A Mate For Christmas

Chapter 17

The next day passed in tense preparation. Evie watched from her window as pack members armed themselves, ran drills, prepared for battle. Gideon had barely spoken to her since last night, too focused on planning.

She understood. He was the Alpha. His pack came first.

But it still hurt a little.

As evening approached, Evie put her plan into action. She found Treasure in the library, reading.

"I need your help," Evie said quietly.

Treasure looked up, curious. "With what?"

"Getting to the cathedral tonight without anyone knowing."

Treasure's eyes widened. "Gideon will kill us both if he finds out."

"Only if we get caught," Evie said. "Will you help me?"

Treasure hesitated, then nodded. "What do you need?"

"A distraction. Something to pull the guards away from the back entrance for just a few minutes."

Treasure smiled slowly. "I can do that."

An hour before the pack was set to leave, Treasure created her distraction. She "accidentally" started a small fire in one of the guest rooms. Not big enough to be dangerous, but big enough to pull guards and attention.

While everyone was focused on the fire, Evie slipped out through a servants' entrance. She had stolen a coat and hat from the closet, hoping it would help her blend in.

She caught a cab into the city, giving the driver the cathedral address. Her heart pounded the entire drive. If Gideon found out what she was doing, he would be furious.

But she had to be there. Had to see who had betrayed them. Had to help somehow.

The cathedral looked dark and ominous when she arrived. Cars were parked all around it. Important looking cars with dark tinted windows.

Evie paid the driver and approached carefully. The main doors were guarded by two large wolves. She could not go in that way.

She circled around to the back, looking for another entrance. There, she found a small side door that was unlocked. She slipped inside.

The cathedral was dimly lit inside. She could hear voices echoing from the main chamber. Lots of voices.

Evie crept forward, staying in the shadows. She found a small balcony overlooking the main floor and hid behind a stone pillar.

Below, at least fifty wolves gathered in a semicircle. Raphael stood in the center, addressing them like a general addressing his army.

"Thank you all for coming," Raphael said. "Tonight, we finalize our plans to remove Gideon and his weak pack from power."

Murmurs of agreement ran through the crowd.

"His human mate has already proven to be his weakness," Raphael continued. "My rogues kidn*pped her easily. If Gideon himself had not intervened, she would be dead now. This proves that human mates endanger us all."

More murmurs. Evie felt anger burn in her chest.

"Once we remove Gideon, we will divide his territory among our allied packs," Raphael said. "Each of you will receive your fair share."

"What about the council?" an Alpha Evie did not recognize asked. "Will they not interfere?"

"The council is divided," Raphael said. "Half of them support our position. The other half will fall in line once Gideon is gone. They are weak. Afraid of change."

A familiar voice spoke up. "And what of Gideon's mate? What happens to her?"

Evie's blood ran cold. She knew that voice.

Maxwell.

Maxwell Stone, Gideon's trusted advisor and friend, was standing with Raphael's allies.

"The human will be eliminated, of course," Raphael said. "Publicly, to send a message. No human mate will ever be allowed to become Luna. Not while we have power to stop it."

Maxwell nodded like this was acceptable. Like he had not just agreed to Evie's murder.

Evie's mind reeled. Maxwell had betrayed them. He had been feeding information to Raphael all along.

She needed to tell Gideon. Needed to warn him.

But before she could move, strong hands grabbed her from behind. A hand clamped over her mouth, preventing her from screaming.

"Found the little spy," a rough voice said.

Evie was dragged out of her hiding spot and brought down to the main floor. Wolves turned to look, gasps and murmurs running through the crowd.

Raphael's eyes lit up when he saw her. "Well, well. The guest of honor has arrived." He walked toward her, smiling. "Did Gideon send you to spy? Or did you come on your own?"

Evie did not answer. The rogue holding her yanked her hair back, forcing her to look at Raphael.

"Answer him," the rogue growled.

"I came on my own," Evie said, her voice shaking despite her attempts to stay calm.

"How brave," Raphael said mockingly. "And how stupid. You just walked right into a room full of wolves who want you dead."

"Not all of us," a voice said.

Everyone turned. An older Alpha stood up, a man with gray hair and kind eyes. "I came here to discuss political alliances. Not to murder innocents."

"She is not innocent," Raphael said. "She is a threat to our way of life."

"She is a young woman who has done nothing wrong," the gray haired Alpha said. "This is not who we are, Raphael. This is not justice. This is cruelty."

"Then leave," Raphael said coldly. "Leave and be labeled a traitor to our kind."

The gray haired Alpha hesitated, then slowly sat back down. His face was sad, defeated.

No one else spoke up for her.

Evie felt despair wash over her. She was alone, surrounded by enemies, and no one was coming to save her.

Then the cathedral doors slammed open.

Gideon stood there, his eyes blazing gold. Behind him, his entire pack spread out in formation.

"Let her go," Gideon said, his voice carrying absolute authority. "Now."

Raphael smiled. "Or what? You will fight all of us? Even you are not that strong, Gideon."

"Try me," Gideon said.

The tension in the cathedral was suffocating. Wolves on both sides shifted into fighting stances, ready for war.

"Wait," Maxwell said, stepping forward. He looked at Gideon with regret in his eyes. "It does not have to be this way. Gideon, just reject the girl. Choose a proper mate. Join us in restoring the old ways. We can work together."

Gideon's expression was colder than Evie had ever seen it. "You betrayed me. Betrayed my pack. And you expect me to join you?"

"I did what was necessary," Maxwell said. "For the good of all werewolves."

"You did it for power," Gideon said. "Do not pretend this is noble. You are just as greedy as Raphael."

Maxwell's face hardened. "So be it. You had your chance."

He nodded to the rogue holding Evie. The rogue pulled out a silver knife and held it to her throat.

"Choose," Raphael said. "Surrender and she lives. Fight and she dies."

Through the bond, Evie felt Gideon's rage and fear. Felt his desperate need to save her warring with his duty to protect his pack.

"Do not do it," Evie called out. "Gideon, do not surrender. The pack needs you."

"Be quiet," the rogue snarled, pressing the knife harder. Evie felt it cut her skin, warm blood trickling down her neck.

Gideon's control snapped. He shifted into his massive black wolf and lunged forward.

All hell broke loose.