Page 16

There’s a reason I avoid council meetings unless absolutely necessary. Put three alphas in a room, and the testosterone practically starts oozing out of the walls. Add in high stakes, like demonic invasions, and it’s a miracle we haven’t killed each other yet.

“I’m telling you, we need to focus on fortifying the existing wards,” Damian insists as he grips the edge of the conference table like it’s the only thing keeping him from flipping it. “There’s no point in going on some wild chase if our borders aren’t secure.”

“And I’m telling you,” I counter, leaning back in my chair with deliberate calm, “that sitting on our asses waiting for the next portal to spit out a demon is a waste of time. We need to find where it’s going to happen next and take the fight to them.”

Alec, the youngest and least experienced of the three of us, but no less stubborn, runs a hand through his brown hair and glares at the stack of papers in front of him. “I’m inclined to agree with Gray. If these things can breach a warded territory, it means they’re learning. Fortifying the wards won’t do much if they’re already figuring out how to bypass them.”

Damian’s glare swings to Alec. “You think it’s that simple? Witches aren’t exactly a dime a dozen, Alec. And most of them don’t play with shifters.”

“Which is why we need to use the witches we have,” I cut in. “Jade, Isadora—they’ve both proven they can handle themselves in a fight. Their magic is strong enough to make a difference. We bring them in on this, combine their skills with our trackers, and start hunting the portals.”

Damian crosses his arms and levels me with a look that could peel paint. “Jade isn’t just my luna, she’s my mate. And I’m not going to risk her life chasing something we don’t even fully understand.”

“That’s her decision to make, not yours,” I shoot back, the edge in my voice hardening. “Jaslyn is a witch, too, and you don’t see me locking her away.”

Yet .

I shove the thought aside before it can root itself too deeply.

“She’s not your mate,” Damian points out, and my fists itch with the urge to make contact with his nose.

“Enough.” Alec’s voice slices through the room like a whip, and both Damian and I turn to him. “We’re not going to get anywhere if we’re already at each other’s throats. Let’s focus on the facts. The last portal opened in Gray’s territory. We’ve all agreed that’s not a coincidence. Jaslyn may be a witch, but she’s the greenest witch in the area, meaning Red Arrow is most vulnerable. What we haven’t agreed on is how to prevent the next one.”

“That’s what I’m trying to say,” I groan. “Waiting won’t prevent anything. These demons are organized. They’re targeting us for a reason. If we don’t figure out where they’re coming from and stop them at the source, we’ll be picking up the pieces for years.”

Damian doesn’t respond immediately, but I can see the gears turning behind his dark eyes. Finally, he exhales and sits back in his chair. “All right. Let’s say we do this your way. Who’s leading the hunt?”

“We all are,” Alec states. “This affects all of us—Starfire Hollow, East Hills, Red Arrow. We work together, or we don’t stand a chance.”

“And Isadora and Jade?” Damian presses.

“They’re in,” Alec says without hesitation. “Isadora’s been itching for an excuse to do more than reinforce the wards. She’ll jump at the chance to get proactive.”

I nod. “Jade, too. She’s already proven she can hold her own against these things.”

“And Jaslyn?” Damian’s tone is pointed, like he’s daring me to suggest bringing her along.

I hold his gaze, unflinching. “Jaslyn will decide for herself.”

Damian shakes his head, muttering something under his breath, but he doesn’t argue further.

“There’s one other issue we need to address,” Alec says, breaking the silence. “Two or even three witches aren’t enough. We need more firepower.”

“Good luck with that,” Damian grumbles. “Most witches would rather hex us than help us.”

“But there are still covens out there,” I counter. “Some of them might be willing to talk if we can offer something in return.”

“And if they don’t?” Damian asks, arching a brow. “What then? Beg? Threaten them?”

“We don’t have to threaten anyone,” Alec insists. “We appeal to their survival instincts. Demons don’t discriminate between wolves and witches. If these attacks escalate, they’ll be just as at risk as we are.”

Damian snorts. “That’s assuming they care. Most of them have been in hiding for decades. Why would they risk coming out now?”

“Because it’s not just about them anymore,” I tell him. “This is bigger than packs or covens. It’s about survival. If we don’t unite now, there won’t be anything left to fight for.”

The room falls silent as my words hang heavy in the air. Damian’s scowl deepens, but he doesn’t argue. Alec taps his fingers against the table, staring at a spot on the glass.

“Fine,” Damian finally relents. “But if this blows up in our faces, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Duly noted,” Alec replies dryly. He looks to me. “Anything else?”

“Just one thing,” I say. “If we’re doing this, we do it right. No half-measures, no pulling punches. We find the witches, we find the portals, and we end this. Agreed?”

Alec nods. “Agreed.”

Damian hesitates, but eventually, he nods as well. “Agreed.”

The tension in the room eases a bit as the three of us rise from the table. The meeting might be over, but the weight of what’s ahead is heavier than ever.

As the others file out, I linger as my mind races with the next steps. This isn’t just about protecting my pack anymore. It’s about protecting Jaslyn. Protecting her magic, her strength, her future.

Because if these demons want a war, we’ll damn well give them one.

