The news of Thorne's scouts reaching River Pine territory spread like wildfire through the pack. The once quiet curiosity towards Elara hardened into suspicion for some, but for most, it ignited a fierce protective loyalty towards their Alpha. They knew an Alpha's mate was sacred, even an unwanted one.
Maddox called an immediate war council. Elara wasn't invited, but she heard the raised voices, the worried murmurs from the common hall. The scent of tension hung heavy in the air. She sat in her room, Lyra pacing restlessly within her, the fear of Thorne's impending arrival a cold knot in her stomach. She'd brought this danger to River Pine, to Maddox, the very Alpha who already resented her.
Hours later, Maddox appeared at her door, his expression grim. "Thorne's forces are at our southern border," he stated, his voice devoid of emotion, yet his silver eyes held a steely resolve. "He is demanding you be returned to him. He claims you are a runaway, a thief, and a rogue."
Elara flinched, the familiar accusations cutting deep. "I am not a thief," she whispered, her voice trembling. "And I am not a rogue. I am his adopted daughter. I simply… left."
Maddox studied her, his gaze intense. "He claims you stole pack secrets, that you are a danger to their security." His voice was flat, making her wonder if he believed it.
"He wants to control me," Elara said, her voice gaining strength, "He always has. He doesn't want me back for secrets; he wants me back to prove he still has power over me." She looked him straight in the eye, a silent plea for him to see the truth. "He and Luna Seraphina… they treated me like a burden. An unwanted charity case. My entire life." The words, spoken aloud, were raw, painful.
Maddox's jaw tightened. He knew Thorne's reputation, and he could see the genuine hurt, the deep-seated fear in her eyes. Shadow, his wolf, growled, a low, protective rumble, urging him to claim his mate, to defend what was theirs. The mate bond, once an inconvenience, was now a powerful, undeniable force.
"I will not hand you over," Maddox finally said, his voice hard, resolute. "You are on my land. You are under my protection. And…" he paused, his gaze softening for a fraction of a second, "…you are my fated mate. The Moon Goddess chose you, whether I planned for it or not." The admission was quiet, almost reluctant, but it was there.
Elara's breath hitched. A profound sense of relief washed over her, so potent it made her knees weak. He was accepting it. He was choosing her. Lyra surged within her, a joyous, triumphant howl.
They heard the first roar then, the deep, challenging sound of Thorne's Alpha growl echoing through the forest. River Pine warriors were already moving into defensive positions, their own growls answering. Maddox turned, his eyes now blazing with an Alpha's unwavering resolve.
"Stay here," he commanded, his voice firm. "Do not leave this room. No matter what happens." He hesitated for a split second, then reached out, his hand briefly covering hers. The contact sent a jolt of warmth, of power, through Elara. "We will face this. Together."
As he left, Elara felt something stir deep within her, a sensation she hadn't felt since that brief, desperate moment during the rogue attack, years ago. A warmth in her core, a hum of energy. Lyra was awake, fully present, strong. She didn't know what it was, this growing power, but as she heard the clashing of wolves outside, the sharp snarls and the thunder of paws, she knew one thing: she wouldn't be a burden anymore. She would fight for her freedom, and for her fated mate, even if she had to do it from within the walls of this room.