I stay seated against the cold wall, waiting anxiously for the footsteps I desperately want to hear. When they finally echo through the corridor, I know Timothy is here. I can smell his familiar scent even before his face appears. 

I quickly stand up as he comes into view. "Tim," I exhale, relief and hope flooding my voice.

But instead of the warm embrace I long for, I'm met with a cold, hard stare. The Luna's voice beams beside him, triumphant and venomous. "You see, Timmy, as I said, he is marked and bonded with none other than Soren Thornbourn."

I realise she is standing right next to him for the first time, her presence a dark shadow over the moment. Timothy's face is a mask of conflicting emotions, but the hardness in his eyes cuts me deeply.

The Luna's voice slices through the tension, addressing Timothy with a tone that drips with manipulation. 

"Timothy, my son. Let him go. He's never been your brother, and now he belongs to the pack-less."

My heart pounds in my chest as I watch Timothy's expression. The love I know he has for me is there, buried beneath layers of anger and betrayal. 

"Tim, I did not betray you okay" I plead, taking a step closer. "I'm still your brother."

He looks at me, his eyes searching mine, and for a moment, I see a flicker of the Timothy I know. But the Luna's influence is strong. "Sam," he says, his voice strained. "How could you do this? How could you mate with him? Do you know what this means?"

"I know," I reply, my voice shaking. "I'm sorry."

The Luna sneers, her eyes glinting with malice. "Tell him, Timothy, tell him what you are going to do with his so-called mate."

Anger surges through me, and I growl at her, my voice low and dangerous. "You're not going to touch a strand of Soren's hair, for I swear to the goddess, I will rip you to shreds with my teeth."

The Luna takes a step back, her face pale with shock. I have never talked back to her, let alone threatened her. I don't know what has come over me, but the thought of her harming Soren ignites a fierce protective instinct within me.

"You're finally showing your true colours, dear Sam," she spits, trying to regain her composure.

I stand my ground, the defiance in my eyes unwavering. "I won't let you hurt him," I say, my voice steady and filled with conviction.

Timothy's face is a mask of turmoil, torn between his loyalty towards his mother and his love for me. "Sam," he begins, but his voice falters. 

He looks at the Luna, then back at me, the conflict in his eyes clear.

"Timothy, please," I implore, my heart aching. "You know me. You know I would never betray our pack willingly. Soren is different. He's not the enemy."

The Luna's gaze hardens, and she steps closer to Timothy, her voice a poisonous whisper. "He's chosen his side, Timothy. Now you must choose yours."

Timothy's jaw clenches, his hands balling into fists. "Sam," he says, his voice heavy with sorrow, "I have to think of the pack first. I have to put our people first because you have put everything at risk."

"I didn't choose this," I say, desperation creeping into my voice. "But I won't abandon Soren, just like I won't abandon you."

The Luna steps closer to Timothy, her voice a poisonous whisper. "He's chosen his side, Timothy. Now you must choose yours." she repeats. I wanted to slap her. 

Timothy's eyes flick to her, then back to me. The conflict within him is palpable, but he takes a deep breath and squares his shoulders. "Sam you hurt me," he says, his voice heavy with sorrow, "I will always think of the pack first."

My heart sinks as the realisation hits me. Timothy's love for me is being overshadowed by his duty and the Luna's manipulations. "No, Tim," I say, tears welling up. "Don't do this."

"Luna, Alpha," a guard interrupts, his voice urgent. "Alpha Charlie and the Beta of the Zipclaw pack have arrived and are waiting to meet with you urgently."

My eyes widen in shock. Alpha Charlie  of the Zipclaw pack? What are they doing here? What is happening?

The Luna gives me one last cold look, a sinister smile curling her lips. "Well, well, isn't this a delightful turn of events," she sneers before turning and walking away, her steps confident and unhurried.

Timothy lingers for a moment, his eyes meeting mine. There is a flicker of something there—regret, maybe—but before I can say anything, the guard hurries him out.

