An uninvited guest

The entire courtyard fell into a stunned silence.

I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears, fast enough to make me dizzy.

Jonas’s hand was locked around Felix’s throat, and his fingers dug so deeply into his neck that the skin beneath them had already turned a shade of red. Felix’s back was pinned against the stone pillar with enough force to crack the mortar, his feet barely touching the ground as he clawed desperately at Jonas’s wrist.

“Jonas, stop!” I screamed, my voice breaking. “You’re going to kill him!”

The words barely seemed to reach him.

Behind me, Jakob tightened his hold around my waist before I could rush forward. One powerful arm wrapped securely around me, pulling me back against his chest with almost effortless strength.

“Stay still, Annika,” he murmured close to my ear, his breath warm against my skin. “Don’t get in the middle of this.”

“Jakob, let me go!”

I struggled against him with everything I had, twisting and pushing, but it was hopeless. Trying to break free from Jakob felt like trying to move a mountain.

“Please!” My voice cracked again. “He’s going to choke him to death!”

Jakob didn’t loosen his grip.

“Not today,” I begged, tears burning my eyes. “Not on Father’s funeral day.”

For the briefest second, I felt his body tense behind me. His heartbeat was hammering just as wild as mine. But he still didn’t let go.

A few feet away, Julian stood still, watching everything with cold eyes.

Two guards from Felix’s pack had started toward the fight, hands already resting on the hilts of their weapons as Julian lifted one finger.

That was all it took to keep them back.

“Don’t.” The single word came out quiet and deadly. “If either of you takes another step,” he said, never looking away from Felix, “I’ll put you both on the ground before you even touch them.”

Neither guard moved. Everyone in the Silver Ridge Pack knew Julian’s temper when he looked like this; even seasoned warriors thought twice before testing him.

Around us, the frozen silence finally shattered as whispers spread through the courtyard like wildfire.

“Oh, Moon Goddess…” A woman covered her mouth with trembling fingers. “Is this really happening?”

“At Alpha Richard’s funeral? This is disgraceful.” Another dropped in.

“What are the Hoffman boys thinking? They’re attacking another Alpha.” A man in a gown looked disgusted.

“Did you see the way they reacted over Annika? The way they’ve been looking at her all day. It doesn’t look right. They’re going to start a war.”

Every whispered sentence struck me like another slap across the face. Humiliation flooded through me. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not here. Not today.

I looked back at Felix. His face had turned an alarming shade of red. His eyes bulged as he fought for air, his legs kicking weakly against the pillar.

Panic clawed at my chest. “Jonas!” I sobbed. “If you ever cared about me… please let him go.”

For the first time, Jonas spoke. He never looked at me. His gaze remained locked on Felix’s face. His jaw was clenched so tightly that I thought he might crack a tooth. His eyes were glowing gold. His wolf was right beneath the surface.

“Give me one reason,” he growled, each word vibrating with barely restrained violence, “why I shouldn’t snap his neck.”

“Because he’s not worth it!” I could barely breathe. “Please…” My hands curled helplessly against Jakob’s arm. “Please, Jonas…”

A deep voice suddenly boomed across the courtyard. “What in the Moon Goddess’s name is going on here?”

The crowd immediately parted.

An older man strode through the gathering guests with surprising speed, even with the heavy cane in his hand. I instantly recognised him.

Elder Thomas. One of the oldest and most respected elders in the pack. Even Father had listened when Thomas spoke.

His weathered face was red with fury. He stopped several feet from the confrontation before slamming the base of his cane against the stone. The sharp crack echoed through the courtyard.

“What is this nonsense?” he thundered. His furious gaze swept across the brothers. “Have the three of you completely lost your senses?”

Jonas didn’t move. He stood in his stead, still refusing to let go of Felix.

“Jonas!” Elder Thomas’s voice became even sharper. “I said let him go.”

For one long, terrifying moment, I honestly believed Jonas was going to ignore a direct order from an elder.

Then Julian finally stepped forward. He rested one hand on his brother’s shoulder.

“Jonas,” he whispered. “Not here.”

A second of silence passed before Jonas’s fingers slowly loosened.

Felix slid down the pillar in an awkward heap, collapsing to his knees the moment his feet found the ground.

He doubled over violently, coughing as he dragged desperate breaths into his lungs.

His entire body shook. One hand remained clamped around his bruised throat while the other braced against the ground.

I hadn’t realised how tightly Jakob was holding me until he finally let go.

The sudden loss of his warmth almost made me stumble. I caught myself at the last second, rubbing unconsciously at my waist where his arm had been. The feeling of his touch lingered longer than it should have.

Jakob stepped away without a word, moving to stand beside his brothers.

The three of them formed an unbreakable line, broad shoulders squared, identical expressions carved from stone.

They looked less like brothers and more like warriors, waiting for permission to finish a battle.

Elder Thomas stared at them in disbelief. His chest rose and fell with a heavy sigh.

“Your father’s body hasn’t even been laid to rest.” Disappointment filled every word. “The entire pack has gathered here to honour his memory. And this is how you choose to remember him?”

No one answered, but their attention never left Felix.

Thomas pinched the bridge of his nose before turning away from them with frustration.

He walked over to Felix instead. By then, Felix had managed to push himself back onto his feet.

His breathing was still shaky, and an ugly set of bruises was already darkening around his throat, but his composure was returning with impressive speed.

To my horror, Elder Thomas bowed deeply. One hand rested over his chest in a formal gesture of respect.

“Alpha Felix,” he said with regret. “Please accept my sincerest apologies. This behaviour is beneath the standards of the Silver Ridge Pack.”

Felix cleared his throat, wincing slightly before straightening the torn lapels of his expensive jacket.

Even after nearly being strangled, he was more concerned with looking composed than with breathing.

He smoothed a hand through his dishevelled hair before offering Thomas a political smile.

“It’s quite alright, Elder,” his voice came out hoarse but perfectly controlled. “It has been an emotional day for everyone.”

Thomas looked visibly relieved. “You are very gracious.”

Felix gave a modest shake of his head. “We’ve all suffered a terrible loss.” He then spoke loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear. “I understand grief.”

His eyes swept across the gathered guests, and I realised the bastard wanted an audience… witnesses.

“Sometimes,” he continued with an understanding smile, “people lose control when emotions become overwhelming.”

His gaze settled on the triplets.

“Very soon, these three young men will inherit their father’s responsibilities. Assuming they haven’t already.”

The implication hung heavily in the air. Julian’s hands slowly curled into fists.

“As an Alpha,” Felix continued smoothly, “I know better than anyone how difficult leadership can be.” He then looked directly at Jonas. “I can overlook today’s… misunderstanding.” A smug smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “We wouldn’t want one unfortunate family incident to overshadow such an important day.”

“Thank you, Alpha Felix.” Thomas bowed his head once more. “Your understanding honours us.”

“Don’t thank him.” Jonas’s voice sliced through the courtyard. He took one forced step forward. “He’s trespassing.”

Thomas spun around. “Jonas…”

“He’s right.” Julian’s voice was every bit as cold. “We did not invite Felix. We invited our sister, not him.” His stare bored into Felix. “He has no business standing on our land.”

A dangerous smile touched Julian’s lips. “If Jonas hadn’t stopped, I would have continued anyway.”

“Enough!” Thomas slammed his cane into the stone so hard the sound rang across the courtyard.

His patience had finally snapped. He pointed the cane directly at the three brothers.

“The three of you. My office. Now.”