bChapter /bb145 /b

    bra’s /bbPOV /b

    b“/bbIf /bby /b

    f you knew he was fake, why didn’t you say anything?” I shot the question at Kimberly, my words sharp, desperate ifor /isome kind bof /bbanswer/b.

    Kimberly shrugged, her indifference almost making me angrier. “Because it didn’t matter.”

    Her tone was careless, almost dismissive. “Lance’s army is already filled with scum–thieves, killers, bandits. Dorian faked his identityb, /bbsure/b, but honestly, his issue is nothingpared to the rest. All I care about is that he’s a good warrior.”

    I let out a frustrated sigh. I couldn’t argue with her logic. Most unforgivable. What was one more lie among so many?

    irog /i

    were expelled from their packs because they did something

    “So you don’t know who he really is? And why did he take on that fake identity and join your army?” I pressed, trying to untangle bthe /bmess.

    She paused for a moment, rubbing her chin before answering slowly. “No, I never bothered to find out. He’s kept himself off the radar- always did what was asked, nailed every mission, reported on time. I had no reason to look further.”

    I frowned, feeling the uneasy knot in my stomach tighten. This Dorian guy seemed far too good at hiding. “You sure he’s not ying bus/bb?/bb” /b

    “I think he’s more friend than enemy,” Kimberly mused, clearly deep in thought. “If he was loyal to Lance, why fake an identity? He’s here undercover because he’s got something nned against Lance.”

    I nodded, my mind racing. That made sense. But there was something else gnawing at me. “But if he’s from our world, howe I’ve never seen him before?”

    With his face and build, Dorian wasn’t someone you’d forget. I’d met just about every influential figure from the major packs during their alliance–Alphas, Betas, everyone who mattered. And I was sure this was the first time I’d seen him.

    “Maybe he’s from a smaller pack?” Kimberly offered. “Or maybe he’s just amon soldier?”

    “No,” I said, shaking my head. “There’s something more to him. I can feel it.”

    Despite wearing a in soldier’s uniform, Dorian carried himself with an air of authority. It wasn’t the swagger of an arrogant man, but the quiet dignity of someone used to power. It reminded me of people like Thorne and Cael–those with positions of influence.

    Kimberly scratched her head, clearly unsure but trying to help. “Want me to look into him? See if I can dig up anything?”

    “That would be great,” I said, nodding. “And maybe ask him yourself, but not too directly. You know, just… feel him out. You’re mates now. It wouldn’t hurt to get to know him better.”

    The words stung a little. “Mates.” Even though I nodded, there was a tight knot of resistance in me. I wasn’t sure I was ready to deal with ba /bsecond chance mate, not with everything else going on… and not when I was still hung up on someone else.

    I shook it off quickly, trying to focus. “What now? Can I still get out of the city?”

    “It’s going to be tough, with everything going haywire tonight,” Kimberly admitted. “But I’ll do my best to get you out.”

    She grabbed a long coat and threw it around my shoulders, pulling the hood low over my head. “I’ll take you to a safe spotb. /bbA /btraining bsite/b. When things calm down, I’ll find a way to sheak you out.”

    Her words wereforting, but before could breathe easierb, /bba /bdeafening howl split the night air.

    Kimberly and I both froze, spinning around, hearts pounding in our chests.

    b1/3 /b

    bChapter /bb145 /b

    bThrough /bbthe /bdark, I saw a massive ck wolf emerge from the shadows, its eyes glowing like yellownterns. Its size bdwarfed /beven bthe /bstone

    walls bof /bthe courtyard.

    Itnded in front of us with a heavy thud, sending the cobblestones vibrating beneath my feet.

    It was Thorne.

    how terrifying Thorne’s wolf was until now.

    I felt my stomach drop. We’d fought side by side, but I had never truly doesn’t apply to him anymore. Get behind meb!/b”

    Thissed, my heart pounding. “Why the hell can he shift in the

    Kimberly grabbed my wrist, her voice urgent. “He’s a rogue now.

    There was no time. The wolf was lowering its head, fangs bared,

    eyes

    “You shouldn’t have run away from me, ra,” Thorne’s voice boomed from the creature’s throatb, /bthe deep growl of the wolf reverberating through my chest.

    My anger red in an instant. “How dare you talk about promises!” I yelled at the beast, fists clenched in fury. “You made promises to me too, remember? You promised we’d end this war together. You promised I’d be the only one you loved. And inow /iyou’re here, acting like none of that matters? So don’t you dare expect me to keep my word too, you fucking asshole.”

    The wolf’s body tensed, and I thought for a moment it was going to leap at me.

    I shut my eyes, bracing for the pain.

    But instead, I felt a cold hand grab my wrist, pulling me away from the edge of panic.

    1blinked, eyes flying open. Thorne had shifted back to his human form, towering over me with dark eyes filled with intensity.

    “Come back with me,” he said, his voice low but forceful.

    “No!” I fought back, yanking my hand away. “Why do you still want me? You’ve got plenty of women now. You made your choice. Just let me

    go!b” /b

    His jaw tightened, a muscle twitching in his clenched face. “You wish.” He hissed, gripping my wrist harder. “You’reing back with me, and you’ll let me exin. But you’re not leaving. Ever.”

    My body trembled in rage. I reached for my dagger, determined to

    he hurt me.

    Before I could reach it, someone stepped between us.

    make him feel something, anything–something that would hurt him like

    “Alpha Thorne, this is no way to treat ady,” Dorian’s calm voice broke through the tension.

    Both men were now ring at each other, the air, thick with hostility.

    Thorne’s eyes narrowed in fury. “Who the hell are you?”

    Dorian’s lips curled into a cold smile. “I report to Lady Kimberly.”

    Thorne snorted, eyes shing with contempt. “Your boss is in deep shit right now. So, fuck off, soldier. This doesn’t concern you.b” /b

    Dorian didn’t budge. He stood tall and unyielding. “But it kinda feels like it does.”

    My heart skipped. I knew what wasing, and I wasn’t sure this was the best time.

    b2/3 /b

    ‘bDorian/bb!/bb” /bI bhissed/b, but he didn’t listen.

    “ra is my mate,” he said loud and clear, his words echoing in the courtyard.

    A deathly silence fell over us.

    Thorne’s eyes widened in shock. His face twisted in disbelief, then fury.

    …She’s your WHAT?” he snarled.