SHANE BLACKTHORN

I settle her on the counter, finding my place naturally between her legs. Her dark, wavy hair frames her face, and her eyes hold a mix of defiance and curiosity. She's captivating, but there's a softness to her expression that catches me off guard—a vulnerability she'd never show willingly. It only stirs my need to protect her, and the urges within me grow harder to control. Millie is a test to my patience.

"Just sit here and wait," I manage, keeping my voice steady.

"Where's Leah?" Her question hits me like cold water, instantly dousing the warmth between us.

"At the palace." A strange guilt gnaws at me as memories of my last encounter with Leah surface, tinged with shame I'd rather forget.

"Does she know I'm here?" Absolutely not. That would only invite a storm.

"No, I don't think so."

"So you two are...uhm...a thing?" she asks, a hint of interest flickering in her eyes.

"A thing?" I chuckle, unable to resist teasing her.

"You know what I mean," she presses, cheeks reddening. "She's your mate, right? So, you're going to get married and everything..."

I hold her gaze, deciding to answer truthfully. "I guess the mating ritual is kind of like marriage in your world. Only ours lasts a lifetime. There's no option of divorce." For a fleeting second, I see an unexpected look in her eyes—a subtle, almost unrecognizable trace of...relief? Or jealousy? It slips past before I can grasp it.

"Of course, there's always the option of rejecting your mate before the ritual," I add, even though I know that for me, that choice doesn't exist. My people's safety rests on my true awakening, and that can only happen after the mating ritual. To refuse it would be to renounce the throne, the legacy my parents sacrificed everything for.

"Hmm." She looks away, lost in thought.

I want to ask what she's thinking, but Verran interrupts with a telepathic message, his voice tense in my mind.

"Sir, there's an emergency council meeting. You need to return to the palace."

"An emergency meeting? Has Rafael made another move?"

"No, but four wolves were found dead in the local guard house in..."

"Why call a council meeting over that?"

"There was fae magic residue on the scene, and a dark arts user escaped."

"Shit," I mutter. Her head snaps toward me, concern flashing in her eyes.

I pull my apron off. "I have to go. Duty calls, fireball," I say, making for the door. "Verran here will take care of you—and make sure you don't get any crazy ideas."

"Who's Verran?" she asks, just as Verran appears, looking none too pleased with the babysitting assignment.

"Call for him like that, and he'll get you whatever you need," I tell her.

"So, you're holding me hostage, then," she challenges.

"I don't like the term hostage."

"Okay, then—kidnapping? Holding me against my will? Restricting my freedom?" She's smirking, taunting me, and I can't help the smile tugging at my lips.

"Hey, do you know my name?" I ask, realizing I've never introduced myself formally.

"Shane?" she tries, her tone curious. The sound of her voice saying my name sends a shiver down my spine, stirring memories I'd prefer stayed buried.

"Exactly. That's the only name you should call in my presence," I say, my tone lower, more serious than I intended.

I reach the door, but a thought stops me. I turn back to her. "If you miss me, you can always call for me. I'll come running." My words are bold, but I mean every syllable. Reaching out telepathically, I add, "Millie." Her name lingers on my mind, the warmth of it almost pulling me back to her. "Just like that."

With a final glance, I step out and instruct Verran to keep watch, then shift into Kygara, my wolf form. The palace is far, but Kygara will cover the distance quickly.

As I run, I wonder, what the hell kind of mess did Caelum make now?

As I arrive at the palace, I transform back into my human form. The guards quickly approach, handing me a tunic.

Once changed, I stride towards the council chamber, where the elders are already seated, and Leah sits beside the chair reserved for me.

The moment I step inside, every council member drops to their knees, reciting the solemn vow in unison:

"To our Alpha, bound by blood and bond, we pledge our loyalty, to follow without question, to defend without fear, and to obey without fail, for as long as life flows within us."

Alpha Thomas rises first as the vow concludes, his voice already tinged with impatience.

"Our kin were brutally murdered in a guardhouse—a symbol of an alpha's authority. The guards are an extension of your power. To defy them is to defy you."

"Get to the point, Thomas," I snap, unwilling to let him drag this out with theatrics.

"Fae magic residue was found on the bodies of our fallen brothers, and a dark arts user has escaped," he says, his tone edging into accusation. "I warned against allowing fae into our city, but you disagreed. Now, look—they kill our kind and mock your rule!"

"Yes! We cannot stand for this; the guilty must pay," Magnus chimes in, stoking my irritation further.

"And where is Caelum?" another alpha cuts in, scanning the room. "He was summoned, yet he does not show. Is he hiding his guilt?"

"Probably too ashamed to show his face. I say we send soldiers to drag him here and—"

"Enough!" I bellow, the council chamber echoing with my voice. I can't believe I left Millie for this petty bickering. These men don't care about our fallen warriors; they're here to question my authority.

"Caelum is on an assignment at my command," I reply, knowing full well he's recovering and in no state to attend. "As for this matter, I will personally investigate it and see that justice is served for our men."

"And where were you, Alpha Shane?" Thomas's voice has a suspicious edge.

"What?"

"I came to the palace to discuss the finalized budget, but your guards informed me you were absent."

"Am I to report my whereabouts to you now, Thomas?" My voice is a low growl, warning him to tread carefully.

At that moment, Leah's eyes flash to mine, a glint of something unspoken passing between us. I haven't seen her since that awkward encounter in my study, and the tension lingers, unresolved.

"There are rumors circulating," Thomas continues, venom lacing his tone, "that you ordered a stray to be found—and that you're keeping this stray hidden."

He sneers, relishing the accusations. "My men heard gossip from a guard at a bar, who spoke of you killing his friend, hiding the body, and taking an unidentified stray with you."

I remain silent, the urge to hunt down that blabbering guard simmering within me.

Thomas leans forward, eyes narrowed. "I would like to know who this stray is, and why you're keeping it hidden from the council."

"Are my personal affairs so entertaining to you, Thomas? Has military duty become tiresome?" My tone is edged with enough menace to remind him of his place.

"Is that why Verran and Caelum are absent? Guarding this stray, perhaps?"

"If this were council business, I'd inform you. Since it isn't—"

"Preposterous!" Thomas interrupts, his anger rising as he forgets whose presence he stands in. His growl triggers Kygara within me, and a ripple of bloodlust fills the air, heavy and intense. The council members feel it immediately, each of them sensing the raw power held barely in check. Thomas flinches as Kygara's energy rolls over him, more feral and powerful than his own, forcing him to bow his head in submission.

"I've warned you not to cross this line, Thomas," I say, my voice deadly calm. "Mention the stray again, and I'll consider it a challenge to my authority. And we both know how such challenges end." The threat of a fight to the death lingers, thick in the air, and Thomas's head dips lower in silent submission.

"Council dismissed," I declare. No one dares to object; they rise and exit quietly, muttering their discontent as they go.

Leah remains seated, her face unreadable. I'm about to leave when her voice halts me, slicing through the silence.

"It's her, isn't it?" she says, her tone edged with accusation. "It's Millie."

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Guys we're finally getting a new part of Leah's chronicles. Yay! This chapter might have been boring but it was necessary to explain some things so I apologize for that 😭
Thank you and don't forget to vote. Love y'all ❤️