Talia's POV

Ramon had barely left my room when the shouting started.

At first, I thought it was my imagination. My heart was still pounding from our argument, from the things Selene said, from the way Ramon looked at me like I had stabbed him with words.

Then I heard it again.

The horn.

Something was wrong.

Before I could even move from the bed, the door flew open.

Karon.

He didn't knock. He didn't smile. He didn't joke.

That alone scared me.

"Get up," he said quickly. "Put your shoes on. Stay behind me."

"What's happening?" I asked, already sliding off the bed.

"Rogues," he replied. Just one word.

My stomach dropped.

"They're inside?" I whispered.

"Close enough," he said. "Alpha ordered me to stay with you. No matter what."

That word again.

Ordered.

He positioned himself between me and the door like a wall. Outside, I could hear boots running, voices shouting, metal clashing.

My heart was racing so fast I thought I might faint.

Minutes passed. Or maybe it was longer. Time felt strange.

Then... silence.

A guard finally spoke outside the door. "One rogue captured. The area is secured."

I exhaled a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Karon didn't relax though. Not even a little.

"Still not over," he muttered.

Later, when things calmed down, a woman I didn't recognize came to the door. She wore long robes, her hair streaked with gray, her eyes sharp and old.

"The elders request your presence," she said.

Request.

But the way she said it didn't sound like I had a choice.

Ramon was already there when I entered the council chamber.

I felt him before I saw him.

He sat at the center of the table, hands on the table, his face calm but tight. He didn't look at me.

Good.

I didn't want him to.

The room was large. It had stone walls.

The elders sat watching everything.

Watching me.

I hated that feeling.

I folded my arms, trying to look braver than I felt.

One of the elders spoke. A tall man with silver hair and cold eyes.

"The rogue we captured was questioned."

My chest tightened.

"And?" Ramon asked.

"He confirmed what we suspected," another elder said, a woman this time.

"The attacks are not random."

I swallowed.

"They are after her," the first elder continued, looking straight at me.

My heart slammed hard.

"She is the target."

The room felt like it tilted.

"Why?" I asked before I could stop myself.

No one answered me immediately.

"The rogue believes," the woman elder said slowly, "that taking you would weaken the Alpha. It would divide the pack and force submission."

I felt suddenly small.

Like prey.

"So I'm bait," I said flatly.

"That depends," another elder replied. "On what we decide to do with you."

That made my blood boil.

"With me?" I snapped. "Or about me?"

Silence.

Ramon shifted slightly. "She is not a thing, Jared" he said.

The elders started arguing among themselves, voices overlapping.

"She must be guarded at all times."

"She should not leave the grounds."

"No, use her presence to draw them out."

"Force the bond. That will protect her."

My head was spinning.

"What bond?" I demanded.

The room went quiet.

Ramon's jaw clenched.

"That will not happen," he said sharply.

One elder leaned forward. "We should have a say in this matter, Alpha."

Ramon's voice was low. Dangerous. "I decide whatever happens."

I stepped forward before I could think better of it.

"Does anyone here care what I want?" I asked.

A few elders looked uncomfortable. One sighed.

"This is bigger than you," he said.

That hurt more than anything else.

"So I don't matter?" I asked quietly.

"You matter," the woman elder said. "That is why this war exists."

That wasn't comforting.

They talked more.

There were plans.

More guards, restrictions and training.

More walls closing in around me.

Finally, they decided.

I wasn't allowed to leave the pack grounds.

Karon would stay assigned to me.

Training would continue.

Extra guards.

No unnecessary movement.

Ramon sat still through all of it.

When it ended, the elder looked at me. "You will be protected."

I laughed bitterly. "That's not the same as being free."

No one disagreed.

As we were dismissed, something strange happened.

The door opened.

The captured rogue was being dragged past the chamber, bound, bleeding and smiling.

He was smiling.

His eyes met mine.

And he spoke.

"She won't be safe where you hide her."

The guards pulled him away, but his words stayed.

They wrapped around my chest like chains.

I turned slowly to Ramon.

His face had gone pale.

And in that moment, I knew one thing for certain.

This war wasn't coming.

It had already begun.

Ramon's POV

The council chamber was empty now, the echoes of arguing elders still lingering in my mind. I had watched the captured rogue dragged away, his words burning in my ears: "She won't be safe where you hide her."

And he was right.

Talia wasn't safe, not in the house, not with guards, not with me trying to convince her she belonged here. I had tried. I had explained, pleaded, even kissed her to show she mattered. But it hadn't been enough. She hated me, or at least, she hated what she thought I had done.

I clenched my fists.

Zara.

Her name cut through every thought. Zara-the rogue member's sister. I thought she loved me,we laughed, joked together, I hadn't even mated with her yet.

