bChapter /bb180 /b

    ra’s POV

    I could feel the heat rising in my chest. My heart was racing, but I refused to back down. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

    “You used him!” The words slipped from my

    like venom, sharp and bitter.

    The courtyard felt too quiet, too still. Until my voice broke the tension, echoing through the night. The rogue soldiers froze, startled bby /bthe intensity of my anger. All eyes were on me, confused, waiting.

    Thorne didn’t flinch. He just stood there, hands shoved deep in his pockets, his eyes as cold as ever.

    “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied, voice cool, calm–a lie in disguise.

    “Stop pretending.” My voice cut through the space between us, raw and demanding.

    I stormed forward, my steps echoing in the silence. Grabbing his cor, I yanked him down to my level, anger ring in my chest.

    “You know exactly what I’m talking about,” I hissed, practically spitting the words at him. “You used Jory. You were never going to kill Lance yourself. You pushed him toward Jory, manipting him into bing the new Rogue King. And why? So you could bleed him dry!”

    His jaw tightened, his eyes darkening with a storm of emotions that he was trying to keep in check.

    “I did him a favour,” Thorne bit out. “If it weren’t for me, he would never have had this opportunity. To have that kind of power.”

    “Power?” I scoffed, bitternesscing my words. “Not everyone is hungry for power like you. You didn’t even ask him if he wanted this.”

    Thorne’s gaze hardened. “Why do you care?” He snapped, a sudden edge in his voice. “You’re not him. You’re not his mate. Why does it matter so much to you?”

    It should’ve been obvious by now. I should’ve figured it out sooner. Thorne’s maniption–it was all about Jory. He was the perfect pawn

    for Thorne’s twisted game.

    It all made sense. Jory was strong, experienced–he’d spent years in a society ruled by Alphas. He’d be an easy target for Thorne, his fear of Alpha power likely making him a willing participant.

    I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it sooner. Thorne had yed me, yed all of us, and I’d allowed it.

    A confused voice broke through my thoughts.

    “Wait. What’s going on?” Jory’s voice came from behind, soundingpletely lost. “Blood? What n?”

    Kimberly joined in, equally baffled. “What’s all this about? What blood? What n?”

    I turned sharply, frustration bubbling up. “Jory, you listen to me. No matter what Thorne says, don’t let him take your blood. Understand?”

    He blinked at me, clearly more confused than ever. “My blood?” He stuttered. “Why would he need my blood? Is he hurt? Does he need a transfusion?”

    Kimberly ishot /ime a pointed look. “I don’t think they’re the same blood type, ra.”

    bI /bcould feel my patience fraying. “No, it’s not that!” I cried, shaking my head. “I’ll exinter, okay?”

    Thorne was beyond pissed now. The vein in his forehead was throbbing as he red at me.

    b15.21 /bbThu /bb14 /bbAug /bb16 /b

    “You said you wouldn’t help me. Fine. But why do you have to sabotage everything?” He growled, voiceced with venom

    I threw my arms out, frustrated, meeting his re with just as much fire. “Because you don’t get to use my friends as toolsb, /bbThornel /bThey re not your puppets to control!”

    We were so wrapped up in our argument, we didn’t even notice the figures standing

    sharply.

    at the edge of the courtyard until Kimberly bgasped /b

    The Lycans.

    Their presence was like a suffocating weight in the air. Standing in the front was

    King Dorian, his expression unreadable as he bstepped /b

    forward into the moonlight.

    The tension in the courtyard was palpable. Everyone’s hands instinctively tightened around their weapons.

    Thorne broke the silence, his voice cold, but with a hint of smugness. “Lance is already dead. We took care of him. The chaos you feared is over. Now leave.”

    Alden, standing next to Dorian, chuckled darkly. “We offered our help, but it looks like you’re showing us the door without a word of thanks. That’s not very polite.”

    Kimberly’s eyes shed with annoyance. “We didn’t ask for your help. You just showed up!”

