Amara’s POV
The courtyard is still now, too quiet, too aware.
Every wolf in the courtyard feels it, the shift, the tightening, the invisible line drawn across the stone between two Alphas who refuse to step back.
And at the centre of it was Kael, standing as though he belonged there.
Like he wasn’t deep inside Blackthorn territory, surrounded by wolves who would tear him apart on command.
Elior stood opposite him, calm on the surface, but I knew better; stillness isn’t peace, it is control.
And I stand between them, not physically, at least not yet.
But everything about this moment is built around me.
The bond pulses relentlessly; it forces me to try to breathe steadily.
“Both of you need to stop.”
Kael’s eyes snap back to mine instantly.
Elior doesn’t move, but I felt his atten
