Kiera's POV
The silver blade pressed deeper into my throat.
Tell him, Selene hissed in my ear. Tell him you're fine. That you dropped something. One wrong word and I paint these walls with your blood.
Theron's fist slammed into the door again. The wood was cracking. He'd break through in seconds.
KIERA! His roar was pure wolf, pure rage, pure terror.
Through the bond, I felt his fear—raw and overwhelming. He thought I was dying. Thought he was about to lose his mate.
The blade bit into my skin. Blood trickled warm down my neck.
I had to choose. Lie and live. Tell the truth and die.
But I was so tired of lying.
She's here! I screamed. Selene's—
Pain exploded across the back of my head as Selene slammed something into my skull. The world tilted. My knees buckled.
The door exploded inward in a shower of splintered wood.
Theron burst into the room, eyes blazing gold, his wolf fully surfaced. He took in the scene in an instant—me on my knees, blood on my throat, Selene standing over me with a dagger.
The sound he made wasn't human.
Selene moved fast, diving toward the broken window.
But Theron was faster.
He caught her by the throat mid-leap and slammed her against the wall so hard the stone cracked. The dagger clattered to the floor.
Give me one reason, Theron snarled, his voice completely wolf now, why I shouldn't rip out your throat right here.
Selene choked, clawing at his hand. Theron, can't breathe
You tried to kill my mate. His grip tightened. You broke into her room with a silver blade and put it to her throat.
Not your mate, Selene gasped out. Prisoner. Murderer. She doesn't deserve
Theron's other hand shifted, claws extending. He pressed them against her stomach. One push and he'd disembowel his own cousin.
Theron, stop! I found my voice, stumbling to my feet despite the pounding in my head. Don't kill her. Please.
His eyes met mine, still pure gold. She tried to kill you.
And if you kill her, you're no better than— I stopped. Than Damien? Than me?
She's your family, I finished quietly. Your blood. Don't let me be the reason you destroy that.
Something in my words reached him. The gold in his eyes flickered. Faded slightly.
He threw Selene across the room. She hit the floor hard, gasping.
Guards! Theron roared.
Four guards appeared in the destroyed doorway, weapons drawn.
Take her to the dungeons, Theron commanded, not taking his eyes off Selene. The real ones. Deep cells. Silver chains. No visitors. No exceptions.
You can't! Selene scrambled to her feet, eyes wild. I'm family! I'm your advisor! I've served you for eleven years!
You tried to murder my prisoner, Theron said coldly. That's treason.
She's not just your prisoner! Selene screamed. The guards grabbed her arms but she fought, desperate to make him hear. She's your mate! I can see it! The whole court can see it! You're choosing HER over me!
Silence fell like a blade.
The guards froze, staring at their King.
Theron's face could have been carved from ice. Take her. Now.
They dragged Selene from the room. Her screams echoed down the hallway.
I loved you! I waited for you! She's a murderer and you're
A door slammed, cutting off her words.
Theron and I stood alone in the destroyed room. Glass crunched under our feet. Blood stained the floor—mine, from the cut on my throat.
Let me see, Theron said, his voice rough.
I tilted my head back. His fingers brushed my neck, examining the wound. The touch sent electricity racing through both of us.
It's shallow, he said. But it needs cleaning.
I'm fine.
You're bleeding because someone tried to kill you in my fortress. You're not fine. His silver eyes met mine, and I saw fury and guilt and something that looked like self-hatred. This is my fault. I should have known Selene would—
How could you have known?
Because I know jealousy. I know desperation. His hand was still on my throat, thumb resting against my pulse. I know what it looks like when someone realizes they've lost something they thought was theirs.
She thought you'd choose her.
I was never going to choose her. He said it so matter-of-factly, like it was obvious. She made herself useful after my parents died. Positioned herself as indispensable. But I never wanted her. Never even considered it.
She waited eleven years for you.
Then she wasted eleven years. Theron's hand dropped from my throat. I was searching for my mate. My real mate. Not a political alliance dressed up as destiny.
His eyes held mine, and the bond pulsed between us—hot and undeniable and terrifyingly real.
I need to move you again, he said. This room isn't safe.
Anywhere in this fortress isn't safe if your own cousin is trying to kill me.
Then you stay with me.
My heart stopped. What?
My private chambers. No one gets in without going through me personally. His jaw clenched. It's the only way I can guarantee your safety.
Theron, that's—people will talk. They'll know about the bond.
They already know, he said flatly. Selene made sure of that. By morning, every wolf in Blood Court will know the Alpha King is bonded to his prisoner.
The weight of that settled over us.
What will your Council say? I asked quietly.
I don't care.
You should. You're the King. Your reputation
Isn't worth your life. He stepped closer, and my breath caught. I spent eleven years searching for you, Kiera. Eleven years believing I was mateless. Cursed. Alone. And the moment I finally find you, someone tries to separate us. Tries to kill you.
His hand came up to cup my face, exactly like he had when he held me in the hallway.
I won't lose you, he said softly. Not to Selene. Not to whoever's behind these experiments. Not to anyone.
I'm still your prisoner, I whispered. I still killed Damien.
A bond that wasn't real. A mate who was forced on you. His thumb brushed my cheek. You killed him to save your sister. That's not murder. That's survival.
Tears burned my eyes. You believe me.
I believe you.
The bond flared between us, and before I could think, before I could remember all the reasons this was wrong, I closed the distance between us.
Our lips met, and the world exploded.
This wasn't like the brief touch in the cell. This was everything. Heat and light and a connection so deep it felt like our souls were merging. Theron's arms wrapped around me, pulling me against him. I kissed him back desperately, pouring all my fear and hope and need into it.
When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Theron rested his forehead against mine.
This is dangerous, he said roughly.
I know.
It complicates everything.
I know.
And I don't care. His hands tightened on my waist. Let them talk. Let the Council object. Let the whole world burn. You're mine, Kiera. My mate. My
Footsteps pounded down the hallway.
Rafe appeared in the doorway, face pale, holding a message.
Theron, he said urgently. We have a problem.
Theron's jaw clenched. What now?
Elder Cassius just arrived at Blood Court. Unannounced. With three other Council members. Rafe's eyes flicked to me, then back to the King. They're demanding an emergency trial. For her.
My blood turned to ice.
They want her executed before dawn, Rafe continued. And they brought enough Alphas to force your hand if you refuse.
Theron's whole body went rigid.
How many? he asked, his voice deadly quiet.
Twelve Alphas. Plus their guards. Over two hundred wolves loyal to the Council. Rafe's expression was grim. Theron, they're not asking for a trial. They're staging a coup. Execute her and prove your loyalty to wolf law, or—
Or they remove me and kill her anyway, Theron finished.
Yes.
Silence fell over the destroyed room.
Through the bond, I felt Theron's rage. His fear. His absolute refusal to let me die.
How long do I have? he asked.
Rafe checked the message again. They've given you until midnight to bring her before the Council for judgment. He paused. That's four hours from now.
Theron's hand found mine, gripping tight.
Then we have four hours to prove her innocence, he said. Or four hours to start a war.