CHAPTER 232: CHAPTER 232 THE LINGERING SHADOW

Freya’s POV

The sterile scent of antiseptics mingled with Johnny’s coffee breath as we worked feverishly in the lab beneath our home. My fingers flew over keyboards while Xander and Johnny prepared the counterspell compound, the three of us forming an unlikely alliance to save my mate.

Silvano lay on the medical table, his muscular frame wracked with occasional tremors as the curse fought against our efforts. Even in pain, he maintained the dignified bearing of an Alpha, his eyes tracking my movements with an intensity that made my skin tingle despite our dire circumstances.

"Heart rate stabilizing," Johnny announced, monitoring the biometric display. "The compound is neutralizing the dark magic."

I approached Silvano with the final syringe, the culmination of months of secret research. My hand trembled slightly—not from doubt in my calculations, but from the weight of what this moment meant for us.

"This might hurt," I warned, my voice soft as I found a vein in his arm.

Silvano’s fingers wrapped around my wrist, his touch gentle despite his strength. "Nothing could hurt more than believing I was losing you."

His admission made my wolf—Selene—whine with longing inside me. After months of emotional distance, that simple truth felt like coming home.

"Ready?" I asked, meeting his gaze.

He nodded once, jaw set against the anticipated pain.

As I depressed the plunger, sending the glowing blue liquid into his bloodstream, Silvano’s back arched off the table, a guttural growl tearing from his throat. The curse fought its destruction, black veins briefly surfacing across his chest before receding under the compound’s influence.

"Stay with me," I whispered fiercely, grasping his hand. For once, I didn’t care about appearing strong or independent. "Don’t you dare leave me now, Silvano Moretti."

His eyes locked on mine through the pain, the bond between us surging with renewed strength.

"It’s working," Xander confirmed, watching the monitors. "The magical signature is degrading."

Seconds stretched like hours until finally, Silvano’s body relaxed, his breathing evening out. The room fell silent except for the steady beep of monitors.

"Did it..." Johnny began.

"Yes," I answered, not needing instruments to tell me what my bond confirmed. "He’s free."

Silvano sat up slowly, rolling his shoulders as though testing the absence of pain. Wonder spread across his features as he reached for me—and for the first time in months, our skin met without causing him agony.

"Freya," he breathed my name like a prayer, pulling me against his chest.

I melted into his embrace,tears I hadn’t realized I was holding back spilled onto his shoulder.

"Don’t ever shut me out again," I murmured against his neck, my words half demand, half plea.

"Never," he vowed, pressing his lips to my temple. "No matter what comes, we face it together."

Xander cleared his throat. "Not to interrupt this touching reunion, but we still have the matter of Aurora to address."

Reality crashed back like a cold wave. The curse might be broken, but the conspiracy behind it remained unresolved.

"She’s secure in the holding cells," Xander continued. "The Council representatives will arrive tomorrow for her formal hearing."

Silvano nodded, his Alpha authority settling around him like a cloak as he stood, keeping one arm firmly around my waist. "I want to know everything—who she worked with, how the curse was created, why our daughter was targeted."

"You need rest first," I insisted, my scientist’s eye noting the lingering exhaustion in his features.

"Later," he replied, his tone brooking no argument. "First, we secure our family’s safety."

—

The interrogation room in the pack compound’s security wing felt colder than necessary—a deliberate choice to unsettle those brought here for questioning. Aurora sat rigid in her chair, defiance masking the fear I could smell radiating from her pores.

"The Council is sending representatives from four territories," Silvano informed her, his voice betraying none of the rage I knew simmered beneath the surface. "The attempted harm of an Alpha’s heir—especially one with fairy bloodline—carries the highest penalty."

"Death?" Aurora’s voice was barely a whisper, but she raised her chin in a poor imitation of dignity.

"That will be for the Council to decide," I said, studying her carefully. Something about her demeanor troubled me—she seemed too composed for someone facing execution.

Before we could press further, the door swung open. Beta Timothy entered, his expression grim.

"Alpha Enzo and Luna Lilith of the Howlthorne Pack are requesting an audience," he announced. "They’re waiting in your office."

Aurora’s head snapped up, shock and something like hope flashing across her features. Silvano caught the reaction, his eyes narrowing.

"Bring them to the formal receiving room instead," he instructed. "And double the security detail around Isabella."

As Timothy left to carry out the orders, Silvano turned back to Aurora. "It seems your family has come to plead your case."

"They’ve come because they know I’m valuable," she retorted, a hint of her former arrogance returning. "More valuable than you realize."

Alpha Enzo of the Howlthorne Pack was an imposing figure, with the same sharp features as Aurora but none of her beauty’s softness. Beside him, Luna Lilith moved with feline grace.

Victoria stood beside us, her presence adding weight to our reception of these unwelcome visitors.

"Alpha Moretti," Enzo began formally, inclining his head just enough to acknowledge Silvano’s status without seeming subordinate. "Luna Moretti," he added with a briefer nod to me.

"You’ve come a long way unannounced," Silvano observed coolly. "Especially given the circumstances."

Enzo’s jaw tightened. "My daughter’s actions were unsanctioned and unforgivable. However, she is still Howlthorne blood."

"Blood that conspired with dark magic against my mate and child," Silvano countered, his voice dropping to a dangerous register. "Blood that aligned with the same witch who cursed me."

"Which is precisely why we’ve come with a proposal," Luna Lilith interjected smoothly, her voice like honey over broken glass. "One that benefits both our packs."

I stepped forward slightly. "And what could you possibly offer that would outweigh the attempted murder of our daughter?"

Lilith’s eyes flicked to me, assessment in her gaze. "Territory. Resources. Alliance. The Howlthorne Pack would formally merge with Shadow Pack under your leadership. Enzo and I would retire to our property in Europe, taking Aurora with us under permanent exile."

"And in exchange?" Victoria asked, speaking for the first time. "What do you want beyond Aurora’s life?"

"Immunity," Enzo answered bluntly. "No formal charges filed with the Council. No blood feud declared between our families."

Silvano’s expression remained impassive, but I felt his tension through our bond. "Your daughter must reveal her co-conspirators first. I want the witch’s name and location."

"Agreed," Enzo said too quickly.