His eyes, blazing with fury, fixate on those still standing at the table, his gaze piercing through their defenses. With each word that drips from his lips, the air crackles with the electric tension of his resolve. “Any movement against our mate is a move against us,” he declares, his voice resonating like thunder in the chamber. As Griffin’s words cut through the tension, I glance at Ethan, and there’s a silent exchange between us. In that moment, an unspoken understanding passes between us. We both know what needs to be done to protect Grace and our children.

Griffin’s muscles tense as he hurls the elder across the room, the force of the throw reverberating through the air. The sound of impact echoes sharply against the walls, a cacophony of defiance. As he stands there, a towering figure of raw power, a primal roar escapes his lips, vibrating with intensity.

A sick, twisted grin stretches across his lips, contorted almost to the point of savagery. It’s a visage that speaks of dominance, of a predator fully aware of his strength. “Grace will summon the full might of the packs to destroy what may rise against her pups,” he growls, the words carrying the weight of a primal promise. “Never corner a she-wolf with babies. You will not win.”

His voice, once smooth and resonant, now carries a chilling edge, like the icy grip of impending doom. With each syllable, it’s as if the very air grows colder, a palpable sense of finality settling over the room. And in his eyes, once filled with warmth and kindness, there’s now only the cold, unyielding stare of a predator unleashed.

In that moment, any semblance of restraint or civility evaporates, consumed by the blazing inferno of his protectiveness. Whatever remnants of his lawful good nature had lingered within him are incinerated, reduced to ashes by the searing heat of his fury.

As I utter the words, “This conversation is over,” the weight of finality hangs heavy in the air. I watch the elders disperse from my pack, their expressions a mix of resignation and concern. With a subtle gesture, I beckon my bond brothers to follow, and we stride purposefully across the yard towards Conrad’s waiting car.

The cool night air brushes against my skin, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and damp earth. Each step reverberates through the ground, a steady rhythm echoing the determination coursing through my veins. Shadows dance around us, cast by the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the trees, adding an eerie ambiance to our departure.

Conrad’s car sits patiently, a metallic sentinel amidst the darkness. As he slips behind the wheel, the faint creak of leather accompanies his movements. The interior is suffused with the familiar scent of his cologne, mingling with the musky aroma of wolf and forest.

“Do you think they will move against Grace?” Conrad’s voice breaks through the silence, pulling me from my thoughts.

I turn to meet his gaze, the amber glow of his eyes reflecting the intensity of our shared purpose. “They will try to and fail,” I respond, my voice a low growl tinged with resolve. The mere thought of anyone daring to harm Grace ignites a primal fury within me.

“She will destroy all of them, and I’m going to help her,” I declare, the words carrying the weight of a promise as I envision the unstoppable force we will become.

“You won’t be alone in that. I will destroy anyone or anything that even glances in Grace’s direction wrong,” Ethan declares, his voice low and fierce, sending a shiver down my spine. His words are like a promise etched in steel, and his grin, though charming, carries a dangerous edge that sets my nerves on edge.

I glance over at Griffin, seated beside me in the back of the car, his expression serious, his eyes focused on some distant point as if calculating every move. His demeanor is like that of a strategist, carefully planning each step in a high-stakes game.

Nodding in agreement, I feel a sense of urgency settling in my chest. Ambrose awaits us at the house. With every passing mile, the world outside the car window blurs into insignificance, my attention drawn inward to the pressing task ahead. As Griffin speaks of pooling our resources and preparing for what lies ahead, I can’t help but feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on me. Our mate’s safety is paramount, and I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure it.

Conrad’s silence envelops the car, a tangible weight settling between us. It catches my attention, tugging at the edges of my awareness like a whisper in a crowded room. I tilt my head, instinctively seeking the source of the disturbance, my gaze drawn to him.

“Something on your mind?” The words slip out, a gentle inquiry tinged with concern. My hand moves of its own accord, reaching forward to rest lightly on his shoulder, seeking connection, offering support.

Conrad’s hands tighten around the steering wheel, the leather creaking in protest beneath his grip. His knuckles whiten, the tendons in his arms standing out like taut cables. The tension radiates from him, palpable in the air, a silent declaration of his inner turmoil.

“Something isn’t sitting right with me,” he murmurs, his voice strained, as if each word is a struggle to articulate. His words hang in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning, casting a shadow over the otherwise mundane landscape rushing past us. “I feel like something is being hidden.”

Pulling my hand back, I feel the cool metal of my phone against my palm as I lean against the seat. With each tap of my fingers on the screen, I sense the urgency pulsating through me, a silent plea for help to my most loyal Betas. They become my eyes and ears, venturing into the shadows to uncover secrets hidden by the elders of our pack.

“I wouldn’t put it past them,” I murmur, the words heavy with suspicion and frustration. “They’ve survived three alphas’ rules for a reason.”

The car falls into a heavy silence, broken only by the rhythmic hum of the engine as we traverse the familiar path back to the pack house nestled within Murphy land. My mind swirls with a maelstrom of thoughts, each one a jagged shard of uncertainty. There are too many variables, too many unknowns, and not enough solid solutions. It feels as though I’m treading on thin ice, navigating a minefield without a map, each step fraught with the risk of detonation.

Chapter 24

Grace

-Burn it to the Ground- Nickelback-

Ambrose arrived about an hour ago, not long after my mates went to Nicolai’s pack. The air tingles with an electric charge, sending shivers down my spine as I sense something stirring. Why else would Ambrose be here? I know exactly why. It’s an intuition, a gut feeling, that twists and turns within me.

I’m home alone with Lorcan and Barrett. The silence in the house feels heavy, amplifying every creak and rustle. My heartbeat quickens, a rhythmic drumming in my ears, as I try to decipher the reason for Ambrose’s unexpected visit.

“Grace, do you want tea?” Ruby’s voice breaks through the tension, her presence a welcome distraction. I turn to see her poking her head into the family room, her eyes darting between me and Ambrose. He’s sitting on the floor, surrounded by the three pups, his laughter filling the room. The scent of freshly brewed tea wafts in, mingling with the warmth of the fireplace, creating a comforting cocoon amidst the uncertainty.

“No thank you,” I murmur, the hair on the back of my neck prickling. The air seems charged with an unspoken tension, a palpable reminder of the recent events. My actions have left a mark, a visceral aftermath that still lingers in the collective memory of the elders. They’ve convened thrice now, deliberating over my fate while the forest slowly heals from the chaos I wrought.

Nestled within the safety of my home, flanked by two mates and our loyal friend Ambrose, I find a semblance of peace. He moves effortlessly among my offspring, his laughter a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. Despite the weight of my past deeds, his presence offers a respite, a temporary reprieve from the ever-present sense of foreboding.

“Ambrose? Would you like anything?” Ruby asks him and I watch his reaction.