CHAPTER 3

Silas POV

Silas stood by the large glass window in his study, looking down at the courtyard. The sky was gray, and a cold wind blew through the pine trees surrounding the Moonstone Pack territory. Down below, he watched a line of Omegas carrying heavy wooden tubs of laundry and dirty dishes.

At the end of the line was a small, thin girl carrying a tub almost as big as her upper body.

It was Eliana.

As he watched her stumble slightly under the weight, a sharp twist of guilt hit Silas right in his chest. It was the same feeling he got whenever he remembered her eighteenth birthday party two years ago. He could still see the way she looked up at him from the cold floor, her eyes filled with tears after he broke the mate bond and rejected her in front of everyone.

For ten years, she had lived in his house. She had eaten at his dinner table, trained in his yard, and laughed with him like a sister. Then, in just one night, she became an outcast.

Silas squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath, forcing the feeling down.

I did what I had to do, he told himself. A real Alpha puts the pack first.

He couldn't afford to be weak. Jonathan—his father's Beta—had spent the last few years using his family's wealth and influence to secure power for the pack. Marrying Jonathan's daughter, Lyra, was the smart political move. Eliana had nothing. She was just an orphan his father brought home. Choosing Lyra was the right choice for the future of the Moonstone Pack.

"You're staring out that window again, Silas," a voice said from behind him.

Silas turned around. His Beta, Kaelen, was sitting on the leather sofa, flipping through a stack of security reports.

"I'm not staring at anything, Kaelen," Silas said, stepping away from the glass and walking over to his wooden desk. "I was just checking the perimeter guards."

Kaelen set the papers down on the table and looked at Silas, his dark eyes steady. "We used to hide behind those same curtains when we were seven, Silas. I know what your face looks like when you're watching her."

Silas didn't answer right away. He sat down in his large chair and leaned back. "It doesn't matter who I was watching."

"She's having a hard time out there," Kaelen said softly, crossing his arms. "The other Omegas treat her like dirt. You remember how she used to be, Silas. We all grew up together in this house—you, me, Eliana, even Lyra. My father spent half his time as Gamma trying to keep the three of us out of trouble while your father trained us. It feels wrong seeing her like that."

"Guilt doesn't help run a pack, Kaelen," Silas said sharply, his voice turning cold. "I don't regret my choice. Lyra has brought us alliances. Her father used his standing to help us grow our borders and protect our trade routes. What could Eliana have given us? She has no family name, no influence, and no power."

"Your father would have cared more about the mate bond than political alliances," Kaelen reminded him gently. "Late Alpha Marcus loved Eliana like a daughter. His biggest wish before he died five years ago was to see you two together. And when she turned eighteen, the bond actually woke up. You felt it, Silas. I saw the look on your face before you rejected her."

Silas slammed his hand against the wooden desk, making the pens rattle.

"My father is not here to run this pack anymore, Kaelen!" Silas barked, his eyes flashing with Alpha authority. "I am! If my father were alive today, he would see how much stronger we are now. Look at our borders! Look at our storehouses! We are safe because of the hard choices I made. Lyra and her father gave us power. I did the right thing for our people, and I would do it again."

Kaelen held up his hands in a calm gesture, bowing his head slightly. "I hear you, Alpha. I'm not questioning your authority. I'm just telling you what I see. You chose Lyra for the pack, but don't pretend it didn't cost Eliana everything."

Silas let out a heavy breath, rubbing his temples to soothe a growing headache. "Let's stop talking about the past. What is the update on tonight?"

Kaelen picked up a blue folder from the sofa and opened it, switching straight back to business. "The delegation from the North is arriving before sunset."

"Good," Silas said, leaning forward. "Did you review the border treaty?"

"Yes," Kaelen replied. "The terms are clear. They want peace along the northern river and trade access through our mountain pass. In return, they won't interfere with our territory."

"We need this treaty," Silas said with a nod. "The Northern pack is dangerous. Having peace with them lets us focus on building our strength in the south."

Kaelen leaned back, a curious look on his face. "Have you ever actually met the Lycan King of the North?"

"No," Silas admitted. "Nobody in the southern packs has ever seen him. Why do you ask?"

"It's just strange," Kaelen said thoughtfully. "He has ruled the North for years, but he never leaves his castle. He sends his commanders to sign agreements, he sends his messengers to handle trade, but the King himself stays in the shadows. People call him a ghost. Some of our guards say he's a monster who can't show his face."

Silas scoffed slightly, waving his hand in the air. "I don't care if he's a ghost or a monster, Kaelen. As long as his representatives sign the paperwork, keep their warriors on their side of the river, and leave our territory alone, he can stay hidden in his mountains forever."

"Fair enough," Kaelen agreed. "We just need to make sure tonight's dinner goes smoothly. If his messengers like our hospitality, the treaty will be locked in."

Before Silas could respond, the heavy wooden door to the study pushed open without a knock.

Lyra walked into the room, wearing an expensive dress made of bright blue silk that rustled with every step. Her golden hair was styled up in elegant curls, and shiny silver earrings swung from her ears. She walked in with a bright, confident smile, giving Kaelen a small nod before walking straight up to Silas's desk.

"Hello, boys," Lyra said smoothly. She leaned over the desk and gave Silas a quick kiss on his cheek.

"Lyra," Silas said, offering her a faint smile. "You look ready for a grand party."

"Of course I am," Lyra said proudly, turning to look at Kaelen. "Is it true that the delegation from the North will be arriving before sunset?"

"Yes, Lyra," Kaelen answered. "Their carriages are on their way down the mountain roads right now."

"Wonderful," Lyra said, clapping her hands together softly. "I came to let you know that I am heading upstairs to make sure everything in the dining hall looks perfect. I've personally made sure the Omegas washed every plate twice and polished all the silver cups. I want those northern visitors to see how rich and organized the Moonstone Pack is."

"Thank you, Lyra," Silas said. "First impressions matter."

"They certainly do," Lyra cooed, winking at Silas. "I'll make sure the food is hot and the room is beautiful. Just make sure you look like the strong Alpha you are when they walk through those gates. I'll see you both at dinner."

With a final laugh, Lyra turned on her heel and glided out of the room, leaving the heavy door wide open behind her.

Silas watched her leave, leaning back in his chair. He tried to convince himself that he was completely happy with his life, but as he turned back toward the window and saw Eliana carrying her heavy bucket across the yard, a small shadow of doubt stayed in his mind.