bChapter /bb67 /b

bra’s /bbPOV /b

Thest time I was at Thorne’s office, things were different. There were no guards stationed outside, no one blocking the door. That time, I walked ki find Silvia–Garron’s sister–pawing all over him like she had some right to be there.

But tonight? Tonight was different.

As I stepped up to the door bof /bhis office, I came face to face will Silvia again. This time, though, the guards didn’t hes statues, blocking her path,

wo of them plood like

Her voice v was desperate. “Please… just let me talk to him. Let me in, I swear I won’t cause trouble. You guys!

s let me in before, remember

One of the guards responded tly, “We can’t, Miss. Alpha doesn’t want to see byou /b

Her face twisted in disbelief. “You didn’t even check with him! How do you know whether he wants to see me or not?”

The guards exchanged a nced, clearly ufortable. But then one spoke bup/b, ba /bbit more sternly “bYour /bbrother–the former Gamma–caused enough problems for the pack. The Alpha is dealing with that mess right now. It’s best you don’t disturb him.”

That pushed Silvia over the edge. She wasn’t one for subtlety. “You bunch of snobs! You’re only stopping me because my brother’s lost his power My father’s a bwar /bhero! He’ll always be a hero!” She spat, stepping forward, trying to push past them. “You wouldn’t even be here if my father hadn’t fought off the rogues! Move. Now”

She charged bat /bthem, but the guards weren’t having it. They grabbed her arms, bholding /bher back, and she screamed. “Somebody help Alpha Thome! Your guards are harassing me! They’re ripping my clothes off

“Enough!” I cut through her chaos, stepping out from where I had been watching the whole scene unfold. The guards looked up, wisibly relieved to see me. They quickly bowed their heads, not missing a beat

“Gamma ra,” one of them began, “Miss Silvia demands bto /bsee Alpha Thorne, band /bwe weren’t sure how to handle it.”

I cut him off bbefore /bhe could finish, my eyes foed on Silvia. “Why are you even asking her bpermission/bb?/bb” /bSilvia snarled, her words sharp as ss. “She’s an outsider!”

I didn’t flinch, my gaze narrowing as I walked up to her. The cool sarcasm in my voice was like a de. “Outsider?” I tilted my head, letting the words blinger /bbetween us. “Should I remind you that I was once the mate of your Alpha and the Luna of Divestone? I share ownership of everything in this pack. Everything–including the ground you’re standing on.”

Silvia’s fury red, but I held my ground. “Damaged goods, right?” I didn’t give her time to speak before I shot back, “Not anymore. I’m more than that now. I am Gamma, and I’ve got soldiers–soldiers who listen to me. What do you have left?”

She looked like she bwas /babout to scream again, but I didn’t give her the chance. The office door swung open, and Thome stepped outb, /bbhis /bbeyes /bcold as

steel.

*Silvia,” he said, his voice as sharp as the edge of a kn. “ra is the most important person in my life. I will pay any bprice /bto have her back as my mate, as my Luna. And that means she has every right here, including kicking you out.”

The words hung in the air between us, and bSilvia’s /banger flickered in her eyes before it faltered. She took a step back, her body shrinking der Thorne’s

Thome turned toward me, the harshness in his expression softening. “You want toe in?”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I nodded, walking past him, but before the door clicked shut, I nced back at Silvia. “Oh, and one more thingb. /bYou don’t bneed /bto be Thorne’s mate or Luna to get rid of you. I’m Gamma–what does that make you?b” /b

The door mmed bshut/bb, /bcutting off her screaming, and I could finally breathe again.

10:52 Wed 38 JUT CAD)

Inside, Thorne looked frustrated. “Sorry you had to see that?

1shrugged, trying to downy it. “‘s fine. Crazy admirer. I’ve been there?

His brow furrowed. “Crazy nimblems?”

I had a feeling I knew where this was going. “It’s perfectly normal for a woman like me to have admirers, right?”

Thorne’Neet nannwed. “Any I know?”

“Quite a list, huh?” I raised an eyebrow, walking over to the wine cab and grabbing a bottle.

Thorne’s eyes followed me, heat burning in them, but his voice droppedb, /bdark and dangerous. “I wish I could mark you as mine inake sure no one else would daree near you again.

I couldn’t help the sly smile that tugged at my lips, “Well, you can’t”

Thanded him a ss of wine, our fingers brushing lightly as he took it. “You could have,” added, “but you threw that chance away. Remember?”

His grip tightened on the ss, and his jaw clenched. “How many more times will you remind me of the biggest mistake of my life?”

“As many times as I find it bamusing/b,” I said, tipping my ss towards his “Cheers.”

bWe /bboth drank in silence for a moment, before I nced down at his desk. The piles of paperwork bstacked /bup in front of him. “What’s all this?”

*The mess Garron left behind,” Thorne muttered, pulling a map from beneath the stack of papers. “And the battle n.”

I leaned over, my gaze following the path his finger traced. “A report from the border. Rogues are moving eastward?b” /b

“Could be true,” bhe /bbsaid/b, tapping a red bcircle /bon the map. “Greenwald Vige. I think it’s their first stop.

I nodded. “Triss and I talked about this today. We’ll get ban /badvance team to Greenwald, set up an outpost, and make sure they don’t get past us.”

His hand shot out to catch mine, his voice low, almost a plea. “Promise me you’ll stay bsafe/b. Don’t put yourself in danger.”

My heart fluttered, and my smile softened. “Are you questioning my ability?”

“No. I know you’re strong A capable Gamma. But- He paused, brishing a strand of hair behind my ear. I care too much about you.”

My breath caught in my throat. His fingers cupped my cheek gently, and the moment between us stretched out, thick with unspoken words.

I didn’t pull away. Instead, I pressed my hand over his holding him there.

“There’s something I want to do before

The door flew open suddenly, cutting off everything

A guard rushed in, panic written all over his face, “Alpha bThorne/bb!/b”

Thome’s bhead /bwhipped around.

“Out!”

The guard froze, eyes wide. The rogues… they’reing. Now!

b2/3 /b