C4

"Nyx, stay behind me. This stray smells like a sewer and he’s looking for a fight."

"Watch it, pretty boy! You think you can block my path in Silverfang Hall? Move it before I move you!"

The drunk wolf reeled toward us, his breath a toxic mix of cheap whiskey and unrestrained aggression. I shifted my weight, shielding Nyx Calderon from his reach. The moment his bleary eyes landed on my face, his scowl twisted into a predatory grin.

"Wait a second. I didn't see what was under that suit. You’re a sharp one, aren't you? Why are you hanging around with this suit? Come spend some time with a real Alpha."

His hand darted out toward my throat. I didn't think twice. I slapped his wrist aside with enough force to bruise bone.

"You ungrateful little brat! You should be honored I’m even scenting you. Don't be a—"

"Tristan, isn't that Raze Hollow? The enforcer for the south side?"

"What the hell is a loan shark like him doing here? Seraphina, look."

Tristan and Seraphina were frozen in their doorway. Raze Hollow was a known butcher in the Nightfall Territory, a wolf who broke limbs for sport and never let a debt go unpaid.

"Tristan, he’s going to kill him! Xender is going to get slaughtered. We have to intervene!"

Seraphina’s voice was high and panicked, but her scent was flooded with a sick, sweet satisfaction. She wanted to see me broken.

"Stay back, Seraphina. You’re too soft. He chose to walk away from the Blackmoor protection. This is his mess now."

Tristan kept his seat, but his knuckles were white as he gripped the table. He was watching me like I was a stranger. I was lean, but I wasn't the weakling he remembered.

"You're going to regret that, kid! I'll make sure everyone in this Hall knows you're just a toy!"

Raze lunged for my hair. I didn't wait. I drove my heel into his solar plexus with a sickening thud. He hit the floor, gasping for air that wouldn't come.

"Argh! My ribs!"

"You've been relying on your title too long, Raze. You've gotten slow."

Tristan stood up, his face a mask of shock. He was seeing a version of me that never existed in the Blackmoor Pack House—a wolf with teeth and the will to use them.

"Kill him! What are you standing there for? Shred him!"

Raze’s dogs moved in. Nyx didn't miss a beat. She stepped forward and landed a backhand across the lead henchman's face that echoed through the stone corridor.

"If any of you bottom feeders touch a hair on his head, I’ll have your hearts on a platter by dawn. I’ll make sure the Council erases your entire bloodline!"

Raze’s face went gray the moment he focused on Nyx.

"Wait... Miss Calderon? You’re the one who runs the Moonshade Atelier? I... I didn't recognize you. I’m sorry. I didn't know he was under your wing."

Seraphina’s jaw dropped. Tristan took a step back, his brow furrowed in utter confusion. He had no idea I even knew a power player like Nyx Calderon, let alone that she would risk a turf war to protect me.

"Get your filth out of my sight. Now!"

Raze didn't wait for a second warning. He scrambled to his feet and vanished into the shadows of the hall. The silence that followed was heavy with the scent of Tristan’s mounting realization.

"Nyx, your wrist is bruising. Let me see it."

"It’s nothing, Xender. I’ve hit harder walls than that man’s face."

"Miss Calderon, please! Your hand... you should have our medic look at that. My transport is right outside the gates."

Nyx didn't even turn to look at Seraphina or Tristan. She kept her eyes on me, her expression softening into something genuine.

"It’s just a sting, Xender. I’ll survive. Let’s get to the meeting."

"Xender, really... I know you were trying to be brave for your friend, but that was reckless. You could have been killed! And now you’ve involved Miss Calderon in a street brawl. Don't you see how your temper causes trouble for everyone?"