And then she had tried to pin her pregnancy on me, and I had done what I had to do. I had tried to explain to her brothers, her family, but they had turned on me.

Her death had marked the beginning of this war.

And now, Talia, my mate, my responsibility, was in the middle of it.

I had to make a choice.

I couldn't just wait for the elders to decide her fate. I couldn't rely on guards, walls, or rules. She had to learn to defend herself, to survive. And if It was going to be done, I had to do it myself.

*****

I found her sitting in her room, staring out the window at the forest as if it could answer all her questions. She didn't even notice me when I stepped inside.

"Talia," I said softly.

She flinched and spun toward me, eyes flashing with suspicion and anger.

"What now?" she demanded. "Are you here to lock me up again?"

"No," I said, holding up my hands. "I'm here to make sure you survive."

Her laugh was bitter, sharp. "Survive? Oh, right. Because that's my life now,learning how to defend myself from the people you made enemies of."

"I didn't make enemies," I said firmly.

"They already existed. But I can't keep you caged while they hunt you. You need to learn."

She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. "And you're going to teach me? Because that's supposed to make me feel safe?"

"It's the only way you'll be safe," I said. "I can't control everything. I can't always be there. But if you know how to defend yourself, they'll have to think twice before touching you."

Her jaw tightened. "I don't want your pity or your training. I want freedom."

"You'll get freedom," I said quietly. "But first, you have to survive. And surviving means learning how to fight."

I saw her hesitation, the part of her that wanted to argue, to refuse. But there was also a spark in her eyes, a stubborn, fierce spark that refused to back down. That spark was what I needed.

"Come with me," I said finally.

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Why should I?"

"Because if you don't, you might not make it to see tomorrow," I said, voice low and serious.

Her eyes widened slightly. The weight of my words landed. Slowly, she nodded. Not trusting me, not agreeing, but she followed.

We stepped outside into the fading light of evening. The forest loomed ahead, dark and alive.

"Stay close," I said, keeping my tone calm but firm. "Watch me. Learn from me. And do not stray."

She nodded again, and I noticed the way her hands clenched at her sides, the way her shoulders squared. She wasn't entirely afraid. Not yet.

I led her through the trees to a clearing I often used for training. It was secluded, but open enough to move freely. The ground was uneven, littered with roots and leaves, and the scent of pine and earth filled the air.

"First lesson," I said, "awareness. Everything matters. Sound, smell, movement. You have to sense danger before it reaches you."

She frowned. "Like what? A rogue jumping out at me?"

"Exactly," I said. "But also people hiding in plain sight, animals, even the wind. You have to trust your instincts."

I demonstrated a few movements, showing how to pivot, how to hold balance, how to throw a strike without overcommitting. My movements were slow at first, calculated, making sure she could follow.

"Try it," I said.

She lifted her fists hesitantly, mimicking my stance. Her body was stiff, unpracticed, but there was determination there.

"Relax," I told her. "Move with me. Not against me."

For a while, she stumbled. Her feet twisted awkwardly, her arms swung too wide, her punches missed. I corrected her gently, showing the proper motion, adjusting her grip.

"You're stubborn," I said, smirking slightly.

"I'm not stubborn," she shot back. "I'm cautious."

"Cautious is fine," I said. "But stubbornness will save your life. Trust me."

Gradually, she began to get it. Her punches landed, her stance was firmer, her breathing steadier. I could see the tension in her shoulders ease just a fraction.

"You're learning fast," I said, quietly proud.

She shot me a sideways glare. "Don't patronize me."

"I'm not patronizing," I said. " just observing and complimenting."

We trained like that for hours, the fading light stretching into early night. I could see her growing more confident with every move, every correct strike, every dodge.

Then, as she finally landed a strike perfectly, I heard it;a rustle behind the trees.

I froze immediately.

"Talia," I whispered, stepping in front of her. "Stay here."

Her eyes widened. "What, what is it?"

I didn't answer. I scanned the forest. Shadows moved unnaturally. There was a presence. It wasn't an animal. Something else.

My pulse quickened. Protective instincts flared.

"Talia," I said, voice low but firm, "stay close. Do not move. Do not speak."

The rustling grew louder. Footsteps? Claws? I couldn't tell.

Something was coming.

And it was coming toward us.

I tightened my stance, muscles coiled, every sense alert.

"Talia," I whispered, "whatever happens, trust me."

Her hands gripped mine instinctively. Fear, confusion, and trust collided in her eyes.

I could feel the tension in her body, the tremor in her hands. But I also felt the fire, the spark I needed her to survive.

The shadow moved closer, just beyond the torchlight's reach.

And then I saw it, it was an outline, a figure stepping silently through the trees.

My breath caught.