I am left alone in the cell, my mind racing. What could the Zipclaw pack possibly want from here? And why now? The uncertainty gnaws at me, and I can't help but feel a growing sense of dread. 

The Luna's sinister smile and Timothy's conflicted gaze replay in my mind, heightening my anxiety.

"Think, Sam, think," I whisper to myself, trying to piece together the puzzle. The Luna's behaviour, Timothy's hesitation, the sudden arrival of the Zipclaw pack—it all points to  something dangerous. 

I move to the barred window, straining to see any sign of what is happening outside. The cold air bites at my skin, but I barely notice. 

My thoughts are with Soren, with my brother, with my pack. I have to find a way to protect them, to stop whatever is coming.

As the minutes stretch on, the silence of the cell becomes oppressive. I can hear distant murmurs and the occasional shout from outside, but nothing concrete, nothing that gives me any clues.

Finally, I sit back down, my back against the cold stone wall. I close my eyes, trying to calm my racing heart. 

Whatever is coming, I have to be ready.

Then, I hear distant growling and shouting from outside that makes me stand up. The noise grows louder, punctuated by the sounds of guards fighting. I can't see anything, so I just stand there and wait.

"Sam!" a voice calls out.

"Here!" I scream.

Suddenly, William appears in front of me, dragging an unconscious guard with him. I watch as he pats the guard's pockets for the key to the cell. Once he finds it, he quickly opens the door and lets me out.

"William!" I hug him, relief flooding through me. It feels so good to see a familiar, kind face.

 "How are Grey, Luca, and everyone else at the pack?"

"Don't worry, they are safe. Caleb and Tyler will not let anything happen to them," he assures me. 

"Now, let's go!"

We hurry out of the cell, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and hope. The corridor is dimly lit, shadows flickering as we move quickly but cautiously. The sounds of fighting grow fainter as we navigate through the maze-like passages of the dungeon.

"What's happening out there?" I ask in a hushed voice.

"The Zipclaw pack is making their move. They are taking Soren. They even paid for him, but don't worry, I didn't come alone," William explains, his expression grim.

"They bought him?" I ask, horrified.

"They were the highest bidder," William shrugs. "Soren has been a wanted man for years it makes sense why Alphas would want to have him" 

Have him?  He isn't something to have, to own. 

Finally, we emerge into a larger, more open area. The sounds of battle are louder here, and I can see flashes of movement as wolves fight fiercely. Wolves from my pack, both the Dusk Moon and the Midnight pack, are engaged in the fray. 

My heart races as I scan the chaos, desperately looking for any sign of Soren.

No sign.

"Where is he?" I murmur, panic rising in my chest.

William's eyes dart around, his jaw clenched in determination. "He must be nearby. Stay close."

We push forward through the melee, dodging and weaving as we fight our way through the throng of battling wolves. 

The air is thick with the scent of sweat and blood, and the growls and snarls of combatants fill my ears.

Suddenly, a large wolf lunges at us. William knocks him aside with a powerful blow, and we continue moving. My eyes search frantically for Soren, but he is nowhere to be seen.

"There!" William shouts, pointing to a group of wolves surrounding a figure on the ground.

My heart skips a beat as I see Soren, pinned down and struggling against his captors. 

Without thinking, I charge forward, adrenaline surging through me. William is right behind me, and together we fight our way to Soren. "Soren!" I yell, my voice barely audible over the roar of battle.

His eyes meet mine, and a spark of hope lights up his face. With renewed strength, he fights back against his captors, creating an opening for us to reach him.

I run as fast as I can to him, tears streaming down my face, my heart pounding in my chest. "Soren!" I scream, reaching out for him.

Just as I am about to reach him, a flash of silver catches my eye. My heart stops as I see Timothy, his face twisted in rage  plunge a silver blade into Soren's back.Time seems to slow as I watch in horror.

 Silver goo gushes out of Soren's mouth, and he falls to the ground with a sickening thud.

Author's Note: 

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