Emma's POV
"Yay!! You're finally back home", Ryder said, hugging me.
It's been a while brother, how have you been? You look pale? I asked my brother
Yes! I really do look pale.
A lot has been going on in this pack? My mate was taken away from me by Dante.
I look up at Ryder in surprise.
You mean Dante, like the Lycan king?
Who the hell is he to do that to you?
"That arrogant tyrant Dante thinks he can do whatever he wants," Ryder seethed, his hands clenched into fists. "He swooped in and stole Ashley right from under me."
My protective instincts flared at seeing my little brother so distraught. Ashley was his true mate regardless of whatever happens or how he treats her. I knew how he had been when they bonded. For Dante to just take her against Ryder's will was an unforgivable violation.
"Start from the beginning," I said, steering Ryder over to sit down. "Tell me everything."
Ryder took a shaky breath before launching into the whole sordid tale of how Ashley had gotten unexpectedly pregnant, and in his shock and anger he had rejected her cruelly. My heart ached for him as he choked up recounting her devastated reaction.
"I...I know I messed up, Emma. I was too harsh, too quick to throw her away over something that wasn't her fault. But she's still my mate, my bonded partner. We're meant to be together."
His eyes shone with desperation and regret. "But then Dante showed up, like some valiant savior, and he manipulated Ashley into believing they have some long profound connection. He's turned her against me!"
White hot rage burned through me at Dante's stupid actions. How dare he take advantage of Ashley's and Ryders situation like that? Use his power and dominance to basically abduct her right out of Ryder's life?
"That pompous, narcissistic piece of filth," I snarled, feeling my wolf ripple just beneath the surface, aching to be released and tear Dante apart. "Don't worry, baby brother. We're going to get Ashley back where she belongs , with you and your pup."
Ryder's eyes widened with hope and gratitude. "You'll help me, Emma? Against the Lycan King himself?"
A cold, merciless smile curved my lips. "I'd go after any smug alpha who tried to trample all over my family's rights. Dante just dug his own grave by messing with the wrong wolves."
Even as I made that vow of vengeance, part of me shivered at the sheer audacity of what I was pledging. Going up against the most powerful werewolf leader around was nothing short of a death wish. But for Ryder's sake , for the sake of my family and restoring his cheerful happiness, I would risk anything.
Dante had started something he would live to regret. Because when you backed a wolf into a corner and threatened her family?
You awoke the beast inside, ready to fight tooth and claw with everything she had.
Ryder, we are going up against the Lycan King this is no childs play. We have to map out plans and strategize the right way if you want to get your mate back. If this is not done properly we might end up getting in serious trouble.
So braze yourself up for the fight ahead is for the strong minds.
———————
I went straight to my room thinking of how to go up against dante. Different ideas kept popping up in my head. I thought about going to confront Dante, but that would be stupid of me. I also thought about going to the elders but Ryder already took that step.
After several hours of thinking I finally decided to start with Ashley.
Like the saying goes, keep your friends close and then your enemies closer.
Ashley would be kept close and then I would look for a way to keep the enemy, Dante closer.
And if my plan A doesn't work out, I will resort to plan B which is turning the people around Dante against him.
Ashley's POV
The next few days passed in a blur as I tried to adjust to life in Dante's palace. Despite his constant reassurances, I couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider, someone who didn't truly belong.
Sophia did her best to make me comfortable, showing me around the grounds and introducing me to the staff. But I could sense the wariness in their eyes, the unspoken questions about my place here.
Dante seemed determined to keep me close, as if sensing my inner turmoil. We took meals together, strolled through the gardens, and spent evenings by the fireplace as he indulged me with tales of his pack's history. With each passing day, I felt myself being drawn deeper into his world.
Yet the memory of Ryder's heated confrontation in the gardens continued to haunt me. What would possess him to act that way, to try forcing himself on me after so callously discarding me before? I shuddered to think of how far he might have gone had Dante's guards not been patrolling nearby.
My thoughts must have shown on my face, because one evening as we sat together, Dante reached over and took my hand in his large.
"Something troubles you, my dear," he said in that deep, rumbling tone. "Tell me what weighs so heavily on your mind."
I hesitated, not wanting to bother him with my worries about Ryder. But Dante merely stroked the back of my hand soothingly with his thumb, his stormy gaze holding an open patience that finally unlocked my voice.
"It's Ryder," I admitted in a soft exhale. "He...he confronted me in the gardens the other night. Tried to accost me in a most unwanted way before I could escape back here."
Dante's handsome features hardened instantly, his eyes flashing like steel. "He dared lay a hand on you?" His voice came out low, laced with a dangerous edge.
Quickly, I tried to downplay it.
"No!!"
Not exactly, but he made his intentions quite clear. I simply don't understand what could drive him to such actions after how completely he shattered me before."
Letting out a harsh breath, Dante reached up to cup my cheek tenderly. "Ryder is a fool, blinded by pride and unable to see how precious you truly are. You are safe now, little one. I vow no harm shall come to you under my care."
His protective words should have reassured me, but part of me couldn't help dwelling on that dark look in Ryder's eyes. If he was willing to be so brave here, what other thing would he attempt?
Little did I know, the seeds of malice against Dante and I were already taking root much closer than I could have imagined.
Emma's POV
Moving quietly and hidden from view in the palace grounds, I went towards the private exit I had used to sneak in originally. While waiting for the right time to take action on my plan, I had been spending my time patiently, learning everything I could about the place's layout, the schedules of the staff, and any potential weaknesses in security that I could take advantage of.
One thing was for sure , if I wanted to get near enough to attack Dante's weak spot and get Ashley back for my brother, I would need to be very patient. I would need to be careful and systematic. I would need to thoroughly dismantle every single one of the Lycan King's defenses, one by one, leaving nothing overlooked.
I crept up to the guarded door without a squeak. In my hand, I held a tiny bottle with glowing blue stuff. A sneaky smile appeared on my face. Time to cause some trouble!
I snuck past the two big wolf guards and splashed the blue stuff from the bottle. It smelled awful and made their eyes sting. They coughed and fell down, helpless. I moved fast and quietly , snapped, and both guards were out cold. The way was clear!
"Bye-bye, wolves," I said meanly at the sleeping guards, then pulled them out of the way.
No one would miss these two for at least a few rotations more. Plenty of time for me to disappear back inside and locate my true target, Dante's precious little omega mate herself.
Ashley would soon discover that despite Dante's dominance and power, I could strike at any time, from any shadow. And this was just the start of what I had in store for them both.