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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 the
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
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
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"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
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
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
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
Liam "We've talked, Ryleigh," I reply, keeping my voice gentle but firm. "Several times. The answer hasn't changed. What we had is over.""Because of her," she states flatly. "Because of this mate bond you rejected years ago but suddenly can't live without.""Because it's the truth," I correct her. "I tried to make it work between us, tried to build something real despite the missing mate bond. But you deserve someone who's all in, who doesn't have half his heart tied to someone else no matter how hard he tries to deny it.""So noble," she says, her tone turning bitter. "Such a gentleman, setting me free for my own good rather than admitting you just want to fuck your Alpha candidate now that it's politically convenient."The crude accusation catches me off guard, so unlike Ryleigh's usual calculated approach that it momentarily leaves me speechless."That's not—""Save it," she interrupts. "I didn't come here to listen to more noble bullshit about how you're doing this for me. I cam
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