REJECTED BY ONE ALPHA, CLAIMED BY HIS DEADLIEST RIVAL

LESS TIME THAN THAT

"What does that mean," Ariana said, "considerably less time."

"I don't know." Grier's eyes stayed fixed on the parchment in her hands. "There was no messenger. Just found on the outer wall this morning, pinned with a blade."

"A blade," Lucien repeated, voice flat.

"A warning, Alpha. Not an attack. But a clear one."

Ariana read the words again, like staring at them longer might change what they said. Seven days, that's all Kael Draven is offering you. We're offering considerably less time than that.

"They know about the council's terms already," she said. "How."

"Someone's talking," Mira said, appearing in the doorway, expression grim. "Either inside Silverfang or inside these walls."

"You think we have a spy," Lucien said.

"I think whoever ambushed us at the border knew about the parley before it happened. And now they know about a private council ruling within hours of it being decided." Mira crossed her arms. "That's not coincidence. That's information moving fast, from somewhere close."

"Then we find the leak," Lucien said.

"And in the meantime?" Ariana held up the parchment. "What about this?"

"In the meantime, you don't leave these walls without an escort. Not for any reason."

"I wasn't planning to go wandering alone into the woods again, if that's your concern."

"That's exactly my concern." Lucien's jaw tightened. "Whoever sent this knows where to find you. That means they know enough about Blackthorn's defenses to feel confident making threats from inside striking distance."

"So we're trapped," Ariana said.

"You're protected."

"Feels like the same thing right now."

Grier cleared his throat. "Alpha, there's more. The messenger, whoever left this, wasn't seen by any of the night watch. Which means either they moved faster than any wolf should be able to, or—"

"Or they had help getting past the wall," Mira finished.

The room went quiet.

"I want the watch doubled tonight," Lucien said. "And I want every wolf who had access to the outer perimeter accounted for."

"Including the ones who came with Kael's escort?" Grier asked.

"Especially those."

Ariana folded the parchment carefully, tucking it against her chest like it might somehow protect her from what it promised. "This is my fault."

"It's not," Lucien said immediately.

"They're targeting me specifically. Threatening a timeline shorter than seven days because of what I supposedly am. That's not something that happens to someone standing beside me. That's happening because of me."

"None of this is your fault," Lucien said, stepping closer. "Not the bloodline you didn't choose, not the rejection Kael handed you, not whatever ancient grudge is apparently attached to whatever you carry. You didn't ask for any of it."

"Doesn't change what it's costing everyone around me."

"Ariana." His voice dropped lower, steadier. "Look at me."

She did, reluctantly, something in his eyes anchoring her despite the fear tightening her chest.

"You are not a burden," he said. "You're a target because of what you are, yes. But that makes you worth protecting, not worth blaming."

"Feels like a fine distinction right now."

"It isn't fine. It's the entire point." His hand came up, briefly, like he meant to touch her face before thinking better of it and letting it fall. "Whoever's out there, we'll deal with them. Together."

"Together," she repeated. "Even with Kael's seven day deadline hanging over everything."

"Especially then."

Mira cleared her throat pointedly. "As touching as this is, we still have a security breach to handle."

"Right." Lucien straightened, something professional sliding back over his expression. "Grier, assemble every warrior who had contact with the perimeter last night. I want names, timelines, everything."

"Yes, Alpha."

"Mira, double the watch and put your most trusted wolves on Ariana's door tonight. No exceptions."

"Understood."

As they both moved to follow orders, Ariana caught Lucien's sleeve before he could walk away.

"What aren't you telling me?" she asked quietly.

He hesitated. "What do you mean?"

"Back in the corridor, before Grier interrupted. You were about to say something. About why this matters to you." Her grip tightened slightly. "And now there's a death threat pinned to your wall, and you're being very careful about not looking at me the way you were an hour ago."

Something flickered across his face, quick and complicated.

"Now isn't the time," he said.

"You keep saying that."

"Because it keeps being true." His voice softened despite the words. "I promise you, Ariana. When this is over, when you're not staring down threats from every direction, I'll answer honestly. Right now I need you safe more than I need you to understand exactly why."

"That's not fair."

"No," he agreed. "It's not. But it's what I can give you tonight."

Before she could push further, a distant horn sounded from somewhere near the main gate, low and urgent, the kind of signal that made every warrior in earshot go instantly still.

Lucien's head snapped toward the sound, expression hardening in an instant.

"That's the perimeter alarm," he said.

"Meaning what?" Ariana asked.

Grier was already moving toward the door, voice tight. "Meaning someone just breached the outer wall."