"Talia," I said again, more urgently. "Ready yourself."

Because whatever was coming...

It wasn't coming to talk.

And this was just the beginning.

Ramon's POV

I froze, every muscle coiled, as the shadow stepped fully into view. My eyes widened slightly when I recognized him; Elder Jared.

I told Talia to remain where she was while I talked to him.

"Ramon," he said, his voice low, carrying urgency and unease. "I was told you'd be here."

I nodded cautiously. "I am. What's wrong?"

Jared glanced around briefly, his eyes flicking to the trees as if expecting someone, or something, to emerge from them. "I've decided I won't speak further in the council meeting. Some elders there... they cannot be trusted. You need to know this."

My brow furrowed. "Explain."

He exhaled, voice tense. "I went to see the rogue we captured. Zara's people... they're not just seeking revenge. They're rallying other wolves to attack us. They wanted you dead already, but now... now that you've taken a mate, the urgency is greater. Both you and Talia are targets."

My chest tightened. The words confirmed every instinct I'd been trying to suppress.

Jared continued, lowering his voice further. "You cannot trust anyone blindly. Not the council. Not your guards. Not even those who seem loyal. This war... it's not just about territory. It's about your life, your pack, and the mate you've chosen.

Everything you care about is at risk."

I swallowed hard, gripping the trunk of the tree beside me. "And Talia?" I asked, my voice low but steady. "She doesn't even know half of this yet. How do I...?"

"You'll protect her," Jared interrupted, eyes sharp. "But you must be strategic. Keep her close, train her, and keep your enemies guessing. Don't let anyone see her as weak. And trust no one you can't verify."

I nodded slowly, the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders like a physical burden.

Jared gave me a final, sharp glance.

"That's all I can say. Be careful, Alpha. And... be ready for everything."

Before I could ask more, he turned and vanished between the trees, silent and purposeful as he had appeared.

I remained still for a long moment, letting the tension drain into the forest around me. My senses were screaming now, every rustle of leaves, every whisper of wind, every flicker of shadow a potential threat.

And at the center of it all was Talia. My mate.

I took a deep breath, letting the forest fill my lungs, my mind racing through strategies. I had to act. I couldn't wait for the council, couldn't rely on anyone but myself.

And I couldn't let her see the full weight of what was coming, not yet.

Not while I still had the chance to protect her.

Because the moment our enemies knew the truth, nothing, not walls, not guards, not promises, would be enough to keep her safe.

I glanced at Talia, standing nearby, unaware of the danger creeping closer with every heartbeat.

She was beautiful. She was fierce. And she was mine.

And I would not let anyone take her, not now, not ever.

TALIA'S POV

I didn't even understand a word of what Elder Jared said.

"If I'm such a danger to you, why can't you just let me go?" I asked, frustration and fear mingling in my chest.

Ramon faced me, surprise flashing across his features.

"It's my understanding," I said slowly, "that the danger intensified the moment I met you. So why not just let me go?"

"I can't", he said.

"Why not?" I pressed. "Is it the bond?"

Can't it be broken?" My voice cracked. "People break bonds all the time."

"It's not as easy as you think," he said softly.

"Please... explain it to me," I whispered, feeling his presence so close that my heart raced.

His hands lifted, gently holding my face.

His gaze was intense, his scent enveloping me. I felt an irresistible pull toward him.

Without a word, our eyes locked, and I felt a spark, a connection that left me dizzy.

He leaned in, brushing his lips against mine,softly at first, testing, teasing.

Our closeness made the world fall away. I wrapped my arms around him, letting him pull me nearer, our foreheads touching, breaths mingling.

He kissed me slowly, as if he had all the time in the world

His hands wrapped around my back pulling me close

I wrapped my hands on his hair willing him to come closer.

Too bad we were in the forest.

Slowly, he laid me down while we still locked lips.

His lips on my neck, kissing, teasing, tantalizing.

His hands gently unbottoning my shirt

I arched myself closer to him, his hands wrapped my breast, teasing my nipples, I let out a soft sigh.

Then his mouth, hot and ready claimed my hard nipples, circling it.

The feeling was out of this world, my arms were wrapped around him in reckless abandon.

Then his mouth moved to my second nipple, it was glorious.

I didn't want him to stop.

I used my hands to trace his chest, so hairy,hard and muscular.

His mouth came back to claim my lips while one hand cupped my bare breast.

Then he stopped.

Fuck.

He paused, searching my eyes, his hands still holding me gently.

"Do you want me to stop?" he asked, his voice low and sincere.

I swallowed, my heart pounding, knowing that whatever came next, nothing could break the tension between us.

The forest around us was silent, but inside, the storm of emotions was roaring.

And in that moment, I realized, some bonds weren't meant to be broken.