bChapter /bb12 /b

ra’s POV

“You’re seriously asking me to exin myself?” I leaned forward, hands resting calmly on the polished table, eyes locked ion /iGarron. “That’s cute.”

He puffed out his chest like a rooster, trying to save face. “I think I deserve to know why our pack was picked.”

I chuckled coldly. “You?” I tilted my head. “Since when does Direstone Keep let its Gamma make high–level decisions? Or have you started running the

show behind Thorne’s back?”

His face flushed an ugly shade of purple. “You-”

He looked ready to erupt, but Justin reached across and tugged his sleeve. That’s when I saw it–Thorne’s cold stare fixed on Garron like a silentmand. And just like that, the man shrank back into his seat, muttering under his breath.

Smart move.

Eden cleared his throat. “Alpha Thorne, shall we consider ra’s proposal?”

Thorne kept his gaze on me for a few long seconds before giving a curt nod. “We’ll host it.”

With that, the meeting adjourned, and the room began to clear. I moved

“Excellent,” Cael cut in, rising to his feet with a satisfied grin. “We’ll move our soldiers into Direstone Keep in two weeks. Until then, feel fr Blood Moon hospitality.”

to

the hall to get some air, only to find myself cornered–gently-

“I must say, your pack’sndscape is breathtaking,” ric said, his eyes sweeping the corridor like he owned it. “First time here, and I’m already regretting not visiting sooner.”

“We’re known for ourkes,” I said politely. “Waterfalls too. Gets a lot of

“Well, now i see why,” he said with a boyish grin. “You from here

origi Sts in the summer.”

“Yes.”

“So… you and Cael?” His brows lifted. “Or maybe Thorne?

I snorted. “I’m single, ric. Sorry to ruin the fantasy.”

He smiled wider. “Even better.”

Or

you

iing /iboth sides?b” /b

“Look at that,” Cael’s voice rang out, yful and cutting. “You’ve

fan

club now, ra.”

enjoy.

I turned to see him approaching with Thorne trailing close behind–though Thorne looked anything but amused.

“I meanb, /bcan iyou /ime the guy?i” /iCael added with a grin. “You’re hard to resist.”

ric turned to me with ba /bcharming tilt of his head. “Well, if no one would bobject/bb… /bmaybe you could show me one of those famous waterfallsb?/bb” /b

I opened my mouth to respond, but Thorne was suddenly between us, blocking the space like a brick wall.

“Ask someone else,” Thorne said, eyes locked on ric. “There bare /bmaps in the lobby. You don’t need a tour guide.”

ric raised a brow. “Didn’t realize Blood Moon had personal chaperones.”

b“/bbI’m /bjust bsaving /bbyou /bfrom wasting byour /bbtime/bb./bb” /b

b1/3 /b

ha ric.

stepped around Thorne, brushing past his arm. “Alpha ric, I’d love to show you around. Tomorrow morning, seven o’clock. We’ll bstart /bbwith /bbthe /bbGreat /bWaterfall.”

“Perfect,” ric grinned. “It’s a date.”

“Absolutely not,” Thorne growled, spinning to face me. “You know what he’s like–he flirts, charms, then moves on. Are you really that desperate bto /bbbe /brejected again?”

The hallway fell dead silent.

My expression hardened. But before I could respond, ricughed softly, shaking his head.

“Rejected? Who in their right mind would reject her?”

He reached for my wrist, gently tugging me away from Thorne. “And maybe don’t use your ‘Alpha dominance‘ on women next time.”

Cael stepped in, pping his hands. “Alright, lovebirds. I’m not missing this scenic hike. Count me in!”

I smiled and nodded. “Then it’s settled.”

The three of us walked off together, leaving Thorne behind, brooding in the shadows.

By morning, I was up early and ready–hair pulled into a high ponytail, sports bra and leggings snug, hiking pack over my shoulder. Downstairs in the hotel lobby, Vessa was already waiting, arms crossed and ring at the clock like it had insulted her.

She’d practically demanded to join when she heard about the hike. I didn’t mind. In fact, I’d been hoping to get her and Cael in the s

brother

while. My best friend had been crushing on my

As we waited, I filled her in on the hallway drama.

ifor /i

Months

snow, and it was starting to get tragic.

for a

She did not take it well.

“That arrogant bastard!” she barked, earning

ba /b

iv /istartled nces from passing staff. “So he can

toss

s you aside, but the moment someone else looks

your way, he turns into a raging caveman?”

I shrugged. “He’s always been like that. Hot one moment, cold the next.”

“Ugh. I swear, if he wasn’t an Alpha-”

“You’d still punch him in the face?b” /b

“Exactly!” She huffed, then narrowed her eyes behind me. “Speaking of the devil…”

I turned.

Thorne had just walked in.

Dressed in ba /bfitted hiking tee and joggers, bag slung over one shoulderb, /bcalm bas /bever–like he belonged here.

Which he didn’t.

I crossed my arms. “You’re kidding.”

“Whyb?/bb” /bhe askedb, /bpletely unfazed. “Only you bget /bbto /bsee the waterfallb?/bb” /b

bVessa /bbgroaned /bbeside me. b“/bGreat, bJust /bgreat, Can bwe /bthrow him off the bmountain /band bcall /bit a dayb?/bb” /b

I bsighed/bb, /balready bregretting /bbevery /bbdecision /bbthat /bbled /bbto /bbthis /bbpoint/b. Between bric’s /bbcharm/bb, /bbCael’s /bbmeddling/b, band /bbnow /bbThorne’s /bblooming /bbpresence/bb, /bbthis /bbhike /bbwas /bbgoing /bbto /bbbe /bbanything /bbbut /bbpeaceful/b.

15:09 Mon, 28 July Ge

“Fine,” I muttered. “You want to hike with us? Don’t talk to me. Don’t walk beside me. And if iyou /ifall off a cliff, I won’te looking.”

He smirked. “Noted.”

The worst part?

He was still gorgeous when he smiled.

B

bAD /b

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