(Florian’s POV)

    “The person who drugged me behind the scenes, don’t let him find out!” Audrey’s words echoed in my mind as I closed the washroom door behind me.

    I narrowed my golden eyes dangerously, striding with purpose to the living area of my territory den. My leg was beginning to throb with pain, but l ignored it. Audrey’s condition was more pressing.

    I picked up my pack device and quickly dialed a number I rarely used except for emergencies.

    “Melody, why are you so slow?” I growled when the call connected.

    There was a brief pause on the other end before a female voice responded. “Alpha Stormhowl, I’m already in your territory building. The elevator just arrived at the ground floor.”

    “How long?” I demanded, pacing despite the shooting pain in my leg. I could hear the shower running and worried about Audrey’s condition. Silver-based drugs could have unpredictable effects, especially for a she-wolf with her history.

    “Three minutes, maybe four,” Melody answered, her voice remaining professionally calm. “I came as soon as I received your message.””Too slow,” I muttered. “Bring it up immediately. I need that wolfsbane antidote now.”

    “I understand. I’m-“

    “Just hurry,” l interrupted, ending the call.

    I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated at the dy.

    Every minute that passed was a minute too tong with Audrey suffering from the effects of the drug. Who would dare target her so openly at a territory gathering? The list of suspects was concerning.

    (Melody’s POV)

    i hurried into the elevator, pressing the button for the fifth floor with more force than necessary. My heart raced with concern.

    Florian Stormhowl rarely called me with such urgency. As his senior pack assistant, I handled confidential pack matters and personal errands, but thiste-night emergency was unusual even by our standards.

    When I finally reached his territory den, I rapped sharply on the door. It swung open almost immediately.

    To my shock, Florian stood in the doorway unharmed. His golden eyes were intense but clear, his body seemingly unaffected by any drug. I blinked in confusion.

    “Where is it?” he demanded, extending his hand.

    “Here,” | replied, quickly pulling the small vial of wolfsbane antidote from my red ceremonial robe’s pocket. “One moonstone capsule should suffice. Two if the symptoms are severe.”

    Florian snatched the vial from my hand, examining it briefly before nodding in approval. His focus was elsewhere, clearly distracted by something-or someone-I couldn’t see.

    I stepped into the territory den, unable to suppress my curiosity. My eyes swept across the living area, noting details with the precision that had made me valuable to Florian through the years.

    A pair of she-wolf’s hunting boots were partially visible, tucked away in a corner of the sofa. Florian’s territory marking cloaky crumpled on the floor, suggesting someone had been lying on it. And from the washroom came the unmistakable sound of running water.

    My stomach tightened with understanding. The antidote wasn’t for him.

    “You’ve changed your style,” Florian remarked suddenly, seeming to notice my appearance for the first time.

    I nced down at my striking red ceremonial robe and elevated hunting boots—a far cry from my usual practical pack attire.

    “My mother,” I exined with a practiced smile. “She’s been pushing me to attend mate-seeking gatherings. She even bought this robe, iming red would make me’stand out.''”

    Florian’s expression softened slightly with what might have been apology. “I’ve disrupted your ns for the evening.”

    I shrugged, maintaining my professional demeanor despite the ache building in my chest. “Pack business alwayses first, Alpha. You actually saved me from an unwanted gathering.”

    The continued sound of running water from the washroom felt like ws raking across my heart. I nodded toward the door.

    “I should go,” I said, my voice carefully controlled. “Unless you need anything else.”

    Florian shook his head. “No. Thank you foring so quickly.”

    I nodded once and turned to leave, keeping myposure until the door closed behind me.

    In the hallway, something inside me snapped. Years of repressed emotions surged to the surface like a sh flood. I furiously ripped off my hunting boots and threw them to the ground with a satisfying thud.

    “Damn it,” I hissed, fighting back tears of frustration.

    After all these years of devoted service, of harboring hope that one day Florian might see me as more than just a capable pack assistant, some she-wolf had waltzed into his territory den and captured his attentionpletely.

    But a twisted sense of satisfaction washed over me as l realized he hadn’t sumbed to her. Despite her being drugged-and the implications of that weren’t lost on me

    —he had only asked me to deliver the antidote.

    He hadn’t formed a mate bond with that vixen. Not tonight, at least.

    I picked up my boots with renewedposure. I still had a chance. After all, I’d been by his side for years, through pack wars, territory disputes, and his long recovery after the explosion. Patience was my strongest virtue.

