Nora's POV
Dane arrives exactly when he promised—midmorning, carrying flowers and wearing a smile that makes my heart skip.
Ready? he asks, offering his hand.
For what?
To see what life could be like. With me.
Through our bond, I feel Kael's instant fury. He knows Dane is here. Knows I'm about to leave with his brother.
The possessive rage flooding through our connection is almost enough to make me stay.
Almost.
But I need to know what Dane offers. Need to understand both alphas before I make a choice that kills one of them.
I take Dane's hand.
His touch is different from Kael's—warmer, gentler, but no less electric. The bond hums with approval as he leads me to a sleek car waiting outside.
Where are we going? I ask.
Silverclaw territory. His smile widens at my sharp intake of breath. Don't worry. You're safe with me. Always.
The drive takes an hour through dense forest. Dane talks the entire time—asking about my dreams, my interests, what I wanted to be before Lyanna crushed every hope.
A teacher, I admit quietly. I wanted to teach children to read.
Why can't you?
I never got an education myself. Lyanna said school was wasted on orphans.
Dane's hand tightens on the steering wheel, but his voice stays calm. With me, you'd have access to the best tutors in all territories. You could learn anything you want. Become anything you want.
Even a teacher?
Especially a teacher. He glances at me. You deserve choices, Nora. With me, you'll have freedom.
The words sound perfect. Too perfect.
We arrive at Silverclaw's main city, and I forget to breathe.
It's nothing like Nightshade's military compound. There are shops, cafes, wolves walking freely without constant patrols. Music drifts from open windows. Children play in parks.
It's beautiful. Alive. Everything I've been denied.
Dane takes me to an art gallery first—a bright space filled with paintings and sculptures. He watches my face instead of the art, gauging my reactions.
This one, he says, stopping at a painting of a forest at dawn. Reminds me of you. Beautiful but hidden, waiting for the right light to reveal your truth.
My face flushes. That's—
True. His hand finds mine. You've been invisible your whole life. With me, you'd never hide again.
He's good at this. Too good. Every word perfectly calculated to make me feel seen, valued, cherished.
We have lunch at a cafe overlooking a lake. The food is amazing, and Dane asks questions that make me actually think about my future instead of just surviving.
What's your favorite color? he asks.
I don't know. I've never thought about it.
Then think now. No wrong answers.
I look around—at the blue lake, the green trees, the golden sunlight. Gold, I finally say. Like the mate bonds.
His smile turns heated. Perfect choice.
But as the day continues, I start noticing things.
How Dane always positions himself between me and other wolves. How he subtly steers me away from certain streets. How every person we meet greets him with respect that borders on fear.
When we visit a music performance, I realize he chose the seats. Chose the timing. Chose everything.
You're controlling this entire day, I say quietly during intermission.
Dane doesn't deny it. I am.
Why?
Because I prefer strategy over force. He leans closer, his voice dropping. I want you to see the best of what I offer. Is that so wrong?
It's manipulation.
It's planning. His hand cups my face. But make no mistake—I want you just as desperately as my brother does. I just have a different approach.
Kael demands. You persuade.
Exactly. His thumb traces my cheekbone. Both are equally dangerous. But at least I give you the illusion of choice.
The honesty is startling. And somehow more seductive than any lie.
After the performance, he takes me to a private garden behind the packhouse. It's secluded, peaceful, with flowers blooming everywhere.
This is where I come when I need to think, he says. When pack politics and council meetings become too much. I wanted to share it with you.
Something in his tone makes me believe him. This isn't strategy. This is real.
Dane
He kisses me.
Not demanding like I imagine Kael would be, but slow and thorough. His lips move against mine with patient skill, coaxing instead of claiming.
The bond EXPLODES.
Heat floods through my entire body. My wolf surges forward, desperate for more contact, more connection. I grab his shirt to steady myself as my knees go weak.
Dane's arm wraps around my waist, holding me up as he deepens the kiss. His tongue traces my lower lip, and I open for him without thinking.
The world narrows to his touch, his taste, the bond singing with approval.
When he finally pulls back, we're both breathing hard.
That, he says roughly, is what you'd have with me. Every day. Every night. For the rest of our lives.
I can't speak. Can't think. The bond is screaming for more.
Through the other bond—Kael's bond—I feel explosive rage. He felt that kiss through our connection. Felt my response.
And he's absolutely furious.
We should go back, I whisper.
Dane's smile is knowing. Afraid of what my brother will do?
Yes.
Good. You should be.
The drive back to the Bonding House is tense. Through Kael's bond, I feel him getting closer, moving toward us with deadly purpose.
When we arrive, he's waiting outside.
Alpha Kael Blackwood stands on the front steps, arms crossed, eyes blazing silver with barely controlled fury. His power presses down on everyone nearby, making guards shift nervously.
You took her to YOUR territory, he growls as we exit the car. Without my permission.
Dane's smile is sharp as a blade. She's not YOUR prisoner, brother.
She's MY mate!
She's OUR mate. And you don't own her.
They face each other across the distance, and the air crackles with alpha dominance. Both of them radiating power that makes my wolf want to submit.
Kael moves first, crossing the space in long strides. His hand wraps around my wrist—not hard enough to hurt, but possessive enough to make his point clear.
Tomorrow, he says, eyes locked on Dane. My turn.
Looking forward to it, Dane replies smoothly. I'm curious what you'll offer that I haven't already shown her.
Kael's grip tightens. Through our bond, I feel what he's thinking—he wants to tear Dane apart. Wants to eliminate the competition permanently.
She kissed me, Dane adds, voice deceptively casual. In case you were wondering. And she kissed me BACK.
Kael's eyes blaze brighter. Did she?
Ask her yourself.
Both alphas turn to me. Waiting.
My throat closes. Whatever I say next will either defuse this situation or start a war.
I I start.
Kael's phone rings. He ignores it. It rings again.
Answer it, Dane says. Might be important.
Snarling, Kael pulls out his phone. His expression changes as he reads the message. All the fury drains away, replaced by something worse.
Fear.
What? I ask.
He shows me the screen. A single message from an unknown number:
She's not choosing fast enough. Maybe we'll choose for her. The Council has reconvened. Emergency session. Tomorrow night. If she hasn't chosen by then, both alphas die.
My blood goes cold.
That's impossible, Dane says, reading over my shoulder. We have twenty-two days left.
Another message appears:
Not anymore. Council vote was unanimous. Choose by tomorrow night, or lose them both.
The phone slips from Kael's hand.
Twenty-two days just became one.
And I have absolutely no idea which alpha to choose.