Clash of wills

ANYA'S POV

The silence that followed Azkarion’s words was so thick it seemed to freeze the air. Gideon halted abruptly in the doorway: his yellow eyes blazed with held-back rage and the fear of taking one more step. Behind him, the four guards kept their hands resting on their weapons, yet none dared move forward. That pressure radiating from Azkarion was like an invisible wall, a clear warning: anyone foolish enough to provoke him would not leave alive.

He held me pressed tight to his chest, shielding me almost entirely with his body. I could feel his heart hammering against my back and the heat rising from his skin. His hand on my waist did not loosen even a fraction: firm, possessive, completely in control. But what frightened me most was not the men at the door — it was what I knew: the blocker had worn off completely from the strain of the fight. My true scent began to fill the air, sweet and fragile, an aroma that among so many wolves was a death sentence.

"Your envoy?" Gideon repeated, dragging the words out in a rough voice, unable to hide his fury. "I have no idea what you’re talking about, Alpha. Sensors picked up an intruder, so I came to see what was going on. If someone’s down there, it’s a southern rebel — no one of mine."

"Save your lies, Beta," Azkarion cut him off, not moving a single muscle. "I know exactly who that dog answered to. And if you ever send anyone skulking near my Luna again, I won’t waste time throwing them off the ledge. I’ll tear your throat out myself, in front of everyone in this hall."

Gideon ground his teeth so hard the muscles in his jaw stood out. He tried to glance past Azkarion to see me, but Azkarion shifted just enough to block his view completely.

"There’s a strange smell in here," Gideon said suddenly, inhaling slowly, calculating every move. "It’s not just pine or fresh blood. There’s something else… something sweet. Too soft to be a real she-wolf."

My heart seemed to stop beating. If he took two more steps and recognised that scent, everything would end right there.

Before Azkarion could speak or lunge at him, I decided to risk everything.

I pulled slightly away from his embrace and peered over his shoulder, lifting my chin as high and cold as I could, even though I was trembling inside.

"What you smell, Gideon, is the trail of a failed assassination attempt," I said, my voice clear and sharp, carrying across the whole balcony. "And if there’s blood and sweat in the air, it’s because I put the fool you sent in his place — before my Alpha threw him off the cliff. Are you going to keep sniffing around like a dog looking for excuses, or will you order your men out of your leader’s private suite?"

The guards glanced at one another, uneasy. Calling the Beta a "dog" was an enormous insult — but coming from the woman rumoured to be the Hunters’ Luna, no one dared speak up.

Gideon fixed me with a look of hatred so intense it felt almost tangible. He knew he was cornered: if he pushed further, he would have to fight Azkarion to the death in front of his own men, and he did not yet have enough backing to do that.

"This area will be under watch all night," he said finally, stepping back with a stiff, insincere bow. "Rest well… if you can, future Luna."

He signalled, and the guards left in silence. The doors slammed shut, and we were alone again in the dark.

The silence returned, but the tension did not ease — if anything, it grew harder and harder to bear.

As soon as their footsteps faded, all my strength left me at once. My legs shook so badly I nearly fell, but Azkarion caught me before I hit the floor.

He lifted me into his arms as if I weighed nothing, carried me into the room, and slammed the window shut to block out the cold wind. He set me down gently on the edge of the black silk bed.

I buried my face in my hands, trying to steady my breathing.

"That was too close…" I whispered, my voice breaking. "The blocker wore off completely, Azkarion. Gideon smelled something wrong. If he hadn’t left, he would have found us out."

He did not answer straight away. He stood before me, bare-chested, with drops of blood still glistening on his skin, watching me in the dim light. His eyes had faded almost back to grey — but deep within them, that wild gold still burned, sending goosebumps down my spine.

He walked to the vanity, picked up the spare bottle, and handed it to me.

"Put this on now," he said, his tone low and serious, drawing back the formal distance between us once more.

I took it with hands that were still shaking, and dabbed the liquid onto my neck and wrists. Slowly, the false scent wrapped around me again, hiding who I truly was.

Azkarion folded his arms and leaned against the bedpost, never taking his eyes off me.

"Tomorrow, as soon as the sun rises, we start training," he said. "You cannot rely on this liquid — or on me — to keep you safe forever. If you want to be ready for the Council meeting in three days, you have to learn how to move, how to speak, how to be one of us."

I met his gaze, and fear gave way to the resolve that had brought me this far.

"Teach me whatever you want," I answered, standing up straight. "But do not forget what we agreed. I am not your prey — and I am not truly your mate. I am only your partner."

Azkarion smiled that dark, knowing smile, and took a step toward me.

"The deal still stands, little liar," he murmured. "But in my house, I make the rules."