Chapter 35 Alaric She feels impossibly small in my arms , her silver - blonde hair spilling over my jacket wrapped around her shoulders . My wolf paces beneath my skin , torn between rage at those who hurt her and the desperate need to protect . I carry her to my private quarters - the most secure rooms in the packhouse . No one enters here without my explicit permission , and right now , I don't trust anyone else to keep her safe . " Brother ? " Iris appears in the doorway as I lay Sage on my bed . Her eyes widen at the sight of the chains ' marks on Sage's wrists . " I'll kill her . " " Not if I get to her first . " The words come out more growl than speech . " Stay with her ? " Iris nods , already moving to check Sage's injuries . " What are you going to do ? " " What I should have done weeks ago . " I find Eris in her quarters , guards posted outside . She's clearly been expecting me , perched elegantly on a settee like this is a social call . " My King , " she smiles . " I trust you've secured the thief ? " " Interesting choice , " I say quietly, " planting evidence in her belongings . " Her smile doesn't waver . " I'm sure I don't know what you mean . " " The candlestick belonged to your family . Did you think I wouldn't recognize the crest ? " A flicker of uncertainty crosses her face , quickly masked . " Are you suggesting I would frame an innocent omega ? What possible motive would I have ? " " Because she threatens you . " She laughs , but it sounds hollow . " A wolfless nobody ? Threatening me ? " " She makes me smile . " The words hang between us . Her mask cracks just slightly , showing the calculation beneath . " You can't prove anything , " she says finally . " And even if you could , think of the political ramifications . My father's pack , the Northern Alliance ... " " I don't need proof . " Power rolls off me in waves . " I am the Lycan King . My word is law . " * Then why am I still breathing ? " The question catches me off guard . She's right- by pack law , I could execute her for this betrayal . She knows it . I know it . But she's also right about the political consequences , " Because , " I say carefully , " you're going to publicly apologize for a ' misunderstanding ' about the theft . You're going to withdraw gracefully to your family's estate for a cooling - off period . And you're going to do it all with a smile " O1 ? " Chapter 35 +25 BONUS " Or I tell everyone exactly why my grandmother rejected you as my mate five years ago . " She goes very still . " You wouldn't . " " Try me . " For a moment , I see the real Eris - cold , calculating , dangerous . Then her mask slides back into place . " As you wish , my King . " She rises gracefully . "I'll make the announcement at dinner . Though I wonder ... " " What ? " " How long can you protect her ? A king's duty is to his pack first . Eventually , you'll have to choose . " My wolf snarls , but before I can respond , my father's scent reaches me . Perfect . Perseus fills the doorway , taking in the scene with cold eyes . " I assume you're here about the unfortunate incident with the omega . " " Her name is Sage . " The words come out sharper than intended . " The alliance- " he begins . " Is not worth the cost . " His power crashes against mine . " Everything has a cost , son . I taught you that . " " You taught me to be strong . " I meet his gaze steadily . " To protect what's mine . Or did you mean only when it's politically convenient ? " " Alaric . " My mother's voice surprises us all . She steps around Perseus , her presence somehow softening the charged air . " Do what you must . " Father stares at her . " Helena ? " " Our son has made his choice . " She looks at me with something like pride . " As we all must . " The moment stretches , heavy with unspoken things . Then Perseus inclines his head slightly . " The political fallout will be ... significant . " " I'll handle it . " " Yes , " he says thoughtfully . " Perhaps you will . " I leave them to navigate the complexities of pack politics , my lycan driving me back to Sage , She's awake when I return , sitting on the edge of my bed looking small and uncertain in my too - large jacket . The sight of her there , in my personal space , does something to my inner animal that I'm not ready to examine too closely . " You're still here , " she whispers , like she expected me to disappear . " Always " I kneel before her , taking her marked wrists gently in my hands . The bruises are already darkening , each one feeding the rage of my beast . " Sage , about what happened- " A howl splits the air - the border warning Multiple howls follow , signaling a major breach . " Go , " slu says before I can finish . " Your pack needs you . " 1 cup her face in my hands , my lycan nature demanding I stay , protect , explain . " You're not going anywhere this time ? " It comes out more question than command . Chapter 35 +25 BONUS " I ... " She hesitates , then touches my wrist lightly . " I'll stay . For now . But Alaric ... " Her violet eyes meet mine . " I don't understand any of this . Why you saved me , why you keep protecting me . I need the truth . " The word ' mate ' burns in my throat , but it's too soon . She's been through too much today . Instead , I say , " There are things I want to tell you . Things you deserve to know . But right now- " " Your pack needs you , " she finishes . " I understand duty , Alaric . " My beast snarls at the resignation in her voice , but she's right . More howls echo from the borders . " Rest , " I murmur , pressing my lips to her bandaged wrist before I can stop myself . Her breath catches , and something wild and possessive surges through me . " You're safe here . My rooms - no one enters without my permission . " " But Eris- " " Is handled . For now . " I stand reluctantly . " Iris will stay with you . " My sister materializes in the doorway as if summoned . " Try to keep him from doing anything stupidly heroic ? " Sage asks her . Iris grins . " Have you met my brother ? Stupidly heroic is his default setting . " The joke draws a small smile from Sage , and my beast settles slightly at the sight . But more howls pierce the night , and time runs short . " Wait for me ? " I ask , memorizing every detail of her face . She nods , fingers finding that crescent moon pendant she always wears . Something about the gesture stirs a memory - my grandmother's stories about moon - blessed wolves - but before I can grasp it , Garrett appears with news of the breach . Outside , the moon rises over pack lands under attack . But my mind stays in that room , with violet eyes and silver- blonde hair and secrets I'm not ready to share . This time , I won't fail her . First , though , I have monsters to kill .