Don't touch Her.

Alpha Eryx, for a while, does not say a word. He stands so still, his jaw working and his breath controlled, his eyes pinned on Theo with a sharp focus.

It is like he is studying him, trying to see through him, to weigh every intention behind Theo's calm stance.

His chest rises and falls with the tension that seems to pulse off him, and for a moment the silence around them is so deep I hear the faint shuffle of servants shifting uneasily against the walls.

He stares, unblinking, as if testing Theo's will.

Then, at last, Eryx's eyes turn toward me.

The moment his gaze lands on me, I feel stripped bare. My breath seems to freeze, lungs barely working. Blood rushes through my body so cold and sharp it feels like ice flooding my veins.

A horrible panic stabs through my gut, spreading so fast it burns. I feel exposed, like every secret I've ever held close is shining out of my eyes without me needing to speak.

Around us, more servants and other wolves are beginning to gather at a distance, drawn by the tension.

They press close to doorways and the corridor walls, all watching.

Some look nervous, others curious, their eyes darting between the three of us, like they're afraid of what might happen next but unable to look away.

It makes my skin crawl, the weight of their attention pressing against me, suffocating.

Alpha Eryx's voice finally cuts the silence.

"What is your deal with her?"

His tone is cold and edged with something dangerous. He points straight at me, his brows pulled tight with confusion and curiosity.

"Do you know what she just did?!"

His voice drops lower, more threatening.

Theo meets his brother's eyes without flinching, shoulders steady but his fingers flexing ever so slightly at his side.

"My deal with her? What do you even mean?"

Theo breathes out steadying himself.

"Okay, maybe my deal is that she is weak, helpless, working among people of power who can treat her the way they feel like," he says, voice strong.

"And brother, you know me... I cannot stand seeing people bullied. I might not know what exactly happened that has made you this furious at her, but I do know she didn't stir the problem. And if she did do something, it was not intentional."

He glances at me for only a second, the weight of his faith catching me off guard.

"She can never, will never, do anything she knows is wrong. So trust me, whatever it is, you misunderstood all of it. Maybe you should take some time and look into the matter."

His words make my pulse race.

I cannot tell if Theo is trying to make clear our relationship, or not. The fear tangles with relief in my chest, leaving me dizzy.

Alpha Eryx's shoulders tense, the muscle in his jaw clenching so hard I see it twitch.

"That is my pup's life that has been put at stake!"

His voice rises, shaking with fury that nearly cracks the air.

"And you dare ask me to take time, look into the matter? You just walked in and you have no idea what happened, so little brother... get out of my way."

His chest heaves, every breath harsh, each word sharp enough to cut.

"I do not understand what you have been trying to do lately, telling me to judge better, to wait, to think. Are you trying to prove I am not Alpha enough? That I cannot see what is right and wrong in front of me?"

This is going too far.

I have never, ever seen these two stand on opposite sides. It sends a wave of sickness through me, my whole body tense, shoulders drawn up around my ears.

My heart pounds painfully, heat rising behind my eyes. I want to cry but force myself not to.

Alpha Eryx shakes his head, his glare drilling straight through me.

"She hurt Luna," he snaps.

"There is evidence. They were the only two in there. You can go check the blood still on the walls if you doubt me. And she is going to face consequences for trying something like that."

His voice is final, absolute, like stone.

He turns to the guards, ignoring Theo for a moment.

"I do not want to see her face around here!"

The order slams into me harder than a physical blow.

The guards step forward, their movements clipped, shoulders tense as if they know they are stepping into something dangerous.

Their boots echo against the floor, and the sound alone makes my knees wobble.

I can feel my wolf inside, restless, torn, wanting to fight or run, anything except stand here and take it.

But my body will not move.

I freeze.

My hands are cold and sweaty, my throat too tight to draw enough air.

But Theo moves faster.

He steps closer to me, shoulders squared, his posture calm but his eyes daring the guards to try.

He stands there, shielding me, like a wall they cannot cross.

The guards hesitate, glancing between their Alpha and Theo, not sure who to obey.

Their confusion seems to feed the tension, until the corridor feels tight and stifling, each breath a struggle.

Theo finally speaks again, steady but firm.

"Brother, what are you trying to imply by saying that I have been questioning you about everything?"

He keeps his voice respectful, but there is no fear in it.

"No, please, don't even think for a second that I believe you are anything less than the greatest Alpha the wolf world will ever see."

He takes a slow breath, eyes clear.

"And maybe you think I am trying to take your place. But that is not true. I have never tried to question you about anything else..."

Theo looks briefly down at me, then back at Eryx.

"Only if it concerns her," he goes on, voice steady.

"That is because I am certain about what I am saying. She did not do anything on purpose. So no, she is not going to be punished, not by anyone."

His words hang in the air, challenging, protective.

"And brother," he adds, voice lower now, rougher with something that sounds almost like grief, "there has not even been a day in my life I thought I would want to disagree with you, let alone stand against you. You are my hero. I look up to you more than anyone."

He pauses, drawing a ragged breath.

"But if you are going to touch her, then maybe this relationship between us is going to crash."

His words land like a blow.

They echo across the place, freezing everything.

I stagger, darkness creeping at the edges of my vision.

My mind cannot seem to hold all of this at once.

I feel my chest seize painfully, air refusing to fill my lungs.

My wolf paces inside me, tense, afraid of where this is going.

That's it.

That is it.

Their voices grow muffled, as if I am sinking underwater.

"Am I missing something here?" Alpha Eryx asks, his voice lower and unreadable.

He steps closer to us. My knees weaken, I stagger back, instinctively retreating but Theo's arm wraps around my waist, pulling me to him.

His eyes never leave Eryx, fixed on him like a challenge.