Chapter 7 Your Alpha Is Coming for You.

Vortend

I downed the whiskey, feeling the alcohol burn through my veins without dispelling the chill in my soul. Damn it, when would these threats end?

Standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows of Fenris Industries' top floor, I surveyed Manhattan's glittering nightscape. This city, this Pack—my territory. I was responsible for protecting everyone in it—especially her.

The Alpha wolf inside me growled, sharing my unease and rage. We must protect her. At any cost.

My gaze fell on the fresh parchment on my desk, worry flashing across my eyes. This was the sixth one, with increasingly specific threats.

"Fuck!" I slammed the glass down hard.

The spiral scar on my neck throbbed, as it always did when those damned parchments arrived—a painful reminder of failure's price.

I turned to face the 3D artwork behind my desk—a black wolf with vigilant golden eyes, fangs partially bared. More than mere art, it cleverly concealed the entrance to my safe. Ordinary people saw only an Alpha's display of power, not knowing it hid my darkest secrets.

Placing my finger on the wolf's forehead, I felt a slight vibration and click as a faint blue light appeared beneath my fingertip. A floor panel silently slid open, revealing a square meter opening with an embedded panel. I crouched down, placing my hand on it for scanning.

Next, I removed a delicate chain from around my neck—one I kept hidden beneath my shirt—with a black metal tag dangling from it. Multiple security measures—never trust a single line of defense. I inserted the chain into the waiting slot.

A deep blue light scanned the surface before a soft hum signaled the titanium door sliding open.

I removed a special black box, opened it with iris recognition, and carefully extracted a yellowed page torn from an ancient parchment book:

Beware the one marked for chaos and rebirth, who will destroy the old order and bring the unknown.

What accelerated my heartbeat wasn't the message itself, but the image on the paper.

Despite centuries of weathering, the symbol remained discernible—an ancient mark matching no known language, identical to the small crescent in Selene's pupils...

The thought made my heart clench. This mark was more significant than anyone understood. If other Packs discovered it, she would be in tremendous danger. Even those who now adored her would betray her out of fear. Including my own Pack members.

I carefully set down the ancient parchment and picked up today's message, which read in bold black lettering:

Don't attend the Mist Mountain Ball. You're being watched. She is too.

Unlike previous threats, this one felt more like a warning. I examined the earlier cards:

Your Luna is beautiful, isn't she? I wonder what your beloved Moon Goddess's blood would look like flowing down that pretty neck?

My wolf raged within me, a low growl escaping my own throat. Who dared threaten my Mate? Even with our bond broken, she was still mine to protect.

Most disturbing was a card from months ago, accompanied by a high-resolution photo.

In it, Selene stood on the glass balcony of our former mansion, hands clutching her hair, silver-blue eyes flashing with unease. Her pupils were circled in red pen, the crescent marks clearly visible. The card read:

What would the Pack do if they knew their Luna would bring them destruction?

A firm knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Shit," I cursed softly, quickly returning everything to the safe and ensuring the floor panel slid noiselessly back into place. I regulated my breathing, suppressing my churning emotions.

The door opened to reveal my Beta and confidant, Jason, immaculately dressed in a charcoal suit, holding a folder and coffee, smelling of pine and leather.

"Alpha," he greeted briefly, chin slightly lowered, then frowned, "You look terrible. What's wrong?"

"Just paperwork," I replied wearily, knowing I couldn't fool his keen werewolf senses, "What's urgent?"

Jason handed me the coffee, which I accepted gratefully. Black, two sugars, splash of milk—he remembered my preference.

"Formal invitation to the Mist Mountain Pack's Winter Moon Ball," he said, placing down the folder. "Signed by Archer Pierce himself. Looks like he wants to smooth things between us."

I opened the folder to find an elegantly designed invitation bearing the Mist Mountain Alpha's signature and family seal.

Remembering the warning I'd just received, I frowned involuntarily. Don't attend the Mist Mountain Ball.

Was this a trap, or a genuine warning? Who would care about my safety? Who knew Selene's secrets?

Jason noticed my expression, "What's wrong? I thought you'd be pleased. It's a perfect opportunity to enter Mist Mountain territory, maybe find the clues you've been seeking."

After contemplation, I announced, "We're not going."

"Vortend, that's not like you," Jason's tone carried disbelief. "What happened? What has Archer Pierce done to make you so cautious?"

I took a deep breath. I couldn't tell Jason the truth, but needed a reasonable explanation. My fingers unconsciously traced the scar on my neck.

"I've received intelligence suggesting potential sabotage at the ball. I need more information before deciding."

Though suspicion flashed in Jason's eyes, his nose twitching slightly to detect my emotional shift, he nodded in acceptance.

"I understand. What do you need me to do?"

"Continue your investigation. Monitor Mist Mountain's movements closely. I want to know what that old wolf is plotting."

After Jason left, I poured myself another drink, neat. Alcohol couldn't numb my werewolf physiology, but the ritual helped me think.

We should find her, mark her, protect her. She is ours, my wolf whispered in my mind.

"Shut up," I growled back, "She's not ours anymore." The fact pierced my heart like a blade.

I recalled making that painful decision months ago—dissolving my Mate Bond with Selene. It was the hardest choice of my life; speaking the words that separated us nearly shattered my soul. Now, I suspected it might have been my greatest mistake.

The warning echoed in my mind. Don't attend the Mist Mountain Ball.

But what if this was my only chance to identify the mastermind?

If I stayed away, the next threat would only be worse, and more directly targeted at Selene. Though she had left me, I couldn't let her face danger. Whether she hated me or misunderstood me, protecting her remained my responsibility.

After deliberation, I made my decision. I had to take the risk, to be proactive. Waiting would only strengthen my enemy.

I grabbed the intercom and pressed a button. "Jason, I've changed my mind. We'll attend the ball. Prepare our most elite Guardians, but keep it discreet. I want to ensure no one discovers our true purpose."

"Understood, Alpha," Jason's voice came through, tinged with curiosity. "May I ask what changed your mind?"

"Instinct," I answered simply.

Whatever awaited me, whatever price I had to pay, I would protect you, Selene. Even if you never forgave me, even if you hated me forever, I would ensure your safety.

I gazed at the moon outside, feeling my wolf stirring within. Wait for me, my dear. Your Alpha is coming for you.