Nora's POV
Out. Kael's voice cuts through the tension. Both of you. Now.
He's not talking to Dane. He's talking to Mira and the guards who followed both alphas into my room.
But— Mira starts.
NOW. The command in his voice makes every wolf in the room flinch.
They leave. The door closes. And I'm alone with two apex predators who've been slowly losing their minds for seven days.
The silence is suffocating.
Kael moves first, crossing the room in three long strides. His hands cup my face, tilting it up so he can see every inch. His eyes—still glowing silver—scan for injuries with terrifying intensity.
You're fed, he says, more to himself than me. Clean. Safe.
Through our bond, I feel his wolf finally settling. The frantic need to protect easing into something calmer but no less possessive.
I'm fine, I whisper.
You're NOT fine. Dane appears on my other side, his hand gentle on my shoulder. Seven days of starvation and abuse isn't fine.
His touch sends different sparks through my skin. Where Kael's bond feels like fire, Dane's feels like electricity.
Both overwhelming. Both absolutely necessary.
She survived, Kael says, his hands still on my face. She's stronger than they knew.
Than WE knew, Dane corrects softly.
They're both touching me. Standing close enough that I can feel their body heat. And instead of fighting each other, they're focused entirely on me.
It should feel wrong. Crowded. Threatening.
Instead, the twin bonds SING.
Then Kael's eyes meet Dane's over my head, and the moment shatters.
You need to leave, Kael says.
So do you, Dane counters. Courting starts tomorrow. We agreed.
I'm not courting. I'm checking on my mate's safety.
Funny. That's exactly why I'm here.
The temperature drops. Both alphas' grips tighten—not enough to hurt, but enough to stake claim.
Stop. My voice comes out stronger than expected. Both of you, back up. Now.
Neither moves.
I said BACK UP. Something in my tone—maybe the bond, maybe desperation—makes them obey.
They step away, but their eyes never leave me.
You can't both be here, I say firmly. Not like this. Not tonight. I'm exhausted, I hurt everywhere, and I can't handle whatever this is. I gesture between them. So you're both leaving. Come back tomorrow like you planned.
Kael's jaw clenches. Dane's smile tightens.
But they leave.
At the door, Kael pauses. Tomorrow morning. Be ready.
Then they're gone, and I collapse on the bed, shaking.
Mira sneaks back in five minutes later. That was intense.
That was terrifying.
Girl, that was them being GENTLE. Wait until actual courting starts.
I don't sleep well. The twin bonds pulse all night—both alphas restless, both unable to settle. I feel Kael pacing. Feel Dane planning.
Morning comes too quickly.
Kael arrives exactly at dawn.
He doesn't knock. Doesn't wait for permission. Just walks into the dining room where I'm picking at breakfast and sets a thick folder on the table.
What's this? I ask.
A contract. He sits across from me, all business. Outlining what being my mate means.
I stare at him. A contract? You brought me a CONTRACT?
I don't do romance, he says bluntly. I do honesty. This is what I offer.
He opens the folder. Inside are pages of typed terms, protection, status, pack position, even financial arrangements.
You're serious.
Always. His ice-blue eyes meet mine. I won't lie to you or manipulate you with pretty words. This is what life as Nightshade Pack's Luna means. Read it. Ask questions. Make an informed choice.
Part of me wants to throw the contract in his face. But another part—the part that's been lied to her whole life—appreciates the brutal honesty.
Tell me about yourself, I say instead, pushing the folder aside.
Kael looks surprised. What?
If I'm supposed to choose you, I should know who you are. Not just what you offer.
He's quiet for a long moment. Then: What do you want to know?
Everything. Start with your childhood.
His jaw tightens. My mother died when I was eight. Civil war. She was defending the southern border when Ironridge attacked. My father split the kingdom rather than risk both sons dying in fratricide. I was given the north. Dane got the south. We haven't spoken as brothers since.
The pain in his voice is carefully controlled but absolutely real.
I'm sorry, I say softly.
Don't be. It made me stronger. He leans forward. Tell me about YOUR childhood.
You read the reports. You know what Lyanna did.
I know the facts. I want to hear it from you.
Something in his tone makes the truth spill out. I tell him about the beatings, the starvation, the isolation. About being treated like garbage for twenty years.
Halfway through, the table cracks.
I jump. Kael's hands are gripping the wood so hard it splinters under his fingers. His eyes blaze silver, his wolf barely contained.
Sorry, he growls. Continue.
Kael
Tell me. His voice is rough. I need to hear it.
So I do. And with every detail, more furniture cracks. A chair. The windowsill. His control splintering like the wood.
When I finish, he's shaking with rage.
No one touches you again, he says, each word carefully measured. Ever. I don't care if it's your stepfamily, the Council, or the Moon Goddess herself. You're MINE, and I protect what's mine.
The possessiveness should scare me. It's too much, too intense, too consuming.
But the bond PURRS.
My wolf—quiet for so long—practically rolls over in submission to his dominance. She wants this. Wants HIM.
I'm not property, I force myself to say.
No. You're my MATE. That's infinitely more valuable. His hand covers mine on the table. I won't be soft or gentle. I won't court you with flowers and poetry. But I will protect you with my life, give you power, and make sure you never feel weak again.
The sincerity in his voice steals my breath.
Then the door opens.
Dane walks in carrying wine and wearing a charming smile that doesn't reach his eyes.
Brother, he says smoothly. How unexpected to find you here.
Kael's hand tightens on mine. Courting started this morning. I'm punctual.
Funny. I could have sworn we agreed I'd have mornings and you'd have afternoons. Dane's smile sharpens. Or are you changing our agreement already?
The air crackles with tension.
They're both lying. Both planned to be here at the same time. Both want to stake their claim.
Sit down, I say tiredly. If you're both here, we're doing this together.
Absolutely not— Kael starts.
Not happening— Dane agrees.
SIT. DOWN. My voice carries an authority I didn't know I had. We're doing this civilly or not at all.
Both alphas glare at me. Then at each other.
Then they sit.
The courting dinner that follows is the most uncomfortable meal of my life. Every comment is a veiled threat. Every gesture is territorial. They argue about pack politics, leadership styles, and which territory is safer—all while pretending to be civil.
Nightshade has superior military training, Kael says.
Silverclaw has better quality of life, Dane counters.
Protection matters more than comfort.
Happiness matters more than fear.
I don't rule through fear. I rule through RESPECT.
You rule through CONTROL.
On and on until I want to scream.
Finally, guards arrive to announce that courting time is over. Both alphas have to leave.
At the door, Dane pauses and looks back at me.
Tomorrow, he says, his voice smooth as silk, I'll show you what you're missing.
Kael's response is ice-cold. She already knows. She felt it through the bond.
Dane's smile sharpens into something dangerous and seductive. Then she felt us BOTH, brother. Every need. Every desire. Every promise of what we could give her.
The bond flares hot between all three of us, and I feel it—feel THEM—in ways that make my face flush.
Goodnight, Nora, Dane says, his eyes locked on mine. Dream of me.
Then they're gone.
Mira appears from wherever she was hiding. Girl, you're in SO much trouble.
I know.
No, you really don't. She sits beside me. Those alphas just spent two hours staking claim and showing restraint. Tomorrow? No more restraint. They're going to pull out everything to win you.
Through the twin bonds, I feel them both—Kael's possessive determination, Dane's calculating seduction.
Twenty-two days left to choose.
And I'm no closer to knowing which one I could live without.