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CHAPTER TWENTY

I might wind up killing him after all.

Our many-greats grandfather stood in the far corner of Briar’s room, arms crossed as he leaned casually against the wall, watching her with unreadable eyes.

“What the actual fuck?” I snarled.

Ryker stepped in front of me, muscles coiled. “Get away from her.”

The man didn’t flinch. Didn’t move.

He looked at Briar like she was a painting.

My sister scrambled back against the headboard, clutching the blanket to her chest. Her face was pale, eyes wide in pure terror. “He just—he was there when I woke up. Just standing there. I didn’t hear him come in—nothing.”

A growl rose from Ryker’s throat, primal and warning. “This ends now.”

I took a step forward, rage surging like wildfire. “What the hell are you doing in my sister’s room?”

He blinked and then disappeared. No flash. No sound.

Just gone.

You’re right. I want to kill him. I spun around like I could somehow call him back with anger alone.

Gage, Kendric, and Xander burst into the room, Gage running into me as all three struggled to get through the door at the same time.

I stumbled into Ryker, and Briar’s hands trembled as she pulled the covers higher. “Did he cloak himself again? Like the vampires? Is he still here?”

The question made the room still.

Ryker scanned the corners, nostrils flaring as he tried to scent the air. “I don’t know.”

“I can’t feel or see him.” My voice came out tighter than I’d intended. I linked to Ryker alone, not wanting to freak anyone else out. But that doesn’t mean he won’t pop back in here any second.

“What the hell’s going on?” Gage asked, gaze sweeping the room.

Briar whispered with her voice shaking. “A strange man was just… standing there. And then poof, he vanished.” She pushed off the bed like it was scorched. “I want wards in my room. Now.”

I nodded, fury still thrumming in my veins. “You’ll have them. I swear it.” However, it wouldn’t help anything. He’d gotten past the perimeter without alerting the witches. Whatever portal jumping shit he could do outsmarted even witch magic.

We all stood there for a beat longer, unsure if he was really gone.

But in my gut, I knew he wasn’t far away.

Um… I get this is an emergency, but Ember, do you mind putting some clothes on before Ryker calms down only to lose his shit on us? Xander linked.

My stomach dropped, and I wrapped an arm around my breasts and put the other hand in front of my cooch.

Babe, we’ll find him. Don’t worry. Ryker turned around to comfort me and then snarled. He tugged me into his arms with my back to the other men and placed his hands over my ass cheeks.

Kendric’s gaze immediately darted to the ceiling. Xander blinked and spun around, muttering something about needing bleach for his brain. Gage barked a short laugh before clamping a hand over his mouth.

Briar’s face went beet red.

Ryker snarled threateningly. “Do not fucking look at her.”

My own possessiveness kicked in, despite Briar being my sister. My fated mate had his naked ass in clear view. My wolf surged forward, ready to protect what was mine.

Turning toward the far wall so that her back was toward us, she made it abundantly clear that she wasn’t looking at my mate.

I didn’t notice anything, Ember. I swear. I was freaked out.

“Stay here with Briar,” Ryker gritted through clenched teeth. “My mate and I are going to put some fucking clothes on.”

The three guys hurried deeper into the room so I could walk past them without risk of running into them. We hurried down the hall, and Ryker slammed the bedroom door behind us.

“Fate,” Ryker muttered, pressing his forehead against the wood. “That was not how I wanted our post-sex glow to go.”

“I think I just trauma-bonded with everyone in that house,” I groaned, scrambling for the sweatpants I’d laid out earlier. “I can’t unsee their expressions.”

Ryker turned to grab his jeans from the floor—then stopped cold.

The air shifted. That pulse of warm, familiar energy slid against my skin.

And just like that, Many-Greats Grandfather appeared, sitting in the same damn chair Ryker had tossed his shirt on earlier. His legs were crossed, and he wore a bored expression, like we weren’t standing there half-dressed. Like this wasn’t the second time he’d just appeared in a private space without invitation.

Ryker stepped in front of me, jaw clenched. “Are you serious right now?”

Greats-Grandfather tilted his head, gaze flicking between us. “I was going to wait, but I heard you all were napping, and curiosity got the best of me.”

“So you broke into my sister’s room while she slept?” I snapped, dragging a shirt over my head. “Again—are you serious ?”

“I wasn’t going to speak to her.” He shrugged. “She wasn’t supposed to wake.”

“That’s not the reassurance you think it is.” Ryker shoved his leg into a pair of jeans. “You’re creeping around this house like some nightmare who doesn’t understand personal boundaries.”

