Chapter 11

The clock struck midnight.

The pack house was finally asleep. Alpha Viktor and his guards had taken over the entire east wing. The halls were quiet, but the air felt completely different. It felt dangerous.

I was in the laundry room on the first floor. Edith had ordered me to hand-wash three of her silk dresses before I went to bed. The water in the sink was freezing, and my hands were numb, but I kept scrubbing.

The door opened softly behind me.

"You should be asleep."

I stopped scrubbing. I knew that rough, deep voice. It sent a familiar shiver down my spine.

I did not turn around. "Edith asked me to clean these tonight, Juan."

I heard his boots walking across the tile floor. He stopped right behind me. The scent of rain and pine wrapped around me, pushing away the smell of laundry soap.

"I told you to address me by my title, Cora," he said quietly.

"I apologize, Alpha," I replied, staring at the soapy water.

He let out a frustrated sigh. "Stop. Turn around and look at me."

I wiped my wet hands on my apron and slowly turned to face him. He had taken off his suit jacket and tie. His white shirt was unbuttoned at the top, and his hair was messy. He looked exhausted.

"Why are you acting like this?" Juan asked. His grey eyes searched my face.

"Like what?"

"Like I am a stranger," he said, stepping closer. "Earlier today, at the front doors. I could feel you pulling the bond back. I could feel you shutting me out. Why?"

My heart hammered against my ribs. I wanted to tell him about the book. I wanted to tell him that Edith was blackmailing me, threatening to expose my Nightfall blood and have my brother killed.

But I looked into his tired eyes. He was already fighting a war with Viktor. If I told him the truth, I would only give him another war to fight. And he would likely lose.

"I am just remembering my place, Alpha," I lied smoothly. "You reminded me of it yourself at the front doors. I am just a debt. It is purely business."

Juan flinched as if I had struck him.

"I had to say that," Juan whispered, his voice thick with hidden emotion. "Viktor is a dangerous man. If he senses that you mean anything to me, he will use you against me. I said those words to protect you."

"Protect me?" I let out a dry, bitter laugh. "You let him bring his own warriors into your territory. You let his daughter treat me like garbage. You are not protecting me, Juan. You are just protecting your precious alliance."

Juan reached out and grabbed my arms. His grip was tight, burning hot against my cold skin.

"Do you think I want this?" he growled softly, pulling me closer. "Do you think I want to sit at that table and watch him look at you like you are nothing?"

"Then let me go," I whispered, tears burning the back of my eyes. "Cancel the debt. Let Liam and me leave Silver Pine. We will disappear. You will never see us again, and you can marry Edith in peace."

The wolf flashed in his eyes, completely wild and possessive.

"No," Juan breathed heavily. "I will never let you leave."

"You cannot have both of us!" I pushed against his chest, but he did not move an inch. "You cannot marry her and keep me locked in this house like a pet. It is killing me, Juan. The bond is killing me."

He stared down at me. The pain in his face was entirely real. He lifted one hand from my arm and slowly brought it up to my face. His thumb brushed a tear from my cheek.

"I know it hurts," he whispered softly, resting his forehead against mine. "I feel it too, Cora. Every single second of the day. But you have to trust me. Just give me time."

"Time for what?" I sobbed quietly, letting my eyes close. His touch felt so good, but it was so wrong. "You are marrying her next week."

"I know," he said, his voice breaking. "But things are moving. Things you do not understand yet. Just hold on a little longer. Please."

For a moment, I wanted to believe him. I wanted to sink into his arms and forget about Edith, Viktor, and the Nightfall pack.

Then, the image of Liam dying in the woods flashed in my mind.

I opened my eyes and pushed Juan away with all my strength. He stumbled back a step, looking completely shocked.

"No," I said, my voice shaking but firm. "I do not trust you, Alpha. I will finish paying my debt, and then I am taking my brother and leaving. Now, please let me finish my work."

Juan stood frozen in the middle of the room. He looked at his empty hands, and then he looked at me. The vulnerability in his eyes slowly vanished, replaced by the cold, hard walls he always built around himself.

"Fine," Juan said flatly. "If that is what you want."

He turned around and walked out of the laundry room.

I leaned over the sink and cried until there were no tears left. I had just pushed away the only man I would ever love. But it was the only way to keep us all alive.