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FinleyThe eastern forest is quiet this afternoon, too quiet. Even the birds seem subdued, as if sensing something unnatural lingers here. I lead the way along the patrol route, hyperaware of Liam following a few steps behind. His scent carries on the breeze—rainwater and cedar—stirring memories I've tried hard to suppress."The attack happened just ahead," I say, keeping my voice professionally detached. "Near the boundary creek."Liam nods, his expression focused as he scans our surroundings. For all the personal awkwardness between us, I can't deny he's good at this—observant, methodical, the consummate Beta."The initial investigation team said they found blood here," I continue, stopping at a small clearing. Yellow evidence markers still dot the area, placed by Bradley's team three nights ago. "James died here. Sierra and Michael were found wounded about twenty yards in that direction."Liam crouches, examining the ground where the markers indicate blood was found. "The report men
FinleyThe opening is a tight squeeze, requiring me to turn sideways and inch through carefully. The stone is cold against my back, the air flowing from within carrying a strange, metallic scent that makes Nova bristle with unease. After a few claustrophobic moments, the passage widens into what appears to be a natural cave system, the ceiling rising high enough to stand comfortably.Liam follows close behind, his presence surprisingly reassuring in the oppressive darkness. The flashlight beam seems swallowed by the blackness, illuminating only a small portion of our surroundings at a time."This goes deeper than I expected," I murmur, sweeping the light across rough stone walls that show signs of both natural formation and deliberate carve-outs. "And I don't think we're the first to find it."Liam moves to examine markings on the nearest wall—symbols similar to those found at the attack site, but more elaborate, more numerous. "Definitely not. These markings are extensive. Recent too,
Liam The council room falls silent as Finley finishes explaining what we found. Her voice remains steady, professional, but I can see the tension in her shoulders, the controlled anger as she describes the hidden cave and Bradley's deliberate omission of crucial evidence."These markings," she continues, passing around photos we took on our phones, "appear designed to mimic witch symbols while being fundamentally different in structure and purpose."I study the faces around the table. Alpha Bennett's expression has darkened progressively throughout our report, his eyes occasionally flicking to Bradley, who maintains a carefully neutral expression. Dane sits opposite me, his attention fixed on Finley with an intensity that makes Storm growl internally. The representatives from River Run exchange troubled glances as they examine the photos.Only Kaden seems unsurprised, having already heard our preliminary report before this formal council meeting. He catches my eye briefly, a silent qu
LiamThe council room is tense when I return, the atmosphere charged with barely contained urgency. One look at Finley's face tells me something has happened."What is it?" I ask, slipping into my seat beside Kaden."Another attack," he murmurs. "River Run this time. Three dead."Alpha Bennett stands at the head of the table, his expression grave. "As I was explaining, the situation has escalated. River Run's eastern patrol was ambushed two hours ago using the same methods as our attack. The survivors reported similar descriptions of the assailants.""Three wolves dead, two critically injured," River Run's Alpha adds, his voice tight with controlled rage. "And the same symbols were left at the scene.""This is no longer an isolated incident," Finley states, her earlier professional detachment replaced by fierce determination. "These creatures are executing a coordinated campaign against multiple packs.""And still attempting to frame the witches," I note, scanning the report that's bee
Dane I watch as Finley outlines the cave security plan, her fingers tracing routes on the topographical map spread across the table. Even exhausted and angry, she commands the room with a natural authority that makes Summit stir with approval. My wolf hasn't stopped pushing at my control since we arrived at Forest Trails, desperate to reconnect with our mate despite the human complications between us."Two teams," she explains to the assembled warriors. "Alpha team secures the perimeter and entrance. Beta team investigates deeper, looking for additional evidence and any remaining... occupants."Her deliberate avoidance of naming what might be in that cave doesn't escape me. Nobody wants to speculate without certainty, not when the implications could be so disturbing."I'll lead Beta team," she continues. "Liam, you'll coordinate with me. Dane—" her eyes meet mine briefly, cool and professional, "—you'll head Alpha team with four warriors from each pack for perimeter control."It's a t
Dane"Finley, wait." The words escape before I can reconsider. She pauses, not turning back but listening. "When this mission is done, we need to talk. Really talk.""About what?" Her voice is carefully controlled. "About your engagement to Aria? About the announcement planned for the full moon? Or about how you lied to my face while sharing my heat?"Each question cuts deeper than the last. "About all of it. There are things you don't understand—""I understand perfectly." Now she does turn, green eyes flashing with barely contained anger. "You used me. Whether for pleasure or politics or both, it doesn't matter. You made me believe I was your choice when I was never more than a complication.""That's not true." I step closer, needing her to hear my sincerity despite knowing I've forfeited the right to be believed. "What I feel for you is real. The mate bond is real.""So is your engagement, apparently." Her bitter laugh holds no humor. "Funny how that never came up during those three
