Theron's expression had hardened back into command.
"Ronan's calling the council," he said. "We need to talk about the rogues."
Aiden frowned. "Now?"
"Now," Theron said, already pulling on his coat. "They've crossed the borders three times this month, and now we have proof someone in the human world is controlling them."
Aiden hesitated, watching him — the way he moved, the quiet authority, the heavy burden he never let anyone else see. For a moment, Aiden's heart twisted in an unfamiliar way. Not pity. Not guilt. Something gentler.
Theron paused at the door, sensing his hesitation. "You don't have to come," he said quietly.
Aiden met his gaze. "I want to."
Theron gave a short nod, something almost like relief flickering in his eyes.
The council chamber was buried deep beneath the main hall — carved from stone, lined with ancient marks that glowed faintly when the moonlight touched them through the cracks above. The air was cool, heavy with old power.
Ronan stood near the center, arms crossed, golden hair catching the light. He looked grim.Three other alphas waited nearby, and one beta elder sat close to the map table.
The moment Theron and Aiden entered, the murmurs stopped.
Ronan's eyes flicked to Aiden briefly, then back to Theron. "We found traces of the rogues again," he said. "Same trail as before — but it ends near the southern river. And…" He hesitated. "There was human scent. Same as last time."
Theron's jaw flexed. "Evelyn."
A ripple of unease moved through the room.
Aiden's ears twitched, tail shifting slightly as he listened. "So it's true," he murmured.
Ronan nodded. "It matches. There's no mistake."
Theron's gaze hardened. "Then she's not working alone. Humans can't control rogues — not without help." His eyes flicked to the glowing marks on the walls. "Someone's giving her power she shouldn't have."
Ronan hesitated. "Do you think she knows what she's doing?"
Theron's reply was quiet but certain. "Yes."
He turned toward the rest of the alphas. "Double the patrols. Reinforce the northern boundary. If she enters again, I want to know before she even breathes in our air."
The others nodded and began dispersing, leaving only Theron, Ronan, and Aiden behind.
Ronan lingered, studying Aiden for a moment. His voice was softer when he spoke. "You all right?"
Aiden nodded, though his hands were still tight at his sides. "Yeah. Just… tired."
Ronan smiled faintly, the kind that held no mockery. "You fought well last time. Don't let what they whisper get to you."
Aiden looked away, his throat tight. "I'm trying."
When Ronan left, silence filled the space again.
Theron exhaled slowly, some of his Alpha presence slipping away. "You shouldn't have had to see her," he murmured, voice lower now.
Aiden gave a soft, humorless laugh. "Maybe it's better I did."
Theron studied him for a moment, then stepped closer. "Why?"
"Because now," Aiden said, his voice steady but low, "I finally understand what I'm fighting for."
Theron's expression softened. "And what's that?"
Aiden looked up, meeting his eyes. "The pack. My place in it. Maybe even… you."
The Alpha King's breath hitched — just barely — but his expression didn't waver.
He reached up, fingers brushing through Aiden's damp hair. "Then let's make sure no one takes that from you."
And as the moonlight filtered through the cracks, catching the faint glow in both their eyes, Aiden realized something that scared him more than any rogue ever could.
He was already falling.
The chamber had emptied long ago, but neither of them moved.The glow of the runes had faded to soft silver, leaving the room bathed in the muted light of the rising moon.
Aiden stood near the table, his hands braced on the cool stone, head bowed. The air between them pulsed faintly — a slow rhythm of bond energy that neither dared to name.
Theron took a slow step closer. "You're trembling."
Aiden let out a weak laugh. "Am I?"He hadn't even noticed. His wolf had gone silent inside him, quiet as breath, but his body was still running from something unseen — the memory of Evelyn's touch, the scent of rot, the ache of fear he didn't want to admit.
Theron's hand came to rest lightly against his shoulder.Not claiming. Not commanding. Just steadying.
"You did good today," Theron said softly. "You didn't let her control you."
Aiden huffed, the sound sharp and small. "It didn't feel like that."
"What did it feel like?"
Aiden hesitated. "Like she already knew how to hurt me. Without saying anything."
Theron's jaw clenched. His wolf stirred beneath his skin again, low and furious. "Then she's dangerous. And I won't let her near you again."
The certainty in his tone should have annoyed Aiden — the way the Alpha in him always wanted to protect, to decide. But instead, it made something inside his chest loosen. He hadn't realized how tense he'd been until that moment.
"…You sound sure," Aiden said quietly.
Theron's lips curved faintly, not quite a smile. "When it comes to you, I usually am."
That did it — that tiny, unexpected softness. Aiden's throat tightened, and for a heartbeat, all the walls he'd built around himself threatened to break. He looked away, trying to breathe through it, but the air felt too heavy.
Theron noticed. Of course he did.
He moved closer, until his shadow fell over Aiden completely."Aiden," he said quietly. "Look at me."
Aiden did — and the moment their eyes met, something in the air shifted.Not like before — not fiery, not overwhelming. It was quieter, deeper, the kind of gravity that pulled two souls instead of two bodies.
For the first time since meeting Theron, Aiden didn't feel like prey to an Alpha's instinct.He felt… seen.
Theron's gaze softened. "You don't have to be strong all the time."
"I know."But his voice broke on the last word.
Theron's hand rose, brushing against the edge of Aiden's jaw. "You've been carrying so much — trying to prove yourself to wolves who'll never understand what you've already survived. You're not weak for being tired, Aiden."
Aiden's breath shuddered out, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "If I stop fighting, I'll fall apart."
Theron's expression flickered with something raw. "Then fall apart here."
The words were barely a whisper, but they struck deep.
Aiden froze — because he believed him. Because for once, he wanted to.
The tension that held him upright finally gave way. He leaned forward, resting his forehead against Theron's chest, breathing in the steady thrum of the Alpha's heartbeat.
Theron didn't move for a long moment. Then he lowered his head and murmured, "You're safe, Aiden."It wasn't a command — it was a promise.
The quiet between them stretched — not awkward, not heavy — just real.
And when Aiden finally pulled back, eyes red-rimmed but clearer, Theron didn't say anything. He simply brushed a hand over Aiden's hair again, thumb grazing the base of his ear in a motion that felt both instinctive and grounding.
"Get some rest," Theron murmured. "Tomorrow, we plan."
Aiden nodded, his voice low. "Yeah."
Theron waited until Aiden turned toward the den entrance before speaking again. "Aiden—"
He looked back.
Theron's eyes glowed faintly in the silver light. "You're not weak. You never were."
Aiden didn't answer. But for the first time in a long while, he almost believed it.