CHAPTER 34 – Lines Crossed, Bonds Forged

POV: Asher Thorne

The walls of Silver Fang's hospital loomed behind him as Asher walked across the paved path toward the guest pack house. His shoulders were heavy, not from exhaustion—but from the weight of regret.

Every time Aira's terrified voice echoed in his ears—"Don't touch me!"—his wolf Orbit whimpered like a punished pup. He couldn't forget the way she flinched. How she couldn't even look at him.

He had done that.

He'd broken her.

He couldn't undo the rejection—but maybe he could at least make things right. Start somewhere.

And that somewhere... was protection.

There was still danger. Rogues might return. The Rogue King wasn't done—not if the words "I've been waiting for you, little wolf" were any clue.

She needed to be safe.

And maybe—just maybe—Lucien Blackveil was the key.

Asher exhaled and pulled his phone out of his pocket, calling the one person he had avoided for too long—his father.

Alpha Elijah picked up after one ring.

"Asher."

"Dad. I need your help with something important."

There was a pause. "Go on."

"I want to invite Lucien and a unit of Silver Fang's elite to the Silverstone Pack. For security and training purposes. Our warriors are strong… but his men are legendary. With the threat still looming, and with what happened to Aira and the others, we need tighter protocols. Joint training. Stronger defenses."

There was silence on the line.

Then, "I agree," Elijah said at last. "It would be a smart political alliance… and the safest move. Extend the invitation. You're the Alpha now. You lead."

That made Asher pause for a second. You lead.

He ended the call with a heavy sigh, then turned and headed toward the Silver Fang guest pack house. When he entered, a few pack members greeted him, but his eyes searched for only one man.

"Looking for someone?" came a voice from the staircase.

Asher turned. "Beta David. I need to speak with Alpha Lucien. It's important."

David studied him for a moment—his expression unreadable. Then he gave a small nod. "Follow me."

They ascended the stairs, the air thick with silence. Tension simmered just beneath the surface—Asher could feel it. Maybe it was his guilt. Or maybe… it was the quiet awareness that Lucien Blackveil was not just an ally anymore.

He was something more. At least… to Aira.

David knocked lightly on the door before opening it. "Alpha, Asher Thorne is here."

Lucien sat behind the desk, leaning back with his usual composed confidence. The pendant the seer had given him lay on the desk, untouched.

Lucien's sharp eyes met his. "Alpha Thorne."

"Lucien," Asher said. "I came to discuss something… important."

David closed the door quietly behind them.

Asher stepped forward. "I want to invite you and a select group of your best warriors to the Silverstone Pack. We'd like to collaborate—training sessions, security upgrades, watch rotations. We're not prepared for another attack. And after what the Rogue King pulled… I won't take chances."

Lucien was silent, leaning back further in his chair.

"I need your help," Asher added. "You saw the chaos. You saw what he did to our girls."

A long pause.

Then Lucien tilted his head. "And this has nothing to do with the fact that one of those girls is your mate?"

Asher's jaw clenched. "It has everything to do with her. But it's about more than just Aira. I failed her once. I won't do it again."

For a moment, Lucien didn't speak.

Then—his lips quirked. Barely.

A smirk.

Asher narrowed his eyes.

"What?"

"Nothing," Lucien said smoothly. "It's rare to see someone take responsibility for their mess. I respect that."

He stood, grabbing his coat from the chair.

"Very well," Lucien said. "We'll leave for Silverstone at sunrise."

Asher exhaled, both relieved and uneasy.

But before he could leave, Lucien added, "Tell your warriors to be ready. Silver Fang doesn't coddle the weak."

Asher nodded once. "Neither does Silverstone."

Lucien smiled faintly, but his eyes flicked toward the hallway—as if sensing something… or someone.

And for the briefest second, Asher felt it again.

The tension.

The undercurrent.

And a question he dared not ask—

Was Lucien drawn to her too?