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Liam Three days to find harmony with a wolf I rejected and a guy who's been my rival since day one.Absolutely fucking fantastic.That’s it. I’m done with this calm, patient, demeanor meant to win Finley over. It’s obviously not fucking working and the gloves are coming off now. I pace the length of the room, unable to sit still while my mind races through everything we learned during last night's ritual. Storm paces with me, more agitated than I've felt him in months. He doesn't understand why we can't just claim our mate now that we've acknowledged the bond. Wolf logic—straightforward, uncomplicated, completely useless for the clusterfuck we're currently facing."Wearing a hole in the floor won't solve anything," Kaden observes from the doorway, his expression a mix of concern and that annoying big-brother amusement he never seems to outgrow."Got any better ideas?" I snap, then immediately regret it. "Sorry. Kind of on edge here.""No shit." He steps into the room, closing the doo
LiamParker's already there when I arrive at the common area, looking annoyingly put-together despite everything. How does the guy manage to look like he stepped out of a tactical gear catalog even after ritual magic and supernatural revelations? It's irritating as hell."Stone," he acknowledges with a nod."Parker." I drop into a chair across from him, deliberately casual in contrast to his perfect posture.The tension between us has shifted since the ritual—still there, still palpable, but somehow different. We've seen each other's ancestral memories, felt the truth of our connected bloodlines. Hard to maintain pure antagonism after that kind of shared experience.Doesn't mean I like him, though."Any word from Mountain Ridge?" I ask, because it seems like the least loaded topic available.His jaw tightens slightly. "The ultimatum stands. Twenty-four hours to return and face Silver Creek's challenge, or formal exile.""You going back?""Would you?" he counters, gold flashing in his e
Liam "I appreciate Forest Trails' offered protection," Parker says carefully. "But my focus remains on the immediate crisis. Personal consequences can wait until after the Night of Seven Stars.""Agreed," I say, surprised to find myself supporting his position. "Triad function first, everything else later."Finley studies us both, clearly skeptical of our sudden alignment. "Alright then. One crisis at a time."We spend the next hour reviewing Celina's suggested exercises, planning the progression of ritual practice over the coming days. The conversation stays professional, focused on practical preparation rather than the emotional landmines surrounding us. It's easier that way, safer for all of us.As we're wrapping up, my phone buzzes with a message from Kaden: Call with Mom arranged. 1PM your quarters."I need to step out for a bit," I tell them, suddenly anxious to speak with my mother. "Family call at one.""Everything okay?" Finley asks, genuine concern breaking through her profe
Finley"Focus on the connection, not the complications," Celina instructs as she arranges crystals around us in the clearing.Easy for her to say. She's not sitting cross-legged between two ridiculously hot guys while trying to form some mystical blood magic connection that might save the world.Just another Tuesday in the life of Finley Bennett.We're arranged in the same triangular formation as last night's ritual, but this time without the dramatic blood offering or full ancestral memory dive. According to Celina, this is like training wheels—simple energy exercises to get us used to connecting without fighting it. Baby steps toward the harmony we'll need in two days when the Night of Seven Stars arrives."Take a deep breath," Brynlee coaches from outside our triangle. "Acknowledge the mate bonds without actively engaging them. Just... let them be present without fighting against them."I close my eyes, trying to follow her instructions. Nova shifts restlessly beneath my skin, excit
Finley"That's enough for today," Celina decides, standing to break the ritual circle. "Too much too soon could strain connections that are just beginning to form.""But we're making progress, right?" Liam asks, the hope in his voice impossible to miss."Significant progress," she confirms. "The triad functions better than I expected at this stage. With continued practice over the next two days, you should be able to access the necessary connection when the Night of Seven Stars arrives."The relief in the clearing is palpable. For the first time since learning about our supposed "triad" status, we have tangible proof that we can make this work despite everything standing between us.As we help clean up the ritual space, I catch myself watching both of them when they aren't looking. Liam moves with the easy grace he's always had, a familiar sight that still makes my heart do uncomfortable flips despite my best efforts to remain detached. Dane has a different kind of movement—more delibe
Finley “Liam Ryan Stone! How dare you growl at me!” Aunty Kat snaps back. “You’re an adult, capable of making your own choices. If mistakes were made. They’re yours alone! “Besides, you never asked for my advice. Maybe if you ever spent time with your parents, shared what’s going on in your life . . . but you didn’t. Besides, no mate deserves to be chosen out of a sense of duty, when your heart is elsewhere. I shiver involuntarily at the reference to Liam’s rejection. For his part, he hangs his head, looking duly chastised. “I know. You’re right.” He admits. “But I still don’t understand why you never mentioned the triad.”"Because knowledge shapes destiny," she replies, not defensive but matter-of-fact. "If you'd known about the triad possibility from childhood, how might it have influenced your choices? Your relationships? Your development?"The question hangs in the air, impossible to answer but equally impossible to dismiss. Would Liam have rejected me two years ago if he'd kno
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 immediatel
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 disbe
Liam "Overwhelming responsibility is a Stone family tradition," Aunt Trista, Finley’s mom, says dryly. She and my mother have decided now is a good time to gang up on me. "Why do you think your brother takes everything so seriously?""I thought that was just Kaden being Kaden," I reply with a half-smile."Speaking of your brother," Mom interjects, "he requested you join him in the armory once your morning practice concluded. Something about specialized weapons for tomorrow night."The reminder of our impending deadline—less than thirty-six hours until the Night of Seven Stars—sends a fresh wave of anxiety through me that makes the candle flame surge alarmingly before I manage to steady my emotions."I should go find him," I say, carefully extinguishing the flame with a focused thought rather than blowing it out. Small victory, but I'll take it."One more thing," Mom says as I turn to leave. "About Finley..."I freeze, not sure I'm ready for whatever motherly wisdom (or warning) is com
Liam "Focus," Mom says for what feels like the hundredth time. "Intent without emotion. Direction without reaction."Easy for her to say. She's not the one trying to light a candle with her mind while simultaneously not burning down the entire training room."I am focusing," I mutter, staring at the unlit candle with enough intensity to melt it if the heat in my gaze was actually physical."No, you're glaring at it like it personally offended you," she corrects with that infuriating motherly patience. "Fire responds to emotion, Liam. Right now, you're feeding it frustration, which creates erratic, unpredictable responses."I take a deep breath, trying again to find that elusive balance she keeps talking about. Twelve hours of practice since my gift first manifested against the Skinwalkers, and I've managed to melt more ice sculptures, warm the room to uncomfortable levels, and accidentally set a practice dummy's hair on fire. What I haven't done is produce a single controlled flame on
Dane "Exile declaration stands," my father says, turning back to me with formal authority. "But Mountain Ridge acknowledges a potential external threat requiring our temporary cooperation."Translation: I'm still exiled, but he's not leaving me completely vulnerable while investigating the larger threat to allied packs. Political face-saving wrapped in tactical necessity—classic Alpha Parker strategy."Forest Trails appreciates Mountain Ridge's cooperation in addressing concerns that affect all territories," Alpha Bennett responds diplomatically. "Joint investigation of this specialist and his connection to recent supernatural events serves everyone's interests."As the leaders begin establishing parameters for this unexpected alliance, Aria approaches me, her expression a complex mixture of emotions."That couldn't have been easy," I say quietly, genuinely appreciative of her intervention despite our complicated history. "Going against your father's representative, potentially compro
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 dulle
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, h
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 recognit
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 control
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 reparation
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