The fortress never truly sleeps.
Even after the Purge scouts retreated, a cold unease lingered in the corridors, in the shadows, in the very stones. My wolf prowled beneath my skin, senses sharp, muscles coiled. The triplets' pulses thrummed in sync with my heartbeat, small but insistent, warning me that something—or someone—was dangerously close.
Ronan's presence beside me was steady, warm, protective, and… possessive. Every glance, every brush of skin against mine reminded me that I was his. That the bond we shared, amplified by the children, was stronger than fear or betrayal.
But tonight, the fortress itself would betray us.
I sensed it first—a subtle flicker of magic, out of rhythm with the runes in the walls, like a heartbeat that didn't belong. My wolf growled low, claws flexing beneath my skin. "Someone's inside," I whispered, voice tight with tension. "Not one of the Purge… someone we trusted."
Ronan's golden eyes narrowed. "I felt it too. Stay close."
We moved silently, shadows sliding along the corridors. Every sense screamed alert. The triplets pulsed urgently, tiny flashes of energy guiding my steps.
Ahead, in the council chamber, a figure moved—subtle, deliberate. But the energy… the rhythm… betrayed him. It was Kaelen, one of the newer council liaisons, the one whose loyalty had always been questionable.
"You're too late," I hissed under my breath.
Ronan's hand found mine, holding me tight, fingers curling possessively. "Then let's end this," he murmured, voice low, hot with heat and determination.
Kaelen's eyes widened as we stepped into the room. "You… you can't stop me," he sneered, raising a dark, jagged blade infused with shadow magic. "The Purge… they promised power… promised the end of your… legacy…"
My wolf surged, instincts coiling. I drew on the bond, the triplets, Ronan. Silver energy flared around my hands, arcs of light slicing the air with lethal precision.
"You're a fool," Ronan growled, stepping forward, muscles tensing, heat radiating off him. "You've chosen death."
Kaelen lunged. I moved instinctively, sending a spear of silver energy that slammed into his chest, tossing him backward against the wall. Ronan followed, shifting mid-step into Lycan form, massive and terrifying, claws flashing as he advanced.
"You're mine," Ronan growled, voice low, possessive, vibrating with desire and warning both. "And she's mine. Always."
The words sent heat through me, stirring both wolf and desire. My pulse matched the triplets, energy thrumming, coiling, amplifying every nerve, every sensation. I could feel Ronan's breath, his strength, his control—every touch igniting something deep, raw, electric.
Kaelen tried to recover, but I struck again, silver energy wrapping around his arms, pinning him in place. "Your loyalty is gone," I said, voice sharp, commanding. "And the Purge will learn exactly why."
Ronan stepped closer, pressing his body to mine even as we fought, protective, possessive, claiming. His lips brushed my neck, teasing, a whisper of heat and dominance. "Do you feel that?" he murmured. "They will never take you. Not your power. Not your heart."
"Yes," I gasped, the wolf growling in approval, triplets pulsing. "We're… unstoppable together."
Kaelen struggled, but the bond, amplified by both Ronan and the children, held him firm. His eyes flicked between us, terror breaking through arrogance. "You… you can't… this isn't fair!"
"Fair has nothing to do with survival," I said, energy flaring around me, shaping into blades and spears of silver light that cut cleanly through the room, slashing at any escape route. "And neither does desire… but I'll admit, it makes fighting much… more compelling."
Ronan's deep growl resonated through the hall. Hands roamed over my back, sliding to my waist, fingers gripping possessively as he shifted closer. Every brush of skin, every press of heat, sent the bond—and desire—surging between us. I gasped against him, wolf and body responding in perfect harmony, the triplets pulsing with approval, their energy amplifying ours.
"You're mine," he whispered against my ear. "And so are they."
"Yes," I breathed, hips pressing instinctively, energy surging through me as I guided Kaelen's attacks away, countering with precision. The silver energy wrapped around him, binding him, neutralizing the threat while keeping him alive—alive enough to confess and reveal all.
The fight ended swiftly. Kaelen collapsed, restrained by the bond, unable to move, shivering with fear and disbelief. Ronan's hands stayed firm on my waist, grounding me, claiming me, even as I drew on the triplets' energy to keep the council chamber secure.
"You fought well," Ronan said, voice low, heated, lips brushing my temple possessively. "Even in battle… even against betrayal… you remain mine. Always."
I leaned into him, breath ragged, heart racing with adrenaline and lingering desire. "We… we did it," I whispered. "Together."
"Yes," he said, lips brushing mine in a searing, urgent kiss, hands sliding possessively over my body even as the bond pulsed with power. "Together… unstoppable… unbroken… desired."
The fortress itself seemed to acknowledge our victory, the runes glowing faintly, responding to the power we wielded as one. The triplets pulsed with satisfaction, tiny flashes of energy that reminded me—they were more than heirs. They were part of this power, part of this bond, part of us.
Even as the danger subsided, one truth lingered: the Purge was far from finished. And someone—another ally? Another traitor?—was still hidden in the shadows, waiting for their moment.
But for the first time, I felt truly… invincible.
Bonded. Desired. Protected.
And ready to face whatever came next.