(Elena's POV)
"Go see Benjamin. He can keep your father alive in prison." Hope and despair warred in my chest as I tried to process what this meant.
A commotion outside drew my attention. A familiar voice – Ryan's – carried through the heavy oak door, accompanied by the rustle of what sounded like paper or fabric.
When I pulled open the door, I nearly collided with an enormous bouquet of white roses and blue delphiniums. Behind the flowers, Ryan's grinning face appeared, his eyes bright with gratitude.
"Elena!" He lowered the flowers, revealing an ornate silver necklace dangling from his other hand. The pendant caught the light, sending rainbow reflections dancing across the walls. "I've been looking everywhere for you."
I blinked, taken aback by his enthusiasm. This was the same warrior who'd barely acknowledged my existence before. "Ryan? What's all this?"
His expression grew serious. "I wanted to thank you properly for saving my life." He thrust the flowers toward me. "And... to apologize."
"Apologize?" I accepted the bouquet automatically, the sweet scent of roses filling my nose.
"For how I treated you when you first arrived." He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, looking genuinely remorseful. "I was suspicious at first. But after what you did today..." He held up the necklace. "This belonged to my grandmother. She was a healer too. I'd be honored if you'd accept it."
The sincerity in his voice made my throat tight. After months of being treated like a pariah, such open gratitude felt almost overwhelming.
I felt Alexander's presence behind me, still and watchful. Though he made no sound, the air seemed to thicken with an tension only I could feel. Zoe stirred restlessly, sensing his displeasure.
"Ryan," Alexander's voice was perfectly controlled, betraying nothing. "Benjamin needs your assistance with some urgent matters."
"Of course, my King." Ryan bowed respectfully, then turned to me with a warm smile. "Elena, let me help you put these in water first—"
"The matters are quite pressing," Alexander added quietly.
Ryan nodded immediately. "I'll find Benjamin right away." He carefully handed me the necklace. "We can talk later, Elena."
As Ryan's footsteps faded, I clutched the flowers closer, not daring to look back at Alexander. The weight of his gaze felt heavy between my shoulder blades.
"Thank you," I whispered, still facing away from him. "For sending me to Benjamin."
His silence spoke volumes, but I couldn't read what it meant. After a moment, he simply said, "Go. He's waiting."
Benjamin's office felt welcoming compared to the tense hallway, with comfortable chairs and walls lined with books. He gestured for me to sit, taking the flowers to place them in a crystal vase he somehow produced from nowhere.
"I believe we have much to discuss," he said kindly.
Hope fluttered in my chest. "About my father?"
"Yes." Benjamin's expression grew serious. "The situation is... complicated. As Beta of the Midnight Pack, I might be able to delay the final judgment through the Alpha Committee."
My heart leaped. "For how long?"
Benjamin's hesitation made my stomach sink. "Two months, perhaps. Any longer would be..." He spread his hands apologetically.
"Two months isn't enough," I whispered, despair creeping back.
"It's definitely not enough," Ryan interjected, his warrior training evident as he began laying out points on his fingers.
"First, we need to gather intelligence about the guard rotations at Silver Moon Pack, which takes at least two weeks of careful observation. Then we need to plan covert entries into their archives - their security has doubled since Elena left."
He started pacing, his tactical mind clearly at work. "The physical evidence they submitted to the Alpha Committee would be in their central vault. We'd need at least three separate operations to document everything without detection. That's another month, minimum."
"And the witnesses," I added softly, remembering the faces of those who had testified against my father.
"Exactly," Ryan nodded. "There were what, twelve key witnesses? Each one needs to be carefully approached, their current situations assessed. Some might have been coerced or threatened - we need time to build trust, to make them feel safe enough to tell the truth."
Benjamin shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his usual diplomatic composure showing cracks of genuine distress. "I understand completely. But two months is..." He spread his hands helplessly. "The Committee has strict protocols. Even with my influence, I can't push it further without risking my position entirely. And if I lose that position..."
