Victoria
The convoy of black SUVs moved silently through the dense forest as twilight settled around us. I sat beside Leo in the lead vehicle, my mind racing through every possible scenario that might unfold when we reached the River Valley Pack border. The weight of my silver dagger pressed against my thigh beneath my clothes—a comforting presence despite my racing heart.
"You’re thinking too loudly," Leo murmured, his deep voice cutting through my thoughts. His warm hand covered mine where it rested between us, his thumb tracing circles on my skin that sent tingles up my arm despite the gravity of our situation.
I t his amber gaze, those eyes that seed to see straight through . "I can’t stop thinking about Enzo," I admitted quietly. "After everything he’s done, everything he put through... he’s still my brother."
Leo’s expression remained steady, but I could sense Ronan’s restlessness beneath his carefully controlled exterior. "Blood ties are complicated," he said finally. "But rember, Victoria—Marcus isn’t just holding your brother. He’s using him to get to you."
Tiny cleared his throat from the driver’s seat, his massive shoulders filling the space. "Five minutes to the drop point, Alpha."
Leo’s voice tight with restraint. "We’ll be positioned in the trees within striking distance. At the first sign of danger—"
"You’ll co charging in like the overprotective Alpha you are," I finished for him, a small smile touching my lips despite the situation.
His hand moved to my face, cupping my cheek with a gentleness that belied his strength. "You have no idea what you do to ," he murmured, his voice husky. "The thought of you in danger..."
"I know," I said softly, turning my face into his palm. "I feel the sa way about you."
The SUV slowed to a stop in a small clearing half a mile from our destination. As I prepared to step out, Leo caught my wrist, pulling back for a kiss that was both tender and fierce—a promise and a warning wrapped into one.
"Two minutes," he repeated against my lips.
I nodded, then slipped out into the gathering darkness, feeling the weight of his gaze follow as I disappeared among the trees.
---
The border of River Valley Pack territory was marked by a small stream that glinted silver in the moonlight. As I approached alone, I could feel Ava stirring inside , more alert than I’d ever sensed her before. The forest seed to whisper around —a new sensation I was still getting accustod to since discovering my Fae heritage.
*Be careful,* the rustling leaves seed to caution. *Death waits beneath.*
I paused, scanning the ground carefully before continuing forward. My mixed blood—once a source of sha—now gave advantages pure wolves like Marcus would never understand.
"Right on ti," a deep voice echoed across the clearing. "And alone. How... trusting."
A shimring blue light appeared before , coalescing into the holographic image of Marcus Grimwood. Even as a projection, he cut an imposing figure—tall and broad-shouldered, with silver streaking his dark hair and a black patch covering his right eye. His remaining eye assessed with clinical detachnt.
"Where’s my brother?" I demanded, keeping my voice steady despite the fear churning in my stomach.
Marcus’s lip curled in amusent. "Straight to business. No wonder Moretti finds you fascinating." He gestured, and the hologram expanded to show another scene—Enzo suspended over what appeared to be a pool of dark liquid, chains binding his wrists and ankles. His face was bruised, one eye swollen shut.
"Enzo!" I couldn’t stop the cry that escaped .
"Vic..." My brother’s voice was weak, barely audible. "Don’t... trust..."
"Enough," Marcus cut him off, the image shifting to show another figure huddled in a corner—a woman with matted blonde hair and bloodstained clothes.
"Aurora," I whispered, recognizing my stepmother despite her condition.
Marcus’s chuckle was cold. "The esteed Luna Howlthorne, not looking quite so regal now." He turned his attention back to , his single eye narrowing. "Tell , Victoria, what exactly is your plan here? A half-blood with no real training—do you truly believe you can challenge ?"
I lifted my chin. "I’m not here to challenge you, Marcus. I’m here to negotiate."
"Negotiate?" He threw his head back in laughter. "What could you possibly offer that I can’t simply take?"
"Information," I said firmly. "About the Howlthorne Pack’s defenses, about Leo’s operations. Things only I would know."
As I spoke, I subtly reached out with my newly discovered abilities, feeling the vegetation beneath my feet, sensing the subtle shifts in the earth. The plants responded to , whispers of warning becoming clearer—*tal beneath dirt, triggers set, death waiting*.
"Interesting," Marcus mused. "And what do you want in return? Your precious brother who sold you like a piece of at? Or perhaps the stepmother who treated you like a servant?"
"Both," I said simply. "Plus safe passage back to neutral territory."
Marcus’s expression turned calculating. "Co closer to the border, Victoria. Let’s discuss this... fairy and wolf."
As I took a step forward, a vine curled around my ankle—not restricting, but warning. I paused, pretending to adjust my boot while processing what the plants were telling . Land mines. Buried just beneath the surface of the crossing.
"Is sothing wrong?" Marcus asked, his tone falsely concerned.
"Just making sure I don’t trip," I replied, eting his gaze evenly. "It would be embarrassing to face the great Marcus Grimwood only to fall flat on my face."
His mouth twitched. "Indeed. Though I wonder if your Alpha would catch you. Where is Alpha Moretti hiding, I wonder? Surely he didn’t let his precious mate co all alone?"
"Leo respects my decisions," I said, carefully sidestepping where I sensed danger beneath the earth. "Unlike so Alphas who need to control everything and everyone around them."
Marcus’s eye flashed with anger. "Bold words from soone in your position. Tell , Victoria, do you know what happens to half-breeds who forget their place in our world?"
Before I could respond, I felt Ava surge within , a warning growl building in my chest. At the sa instant, the vegetation around trembled with alarm—not at the mines now, but at movent in the trees beyond Marcus’s projection.
"They rise above it," I answered, my voice stronger than I expected. "They rewrite the rules."
Marcus’s smile turned cruel. "Rules are written in blood, little wolf. And I’ve spilled more than my share." He gestured broadly. "Including, perhaps, the blood of your warriors hiding in the eastern ridge?"
My heart stuttered. That was exactly where Leo had positioned his advance team.
"I’ve been Alpha for longer than you’ve been alive," Marcus continued, satisfaction evident in his tone. "Did you really think I wouldn’t anticipate Moretti’s tactics?"
A distant shout confird my worst fears—Marcus had known all along. This wasn’t just a eting; it was an ambush.
"Now," Marcus said, his projection stepping closer, "let’s discuss what happens next. You will walk across this border—alone—and surrender yourself to . In exchange, I might consider letting your brother live. Though I make no promises about your stepmother."
I stood my ground, mind racing. "And if I refuse?"
"Then you can watch as my n eliminate Moretti’s warriors one by one, starting with his Beta."
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