Gambled to the Rival Alpha

Chapter 6-The Enforcer's Judgement

The SUV moved through the mountain passes that separated Silver Crest from the southern territories.

Inside, the silence was uncomfortable, broken at intervals by the muffled hum of the engine and the movements of the windshield wipers.

I sat pressed against the far door, wrapped tightly in Diego’s suit jacket. My chest still ached with a throbbing numbness where my mate bond with Silas had once lived.

Diego sat across from me with the posture of a Viking warrior that had claimed the spoils.

So to speak.

He had unbuttoned the top two buttons of his dark shirt, resting one arm casually over the window sill while his gaze roamed the passing dark treeline. At the front passenger seat, Miguel was quietly reviewing digital documents on a glowing tablet.

My wolf lay prone in the back of my mind, exhausted from the violent severing ritual. But every time Diego shifted his weight, her ears would rise at attention.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. The silly canine was reacting to his presence—to the sheer weight of his Alpha aura—even while my human heart bled with grief.

"You're going to burn a hole through the side of my vehicle if you keep staring out that window so fiercely, chica," Diego finally broke the silence.

I flinched slightly, pulling the lapels of his jacket closer around my throat.

"I'm not staring fiercely." I turned my head to glare at him through my tear-stained eyelashes. "I'm calculating how far we are from Silver Crest."

A low chuckle rumbled in his chest—a sound so rich and unexpected that it made my pulse skip a beat.

"You're three territories away from Silver Crest," He turned to face me. For a split second, his green eyes glinted in the dim dashboard lights. "And if you're thinking of running back, I suggest you reconsider. Your former Alpha made it quite clear that you no longer have a home there."

The reminder cut like a fresh blade and stabbed it's way to the depths of my soul.

"I know what happened." A flash of red-hot anger flared through the cold grief in my veins. "You don't need to remind me of my own humiliation. You got what you wanted. You humiliated Silas, you took their timber land, and you got a trophy to flaunt in front of your council."

Diego’s amused expression faded slightly and his eyes narrowed dangerously. His posture took a sudden shift, making the air in the SUV feel eerie.

"Don't mistake me for your weak-willed ex-mate, Ophelia." His voice lost an octave, switching into a warning tone. "I don't play games with human lives, nor do I view women as trophies to be paraded. Silas put you on that table because he is a witless coward who valued paper deeds over his own soul."

He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. The sudden proximity brought his heat barrelling into my senses, making my breath catch.

"I took the bet," Diego continued, his gaze holding mine hostage, "because I refused to let a woman of your standing remain bound to a sniveling dog who would sell her out the moment the cards turned cold."

"You're kidding, right?" My mouth parted in sheer disbelief. "You expect me to believe you acted out of chivalry?"

"I act out of interest," he retorted with a tantalizing smirk, dropping back into his seat.

"Y la curiosidad, mi pequeña pelirroja..." He let the smooth Spanish phrase roll off his tongue like syrup, "is a very dangerous motivator."

"Hey, what does that mean!" I demanded, a red flush heating my cheeks. "And stop speaking Spanish. What did you just call me?"

Before he could make a retort, the SUV slowed to a crawl. Up ahead, a large fortified iron gate spanned the dark highway, illuminated by harsh floodlights and surrounded by tall guard towers.

'The Bloodmoon Pack border,' I thought.

Two large wolves—one gray, the other dark brown—emerged from the tree line, shifting swiftly into their human forms as the SUV came to a stop. They wore tactical combat uniforms bearing the blood-red moon crest.

The driver rolled down the window as the lead guard approached. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a thick battle scar running from his temple down to his left collarbone. His dark eyes were devoid of any form of warmth.

He stepped up to the rear door, nodding respectfully to Diego. "Alpha Diego. Beta Miguel. Border patrol reports all sectors clear."

"Good work, Julio," Diego replied calmly.

The man- now known to me as Julio- looked past Diego and towards my direction. He took in my red hair, my disheveled gown, and the oversized jacket wrapped around my shoulders. His brow furrowed into a stern, disapproving line.

"Is this the Silver Crest female?" he asked. "The one from the wager?"

"She is," Miguel answered from the front.

Julio frowned lightly as he looked back at Diego. "Alpha, bringing an unsanctioned Silver Crest noble across our border during a time of border tension is a security risk. The elders will question her presence. She is a vulnerability."

I felt a sudden pang of defensive pride. I straighted my spine, refusing to look down under his harsh scrutiny.

"She's not a vulnerability, Julio," Diego’s eyes flashed with a sudden glow that made even the battle-hardened Gamma stiffen. "She's under my personal protection. Anyone who questions her presence in Bloodmoon territory can bring their grievances directly to my desk."

Julio held Diego’s gaze for a tense second before bowing his head deeply. "Understood, Alpha. The perimeter is secure. Welcome home."

Julio stepped back, waving his hand toward the guard tower. The iron gates creaked open, swinging wide to reveal the moonlit valley of the Bloodmoon Pack lands.

As the SUV accelerated through the gates, Diego turned his head back toward me, catching me staring at him in quiet shock.

"See?" A toothy, teasing grin appeared on his face as he settled back into his seat. "I'm not the monster your former pack made me out to be, Ophelia."

"Good to know." I blinked.

"But if you prefer dungeons and chains," he deadpanned suddenly, "I'm sure I can arrange something for you."

His words almost made me sink into the seat, until I caught the subtle twitch of the sides of his lips.

"You're infuriating." I let out a soft huff, turning my face back to the window to hide the reluctant flush creeping up my neck.

"I'm an Alpha of many talents, tesoro." I could detect the amusement in his tone. "You'll learn them all soon enough."