Chapter 53
Olivia's POV
The morning light broke through the trees, casting long shadows across the clearing where remnants of last night’s chaos still lingered. Warriors patrolled the edges of the Pack grounds, their gazes sharp, while others worked to clear debris and secure defenses.
My muscles ached, but the adrenaline had worn off, leaving behind a dull fatigue and a deepening sense of responsibility.
I was overseeing the repairs to one of the storage sheds when Amelia approached, her steps hesitant. She looked fragile, her usual feigned confidence replaced by an air of unease.
“Luna,” she said softly, her eyes flicking to the ground as if searching for the right words.
“Amelia,” I replied, motioning for her to walk with me. Her presence was unexpected, and the look on her face told me this wasn’t just about the attack.
We walked in silence for a few moments, away from the noise of the others. Finally, she spoke, her voice trembling. “The Rogue… the one you captured. He’s, my cousin.”
I stopped in my tracks, forgetting about her confession post-battle. “Your cousin?”
She nodded, her eyes welling with unshed tears. “His name is Caleb. We were close once, but he left the Pack years ago. He’s… always wanted more than his lot. Like me I guess.”
Her voice cracked, and I reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Why didn’t you come to me, Amelia?”
“I was afraid,” she admitted. “Afraid of what it might mean for me, for my place in the Pack. And… for Aiden. He’s not the same person I thought he was when we got together.”
The vulnerability in her voice was startling. Amelia had always been ambitious, outwardly confident. Now, I saw someone grappling with regret and fear.
“Aiden crossed a line,” I said firmly. “You know that. He’s using everyone – Caleb, me, Rogues, you – for his own agenda.”
Amelia swallowed hard, nodding slowly. “I know that now. But what do I do? If I tell Ethan, if Caleb talks… it could destroy what’s left of my family.”
I hesitated, understanding the instinct to protect family. “You have to trust that Ethan will handle this fairly. If you keep this hidden, it could make things worse. For you and Caleb.”
Her lips pressed together, but she nodded again. “You’re right. I’ll tell him.”
As Amelia left to gather her thoughts, I returned to the heart of the Pack, throwing myself into the rebuilding efforts. The attack had shaken everyone, but the resilience of my Pack shone through.
I worked alongside them, organizing supplies and checking in on warriors who had been injured. I had forgotten what it was like to not be seen as an outsider or a Luna in name only. This was my Pack, my family.
And I was grateful that we hadn’t lost anyone in the attack.
Mia joined me as I distributed supplies to the patrol teams. “You’re doing good work,” she said, her tone uncharacteristically serious.
I gave her a tired smile. “It’s what needs to be done.”
She studied me for a moment before lowering her voice. “Amelia talked to you, didn’t she?”
I nodded, glancing around to make sure no one else was within earshot. “She’s going to tell Ethan about her cousin.”
Mia sighed, crossing her arms. “Good. She needs to. Aiden’s pulling everyone he can into his mess, and it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt worse than last night.”
Her words settled heavily in my chest, but I straightened my shoulders. “We’ll handle it,” I said firmly. “One step at a time.”
Mia smirked faintly. “Spoken like a true Luna.”
Despite everything, I felt a spark of hope. My Pack trusted me. They believed in me. And as long as I had their support, I knew I could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
But deep down, I knew Aiden’s attack was just an opening move. He thought he had me in check.
Ethan's POV
The rogue sat slouched in the chair, his wrists bound to the arms with heavy silver restraints. He glared at Marlus and me with bloodshot eyes, defiance etched into his expression despite the bruises marking his face.
Marlus leaned against the wall, his tone calm but cold. “You’ve already lost. The longer you hold out, the worse it’ll get. Start talking.”
The rogue spat on the floor, his sneer deepening. “You think you can scare me? Aiden said you’d fold if he pushed hard enough. He’ll finish what he started, and your precious Pack will be ours.”
My wolf surged to the surface, a growl vibrating low in my chest. The sound made the rogue flinch, though he quickly masked his fear.
“Funny,” I said, stepping closer. “You’re the one sitting here bound in silver. Doesn’t look like Aiden’s doing much finishing.”
The rogue’s jaw tightened, his confidence wavering. Marlus seized the moment, pulling a map from his jacket and slapping it onto the table in front of him.
“We know Aiden’s been recruiting from Rogue factions,” Marlus said. “We also know he’s targeting Packs on the fringes, the ones disillusioned with Council leadership. Tell us where he’s been meeting them, and maybe we’ll consider letting you live.”
The rogue’s gaze flicked to the map, hesitation crossing his face before he forced a smirk. “I’ve seen what happens to people who cross Alpha Ethan Blackford. You think I’m stupid enough to believe you’ll let me walk out of here?”
I slammed my hand onto the table, making him jump. “We don’t need to let you walk out of here,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “But you might want to think about whether Aiden’s worth dying for.”
A heavy silence hung in the air. The Rogue’s eyes darted between Marlus and me, sweat beading on his forehead.
Finally, he spoke, his voice trembling slightly. “There’s an abandoned mill just outside the Northern Ridge. That’s where he’s been meeting with some of us. But I didn’t say shit.”
I exchanged a glance with Marlus, who nodded subtly.
“Smart choice,” Marlus said, folding the map and stepping back.
As we left the interrogation room, the tension in my chest didn’t ease. My wolf paced restlessly, his agitation growing with each passing moment.
“You’re wound tight,” Marlus said as we walked down the hallway. “This isn’t just about Aiden, is it?”
I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my emotions in check. “It’s Olivia,” I admitted reluctantly. “She’s… pissed. I can feel her pulling away, and it’s driving me – and my wolf – insane.”
Marlus gave me a measured look. “At least she told Kerrick to call us for help. That’s… something. But you can’t protect her if you’re distracted. Figure out where you stand before she leaves you for good.”
His words struck a nerve, but I didn’t respond. Instead, I focused on the growing anger inside me. Aiden was circling closer, and Olivia’s absence gnawed at something in my chest.
Something had to give, and soon.