    Whatever she-wolf was currently upying his washroom, she wouldn’tst. They never did.

    (Audrey’s POV)

    The cold water helped clear my head, washing away some of the silver drug’s effects. As I stood under the shower, embarrassment and anger mingled in equal measure.

    Who would drug me at a territory gathering? And what exactly had I said to Florian while under its influence?

    I cringed, remembering fragments of our interaction. The way l’d wrapped my arms around his neck, the boldness with which I’d pulled him close for a kiss… Moon Goddess, what had I been thinking?

    A sharp knock on the washroom door startled me from my thoughts.”Are you done?” Florian’s voice came through the door, uncharacteristically gentle.

    “Almost,” I called back, hastily turning off the water and reaching for a towel.

    I wrapped myself in a grey territory robe hanging nearby, breathing in Florian’s mint-and-forest scent that lingered on the fabric. The familiar scent was bothforting and unsettling.

    When I emerged from the washroom, I immediately headed for the door. All I wanted was to get back to my territory den where Sarah and Leo were waiting. I couldn’t face Florian after my drug-induced behavior.

    ‘”Wait,” Florian said, catching my arm before I could reach the door. “Take this first.”

    He held out a small moonstone capsule, his golden eyes serious.

    “The drug’s effects might not bepletely worn off,” he exined. “This will neutralize any remaining traces in your system.”

    I hesitated, then took the capsule from his palm, careful not to let our fingers touch.

    “Thank you,” I murmured, avoiding his gaze.

    “And…” Florian continued, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice. “You’re about to leave with only my territory robe.”I froze, suddenly aware I was wearing nothing but his robe. My cheeks burned with embarrassment.

    “Your drèss,” he said, gesturing to a familiar green slip dress hanging over the back of a chair. “The one you left in Northern Territory after getting caught in the rain. I brought it with me.”

    My mouth went dry as I realized he’d kept it all this time. I quickly grabbed the dress and retreated back into the washroom, feeling flustered and awkward.

    As I changed, I couldn’t help thinking this felt disturbingly like the aftermath of a one-night territory marking. The thought made my blush deepen.

    Once dressed, I slipped out without making eye contact with Florian. I skipped the elevator and took the stairs, practically running down to the fourth floor where my territory den was located.

    Leo greeted me at the door, his small arms wrapping around my legs.

    “Luna Aunt! You’re back!” he eximed, his innocent joy a balm to my frayed nerves.

    I hugged him tightly, grateful for his uplicated affection.

    Sarah approached from the living room, her sharp eyes taking in my change of clothes.

    “That’s not what you were wearing when you left,” she observed, her tone neutral but her expression curious.

    l avoided her gaze, moving to the kitchen where I poured a ss of water. I swallowed the moonstone capsule Florian had given me, feeling Sarah’s eyes on my back.

    “Someone drugged me at the pack gathering,” | admitted quietly, making sure Leo was out of earshot.

    Sarah’s expression shifted from curiosity to concern.”

    What? Are you okay?”

    I nodded, handing her the small bottle of wolfsbane antidote Florian had given me. “This is the remedy. Florian gave me some.”

    “So that’s where you went,” Sarah said, examining the bottle carefully. “What kind of drug was it?”

    “Silver-based,” I replied, keeping my voice low. “It lowers inhibitions and raises body temperature.”

    Sarah’s eyebrows shot up. “And Florian…?”

    “He didn’t want to take advantage of me,” I said, unable to meet her eyes.

    “Wow,” Sarah whistled softly. “A pure pack loyalty warrior after all.”

    I managed a weak smile, grateful for her attempt to lighten the mood.

    “Come on, Leo,” I called, changing the subject. “Time for your bath and pack love story:”

    Leo cheered, racing toward the washroom with boundless energy, temporarily distracting me from the chaotic events of the evening.

    (Florian’s POV)

    The next morning, my pack device chimed with an iing call. I nced at the screen and saw Melody’s name shing. With a slight grimace, I epted the call.

    “I heard from the pack healer about his early morning visit,

    ” Melody said without preamble. “He said your leg has worsened.”

    I shifted in my chair, trying to find afortable position for my throbbing leg. “It’s nothing. Just a little exercise.”

    “Exercise?” Melody’s voice was thick with disbelief.” You’ve never been interested in exercise before. What were you doing?”

    I caught sight of the pack cleaning Beta entering my washroom. “Don’t clean the grey territory robe,” I called out to her, ignoring Melody’s question.

    The cleaning Beta nodded silently, backing out of the washroom with professional discretion.