Roses and Vipers

The Warning

Jaxons mother sat behind her massive oak desk, her expression unreadable. His father leaned against the bookshelf, arms crossed, eyes dark with warning. Jaxon felt the weight in the room before they even spoke.

"Sit," his mother said, voice calm but commanding. He obeyed immediately.

"We have information," his father began. "About someone connected to the roses."

Jaxon frowned. "The Roses? Who?"

"That's the problem," his mother said, fingers steepled in front of her. "We don't know her name. We only know she exists. The vipers have intel that the Roses are moving her. She's.... Important. Dangerous.

Jaxon swallowed. "Important... like a leader?"

"Not yet," his mother said sharply. "But if she's in the wrong hands, it could tip the balance. The Vipers are picking her up soon. You must not interfere—but you need to understand the stakes. Loyalty to the club comes first."

Jaxon nodded, jaw tight. "I understand. Club comes first."

His father stepped closer. "Do you understand what that means? No personal feelings. No hesitation. If you get involved... you endanger yourself, the club, everyone."

"Yes," Jaxon said firmly, though inside, his mind raced. He didn't know who they were talking about. And yet, a strange sense of unease gnawed at him, a feeling that someone he had grown close to—someone he liked — might be the one in danger. But the club came first. He couldn't allow sentiment to cloud judgement.

"Good," his mother said. "Remember that. Loyalty above all."

As he left the study, Jaxon forced himself to nod, to appear calm. But the thought lingered, unbidden: Who is she? And why does it matter so much?