Chapter 10: The Breaking Point

The fortress thrummed with tension, every pack member on edge. Blackwood's attack had shaken our defenses, and now the Alpha's voice rang out over the courtyard as he addressed the pack.

"We prepare for war," he declared, his voice firm and unyielding. "Blackwood has made their move. It's time we end this, once and for all."

The crowd roared its approval, but I could feel the unease rippling beneath the surface. These wolves were my family, my responsibility as much as his. And yet, his words felt final, like a door slamming shut on any hope of peace.

As the meeting dispersed, I lingered near the edge of the balcony, my gaze fixed on the horizon where the Blackwood pack had disappeared. The Alpha's footsteps echoed behind me, but I didn't turn.

"You're angry," he said, his tone more observation than question.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "You made that decision without consulting me."

"This isn't up for debate," he snapped, his voice hardening. "They attacked us. What would you have me do?"

I whirled to face him, my fury barely contained. "You're the Alpha, not a dictator. This pack isn't just yours to command."

His eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. "And what would you suggest? Waiting for them to strike again? Watching more of our pack die?"

"I'm suggesting you stop treating me like an outsider!" The words burst out before I could stop them. "I've bled for this pack, just like you. I deserve to be heard."

For a moment, the only sound was our ragged breathing. Then, he stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. "You think I don't see how much you've given? You think I don't—" He stopped himself, his fists clenching at his sides.

The silence between us was electric, the air thick with unspoken words. But before either of us could break it, a shout rang out from the courtyard below.

"Luna!" A scout's voice carried up to us, frantic and urgent. "It's urgent—come quickly!"

I didn't wait for the Alpha's reaction. I was already moving, my heart pounding as I followed the scout to the lower levels of the fortress. What I found made my blood run cold.

The body of a young wolf lay crumpled against the stone wall, his throat torn out. But it wasn't the sight of death that froze me. It was the ring clutched in his lifeless hand—the same ring the traitor had left behind the night before.

"Where did you find him?" I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended.

The scout hesitated. "Near the western watchtower. He… he'd been following someone."

"Someone?" The Alpha's voice came from behind me, startling me. His gaze was fixed on the body, his expression unreadable. "Who?"

The scout shook his head. "We don't know. Whoever it was, they're gone."

I crouched beside the body, my mind racing. The ring's presence couldn't be a coincidence. Someone inside our pack was working against us—and they were willing to kill to keep their secrets.

"We need to tighten security," the Alpha said, his voice a growl. "Double the patrols. No one leaves the fortress without my permission."

"That won't stop them," I said, rising to my feet. "Whoever did this is already inside the fortress."

His eyes met mine, and for a moment, the weight of our shared responsibility pressed down on us. Then he nodded, his jaw set. "Find them. Whatever it takes."

Hours later, my search led me to the abandoned wing of the fortress, a place long since forgotten. The air was thick with dust, the silence oppressive. And then I heard it—a whisper of movement, too deliberate to be the wind.

I turned, my heart pounding, just as a shadow detached itself from the wall. The figure lunged at me, a blade flashing in their hand. I barely had time to react, twisting away as the knife sliced through the air.

The fight was brutal and fast, every blow a test of survival. But I wasn't fast enough. The blade caught me across the ribs, a searing pain that stole my breath.

"You should have stayed out of this," the traitor hissed, their voice low and venomous.

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stay upright. "You'll have to kill me first."

Before they could strike again, a thunderous growl echoed through the hall. The Alpha appeared, his eyes blazing with fury. He didn't hesitate, launching himself at the traitor with the ferocity of a storm.

The fight was over in seconds. The traitor lay unconscious at his feet, and he turned to me, his expression shifting from rage to something far more raw.

"You're hurt," he said, his voice tight with barely controlled emotion.

I tried to wave him off, but my knees buckled. He caught me before I hit the ground, his arms strong and steady around me.

"Don't," I murmured, my vision swimming. "Don't make this a thing."

But his grip tightened, his voice a rough whisper. "You think I don't care? That I could lose you and just move on? You're my mate, whether you want to be or not."

The words hit me harder than the knife had. For a moment, I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Then, with what little strength I had left, I reached up and touched his face.

"This changes nothing," I said, though my voice lacked conviction.

"It changes everything," he replied, his gaze unwavering. "And you know it."

The air between us crackled with unspoken truths, the mate bond pulling us closer even as the weight of our responsibilities threatened to tear us apart. Finally, I closed the distance, pressing my lips to his in a desperate, furious kiss.

When we pulled apart, the storm in his eyes had softened. "We'll figure this out," he promised, his voice steady.

But before I could respond, a deafening explosion rocked the fortress, sending us both to the ground. The walls trembled, and the air filled with the sound of distant howls.

"Blackwood," he growled, helping me to my feet. "They're here."

As the fortress descended into chaos, I tightened my grip on his arm, the pain in my ribs forgotten. "Then let's end this."

He nodded, his gaze hardening. Together, we stepped into the fray, the battle for our pack's survival just beginning.