Chapter 36 The next morning , Darius threw himself into his Alpha duties . The sun had barely risen , yet the training field already rang with the sounds of clashing claws , growls , and the thuds of warriors hitting the ground . Darius moved among them with a sharp , commanding presence , correcting stances , issuing challenges , pushing them harder than usual . His wolves followed his orders without hesitation , but even as he barked instructions , his thoughts kept slipping back to the one person not on the training grounds - Elaine . The doctor had mind - linked him earlier , assuring him she was still asleep and her body was healing , though slowly . He had promised to notify Darius the moment she woke . That knowledge should have eased his mind , but instead it gnawed at him . He hated waiting . He hated knowing she was lying in that bed , fragile and recovering from wounds that should never have been hers to bear . After training , he checked the patrol routes and spoke with his unit leaders about tightening border security . His orders were sharp and swift , though his focus wavered , and more than once he caught Marcus giving him a knowing glance . By the time he returned to his office , his desk was piled with contracts and pack reports . He sank into his chair , picked up the first document , and forced himself to read . Duty first , he reminded himself . Always duty first . A knock at the door pulled him from the paperwork . " Come in , " he called , rubbing a hand over his face . Marcus stepped inside , his expression unreadable , though there was a flicker of tension in his eyes . Darius , Michael of the Silverblade pack is on line one . He wants to speak with you . " " Darius froze , frown lines etching deeper into his forehead . The name alone was enough to sour his mood . " About ? " He asked , voice clipped . " He didn't say , " Marcus replied , though his tone carried weight . " But if I were to guess ... It's about Elaine ." The irritation rolling through Darius sharpened into something darker . He picked up the phone , unwilling to let Marcus's guess go unanswered . If Michael dared to call his office , then Darius would hear it from his own lips . He pressed the receiver to his ear . " Yes ," he said curtly , not bothering with politeness . His mother would have chastised him for such disrespect , but Darius couldn't summon any courtesy for a man like Michael . " Alpha Darius , this is Michael of the Silverblade pack . " The voice on the other end tried to sound authoritative , but Darius heard the hesitation in it . " Yes , " Darius repeated flatly . He glanced up at Marcus , who was leaning against the wall with an amused expression tugging at his mouth . 1/3 < Chapter 36 More Rewards " Are you making him sweat ? " Marcus teased through the mind - link , his voice echoing with laughter . Darius ignored him . Michael cleared his throat . " I wanted to ask about Elaine . How is she doing ? " The words sliced through Darius's patience . His fingers curled around the phone , knuckles whitening . " And what right do you have to ask after her ? " His voice was low , threaded with a sharp edge of annoyance . Michael hesitated , then his voice dropped . " She is my mate , Alpha . The mother of my child ." A growl rumbled from Darius's chest before he could stop it . Fury stormed through him , his wolf clawing at the surface . He forced his voice into something controlled , though the contempt lacing it was impossible to miss . " I do not know where you find the courage to say such words , Michael . She was your mate , yes , but you rejected her . You were the father of her pup , yet that pup died while you were too busy marking her sister . Do not speak to me as though you have any claim left on Elaine . " His words were cold as steel . " She is part of my pack now . And I protect my own . " Without waiting for a reply , Darius slammed the phone down , cutting off the connection . His jaw tightened , and his wolf snarled in his head , rage barely contained . If Michael had been standing in front of him at that moment , Darius wasn't certain he could have stopped himself from tearing the man apart . Marcus let out a low whistle . " I cannot believe he still dares to call her his mate after everything . " " Maybe he's starting to regret his decisions ," Darius growled , pacing behind his desk . " But it's too late for that now . Elaine is part of this pack . We do not abandon our own . " His wolf surged in agreement , a steady hum of protectiveness threading through his body . Marcus tilted his head , studying him . " You speak as though you're a wolf defending his mate . What's going on , Darius ? " His tone wasn't accusatory , but as Beta , he had the right - no , the responsibility - to know what was happening inside his Alpha's head . Daríus exhaled heavily , running a hand through his hair . For a moment , silence stretched between them , thick with unspoken truths . Finally , he spoke , voice low . " I don't know how to explain it . But when I'm near her ... I feel this pull . This need to protect her , to shield her from everything . There's attraction too , yes , but it's more than that . My wolf feels it as much as I do ." Marcus's brows lifted slightly . " But no mate bond ? " " No ," Darius admitted . His voice was firm , though the confusion beneath it was evident . " If there was a mate bond , I would have felt it instantly . I would have done everything to take her away from that place the moment I met her . But there is nothing ... at least , not in the way it should be . Even my wolf is unsettled by 2/3 < Chapter 36 it . Still , we agree on one thing - Elaine needs our protection ." More Pewards > Marcus studied him a moment longer , then nodded slowly , accepting the answer though the questions lingered in his eyes . Before he could respond , another knock sounded at the door . Darius clenched his jaw , irritation flaring . Did his family truly believe his office was theirs to walk in and out of freely ? The door creaked open , and his sister stepped inside . Comments