hardened.

“You knew all this.” “Yes.” “And you still want me to marry you?” “Yes.” A bitter laugh escaped her. “Of course you do.”

Raymond stepped closer. Slow. Measured. Careful.

“This isn’t just about marriage, Amber.” “Then what is it about?” “War.” The word settled between them.

Heavy. Real. Unavoidable.

⸻“Your father isn’t just a man,” Raymond continued. “He’s aligning with rival packs.” Amber’s mind struggled to catch up. “Why?” “To take what I built.” “And I’m part of that plan?” “You’re the key to it.” Amber’s breathing steadied. Not because she was calm— But because something else was taking over. Something colder. Sharper.

“So if I marry you…” she said slowly, “I’m protected from him.” “Yes.” “And if I don’t?” Raymond didn’t hesitate. “You won’t live long enough to regret it.”

Silence.

Amber stared at him.Long. Hard. Searching for something. Anything. “Why do you care?” she asked finally.

Raymond didn’t answer immediately.

For the first time—

There was a flicker of something in his expression.

Something not entirely controlled.

“Because I know what happens,” he said quietly, “when power destroys a family from the inside.”Amber watched him closely. “You’re not talking about me.” “No.”

A pause. “I’m not.”

That was the closest thing to vulnerability she had seen from him. And it unsettled her more than his dominance ever did.

Amber stepped closer again. But this time— Not to challenge him. To understand him.

“You said you don’t mix power with attachment.”

“I don’t.” “Then what is this?” Raymond’s gaze dropped briefly. To her lips. Again. Then back to her eyes.

“This,” he said quietly, “is strategy.”Amber held his gaze. Unblinking. “Liar.” Something shifted in the air.

Not soft. Not safe. But real.

Before Raymond could respond— A loud explosion shook the building. The walls trembled. Lights flickered.Alarms screamed to life. Amber flinched.“What was that?!”

A guard burst into the room.

“Alpha! The east gate has been breached—they’re inside!” Raymond’s entire presence changed. Instant. Deadly. Focused. “How many?” he asked.

“Too many.” Amber’s heart pounded. “They found me…” Raymond turned to her. His eyes dark. Lethal.

Certain.

“No,” he said. “They came for me.”

And then— He grabbed her. Pulled her close. Too close. “You stay behind me,” he ordered. Amber’s breath hitched. “I’m not weak—” “I didn’t say you were.” His voice dropped. Dangerously soft. “I said you’re mine to protect.”

Gunshots echoed in the distance. Closer now. Faster. Louder. Amber’s pulse raced. Adrenaline surged. Her wolf rose. “Raymond…” she said. This time— Not angry. Not defiant.——Ready.

He looked at her. Really looked at her. And for a second— There was something else there. Something that wasn’t strategy. ⸻

“Stay alive,” he said. And then he let go. Turned.And walked straight into war. Amber stood there. Heart pounding. Body trembling. Mind breaking—And rebuilding at the same time. Because now she knew the truth. About her father. About her past. About the man she was supposed to marry. And for the first time— She made a choice. Not out of fear. Not out of force.

But out of something stronger. Amber stepped forward. Eyes burning. Wolf rising. “I’m not staying behind.”