“Personal boundaries? We’re family.” He steepled his fingers. “I didn’t think a formal entrance was required.”

This guy was a whole level of frustration I’d never experienced before. “A formal entrance is always required. Why are you here now?”

“To talk.” He glanced around like this was just another meeting room, not our damn bedroom. “I informed you that I wanted to speak to only you, but I understand your fated mate is an extension of your soul, so I will tolerate him.”

Ryker crossed his arms. “I didn’t realize we had to specify we were to be clothed and for you to knock before entering, especially our bedroom.”

Greats Grandfather offered a tight, amused smile. “I didn’t realize modesty still reigned in the shifter world. Noted.”

I stalked forward a step, fists clenched at my sides. “You didn’t answer the question. Why now? What’s so urgent that you had to scare my sister and creep through our house?”

The smugness slipped from his face, replaced by something heavier. “Because something feels off in this realm. I need to understand what’s going on.”

Ryker’s posture tensed. “What do you mean off ?” He came to my side and took my hand in his, presenting a united front.

Greats Grandfather didn’t answer immediately. He just stared like he was trying to decide how to explain it, a bit like how I looked when doing algebraic equations. “I don’t know how to put it. There is something disturbing in the air, like a warning. The one time this occurred in the fae realm, a catastrophic war broke out, and our lineage was created to ensure it never happened again. If you inform me of your troubles, I may be able to help decipher the problem with the help of Fate.”

I laughed bleakly, unable to hold it back. “Fate? She hates my guts.”

“No, child.” He shook his head and jerked back as if I’d offended him. “Our line is blessed by her. Sometimes the trials Fate decides to put you through are to make you into the person she wants you to become… a version that is worthy of her blessing.”

The fae were cult members. That’s what I got from that, but I didn’t want to dispute what Fate was truly like. All I wanted to know was if he actually did have insight, even though I doubted it.

So we filled him in.

Everything from the witches in the cells to the cloaking spells, the vampire ambush, the little girl’s magic, the witch’s warning— the royals .

I finished with a tight breath. “The whole thing just feels… personal. Like the vampire queen isn’t just trying to gain power—she’s pissed. Like she’s holding a grudge over something.”

Greats-grandfather’s mouth twitched like he found that amusing. “Of course she is. I told your grandfather from generations ago it wouldn’t go over well.”

I blinked. “Wait. What?”

Ryker narrowed his eyes. “What wouldn’t go over well?”

The man leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “The betrayal. The vampire queen acted too calm and understanding for people who drink blood. I suspected she was biding her time.”

My pulse spiked. “What betrayal?”

“You aren’t aware?” He exhaled slowly. “That information should’ve been passed down, but maybe your father planned on telling you when he made you aware of your fae lineage.”

He scowled and shook his head. “Four generations ago, the wolf king and the vampire queen fell in love, despite the horrible history between the species. They agreed to complete the mate bond together and to rule both species side by side. The union was meant as a bridge to peace. Strengthen both lines.”

Legs weakening, I sat down on the edge of the bed. “Clearly, that didn’t happen.”

“No.” His tone darkened. “Because before the bond was sealed, the king found his true fated mate. A wolf shifter. A nobody in the eyes of vampire royalty.”

I already knew where this was going. Ryker sat beside me, and I leaned my head on his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around me. Even if I had been promised to someone else, after meeting Ryker, there was no way I could be with anyone but him.

“He broke the agreement.” Ryker tightened his hold. “But the vampire queen must have understood why?”

“He didn’t just break it. He humiliated her. Publicly. Called off the bond days before the ritual and declared this wolf as his queen.” Greats-grandfather’s voice was quiet now. “It shattered more than her pride. It shattered the trust between your kinds. The vampires lost face, and the queen never recovered. She pretended to understand because the fated-mate bond had already been completed, and she bided her time until she had a plan.”

I’d heard the saying there was nothing worse than a woman scorned, but damn… I’d thought they’d been exaggerating.

Greats-grandfather lifted both hands. “She’s not just holding a grudge, Ember. She’s trying to erase a bloodline and the wolves that supported the union vocally.”

My throat dried. “So… she’s wounded and wants retribution against those who turned from her?”

“She was betrayed,” Greats-grandfather corrected gently. “And betrayal by someone meant to be her mate—the one who was supposed to unite their kingdoms? That’s not something easily forgiven.”

Ryker ran a hand through his crazed hair. “But that was four generations ago. Why come after us now?”

