Midnight Trap

Elara’s blood was still boiling when Kai turned toward the door.

“You’re seriously going alone?” she demanded, stepping in front of him. The mate bond flared hard, almost painful, like it hated the idea of him walking into danger without her.

His eyes were stormy. “This is pack business. Someone’s trying to blow up my claim to alpha... I need to handle it.”

“And if it’s a trap?” She moved closer. The bond reacted instantly, heat rushing through her veins, her wolf pushing to follow him. “Or worse, if it’s Serena feeding you another round of lies?”

Kai’s jaw clenched for half a second his gaze dropped to her lips, then hardened again. “I need real answers, Elara. Not whatever version you’re selling.”

The words cut deep. She shoved the hurt down and grabbed her jacket. “Then I’m coming... You don’t get to drag me into this marriage and then shut me out when things get real.”

He didn’t argue. They left the suite in heavy silence, slipping through the dark pack grounds. Moonlight sliced between the trees like silver knives. Every snapped twig made the bond thrum louder, syncing their heartbeats whether they wanted it or not.

They reached the eastern clearing ten minutes early. A hooded figure waited by an old oak.

Serena stepped forward, no tears this time, just cold, calculated anger.

“Glad you came,” she said, eyes locked on Kai. “Alone would’ve been better.”

Elara let out a sharp laugh. “Of course it’s you.”

Serena ignored her completely and stepped closer to Kai. “Those photos going out tonight? Not me but I know who’s behind the new leak… and why. Elara never got over you choosing me. She’s been planning her comeback since the day she ran.”

The mate bond twisted in Elara’s chest. She felt Kai’s doubt spike through it… hot, conflicted, dangerous.

“Prove it,” he growled.

Serena pulled out her phone and hit play. Grainy old footage started: Elara crying in the woods right after the rogue attack years ago. The angle made it look like she was ranting and unstable… Clearly edited.

“See?” Serena whispered. “She’s always been unstable. Coming back right when your position is shaky? It’s not a coincidence.”

Elara’s fury exploded. “That’s not even…”

Kai held up a hand, silencing her. The bond fed her flashes of his inner war… attraction, suspicion, loyalty to the past. He didn’t pull away from Serena.

“Enough games,” he said, voice low and lethal. “If you’re behind any of this…”

“I’m protecting you,” Serena cut in, softening her tone. She reached for his arm. “Like I always have. Send her away, Kai... Before she destroys everything we built.”

The bond roared. Elara stepped between them, shoulder deliberately brushing Kai’s. Electricity shot through both of them.

“She’s lying,” Elara said, staring straight into his eyes. “Just like she lied about the letters. The rogue... The photos... Open your eyes before she buries us both.”

For one charged heartbeat, Kai looked truly torn. His hand twitched like he wanted to touch Elara. The bond pushed hard… heat, need, possession. Then his expression slammed shut again.

“Both of you, back off,” he ordered, alpha power rolling out. “I decide what’s real. Not the bond, not either of you.”

Serena smirked, victorious.

But before anyone could speak again, low growls echoed from the trees. Three rogues stepped into the clearing, eyes glowing with malice. The biggest one partially shifted, claws extended.

“Alpha heir,” he snarled. “Your new mate’s past is catching up. Hand her over and we’ll make it quick.”

Kai shoved Elara behind him instantly. The mate bond exploded with protective fury, his and hers crashing together until she couldn’t tell them apart.

Serena backed away fast, eyes wide with fake fear.

Elara’s wolf surged forward, she was done being the victim. Claws itched at her fingertips.

Kai’s voice dropped to a deadly whisper as the rogues circled closer.

“Stay behind me.”

Elara stepped up beside him instead, heart pounding, bond blazing like wildfire.

“Like hell I will.”

The biggest rogue lunged.