We’ve agreed on the witches we’ll need, the packs that will send warriors, and the urgency of the hunt, but one question keeps clawing at me: what to do about Jaslyn.

By the time I return to the packhouse, the debate is still raging in my head. Logic says she shouldn’t be involved, not after what she’s endured. But the part of me that knows her—truly knows her—understands that keeping her away won’t just be a battle with her temper. It’ll be a fight with her spirit, and that’s a fight I’m not sure I can win.

Which is exactly what Theo is going to tell me the second I bring it up. Still, I find him in the den with a glass of whiskey in hand, half-reclined in his usual chair. He’s been made aware of the situation, as has most of the pack at this point.

“You look like hell,” he observes without looking up.

“I feel like it,” I admit, collapsing into the seat across from him. And before I can stop myself, the words come spilling out. “I don’t know if I should let her do this. Not after what happened. Not after everything she’s already been through.”

Theo takes a slow sip of his whiskey, and the silence stretches out as he watches me with that infuriatingly knowing look. “You mean Jaslyn.”

“Who else would I mean?” I snap, though it’s more from frustration with myself than him. “She’s tough, I know that. Hell, she probably has more raw power than most witches I’ve ever seen. But she’s still—”

“Recovering,” Theo finishes for me. “From both the demon attack and everything else.”

“I don’t want to hold her back, but if something happens to her…”

Theo sets his glass down with a deliberate clink. “You can’t protect her from everything, Gray. If you try, all you’ll do is push her away.”

I open my mouth to respond, but a quiet creak stops me cold. My wolf stirs uneasily as my gaze snaps to the doorway. Jaslyn is standing there with her arms crossed. Her green eyes are sharp enough to cut glass.

“How considerate of you,” she says, her voice sweet as honey but laced with venom. “Deciding what’s best for me without bothering to ask how I feel about it.”

“Theo, leave,” I say through gritted teeth, not taking my eyes off her.

Theo stands, clearly amused. “You two have fun,” he says, slipping out and shutting the door behind him.

“Jaslyn—” I start, but she holds up a hand to cut me off.

“Don’t even try it,” she snaps, stepping further into the room. “You’re not going to bench me, Gray. Not after everything.”

I let out a slow breath, trying to keep my voice calm. “It’s not about benching you. It’s about making sure you’re not put in harm’s way again.”

Her lips twist into a humorless smile. “And who exactly is supposed to fight these demons if not me? I’m a witch. You need witches. Isn’t that what you told the council? That’s what everyone is saying.”

“That’s different,” I argue. “Jade, Isadora… they haven’t been—” I stop myself, biting back the words.

“Been what? A slave?” she challenges, taking another step closer. “You think that makes me weaker? You think that makes me less capable?”

“That’s not what I meant.” My voice drops, softer now. “But you’ve been through enough. You shouldn’t have to keep fighting.”

“And what if I want to fight? What if I need to? You don’t get to make this decision for me, Gray.”

“I’m trying to protect you.”

“And I’m trying to protect this pack,” she counters. “Just like you are. Just like everyone else who’s going to be out there. Why am I any different?”

“Because you matter to me, dammit!” The words slip out before I can stop them, and the silence that follows is deafening.

Her eyes widen, just for a moment, before her expression softens. She steps closer, and the scent of her—warm and intoxicating—wraps around me like a vice. “Gray, I’m not asking you to stop caring about me. But you have to trust me, too.”

“I do trust you. It’s everyone else I don’t trust. And those demons? They don’t care how strong you are, or how much magic you have. They’ll rip you apart if they get the chance.”

Her lips curve into a small, knowing smile. “Then don’t give them the chance. Come with me.”

I blink, caught off-guard. “What?”

“You said you want to protect me, right? So do it. Join the hunt.” She steps even closer, until there’s barely any space between us. Her hand brushes against my arm, and the contact sends a spark through me.

“Jaslyn—”

“Please, Gray,” she whispers, tilting her head to look up at me through her lashes. “You’re the alpha. You’re the strongest wolf in the pack. If you’re by my side, what could possibly go wrong?”

Everything , I think, but the words get caught in my throat. She’s so close now, her scent and her magic swirling around me. I can feel the walls I’ve built around myself start to crumble.

“You’re impossible,” I finally grumble.

Her smile widens, and she leans up, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of my mouth. “And you like it.”

It’s not fair, the way she does this—disarms me with a smile, a touch, a kiss. But I don’t resist when her lips find mine again, firmer this time, coaxing and teasing until I can’t think about anything else.

My hands find her waist, pulling her closer, and she lets out a soft sigh that sends a jolt straight through me. She tastes like fire and defiance, and I’m drowning in her, unable to pull away even if I wanted to.

When she finally pulls back, her green eyes are bright and full of triumph. “So, what’s it going to be, Alpha?”

I exhale a shaky breath, already knowing I’ve lost this battle. “Fine,” I say reluctantly. “But if you’re going, I’m going, too.”

Her smile is radiant, and for a moment, it almost makes me forget the weight of everything looming over us. Almost.

As she steps back, her fingers trailing down my arm, I can’t help but wonder how the hell I let myself get here—wrapped around her finger and willingly throwing myself into danger just to keep her safe.

But then I see the fire in her eyes, and I realize I’d do anything for Jaslyn.