FinleyThe cave mission yielded more questions than answers. Three hours of meticulous searching uncovered additional ritual sites deeper in the network, more of those disturbing husks, and strange markings that seemed to grow more elaborate the further we ventured. But the creatures themselves—whatever they are—had abandoned their lair, leaving behind only traces of their presence.Now, standing in my father's office at dawn, I'm trying to focus on the witch representative who arrived during our absence, rather than on Liam and Dane's barely contained tension as they flank me on either side."These are not witch markings," Celina Hayes says, examining the photos we've spread across the desk. The Moonstone Coven's emissary is younger than I expected, maybe early thirties, with dark curls and an intensity that reminds me of a hawk tracking prey."They're designed to appear as such," she continues, her finger tracing one of the strange symbols. "But the structure is wrong. The energy flo
Finley Shaking myself out of my pity party for one, I force all thoughts of mates to the back of my mind, giving the growing threat to my pack all my attention. "I'll compile a comprehensive report from our findings in the cave," I say, redirecting my focus to the immediate tasks. "Celina, if you can begin documenting the defensive spells, we can incorporate them into our patrol protocols by this evening.""Of course," she agrees readily. "I'll need a workspace and access to your perimeter maps.""Use the conference room," my father suggests. "Bradley can provide you with territorial layouts."Bradley's smile doesn't reach his eyes as he nods. "I'd be happy to assist."As the meeting breaks up, I find myself strategizing how to avoid being alone with either Liam or Dane. My emotions are too raw, too complicated to navigate personal conversations while also managing this crisis.But Dane intercepts me in the hallway before I can escape, his expression strained. "I need to speak with y
Dane "What do you know of triads?" My father demands, momentarily dropping the formal script he clearly came prepared to deliver."Enough to recognize when someone is trying to deliberately disrupt one," I reply, watching the Silver Creek representative's reaction carefully. The flash of calculation in his eyes confirms my suspicions—this is no coincidence, no standard honor reparation.My father studies me with new assessment, as if seeing something unexpected in his disappointment of a son. "You believe Silver Creek's challenge is connected to supernatural matters beyond pack politics," he says, not quite a question."I know it is," I state with absolute certainty. "Just as I know their Alpha has been influenced by external forces since returning from the northeastern territories with certain... artifacts."The Silver Creek representative's composure cracks visibly at this, confirming Aria's information was accurate. My father catches the reaction, his tactical awareness never dull
DaneTwenty minutes until my exile becomes official.The countdown that's been ticking in my head all day is nearly at zero, and I still don't have a clear answer. Stay at Forest Trails, officially cutting ties with Mountain Ridge forever? Or accept Silver Creek's suspicious blood oath proposal and potentially compromise the triad right before the Night of Seven Stars?Talk about your lose-lose situations.I pace the length of my quarters, Summit restless beneath my skin. He doesn't understand the human complications, the pack politics. To him, the solution is simple: stay near our mate, protect the triad, to hell with everything else.If only it were that easy.A knock at my door interrupts my thoughts. I open it to find Malia, her expression more serious than usual."Your father is here," she says without preamble. "Just arrived with an official Mountain Ridge delegation. Alpha Bennett is meeting them now in the reception hall."My father. Here? Honestly, I thought, or maybe hoped,
Finley"I don't know," I admit, finally answering Liam’s lingering question. "I haven't thought that far ahead.""I have," he says quietly. "I've thought about nothing else since realizing what a colossal mistake I made two years ago."This is dangerous territory, emotional landmines I'm not sure I'm ready to navigate. "Liam—""Just hear me out," he interrupts, taking another step closer. "I know I screwed up. I know I hurt you in the worst possible way. I know trust doesn't magically reappear just because I finally realized what an idiot I was.""But?" I prompt, hearing the unspoken continuation in his tone."But I'm not giving up without a fight," he says with sudden intensity. "Not this time. Not again. I was a coward before, choosing the safe option instead of what my heart and my wolf knew was right. I won't make that mistake twice."The declaration hangs between us, genuine and raw in a way that catches me off guard. Nova responds instantly, pushing forward with hopeful recogni
