The Pack’s Shadow (Alaric POV)

I stood on the balcony of my bedroom, the night air biting at my skin. It was late, the kind of hour where the world felt like it belonged to shadows and secrets. Behind me, inside the room, Elena was buried under my silk sheets. She hadn't moved in hours. She was exhausted, her body finally giving in to the stress and the heat of what we had done in my office.

My phone vibrated in my hand. I didn't need to look at the caller ID. I already knew. I pressed it to my ear, my eyes fixed on the dark horizon.

"Is she safe?" The voice was rough, and deeper than his.

"She’s asleep," I said. "In my bed."

I heard a sharp exhale on the other end. "Of course she is. You always were the one to take what you wanted first, brother."

"I'm tired of the games, Killian," I snapped, my grip tightening on the railing. "I’m tired of keeping all of this a secret. The lurking, the following her in the shadows... it’s enough. I’m going to tell her. I’m going to reveal everything to her."

"Oh, brilliant," another voice chimed in. Smooth, cold, and dripping with sarcasm. Silas. "Just when you've had your private time with our mate, that's when you decide to be honest. Very noble of you, Alaric."

"She’s going to hate us," Killian growled. "You know how she is. She thinks the world is black and white. She thinks we’ve been playing with her, pulling her strings like a puppet."

"She can hate us all she wants," Silas said, his tone turning clinical. "But she can’t deny the mate bond. It’s in her blood now. She felt it tonight with you, just like she felt it with me at the gala and with Killian in that shed. The pull is too strong."

"There’s more trouble," Killian interrupted. "The Council is calling for a meeting. The trouble at the borders is stirring up again. They’re asking questions about why the three of us are spending so much time in this college town. They aren't stupid."

I felt a cold knot form in my stomach. The Council didn't care about love or mates. They cared about power and order. If they found out about Elena before we were ready, they would see her as a weakness to be removed.

"I’ll call them," I said, my voice flat. "I’ll handle the Council. For now, just stay out of sight. Don't crowd her. She’s already on the edge."

"Don't tell us how to handle our woman," Killian muttered.

I hung up without another word. I leaned my head back against the cool glass of the sliding door, closing my eyes. My mind was a mess of law, ancient bloodlines, and the girl sleeping just a few feet away.

I walked back inside. The room was dim, lit only by the glowing embers in the fireplace. I watched her for a moment. She stirred slowly, her eyelashes fluttering against her cheeks before her eyes opened. She looked around the room, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Where... where am I?" she whispered, her voice husky from sleep.

"My home, Elena," I said, walking to the edge of the bed. "You fell asleep in my office. I didn't want to wake you."

She sat up, pulling the sheets tight against her chest. The memory of the night seemed to rush back to her all at once. Her face went pale, then bright red.

"Alaric, this is wrong," she said, her voice trembling. "I was out of line. We were both out of line. I’m your student. This... this can't happen again. We have to stop. Right now."

I looked at her, and for a second, the beast inside me roared. I sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out to brush a stray hair from her face.

"Do you really think I was joking when I said you were mine?" I asked. My voice was low, vibrating with a truth she wasn't ready for. "Fuck the school. Fuck the rules. Fuck everything else. You are mine, Elena. Nothing is ending this. Not your fear, and certainly not some university handbook."

"But my scholarship—"

"I don't care about your scholarship," I interrupted. "I will buy the entire university before I let them take you away from me."

She stared at me, her mouth hanging open. She looked like she wanted to argue, but the intensity in my eyes silenced her.

"Come," I said, standing up. "Let me bathe you. You’ll feel better."

"No!" she shouted, her face flaming again. "I can do it myself. I’m not... I’m not a baby."

I let out a short, dry laugh. I liked her fire. It made the hunt more interesting. I stepped back, giving her the space she wanted. "Fine. Have it your way. Give yourself a wash, and when you're done, meet me downstairs. I’ll have food ready."

She nodded quickly, looking relieved. I turned to leave, but then I stopped. I walked back to her, leaned down, and took her mouth in a deep, hungry kiss. She was stunned at first, her body going stiff, but then she melted. I devoured her mouth, tasting the remnants of our night, claiming her again and again.

When we were both out of breath, I let go. I leaned in and pecked her nose, then her forehead. I looked deep into her eyes, my voice dropping into a register that was almost primal.

"Diko mas,(Ours)" I whispered.

The beast inside me hummed the word, a deep, vibrating tone that seemed to echo in the room. I saw the surprise flash across her face, her eyes widening as she tried to process the weight of that one word.

I didn't give her time to ask questions. I just smiled at her confused face, turned on my heel, and walked out of the room. I had a dinner to prepare, and a truth to tell that would change her life forever.