A Mate For Christmas

Chapter 11

The next morning, Evie woke to the sound of shouting. She sat up in bed, confused and disoriented. Sunlight streamed through the windows. The clock on the nightstand said it was almost noon.

She had slept late, exhausted from the stress of last night. But now something was wrong. She could hear angry voices coming from downstairs.

Evie threw on a robe and hurried out of her room. In the hallway, she nearly ran into Delilah.

"What is happening?" Evie asked.

Delilah's face was pale. "Emergency pack meeting. Someone was attacked last night after we got back from the cathedral."

"Who?"

"Treasure. Raphael's daughter. She is here, asking for sanctuary."

Evie followed Delilah downstairs. In the main hall, a crowd had gathered. At the center stood a young woman Evie had never seen before. She was beautiful, with long dark hair and striking violet eyes. But her clothes were torn and bloody. Scratches covered her arms and face.

Gideon stood in front of her, his expression thunderous. Victoria and Jayden flanked him. Maxwell was there too, along with what looked like the entire pack.

"You expect us to believe your father sent his own wolves to kill you?" Jayden was saying. "This reeks of a trap."

"I swear it is the truth," the girl, Treasure, said. Her voice shook. "He found out I have been speaking against him. Against his plans to destroy Gideon. He called me a traitor and ordered my execution."

"Why should we trust you?" Victoria demanded. "You are Raphael's daughter. His blood."

"I know," Treasure said. Tears ran down her face. "I know what he is. What he has done. But I am not him. I do not want innocent people to die because of my father's ambition."

"What do you know about his plans?" Gideon asked.

Treasure hesitated, then said, "Everything. I know about the weapons he has been gathering. The alliances he has been making with other packs. The spies he has planted in neutral territories." She looked directly at Gideon. "And I know his real target is not you. It is her."

Everyone turned to look at Evie, who was standing on the stairs with Delilah.

"Me?" Evie said.

"Yes," Treasure said. "My father believes if he can kill you or turn you against Gideon, the bond will break. Gideon will be weakened, possibly destroyed. And then my father can take control of your territory and your pack."

"That will never happen," Gideon said coldly.

"I know," Treasure said. "That is why I am here. To help you stop him. To make up for all the terrible things my father has done."

"Or you are here to spy on us," Jayden said. "To feed information back to Raphael."

"Then lock me up," Treasure said desperately. "Keep me under guard. Do not trust me. But please, please let me stay. If I go back, he will kill me."

The silence stretched. Evie watched Gideon's face, trying to read his emotions. Through the bond, she felt his conflict. His suspicion warring with his instinct to protect.

"What do you think?" Gideon asked, looking up at Evie.

Everyone turned to stare at her again. Evie's mouth went dry. Why was he asking her? She did not know anything about pack politics or strategy.

But then she looked at Treasure. Really looked at her. The girl was terrified, covered in blood, shaking. And her eyes, those violet eyes, held genuine fear.

Evie walked down the stairs slowly. She stopped in front of Treasure.

"Did your father really try to kill you?" Evie asked.

"Yes," Treasure whispered. "He said I was dead to him. That I was weak like my mother."

"What happened to your mother?"

"She died trying to leave him," Treasure said. "Fifteen years ago. He told everyone it was an accident, but I know the truth. He killed her because she wanted to take me and run."

Evie felt something twist in her chest. She knew what it was like to be made to feel small and worthless by someone who was supposed to care about you. Dave had done it to her for three years.

"I believe her," Evie said.

"Evie," Jayden started.

"I believe her," Evie repeated, turning to face Gideon. "And I think we should let her stay."

"This could be a mistake," Victoria warned.

"Maybe," Evie agreed. "But turning her away could be an even bigger mistake. If what she says is true, if she knows about Raphael's plans, we need that information."

Gideon studied her face for a long moment. Then he nodded. "She stays. But she will be under constant guard. She will not leave the estate without permission. And if we discover she is lying, if this is a trap, she will face the consequences."

Treasure sagged with relief. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"Delilah," Gideon said. "Take Treasure to the guest wing. Get her cleaned up and fed. Assign guards to watch her room."

"Yes, Alpha," Delilah said. She took Treasure's arm gently and led her away.

As the crowd began to disperse, Gideon walked up to Evie. "That was brave. And possibly foolish."

"Story of my life lately," Evie said.

He smiled slightly, then his expression turned serious. "Come with me. We need to talk."

He led her to his study, a large room filled with books and maps. A fire crackled in the fireplace. Gideon closed the door behind them and turned to face her.

"Raphael is escalating," he said. "If what Treasure says is true, if he really tried to kill his own daughter, then he is more desperate than I thought. More dangerous."

"What does that mean for us?" Evie asked.

"It means we have less time than I hoped," Gideon said. "The council hearing is in one month. But I do not think Raphael will wait that long. He will try something before then."

"Like what?"

"An attack. A k********g. A public challenge." Gideon ran a hand through his hair. "I do not know. But we need to be ready for anything."

Evie sat down in one of the leather chairs. Her legs felt shaky. "How do I get ready for something like that?"

"You train," Gideon said. "Every day. With my mother, with Julian, with anyone who can teach you to survive. You learn our laws, our customs, our weaknesses and strengths. You become so valuable to this pack that even those who doubt you now will defend you."

"That sounds impossible."

"It is not," Gideon said firmly. He knelt in front of her chair, taking her hands. "You stood up to Raphael last night. You faced an entire cathedral full of werewolves and did not back down. You are already stronger than you realize."

"I was terrified," Evie admitted.

"Being brave does not mean you are not scared," Gideon said. "It means you act despite the fear. And you did that."

Evie looked at their joined hands. That electric spark was always there now, constant and warm. "What if I fail? What if I cannot convince the council?"

"Then we run," Gideon said simply. "We leave everything behind and go somewhere they cannot find us."

"You would do that? Give up your pack, your territory, everything you have built?"

"In a heartbeat," Gideon said. His golden eyes burned with intensity. "You are more important than any of it. You are my mate, Evie. My other half. Without you, none of this means anything."