CHAPTER 12

Chapter 12

Michael’s POV

She walked away.

She didn’t look back.

And even though my wolf howled inside me, clawing to follow her, I let her go.

For now.

My jaw clenched as I turned to one of the maids lingering nearby, a nervous girl in her twenties who couldn’t decide whether to bow or run.

“You,” I snapped. “Escort the girl to the VIP guest wing. Personally. And make sure she has everything she needs.”

The maid’s eyes widened. “Y... yes, Alpha.”

I turned away without another word. My father’s voice rang out before I could even take a step.

“Study. Now.”

Daniel didn’t wait for confirmation. He simply turned on his heel and walked down the hall, flanked by his guard. I didn’t follow immediately not because I was disobeying, but because I sensed something.

I looked up.

Lana.

Still standing there in the hallway like a damn statue.

Her arms were folded tightly under her chest, and her eyes shimmered with false tears, but the bitterness radiating off her was anything but innocent.

The hallway cleared slowly.

Staff disappeared.

The guards turned their backs.

Even the maid taking Audrey vanished into the guest wing corridor.

Now it was just her and me.

Perfect.

I moved.

She barely had time to gasp before I grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her into a narrow side hall. I slammed open a door and shoved her into the broom closet, it was small, dark, and just tight enough to remind her that I was in control.

Before she could scream, I was already gripping her neck, pinning her against the wall with one hand.

“You want to act like a Luna?” I growled. “Then learn when to shut your mouth.”

Her eyes bulged, fingers clawing at my wrist.

“Y… You’re hurting me,” she choked.

“That’s the idea.”

She kicked weakly, her heels thudding against the wall behind her.

“You’ve been testing me for too long,” I continued, calm and cold despite the fury brewing in my chest. “Spying. Plotting. Whining. Meddling.”

Her face began to turn red. Her struggles grew weaker.

I leaned in, my voice now barely a whisper against her ear. “Keep pushing me, and I’ll cancel the engagement and the wedding. And I’ll make sure the entire council knows exactly why.”

Her hands slapped against my chest once, twice and then fell limp.

I let go.

She collapsed to the floor, gasping, hands flying to her throat.

I stepped back, expression unreadable.

She coughed, trembling as tears finally spilled from her eyes. “You… you hate me.”

“Good,” I said. “That means we’re finally being honest.”

She reached for my pant leg like a desperate child. “Please… Michael… I can change. I’ll be better. Just don’t leave me.”

I pushed her hand off me with disgust.

“You were never mine to leave,” I said. “We were a deal. A bargain. A temporary lie for the council’s comfort. And if you ever insult her again, I’ll do worse than choke you in a closet.”

She sobbed as I turned and walked out, closing the door behind me without a second glance.

By the time I arrived at the study, I had wiped every trace of emotion from my face.

The double doors stood open, revealing my father seated at his usual chair near the fire. Across from him were two men in dark suits both familiar faces.

Council members. One from the Eastern sector. One from the North.

Political scum dressed as old wisdom.

“Alpha Michael,” one of them greeted as I entered. “You’ve been difficult to reach.”

“I’ve been busy,” I said, taking a seat beside my father without waiting for an invitation.

“That’s exactly what we’re here to discuss,” said the other councilman, fingers steepled under his chin. “Your recent absences. Your broken engagements. Missed alliances. Odd behavior. And now, rumors.”

I raised a brow. “Rumors?”

The older one nodded. “You were seen with a woman. Not Lana. A girl no one knows. Weak aura. Definitely not of noble blood.”

“She’s a guest,” I said smoothly. “I took her in after she was attacked near the border.”

The councilmen exchanged glances.

“And this… guest,” the first one began, “why bring her to the pack house instead of sending her to the clinic or the human district?”

“She’s not human,” I said flatly. “And she was in danger. I did what any Alpha would do.”

“But you’re not any Alpha,” my father cut in. “You’re the Alpha of Ironclaw. Our strength is watched. Our loyalty is monitored. You don’t get to act like a rogue savior.”

“She’s no threat,” I replied.

“That’s not the point,” one councilman said. “We’re days away from announcing your union with Lana. The packs are expecting it. A Luna brings balance. Not complications.”

“She’s not Luna yet,” I said.

They all looked at me like I had spit on tradition.

Daniel’s voice darkened. “You’ve been walking a fine line, Michael. One more step out of place, and I won’t be able to protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection,” I shot back.

Silence.

The fire cracked softly between us.

The Northern councilman cleared his throat. “Then you’ll understand that any deviation from the agreed path especially now will be seen as instability. Chaos. Rebellion.”

“You’re calling me rebellious for saving someone?”

“We’re saying,” Daniel said tightly, “that if you don’t fall in line, someone else will be chosen to lead.”

I leaned back in my chair, the picture of calm while my wolf raged inside me.

Let them threaten.

Let them posture.

Audrey wasn’t just anyone.

And I didn’t care if the entire damn council burned before I gave her up.

Still, I nodded once, the mask of diplomacy returning to my face.

“I understand,” I said. “You’ll have nothing to worry about.”

They didn’t believe me. But they wanted to.

And that was enough.

The councilmen stood and offered forced smiles.

“Glad to hear it,” one said.

As they exited, Daniel remained behind.

“You really intend to protect this girl?” he asked, voice low.

“Yes.”

He studied me, eyes narrowed. “Then don’t screw it up.”

“I won’t.”

He gave a tight nod and left the study, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Alone with the weight of everything I hadn’t said.

Audrey was more than a guest.

More than a stray.

More than a complication.

She was my mate.

And one day, they’d all learn what it meant to challenge the wolf who protected her.