bChapter /bb30 /b

ra’s POV

“bHer/bb?/bb” /bbI /brepeated coldlyb, /bnarrowing my eyes at Garron. “You’re saying Triss nned bit/bb?/bb” /b

bGarron /bnodded frantically, his bface /bswollen and stained with bruisesb. /b“Yesb! /bIt was all her ideab–/bI bjust /bbpassed /bthe messageb. /bShe said Gamma ra needed to bbe /bput in her ceb!/bb” /b

Everyone’s attention snapped to Triss.

The woman stiffened, her jaw tightening. Her eyes stayed low as if meeting mine would ignite something in bher/b.

b“/bbIs /bthat true?b” /bThorne’s bvoice /bsliced through the tension like a de. “Triss, did you have anything to do with thisb?/bb” /b

For a moment, silence ruled. Then Triss slowly raised her head.

“No,” she said tly, “but he’s not wrong. I told him the bears were real. I told him that if anyone wandered too far north, they’d find trouble. But it was his choice to send her there.” She flicked her eyes toward me. “I didn’t think he’d actually do it.”

“You encouraged it,” Cael growled beside me. “You nted the seed and watched it grow.”

“And she fought those monsters alone because of it,” Bex added sharply. “Thirty damn bears.”

Triss stood a little straighter, her tone unbending. “I didn’t give the order. He did.”

Thorne turned to the man who had brought the map, “Did she threaten you as well?”

“N–No, Alpha. Only Gamma Garron. She just… knew about the forest. I thought she was joking.”

I drew a deep breath and pushed myself upright in the bed. My body still ached, but fury burned hotter than pain ever could.

“You sent me there to die,” I said to Garron, every word sharp as a de. “And when it didn’t work, you pointed at your teammate to save your skin.”

“I didn’t mean-” he began.

“You meant exactly what you did.” My voice cracked with rage. “Jory could’ve died. Vessa nearly bled out. You threw my people to monsters and stood there to watch.”

Garron trembled. “You… you don’t understand–this was never supposed to go that far.”

“No,” I said icily, “you didn’t expect me to survive.”

Cael leaned in again, but I stopped him with a hand. I was done letting others fight my battles.

“I want him stripped of his title,” I said clearly, turning to Thorne. “Direstone Keep Pack has no right keeping a Gamma who gambles with other pack members‘ lives.”

Gasps echoed around the room. Garron choked on his protest.

Thorne stared at me in silenceb. /bHis jaw clenched, but he gave a single nod.

“Effective immediately,” he said. “Garron, you’re removed from your post. You’ll bface /bformal judgment from the council,

Guardsb, /bbtake /bhimb.” /b

The soldiers nking him didn’t bhesitate/bb. /bbGarron /bshouted and thrashed bas /bbthey /bdragged him outb, /bsputtering bcurses/b. Triss stood frozen, arms crossed tight.

“What about bher/bb?/b” Bex asked, nodding toward Triss.

“She stays for now,” I said after a moment. “She may have knownb, /bbut she didn’t bact/bb./bb” /b

Triss flinched like she expected something worseb. /bShe turned to me slowly.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

“Don’t thank me. I’m not done with you yet.” My gaze bore into hers. “But I believe in bjustice /bbefore revengeb. /bDon’t make me regret that.”

Triss nodded, her eyes dropping again.

Thorne sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “ra, you need rest. Let us handle things.”

“I’ve been resting for two days. That’s enough.”

Cael gave me a side–eye. “You look like hell.”

I smirked faintly. “Then I’m in perfect shape for the next fight.”

Laughter broke the tension in the room. Bex chuckled, handing me a bottle of water. “Still want to join the next hunting trip?”

“As long as no one gives me another forged map,” I said dryly.

Thorne cleared his throat. “ra–there’s something else we need to discuss.”

“Let me guess. More secrets about my past?” I tilted my head at him. “Another memory you just now remembered to care about?b” /b

He looked hurt for a moment, but I didn’t flinch.

“No,” he said quietly. “This time, I just want to apologize.”

The room fell still.

“I should have listened to you before. About your family. About everything. I believed Mi’s lies for too long. And I treated you like you didn’t matter.”

I waited.

“I’m not asking for forgiveness,” he added. “Just… the chance to stand beside you. Not as your Alpha. Just as someone who wants to do right by you now.”

The words sat heavy in the room. I didn’t answer him–not yet. I turned back to Cael.

“Will you escort Bex and the others out? I need a moment.”

Cael looked between us, his brows pinching. Then he nodded.

“Of course.”

When the room emptied, Thorne stayed by the foot of the bed.

I leaned back into my pillowsb. /b“You said you’re not asking for forgivenessb. /bGood. Because I don’t bhave /bit to giveb./bb” /b

He nodded onceb, /bshoulders stiff.

“But,” I added, “if you really want to make things rightb–/bstart by helping me rebuild what you helped tear down.”

His brows lifted.

“Stand with me. Not behind Mi. Not behind your guilt. With me.”

Thorne’s eyes met mine. And for the first time in a long while, they didn’t bfeel /bcold.

b“/bI willb./bb” /b

I didn’t smile. Not yet. But something loosened inside my chest.

“Good,” I said. “Then let’s see what you’re really made of, Alpha Thorne.”

bChapter /bb31 /b