Chapter 10

The morning sun offered no warmth.

I stood in the center of the main dining room, checking the silver plates for the fifth time. Today was the day Edith’s father, Alpha Viktor of the Redwood pack, arrived. The entire house was on edge. The guards were extra alert, and the kitchen staff had been cooking since midnight.

"Move that glass to the right," Edith’s voice cut through the quiet room.

I did not look up. I reached out and moved the crystal water glass a single inch to the right.

"Better," Edith said. She walked around the long table, trailing her fingers over the white silk cloth. She wore a deep red dress that made her look powerful. "My father is a man of perfect order, Cora. If he sees one mistake tonight, he will take it as an insult to our pack. And if he is insulted, Juan will be very angry with you."

"Everything is ready, Edith," I replied, keeping my voice completely flat.

She stopped beside me and leaned in close. She smelled like artificial roses and pure malice.

"Do not forget our deal," she whispered softly so the guards at the door could not hear. "You keep your mouth shut, you keep your eyes off my future husband, and I keep your little family secret locked away. Understood?"

"I understand," I said, staring blankly at the wall.

"Good." She patted my cheek gently, a fake gesture of kindness. "Now go wait by the front doors. My father's cars are pulling up."

I walked out to the main entrance. Juan was already standing there. He wore a sharp black suit. He stood perfectly straight, looking every bit the ruthless Alpha he was raised to be.

But when I stepped up to stand a few feet behind him, his shoulders tensed. He could feel me. The mate bond buzzed in the air between us, an invisible string pulling us together. I looked at the floor, forcing myself to step back. I had to create distance. I had to protect Liam.

Three black cars rolled into the courtyard. The doors opened, and a dozen Redwood guards stepped out. They were huge, mean-looking wolves with scars on their faces. Finally, Alpha Viktor stepped out of the middle car.

He was a tall man with broad shoulders and cold, dark eyes. He did not smile as he walked up the stone steps.

"Alpha Juan," Viktor said, his voice deep and rough.

"Alpha Viktor," Juan replied, offering his hand. "Welcome to Silver Pine."

Viktor took his hand. It was a test of strength, not a friendly greeting. They stared at each other for a long moment before letting go.

Edith rushed past us and threw her arms around her father. "Papa! I missed you so much."

Viktor’s face softened for a fraction of a second when he looked at his daughter. "You look well, Edith. The mountain air suits you."

His dark eyes slowly moved past her and landed on me. I stood quietly against the wall, holding a silver tray with water glasses.

"Who is this?" Viktor asked, his nose wrinkling in disgust. "She smells like a diner and fear."

My grip on the silver tray tightened.

Juan stepped smoothly between Viktor and me. "This is Cora. She is my assistant. She handles the daily tasks around the house."

"An assistant?" Viktor raised an eyebrow. "She looks weak. Why do you keep such weak wolves in your main house, Juan? A strong pack surrounds itself with strong blood."

"She is working off a debt," Juan said. His voice was completely cold, showing no emotion at all. "Her brother stole from the pack funds. I am keeping her here to ensure the debt is paid in full. It is purely business."

Every word felt like a knife twisting in my chest. Business.

Edith smirked, linking her arm through her father's. "Juan is just being practical, Papa. He always makes sure people pay for their crimes."

"Good," Viktor grunted. "A leader must be ruthless."

They walked past me into the house. Juan was the last to follow. Before he walked through the double doors, he stopped. He did not look at me, but I heard him let out a slow, tight breath.

"Bring the water to the parlor, Cora," he ordered, his voice lower than before.

I followed them inside. Throughout the entire evening, Viktor made sure everyone knew he was the most powerful man in the room. At dinner, he sat across from Juan, drinking fine wine and talking about border patrols.

"I brought twenty of my best warriors with me," Viktor announced, cutting into his steak. "I plan to leave them here in Silver Pine after the wedding. To help protect my daughter, of course."

The dining room fell completely silent.

Leaving foreign warriors in another Alpha’s territory was a bold move. It was an insult. It meant Viktor did not trust Juan to protect Edith, or worse, it meant Viktor wanted to slowly take control of Silver Pine from the inside.

I stood in the corner, holding a pitcher of water. I watched Juan’s jaw clench.

"Silver Pine has plenty of guards, Viktor," Juan said smoothly. "We can protect our Luna."

"I insist," Viktor smiled, showing his teeth. "Consider it a wedding gift."

Juan’s eyes flashed silver for a second, his wolf fighting for dominance. But he forced it down. He nodded once. "Thank you for the gift, Viktor."

I felt sick. Juan was sacrificing his own pack's pride just to keep this alliance. He was letting this cruel man take over his home.

"Boy," Viktor snapped his fingers, looking right at me. "Bring me more wine."

I am not a boy. I am a Nightfall wolf.

The thought echoed in my head, clear and bright. I took a deep breath, keeping my face perfectly calm. I walked over to the table and picked up the dark bottle of wine. I poured it into Viktor’s glass without spilling a single drop.

"You are very quiet," Viktor noted, staring at my face. "Do you have a voice, little thief's sister?"

"I am just here to serve, Alpha Viktor," I said softly.

"She knows her place, Papa," Edith laughed lightly.

Juan’s hands gripped the edge of the table so hard his knuckles turned white. He stared at his plate, refusing to look at me, refusing to look at the woman he was supposed to protect.

I stepped back to my corner, standing tall. They could insult me all they wanted. But I knew the truth now. My blood was stronger than all of them combined.