FinleyI find Aunt Kat in the western training grounds instead of Dane, watching Liam attempt to channel his newly emerging gift in a controlled environment. The enclosed space has been cleared of flammable materials, protective wards established around the perimeter, and water stations positioned strategically for worst-case scenarios.Liam stands in the center, eyes closed in concentration, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool evening air. His mother circles him slowly, her voice calm and measured as she guides him through what appears to be a basic focusing exercise."Feel the heat within you," she instructs. "Not as something separate, not as something to fight against, but as an extension of your own nature. Your birthright finally awakening."I hang back, not wanting to disrupt what looks like delicate training. There's something mesmerizing about watching Liam like this—his usual cocky confidence replaced by intense concentration, vulnerability in his effort to contro
Finley"So your proposal is a blood oath instead of traditional combat?" I clarify, keeping my expression neutral despite the alarms blaring in my head. "That's... unusual."Alpha Blackwood smiles with practiced diplomacy, though something about it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "These are unusual times, Alpha Candidate Bennett. The traditional approach seems unnecessarily limiting given the current circumstances."We're back in the reception hall after the Skinwalker attack, the Silver Creek delegation having been kept in secure containment during the entire incident. Dad sits beside me, his presence both reassuring and tactically necessary—as acting Alpha, his authority supersedes mine in formal negotiations."And what specific terms would this oath entail?" Dad asks, his tone giving nothing away."Still to be determined through appropriate negotiation," Alpha Blackwood replies smoothly. "But focused on proper acknowledgment of the dishonor Dane caused my daughter, suitable reparatio
Liam "So much for maintaining human pretense. They no longer need it," Dane observes. "Which means they're done gathering intelligence and ready for direct engagement.""Engaging now," Finley confirms, and without further hesitation we move into a coordinated attack.I've been in plenty of fights before, but nothing like this. We move together like we've been training for years—Finley setting the foundation with direct central engagement, me somehow knowing exactly how to connect our movements, and Dane completing whatever strategy forms between us.The Skinwalkers are freaky-strong, bending in ways nothing should be able to bend, coordinating their attacks like they share a hive mind. But despite this, we're holding our own, maybe even winning.Then I notice their pattern—two targeting Finley at the front of our triangle, two focusing on Dane, and one specifically coming after me. They're trying to break our formation, targeting each position in the triad separately.They know what
Liam"Keep those positions tight," I call to the warriors lining the corridor outside the archives. "Silver verification at five-minute intervals. These things can look like anyone."The warriors nod, adjusting their formation with practiced efficiency. I've always been good at this part—the tactical coordination, the battlefield management—ever since Kaden made me his Beta. It's the personal stuff I keep screwing up.The alarm continues blaring, but there's something different about this attack. The Skinwalkers' movements are more coordinated, more deliberate than previous encounters. Less random aggression and more... purpose.I press the comm link. "Western defense, status report.""Multiple entities confirmed," Jackson reports, his voice tight with tension. "Seven, possibly more, approaching in formation from the northwestern perimeter. Using mimicry forms—three wearing Forest Trails colors.""Maintain distance," I instruct. "Silver verification protocols for anyone approaching th
Dane "It wasn't what it looked like," I say, knowing how weak the explanation sounds."Really?" Her eyebrow arches with perfect skepticism. "Because it looked like a private meeting with the woman you were engaged to until very recently. The woman whose 'history' with you apparently involved more than a platonic arrangement.""I was gathering intelligence about potential Skinwalker influence on Alpha Blackwood," I explain, keeping my voice calm despite Summit's growing agitation at Finley's obvious distress. "Aria approached me with concerns about her father's behavior.""And reminiscing about your intimate past? Was that intelligence gathering too?"The direct confrontation catches me off guard. Finley doesn't usually engage this directly with personal matters, typically maintaining a careful distancedefelcting with sarcasm."I was simply acknowledging our complicated history," I reply honestly. "Context for our current situation.""Context," she repeats, the word dripping with disb
DaneSix hours until my exile becomes official.The thought circles my mind as I review security arrangements for the pack’s perimeter. Six hours until I'm either back at Mountain Ridge facing Silver Creek's blood challenge or permanently cut off from my pack, my territory, my inheritance."Your wolves are looking tired," I tell Malia as we complete our inspection of the eastern guard post. "Make sure they get adequate rest before tonight's patrol rotation.""They're fine," she replies with the blunt honesty I've always appreciated from her. "It's you who looks like shit."My phone vibrates with an incoming message. Alpha Bennett, summoning me to the main entrance immediately. No explanation, just a terse instruction to come.When I reach the main entrance, I understand why.Three black SUVs with Silver Creek insignia sit in the arrival plaza, surrounded by Forest Trails security in careful formation. Alpha Bennett stands conversing with a tall, silver-haired man I recognize immediate