Chapter 296

At the break of dawn, we headed back to Kaida’s camp. I had to tell her I had made my decision: Dane is mine alone.

We arrived to find Orion, the pack’s Alpha, sitting before Kaida. They were having breakfast and a discussion. He noticed our presence and leaned back in his chair, his face a mask of unsettling satisfaction. The flickering torchlight cast an almost predatory gleam on his features.

“Please,” I began, holding my hands together tightly. Evelyn frowned at this, but gave me a nod. They had to trust me; I was doing this the way I knew best.

I faced Orion and continued, “This doesn’t have to escalate any further. We’re willing to give land enough to sustain your pack’s needs for generations—resources, alliances, whatever you want.”

His head rolled back in laughter, cutting through the air like a blade. “Do you think I’m here for scraps?” He leaned forward, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. “This isn’t about what you can offer, Luna. This is about what I can take.”

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “Your quarrel is with the pack, not Dane. He doesn’t deserve to die for this. He’s already…”

“Already what?” he interrupted, his smirk spreading across his cheeks.

“Suffering? Good. That is what happens when pride blinds a man against the truth.”

Trajan stood beside me. In his calm but firm voice, he said, “You speak about pride, and you play with the life of a man in order to receive benefits. Do you call this honor?”

Humor danced in Kaida’s eyes; she folded her arms, enjoying the moment.

“Honor?” Orion mocked, his tone an insult. “Spare me your lectures, minions. You’re all the same—preaching unity, clawing for control. Don’t pretend you’re better than me.”

I blew out a slow breath, willing myself not to lose my temper. “We’re offering you a chance to avoid more bloodshed. My pack doesn’t want this conflict any more than yours does.”

His eyes narrowed, and he rose from his chair, pacing slowly around the room. “Bloodshed is inevitable, Luna. It’s what sustains us, isn’t it? The thrill of the hunt, the taste of victory.”

He walked in front of me, Trajan and Evelyn shifting to my sides, protective. Orion’s smirk returned. “I’ll humor you. What’s your final offer?”

My voice shook slightly as I said, “A temporary truce, shared territory, and our resources to see your pack through the transition. Just don’t let him die.”

The camp was silent for a moment before Kaida stood, throwing her head back as though I’d just told her the funniest joke she’d ever heard.

“Save him?” she repeated, stepping closer to Orion. “You misunderstand, Luna. This isn’t about saving anyone. It’s about watching you beg, knowing your every effort is futile.”

My heart sank, yet I refused to back down. “There must be something… anything else that will convince you.” My voice cracked, desperation clawing at the edges.

His eyes turned to ice, his smile dropping into something much more malevolent. “There is,” he said, his voice like rime on steel. “His submission. His utter and complete obedience to my conditions. No bargaining, no compromise. Either he accepts or he dies.”

Kaida crossed her arms, and I looked from Orion to her. She winked at me, and I felt my stomach turn. I wanted to punch her in the eyes, but my hands were tied. I gritted my teeth and looked away.

Trajan, rigid at my side, clenched his fists. His jaw clenched as if to bite back words that would snap in two, but he said nothing, leaving this volatile confrontation to me.

“And if he doesn’t?” I asked, barely above a whisper.

Orion cocked his head; his sharp gaze bored into mine. His smile returned, cruel and triumphant. “Then you watch him suffer until his last breath.”

The words cut through me, and I felt the sting of tears threatening to spill. I quickly blinked them away, not about to show weakness, though what was in my heart was barely bearable.

“You are a monster,” I said, shaking with anger and anguish.

Kaida cut in with a laugh so soft it was almost mocking, as if she delighted in my misery. “And you, Luna, are desperate. That’s a dangerous combination, don’t you think?”

I moved closer to her, my voice low and even. “You underestimate what desperation can pull off.”

Kaida lifted an eyebrow, a flicker of genuine interest dancing across her features. “Do I? Or is it you who underestimates me?” I fought to find words that would move her, but her presence was overwhelming.

Before I could utter a word, Orion raised his hand, the finality and edge in his tone slicing the air. “You have until nightfall to decide. But remember, every moment you waste gets him closer to death.” Orion walked back to his seat.

Kaida motioned for me to leave, her voice harsh at first, then politeness resumed. “Now go, Luna. Make preparation for the consequences of your choices… whatever they may be.”

I spun on one heel, not wanting her to see the battle raging across my face. Trajan followed silently, the tension in his steps matching the storm in my chest. Evelyn stood behind; I could tell she was glaring at Kaida. “Evelyn,” I called, and soon I heard her footfalls as she followed us.

My head raced with alternatives, each one more futile than the last. The silence between us stretched as we walked, the crunch of leaves beneath our boots the only sound.

Finally, Trajan spoke, his voice low but steady. “Aurora, what’s the plan?”

I didn’t turn at once, my eyes fixed on the darkness spread out before me where the forest continued. “She’s right,” I growled. “I am desperate. But I won’t let it stop me.”

He laid a firm hand on my shoulder and jerked me to a stop. “Desperation isn’t weakness if it spurs you toward wise action. We have time. Not much. But enough to figure it out.”

I shook my head, my voice breaking. “Time? She’s counting every second we waste. I can feel Dane slipping away, either way.”