The morning sun was hot slowly into the horizon, touching the edge of the rogue camp with a shy warmth that had long been missing. The valley stretched wide, mist clinging to the tall pines, and the sound of warriors sharpening their blades filled the air like a rhythm of survival.
Liora stirred in her small hut, her body sore, mind heavy from the night before. The soft scent of firewood clung to her skin, mingling with the faint trace of Dante's touch, a memory she wasn't sure how to feel about. She turned to find Elira already awake, staring at her with round, nervous eyes.
Before Liora could speak, the door curtain was pulled aside and a soldier's deep voice echoed.
"Alpha Dante requests your presence… both of you."
Elira froze. Liora's brows lifted. "At this hour?" she asked. The soldier nodded firmly and stepped aside. The morning had barely begun, but something about the way the camp buzzed told her the Alpha had made a decision overnight.
When they stepped into the open air, the camp was unusually alert. The rogues had lined up, whispering among themselves. Women fetching water paused mid-step; warriors sparring outside their tents stopped to stare. Dante stood before them, his massive body cloaked in a fur pelt, his silver eyes gleaming with authority and unreadable intent.
"Liora," he said, his voice steady, resonant. "From today, you will move your things into my chambers."
The murmurs began immediately. A ripple of shock and envy spread through the crowd like wildfire. Some women gasped, others exchanged bitter looks. "A stranger?" someone whispered. "She hasn't even been here for moons!"
Dante's voice cut through the noise.
"And Elira, sister, will move with you. She will serve under my protection as well."
Liora stood frozen. For a second, she thought she'd misheard. Elira's lips parted, trembling.
"Alpha…" she whispered, voice shaking. "Me? In your—your chambers?"
Dante's gaze softened just slightly. "You both have earned it. You've proven your loyalty and courage. From now on, none in this camp will lay a hand on either of you without my word. And you, Liora should be treated with respect."
Liora slowly bowed her head, concealing the small, knowing smile that curved on her lips. "As you command, Alpha," she said quietly.
As they walked back, the whispers followed like a storm of invisible snakes.
"She's bewitched him."
"First the Alpha's attention, now his bedchamber?"
"Dante must be losing his senses."
Elira, meanwhile, was trembling beside her. "Liora," she murmured once they entered the Alpha's quarters, an expansive chamber built from timber and stone, lit by torches that cast gold light on the walls. "Why… why would he move us here? People are saying things. They think you've done something to him."
Liora sat gracefully on the edge of the bed, a large, fur lined thing that looked like it had never known softness until now. She met Elira's anxious gaze.
"Let them say whatever they like," Liora said calmly. "Words are wind. And if Dante's heart is foolish enough to beat for me, then perhaps that's the only weapon I need. Everything is falling in place."
Elira's face twisted in confusion. "Liora… you can't mean—"
Liora's expression darkened, her tone sharpening. "I've slept in dungeons and slave huts, Elira. I've been tied to a tree for weeks and left for dead. Had a forced miscarriage. If a man's affection can buy me a roof, safety, and a chance at power, then yes. I will take it."
Elira turned away, guilt pressing on her chest. "You're changing, Liora."
"No," Liora replied softly, looking toward the window where sunlight streamed in like a promise. "You only met me when I had grown weak."
Outside, the rogues still murmured. A few of Dante's lieutenants exchanged glances. One of them, a scarred warrior named Cato grinned darkly.
"The Alpha's heart's gone soft," he said under his breath. "The woman's got him wrapped around her finger."
"Soft or not," another replied, "if she keeps him calm and sane, we're good to go. I think he's using her, she's a good warrior."
Inside, Dante entered a moment later, his steps heavy but unhurried. His eyes found Liora immediately. She rose, bowing lightly, while Elira dropped to her knees.
"Alpha," Liora said.
Dante studied her for a long moment, then his gaze flicked to Elira. "You may rest, girl," he said, and Elira quickly backed away, slipping into the adjoining room.
Once alone, Dante spoke. "You don't look surprised by my decision."
Liora tilted her head, meeting his gaze steadily. "Should I be?"
He smirked faintly. "Most women would tremble."
"I stopped trembling a long time ago," she said quietly.
Dante chuckled, but his eyes softened. "Good. You'll need that strength. The others don't like you. They think you'll bring distraction… weakness."
"Will you let them think that?" she asked.
"No," he said simply. "You're under my command now. And if anyone dares to question it…"
He paused, his voice turning cold. "…they'll answer to me."
Liora smiled faintly. "Then I suppose I'll have to make sure I'm worth the trouble."
Dante stared at her for a heartbeat longer, then nodded and left, his warriors falling into step behind him. The door closed. Silence filled the room.
Elira peeked from the adjoining space, eyes wide. "He really means it," she whispered. "We're living here now."
Liora nodded, stretching her legs over the furs. "Then let's get used to it."
Outside the chamber, jealousy brewed like poison. The other women glared as they passed, whispering sharp edged words and rolling their eyes. But Liora ignored them, her mind working quietly, not about gossip, but about the pack's defenses, the routes she had seen, and the way Dante's soldiers positioned themselves near the camp's borders. Her plan was growing.
***
Miles away, Gonzalo sat alone in his war chamber. Maps of the surrounding territories lay scattered on the table before him, the candlelight flickering over his tense face. His hands were clasped, his brows drawn together in a frown that had not left since the last report from the scouts.
"Why hasn't Dante attacked?" he muttered. His voice carried a rare edge of frustration. "It's been three weeks. He's never been this quiet."
One of his generals bowed. "Perhaps he's regrouping, Alpha. Or they've lost morale."
"No," Gonzalo snapped. "Dante doesn't lose morale. He's cunning. Patient." He rose, pacing to the window. Outside, the fortress stretched wide, guarded by high walls and vigilant sentries. "He's waiting. Watching."
The general hesitated. "Then what shall we do?"
"We wait too," Gonzalo said darkly. "But I want every scout in the eastern border doubled. No one sleeps tonight."
The general nodded and left. Gonzalo leaned against the window frame, staring into the distance where mountains touched the horizon. His chest ached, not from fear of war, but from the weight of an old name that refused to leave his mind.
Liora.
Even now, after everything, the betrayal, the silence, the long months apart, he sometimes thought he could still smell her scent in his chambers, still hear the sound of her laughter carried by the wind. He clenched his fists, forcing the memories down. She's gone. Forget her.
Behind him, the door creaked open. Vanya stepped in, wearing a thin robe, her lips curved in a smile that had once charmed him but now only irritated.
"Vanya's Alpha," she purred. "You've been awake all night again. Come back to bed."
"I'm not in the mood," he said flatly.
She sauntered closer, brushing her fingers across his arm. "You never are these days. What's wrong? You've been restless. Is it the rogues?"
Gonzalo's jaw tightened. "It's none of your concern."
Vanya's tone sharpened. "You promised me peace after Liora was gone. Yet you still sit here, haunted by her"
He turned sharply, eyes flashing. "Enough, Vanya."
She frowned, stepping back. "I only meant—"
"I said enough." His voice thundered. "Go."