Chapter 62
Ethan's POV
The night was unusually quiet, the kind that made my wolf uneasy. I sat at my desk, a stack of Council documents untouched as something prickled at the edges of my focus.
Marlus had stationed warriors at every entrance after Aiden’s capture, but the gnawing feeling that something was off refused to let me rest.
My wolf paced within me, low growls echoing in my chest. Trouble. He whispered through my mind.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts, and Marlus stepped in, his expression grim. “Couldn’t sleep either?” he asked without preamble.
I nodded. “Something like that. Where are we with the night patrols?”
“Rotating as planned,” Marlus replied, stepping closer. “But I’ve ordered tighter formations. If Aiden’s got any loose ends, they’re not slipping past us tonight.”
The words had barely left his mouth when a muffled commotion reached us from down the hall. My wolf surged to attention, every muscle in my body tensing.
Marlus exchanged a sharp glance with me before bolting out the door, and I was right behind him.
We rounded the corner just in time to see a Rogue, lean and wiry, grappling with one of my warriors. The scent of desperation and blood filled the air, and my wolf snarled.
The rogue broke free, his movements frantic as he darted toward the west wing – where my personal rooms are.
Marlus lunged, cutting him off with a precise hit that sent the rogue sprawling. “Not so fast,” he growled, his blade flashing as he stepped forward.
The rogue scrambled to his feet, brandishing a dagger. His eyes darted wildly, and I could practically smell the panic rolling off him. This wasn’t just a mindless attack—it was calculated.
“Going somewhere?” I demanded, stepping forward. My voice carried the full weight of my Alpha authority, and the rogue flinched, his grip on the dagger tightening.
He bared his teeth, but his silence spoke volumes.
My wolf howled for release, urging me to tear him apart, but I held back. “You’re just a pawn,” I said, my tone cold. “Who sent you?”
The rogue lunged at me instead of answering, his blade aimed for my throat. He was fast, but not faster than me. I sidestepped, catching his wrist and twisting until the dagger clattered to the ground.
With a sharp growl, I slammed him into the wall, pinning him in place. “Who sent you?” I demanded again, my claws pressing into his shoulder.
His breathing was ragged, his eyes darting to Marlus. “You think you’ve won?” he hissed, blood staining his teeth as he spat. “Aiden’s plan doesn’t end with me.”
I growled low, my wolf surging dangerously close to the surface. “That’s where you’re wrong. It ends here.”
Marlus stepped in, pressing his blade to the rogue’s throat. “Talk, or you won’t leave this Pack House alive.”
The rogue’s resolve cracked, and his lips twisted into a bitter smirk. “You’ll never stop him. He’s always a step ahead.”
I slammed the Rogue to the floor, my claws grazing his neck as I fought to keep control. My wolf wanted blood, but I needed answers. “Where?” I snarled.
He choked on a laugh, his eyes glazing over. Whatever loyalty Aiden had bought was deep.
Marlus hauled him up, his grip unrelenting. “We’ll get the truth out of him,” he said, his voice like steel.
I nodded, though my wolf was far from satisfied. “Put him in the cells, far away from Aiden,” I ordered. “And double the guards.”
As the rogue was dragged away, my wolf still paced, restless and unsatisfied.
This attack was either part of a contingency plan, or someone was trying to bust Aiden out – and kill me in the process.
If Aiden thought I wouldn’t meet him head-on, he was dead wrong.
The Rogue sat slumped in the chair, his hands shackled to the heavy oak table. His breathing was labored, and a dark bruise bloomed across his temple from the earlier scuffle.
He looked defiant, but there was a flicker of unease in his eyes as Marlus and I stepped into the dimly lit room.
“You’re going to talk,” I said, letting my voice carry the weight of my Alpha authority. “And if you’re smart, you’ll do it now before I lose my patience.”
The Rogue smirked, his split lip curling into a sneer. “You think you’ve won, Alpha? You don’t even know how deep this goes.”
Marlus leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his presence menacing as it should be. “Why don’t you enlighten us, then?”
The Rogue chuckled, his shoulders shaking with grim amusement. “Aiden’s just the start,” he said, his voice rasping. “You think locking him up changes anything? He’s got allies, powerful ones. People who don’t want to see you sitting on the Council.”
My wolf bristled, its growl rumbling just to the surface. “Names,” I demanded, stepping closer.
The Rogue’s eyes gleamed with something dark. “Why don’t you ask Olivia? Or that handsome, charming doctor she’s been spending so much time with.”
I froze, his words hitting me like a slap. Beside me, Marlus straightened, his jaw tightening.
“What the hell are you talking about?” I growled, my fingers flexing involuntarily.
The Rogue grinned, sensing the shift in the room. “She’s not as loyal as you think, Alpha. And neither is Matthew. Aiden’s been feeding them information, using them to keep you distracted while he sets his plan in motion.”
“Lies,” I snarled, slamming my fists on the table. The wood cracked under the force, but I didn’t care. “You don’t know anything about my Luna.”
“Don’t I?” he shot back, his grin widening. “She’s too close to him, isn’t she? Always at his side, always trusting him. Maybe you should start asking why.”
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to breathe. My wolf roared for release, demanding I rip the truth from this man, but I wouldn’t let him win.
Marlus spoke up, his voice calm but cold. “You’re trying to bait him, but it won’t work. Keep talking. Maybe you’ll say something useful before your sorry life ends.”
He shifted uncomfortably, the confidence in his smirk faltering. “Think what you want,” he muttered. “But Aiden’s got the Council in his sights, and Olivia? Let’s just say she’ll make a better Luna when she’s house broken.”
I stepped back, the Rogue’s words circling in my mind. I didn’t believe him—not about Olivia. But Matthew...
“Marlus,” I said, my voice pitched low for his ears only. “What do we know about Matthew’s movements recently?”
“Not much,” Marlus admitted, his gaze narrowing. “But if he’s tied to Aiden, we’ll find out.”
The rogue laughed, the sound grating against my nerves. “You’re too late. Whatever you think you can stop, it’s already in motion.”
I turned to him, my patience worn thin. “You’re going to give us everything,” I said, my tone like steel. “Or I’ll make you wish you had.”
His bravado cracked, and for the first time, fear flickered in his eyes. He swallowed hard but didn’t speak.
“Take him back to the cell,” I ordered Marlus. “If he so much as breathes suspiciously… you know what to do.”
Marlus nodded, hauling the Rogue to his feet.
As they left, I stayed behind, staring at the now-empty chair. The seeds of doubt the Rogue had tried to plant about Olivia were already withering, but his words about Matthew lingered.
If Matthew was playing a bigger game, it was time to find out. And if Aiden – or Matthew – went near Olivia again, I wouldn’t hold my wolf back from protecting what’s mine.