"Then we lose what little help we can give," Ryan finished grimly. He turned to me, his face tight with frustration. "We could try reaching out to other packs for support, but that would take time to build alliances..."
"And risk exposing our plans to Ethan's sympathizers," Benjamin added. "Many of the older packs still believe the evidence against your father."
They continued brainstorming possibilities - each one either too risky or too time-consuming for the short window we had. I watched them, these two powerful wolves trying so hard to help me, and felt tears threatening again. This was more support than I'd had in months, yet it still wasn't enough to save my father.
"Thank you," I finally interrupted their planning, my voice soft but steady. "Both of you. You've already done more than I could have hoped for." I managed a small smile. "I'll... I'll think of another way."
The defeat in my voice made both men fall silent. Benjamin looked down at his desk, unable to meet my eyes, while Ryan's fists clenched in helpless frustration.
That's when Alexander's quiet voice came from the doorway: "Six months."
He stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable. "The Alpha King's influence can extend the delay to six months."
Benjamin's eyebrows rose slightly, but he quickly schooled his features. "Yes, that... that would be possible. With your support, my King."
I stared at Alexander, warmth blooming in my chest. He wasn't looking at me, but I could feel the weight of what he'd just offered. Six months. He'd given me six months.
"During which time," Benjamin continued smoothly, "we can ensure your father receives proper care and protection."
"I can help with the investigation too," Ryan added, appearing behind Alexander. He must have completed whatever task he'd been given. "I have contacts in the Silver Moon Pack who might be useful."
"Any investigation would need to be handled... delicately," Benjamin cautioned. "We can't risk open conflict between packs."
A guard's cheerful voice interrupted our planning. "My King! Your sister has returned with her fiancé! The celebratory feast is being prepared."
My blood ran cold. Through the open door, I could hear more voices, including one that made my hands tremble.
"Darling, you're going to love the decorations I've chosen for our mating ceremony," Isabelle's voice trilled. "The silver and gold theme will be perfect."
"Anything you want, my love." Ethan's voice was warm, affectionate – so different from how he'd spoken to me. "You deserve the most beautiful ceremony in werewolf history."
"Oh, Ethan!" Isabelle giggled. "You always know exactly what to say."
The sound of their happiness, their easy affection, made my stomach turn. But before I could spiral into those dark memories, I felt a shift in the air. Alexander had moved closer – not touching me, but near enough that his presence felt like a shield.
Ryan, misreading my distress, offered cheerfully, "Don't worry, Elena. I won't let anything happen to you here."
"Thank you, Ryan," I said softly, genuine gratitude warming my voice. "Your support means more than you know."
Something shifted in the air – a subtle change in pressure that made my wolf stir uneasily. Alexander's expression hadn't changed, but there was a dangerous stillness to him now, like a predator moments before the strike.
"Ryan, Benjamin," Alexander's voice was perfectly controlled, almost casual. "Isabel will be expecting a proper welcome from her brother's most trusted advisors."
Ryan looked slightly confused. "Of course, but shouldn't we finish discussing—"
"Now." The word was soft but carried the weight of an Alpha command.
Benjamin, ever perceptive, quickly gripped Ryan's arm. "Come, my friend. Let's not keep Lady Isabelle waiting." He practically dragged a bewildered Ryan from the room, closing the door behind them with a decisive click.
The silence that followed was deafening. I remained frozen in place as Alexander moved with fluid grace, closing the distance between us. One step, then another, until I found myself backing up against the wall. He placed one hand against the wall beside my head, effectively caging me in without actually touching me.
The position brought his face close to mine – close enough that I could see the flecks of gold in his amber eyes, close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body. His scent enveloped me, that intoxicating mixture of pine and winter wind that haunted my dreams.
"So generous with your gratitude," he murmured, his voice low and rough. He lowered his head until his lips were nearly brushing my ear. "Don't you have any thanks for me, little wolf?"