When I walked through the silver gates of the Silver Claw Pack, my heart felt tight, like a fist squeezing it. I did not trust Leon. I did not like him. And I did not like stepping inside his territory. But I had no choice. Aria was here, and until I saw her with my own eyes, my wolf refused to rest.
The palace was tall and wide, built from bright stone that shined like cold moonlight. Silver symbols were carved on every wall. Many warriors watched me as I walked through the long hallway, but none of them spoke. I could feel their eyes on my back. I could feel their doubt. I could feel their fear of me. And I welcomed it.
I am not here to make friends.
I am here for Aria.
When the guards opened the grand doors to Leon's throne room, I stepped inside slowly. The room smelled like old incense and polished metal. Soft blue flames burned in the wall lamps, giving the whole place a frozen look.
Leon sat on his high seat, wearing a long silver robe. His hair was neat, his posture calm, and his smile too smooth to trust.
I already hated him.
He stood as I approached. "Alpha Jason," he said with a warm voice that I knew was fake. "Welcome to Silver Claw. I am glad you accepted I didn't expect you to come or accept the invitation but I guess me and you have something in common. "peace between our packs."
I kept my face blank. "Where is Aria?"
His smile shook a little. "She is safe."
"That was not my question."
He sighed and sat again. "You will see her soon. But first, we must talk about the ritual."
My wolf growled. "I did not come here to talk about rituals. I came here because someone from your land attacked mine and stole my prisoner." so no matter what you say I won't trust you.
Leon lifted his hand calmly. "You misunderstand. The ritual is not an attack. The ritual is a blessing. It keeps the packs balanced. Without it, Silver Claw weakens, and when we weaken, the other rogue clans rise. When they rise, they attack all packs—including yours."
I stared at him. "I know lies when I hear them."
He smiled softly. "I expected that."
He stood and walked down the steps of his throne. His steps were slow, gentle, too gentle—like a snake trying to look cute before biting.
"Jason," he said, voice almost friendly, "your prisoner as you call her although she's part of my pack is special. Her blood carries light. Her wolf carries peace. The ritual will not hurt her. It will only let her gift flow."
I clenched my hands so hard my nails bit into my palms. "Do not talk about her like she is a tool."
"She is not a tool," Leon said. "She is a bridge. A bridge between packs. A bridge between peace and war."
I stepped closer. "If anything happens to her, I will burn this entire palace to dust."
His eyes sharpened, but his voice stayed soft. "Nothing will happen to her. I give you my word as Alpha."
"I do not want your word."
He nodded, almost like he expected that answer. "Then let me explain everything. Fully. Clearly. Honestly."
He walked to a large round window that looked over his lands. Snow fell softly outside, making the world look quiet and sad.
"The ritual needs a wolf with pure light," he said. "Your Aria is one of the few born with it. If she stands in the moon circle, she will release that light into the ground, and the land will stay safe for years. She will not bleed. She will not fall. She will not suffer. She will only give. Then she will rest."
I wanted to believe him.
But trust did not live inside me when it came to him.
"Why her?" I asked.
"Because fate chose her," he answered. "And because fate always takes the right person at the wrong time."
I looked away. "She is mine You expect me to believe you will give her back after your ritual?"
"Yes," Leon said quietly. "Because taking her from you would bring a war I do not want. And because she asked for peace when she woke up here."
My heart stopped for a second.
"She what?"
"She asked for peace," Leon repeated. "She woke with fear, but when she understood the purpose of the ritual, she agreed to listen. She is strong, Jason. Stronger than even you know."
My chest tightened.
Aria agreed to listen… but did she agree to do it?
Did she believe him?
Did she feel safe?
Did she miss me?
Leon looked at me again. "You love her. I see that. That is good. A alpha should protect. But sometimes protection also means understanding."
I swallowed hard. "I will not allow anything that harms her."
"It will not harm her," Leon said softly. "If I am lying, you can kill me yourself."
My wolf liked the sound of that.
But my heart was still burning. and I know about your curse Jason I know everything about you I've always known you since you were ten I was there that night I watched you run away why are you so interested in her?? shouldn't you be interested in your curse and the red moon is coming you wouldn't want your pack members knowing your deepest secret or seeing you crashing out .
And besides the girl you are risking all this for killed her parents she's dangerous to everyone around her , I don't care if she's dangerous or not I said boldly I want to see her.
Leon stepped back. "Thats fine Before you decide anything, see her. Speak to her. Hear her feelings with your own ears. After that, you can choose."
I took one slow breath.
Then another.
Then I said the only thing my heart allowed:
"Okay… I will think about everything you said. But I must speak with Aria first."