    “Your King invited us,” Alden replied smoothly, unfazed.

    “The old King is dead,” Kimberly retorted sharply. “We have a new King now.”

    Jory stepped forward, his sword drawn and ready, eyes fixed on the neers. “What’s this about blood?” Dorian’s sharp gaze turned toward Thorne and me, sensing the tension. “You’ve been talking about blood. What’s going on here?”

    I bit my lip, unsure of what to say. I had to keep things under control, but the situation was spiraling fast. Thorne had warned me about the Lycans–their hatred of a Werewolf King. If we didn’t handle this carefully, it could destroy everything.

    The silence stretched until Dorian spoke again, his voice steady, almost taunting. “Lance told you, didn’t he?” he asked, his eyes narrowing. “He told you how to be the Werewolf King.”

    Thorne let out a low, bitterugh. “What’s wrong, Dorian? Are you scared?”

    Alden’s growl came from behind Dorian. “Lycans are not afraid of werewolves.”

    “Then you should be,” Thorne shot back, his voice dripping with disdain. “Especially with a Werewolf King in the picture.”

    Without warning, Dorian lunged forward, attacking Thorne with a speed and power that left the courtyard frozen in shock.

    Thorne barely managed ito /isidestep in time, but Dorian’s punch stillnded with brutal force. Thorne flew backward, hitting the ground with a sickening thud.

    My eyes widened in disbelief. I had never seen anyone take Thorne down like that. He was the strongest werewolf I knew, but Dorian had knocked him down with a single blow.

    A low, stunned silence spread among the group, the tension hanging thick in the air.

    “What the hell are you doing?” Kimberly snarled, her voice shaking with anger.

    Jory, sword still raised, snapped, “Back off, Lycan!”

    But Dorian didn’t listen. He marched toward Thorne, his footsteps slow and measuredb. /b“You shouldn’t bchallenge /bus. Give it bup/b, bThorne /bTi

    spare your life.”

    Thorne slowly got to his feet, a cold smirk on his face as he met Dorian’s gaze. “You wish,” he spát.

    Dorian raised his hand, his expression turning grim. “Then this is the end for you.”

    Before Dorian could move, I stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

    “I won’t let you kill him,” I said, my voice steady, though my heart was pounding.

    Dorian’s gaze softened for a moment, frustration shing in his eyes. “You hate him, ra. I heard you two arguing just before. bYou /bbshould /bbbe /bon my side.”

    I held my ground, feeling the weight of the decision hanging over me. “I hate him for what he’s done. But this isn’t about that.”

    “I’m a werewolf,” I said, my voice rising. “I won’t stand aside and let youe onto ournd and start killing people.”

    Dorian’s jaw tightened, and he raised his voice. “But you’re my mate, ra. That makes you a Lycan too. Have you ever thought about bthat/bb?/bb” /b

    Thorne snorted from behind me. “She hasn’t even epted your mate bond. You’re nothing to her.”

    Dorian’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “I’m still better off than you, Thorne. You rejected her. You’re ancient history.”

    “Enough!” I yelled, unable ito /itake any more iof /itheir petty back–and–forth.

    I turned back to Dorian, meeting his eyes. “iNo /imore bloodshed tonight. I don’t care what you wanti, /ibut if you still want to kill anyone, it’ll have to be over my dead body.”

    The three of us stood in a standoff, tension thick in the air.

    Dorian let out a long sigh, finally breaking the silence. “Fine,” he said, shrugging nonchntly. His smile softened as he looked at me. “I’ll agree to a trucei. /iI’ll call off my men. I’ll leave Thorne to his game of poweri. /iBut on one condition.”

    I felt the air shift, unsure iof /iwhat wasing. “What condition?” I asked warily.

    Dorian’s gaze softened, ihis /ivoice quiet but intense. “Come to Lycannd with me. And never, ever, see Thorne again.”

    The words hung between ius/i, the weight of his offer sinking in.

    biAD /i/b

    b~~/bmment