Greats-grandfather folded his hands. “Because time works differently for those with immortality and fueled by power and pride. She waited until she determined an effective strategy and had everything in place. If she struck too soon, then she wouldn’t prevail. She needed the wolf shifters to fully trust her and see her as an ally.”

I frowned, piecing it together. “So she’s not actually trying to wipe out wolf shifters.”

“No.” He shook his head. “This isn’t about species. I believe this is about what she feels she’s owed. She and the king agreed to rule both wolf shifters and vampires together. What’s the best way to accomplish it? Kill the royals and make it appear a wolf shifter did it, and she comes in and saves the day. She’s targeting the packs that supported the royals the most, which is essentially the ones that live closest to them and their protectors.”

Ryker shook his head. “She’s been planning this for hundreds of years.”

“She has.” Greats-grandfather’s face tensed into a sobering expression. “And she’s clearly using witch magic. Now that your fae power is stirring, you’re able to see the shadows. And no one but the three of us knows why. However, you’ve made it clear you can see them, so now she wants to eliminate you so she can start her reign of terror at will.”

Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy.

Greats-grandfather stood slowly, brushing nonexistent dust from his tunic. “I must return to my realm now. I can’t stay away for long because my magic can’t replenish here. The air is shifting, and I fear the worst is yet to come.”

“Do you think the vampires are preparing something?” Ryker’s leg bounced with anxious energy.

Greats-grandfather gave a sharp nod. “I watched them while you two slept. They’re getting ready to breach the perimeter. The only reason they haven’t struck yet is because they’re waiting to recover. Once the cloaking spell is back in effect, they’ll attack without hesitation. You need to prepare yourselves for war. There’s no avoiding this. Not anymore.”

I swallowed hard, my stomach twisting. “How long do we have?”

He looked toward the window as if he could read the clouds like a clock. “Not long.”

“Thanks for the info, but I need you to understand something.” Ryker stood, squaring his shoulders. “Hear me clearly—if you show up in this house again without warning us, without knocking or announcing your presence, I don’t care who you are. I don’t care if you’re her ancestor or some fae relic—I’ll kill you.”

Greats-grandfather’s lips curled into an amused smirk. “I thought over time the people of this realm wouldn’t be so prudish, but each time I visit, I get proven wrong.”

Neither Ryker nor I laughed.

My many-greats-grandparent stepped backward, his body starting to blur around the edges. “I will return. But you may want to keep your weapons sharp. And always watch your back.”

And just like that—he vanished.

For a moment, Ryker and I just stood there, staring at the empty space where he’d been. The air still buzzed faintly with leftover magic, but it was fading, along with his scent.

“Fate,” I breathed. “That was a lot.”

Ryker ran a hand down his face. “Yeah. I need a fucking drink, but after what he told us, I’m not risking it.”

“Ember? Ryker?” Cassi’s voice rang out, edged with urgency. “Adara is awake.”

Ryker and I looked at each other, and I jumped to my feet.

Once again, there was no time to breathe or rest to fully process everything we’d learned.

Ryker linked the others, In case you didn’t hear, the witch is awake.

We reached the living room just as Kendric and Xander came bounding down the hall, Gage right behind them. Briar followed a second later, arms crossed, her face still pale but composed.

Adara—the witch—was sitting on the couch. The blanket was pooled in her lap, and she blinked slowly like the light hurt. Cassi hovered nearby, brows drawn in concern.

Something wasn’t right.

This woman wasn’t the one we’d brought here.

The woman we’d carried out of that prison looked nothing like the one sitting in front of us now.

She’d been middle-aged at most—maybe in her forties. A strong build, the shadows of youth still clinging to the angles of her face.

Now?

She looked eighty.

Her skin had sunken in. Wrinkles carved deeply into her face. Her eyes looked glassy, hollowed by exhaustion and something else. Time—or something like it—had stolen years from her while she slept.

“What the fuck?” Gage scoffed. “Who is that?”

Briar’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not the same woman.”

I stepped forward slowly, feeling every stare land on me. “Adara?”

The woman blinked at me, her lips moving like she wasn’t sure if she remembered how to speak. “That… is my name.”

My breath caught.

Cassi shifted uncomfortably. “She’s still weak, but her vitals stabilized after her last episode. I didn’t notice anything wrong with her appearance until just now.”

“That’s convenient,” Kendric said under his breath.

“We should’ve never trusted you,” Briar spat.

But then something strange happened. Ryker stood between me and the woman like he was protecting her.

My wolf snarled as rage boiled in my body. He wasn’t supposed to ever protect someone else over me. I leapt forward.