Elara’s POV
C
“You’re just going to let her walk away like that?” Miela snapped, scrambling after Thorne like a wounded shadow. “She hasn’t even apologized to me yet
Thorne spun around so fast she flinched.
His hand clamped around her jaw, firm but not violent. His gaze bored into hers, cold and sharp.
“If you want to stay safe here, you’ll keep your mouth shut and stay får away from Elara,” he growled. “If you push again, I won’t step in to save you.”
Miela whimpered, nodding as tears welled in her eyes.
Without another word, Thorne released her and strode back toward the hotel, leaving her trembling in the dirt, lips pursed in silent rage.
Inside Cael’s suite, I towel–dried my hair and stepped into the living room. Cael was pacing, Eden standing nearby with a tablet in hand.
“I’m telling you, we drop them,” Cael said sharply. “Cut Direstone Keep out of the alliance. We don’t need them.”
“Who are we cutting out?” I asked, raising a brow as I walked in.
Eden sighed and gestured to me. “Your brother here wants to exile Direstone Keep. I told him it’s a bad idea. Maybe you’ll talk some s
“It’s a great idea!” Cael insisted. “They’re a liability. And their Alpha’s a pompous ass. The sooner we ditch them, the better.”
him.
I tossed the towel on the arm of the couch and faced him seriously. “Cael, you don’t need me to remind you what the rogues are capable of. I almost died because of them.”
His jaw tightened. “I remember.”
“Then we need every resource we can get. Including Direstone Keep.”
Eden smirked at Cael. “See? What did I say? You should listen to your Gamma once in a while.”
Cael groaned and ran a hand through his hair. “Fine. But I’m still not sharing my whiskey with that arrogant bastard.”
“Deal,” I grinned. “Now let’s get back to the meeting. We’ve got work to do.”
When we returned to the meeting room, the atmosphere was tense but focused. Everyone was already seated–Thorne included.
This time, no one questioned my presence. Eden pulled out my chair, and I sat without hesitation.
Cael stood and tapped the table. “Let’s begin. We’re here for one reason: rogues.”
Heads nodded in grim agreement.
“They’ve pushed past borders. Raided villages. Killed civilians. We tried peace–our messenger didn’t make it back,” Cael said darkly. “Many of you here have suffered losses. I nearly lost my sister to them.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Thorne stiffen.,
But I didn’t look at him.
Alpha Alaric from Fenreach Pack leaned forward. “So what’s the plan?”
“An alliance,” Cael answered before motioning to me.
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Chapter 11
I stood and clicked the remote. A detailed map lit up the screen.
“We interrogated a few captured rogues last month,” I explained. “They revealed the location of their stronghold. Right here.”
I pointed to a red circle high in the northern region.
“The terrain is brutal. Mountains, snow, thin air. We can’t just storm in. We need elite soldiers, trained in that kind of climate.”
I looked around the room slowly. “There are five major packs represented here. Together, we can dismantle their operations. But we need all of you.”
Silence.
Then Thorne’s voice broke it. “Direstone Keep is in.”
I didn’t react.
Alpha Alaric followed. “Count Fenreach in too. I’ve had enough of burying good warriors.”
One by one, the other Alphas agreed.
A surge of pride bloomed in my chest. “Perfect. The attack will take place in six months. That gives us time to prepare a joint force, train them, and move
as one.”
“Where do we train?” asked Alpha Kai from Wyrmshade Bluffs.
I let the question hang in the air for a beat longer than necessary, then looked directly at Thorne.
“In Direstone Keep,” I said.
A ripple of surprise moved through the room. Thorne’s brows rose just slightly.
“It’s the closest match to the rogue’s climate,” I added. “High altitude. Rough terrain. It’s ideal.”
Garron was on his feet before I could finish. “Absolutely not!”
He pointed straight at me, face contorted in fury.
“Don’t think we don’t see what this is. You want access to our land? To spy? Manipulate? Maybe even crawl back to our Alpha with your tail wagging!”
“Garron,” Thorne said lowly, warning in his voice.
Garron ignored him. “We all know why she wants to train in Direstone Keep. She’s still clinging to the past–trying to get close to you again, Alpha!”
I didn’t flinch.
I stood, slow and deliberate, and fixed my gaze on him.
“Are you suggesting I’m choosing a training location based on who I used to be mated to?”
Garron sneered. “If the shoe fits-”
“I picked Direstone Keep,” I said, voice cutting, “because I’m thinking like a Gamma, not a girl who got rejected.”
I glanced at Thorne but didn’t hold the look.
“If you’re so insecure about your territory,” added, “maybe you should ask your Alpha why he didn’t speak up.”
Garron paled slightly, eyes flicking to Thorne, who remained silent.
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Cael stood beside me, arms crossed. “The proposal is strategic, not personal. If anyone has a better alternative, speak now.”
No one did.
Garron huffed and sat down, jaw clenched.
turned to the rest of the Alphas. “We’ll coordinate logistics by week’s end. If you’re serious about ending the rogue threat, then we train like it.”
Silence held for a moment–then came nods.
Cael leaned toward me and whispered, “Remind me never to argue with you in public.”
I smiled faintly. “Good plan.”
But I didn’t miss Thorne watching me from across the table, his eyes unreadable.
He hadn’t said a word since backing the alliance.
Maybe he was finally realizing-
I wasn’t coming back.
