"Gabriel, let her go," the masked man growled.
Gabriel flinched, his grip loosening for a fraction of a second. It was all I needed. With a swift motion, I shifted my weight, twisting my body to the side and grabbing his wrist. Before he could react, I slammed my elbow into his arm, forcing him to release the knife. It clattered to the floor as I spun behind him, locking his arm behind his back in a painful hold.
Gasps filled the room as I pressed my knee into the back of his leg, forcing him to kneel. Gabri struggled, but I tightened my grip, making him wince in pain.
"You dare threaten me?" I hissed, my voice cold. "You're nothing but a coward hiding behind deceit."
Roland stepped forward, his chest heaving with barely contained anger, but I shot him a look, silently telling him to stand down.
Alpha Killian rose from his seat, "Guards!" he barked, his voice echoing through the hall. "Arrest him immediately!"
Two guards rushed forward, grabbing Gabriel's arms as I released him. He struggled against them, his eyes wild with panic.
"You don't understand!" Gabriel shouted. "She's manipulating all of you! She's lying—"
"Enough," Alpha Killian interrupted, his tone sharp. He stepped forward, towering over Gabriel. "You've been caught red-handed, Gabriel. The Alpha's seal in your possession and your actions tonight speak for themselves. You've betrayed your pack, and you will face the consequences."
Gabriel glared at Alpha Killian,his lips curling into a sneer. "You'll regret this," he spat, and the guards dragged him away.
The masked man leaned forward in his seat, "Start talking," he commanded.
"I'll explain everything, but I have one condition. This conversation happens in private." I said, and alpha Killian wanted to protest again. I saw him gaze at the masked man, and he immediately smiled.
"Very well," he said turning to the others in the room. "Everyone out. Now."
They murmur within themselves and one sharp glare from him silenced them. One by one they filed out, leaving only me, Roland, Alpha Killian and the masked man
"Alpha Bryan is planning to attack your pack in three days. He believes you're vulnerable, and he has a spy feeding him information about your weaknesses."
Alpha Killian frowned, clearly uneasy. "Why would Bryan dare to attack Silver Moon? He knows our reputation."
"Because he believes you're weak during the full moon," I replied. "Your vulnerability on the night of every full moon. That's the information he's been given."
Killian's face turned pale, but he quickly masked it.
The masked man leaned back, his eyes never leaving mine. "You've proven yourself to be resourceful, Queen Vivian. But why are you really here? Why warn us?"
"I have my reasons," I said simply. "Whether you trust me or not, my warning stands. Bryan's attack will happen, and he'll bring more destruction than you expect."
Killian exchanged a glance with the masked man, who gave a barely perceptible nod. After a tense moment, Killian sighed. "You and your Beta will stay here tonight. We'll decide how to proceed in the morning."
Roland opened his mouth to protest, but I silenced him with a look. "Very well," I agreed. "But don't mistake my compliance for submission. I don't answer to anyone but myself."
The masked man's lips twitched into what could've been the ghost of a smile before he turned and strode out of the room.
******
I couldn't sleep, my mind restless. Deciding to clear my head, I left my room and wandered the halls.
As I rounded a corner, I froze. Standing by a large window was a man, his back to me. The moonlight bathed him in a silver glow, highlighting his broad shoulders and chiseled features. When he turned, I felt my breath catch.
He was stunning. His face was a masterpiece—sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and eyes so piercing they seemed to see right through me. His hair, dark and slightly tousled, framed his face perfectly. He looked like a god brought to life.
"Out for a midnight stroll, Queen Vivian?" he asked.
I raised an eyebrow. "And who are you to question me? Another guard? Or are you the one truly pulling the strings around here?"
His lips curved into a smirk. "I see you don't mince words. I'm Killian's brother, Caden. And you, Queen Vivian, are quite the enigma."
Alpha Killian's brother? The masked man? I crossed my arms, meeting his gaze without flinching. "I don't care for titles or games, Caden. Speak plainly or don't speak at all."
His smirk deepened, and he stepped closer. "You're not like most wolves I've met. They bow, they submit. But you? You stand tall, even when surrounded by power. Why?"
"Because I am power," I said firmly, refusing to look away. "I don't bow to anyone, not to Alphas, Betas, or kings. My actions speak for themselves, and I don't need permission to do what's right."
Caden's expression shifted, "You're different, Vivian. Most wolves would've groveled in Killian's presence, yet you stood your ground. You even dared to accuse his Beta in front of everyone."
"Because I had proof," I said, my tone sharp. "And because I refuse to let anyone dictate my path. You may find that strange, but it's the only way to survive in a world like ours."
He studied me for a moment, his eyes filled with something I couldn't quite place. Respect, maybe? Admiration? Whatever it was, it didn't matter. I wasn't here to win approval.
"You carry yourself like you're untouchable," Caden said, his voice low and smooth. "Like no one can reach you. But I see right through that mask, Vivian."
I held my ground, unwilling to let him see how much his presence was affecting me. "If you think you can intimidate me, you're mistaken. I've stood against worse than you."
His lips curved into a faint smile, but there was something deeper in his gaze now—something that felt like fire. "You feel it, don't you?" he murmured.
I stiffened, my wolf practically clawing to get out. I did feel it—the pull, the undeniable connection that tied me to him. My mate. The realization hit me like a tidal wave, and I hated how vulnerable it made me feel.
"You're wrong," I said sharply, though my voice wavered. "Whatever this is, I don't want it."
Caden's eyes softened, but he didn't back down. Instead, he took another step forward, closing the distance between us until I could feel the heat radiating from him. He raised a hand, brushing his fingers lightly against my cheek.
"Deny it all you want, Vivian," he said softly, his touch sending sparks through my skin. "But your wolf doesn't lie. You can feel it, just like I do."
I shivered, hating how my body betrayed me. My breath hitched as his thumb gently traced along my jawline. "I've been waiting for you," he continued. "And now that I've found you, I won't let you go."
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay firm. "I don't need a mate," I whispered, though the words felt hollow.
Caden's smile widened, but it wasn't mocking—it was warm, almost tender. "You may not think you require me," he said, his voice steady, "but I promise you, Vivian, you'll want me. And when that time comes, you'll submit—not because I demand it, but because you'll choose to."
The way he said it made my heart stutter, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
Before I could respond, he leaned closer, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, "You'll see, my queen. You can try to fight it, but you'll be mine in the end."
He pulled back, his intense gaze locking with mine one last time before he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, breathless and trembling.
My wolf was practically purring, but I wasn't going to give in.
Never.