Maya's POV
I don't take Darius's hand.
Not because I trust Dominic. Not because I believe in the mate bond anymore.
But because running away from one Alpha straight into the arms of another feels like jumping from one cage into another.
Thank you, I say quietly, standing up on shaky legs. But I need to handle this myself.
Darius's smile doesn't waver, but something flickers in his eyes. Disappointment? Or something darker?
I understand. But Maya— He pulls a card from his pocket. When you change your mind, call me. The offer stands. Northridge's borders are always open to you.
He leaves as silently as he arrived, disappearing into the trees.
I stand there, naked and alone in the clearing, until I hear them coming.
Dominic crashes through the underbrush first, still human, still weak from the wolfsbane. He stops dead when he sees me, his eyes scanning for injuries.
Maya. Thank God. He moves toward me, then stops himself. Remembers we're not supposed to be close. Are you hurt?
No.
Did anyone follow you? Threaten you?
Someone found me. I watch his reaction carefully. Darius. Alpha of Northridge. The one Marcus wants to marry me off to.
Dominic's face goes deadly. What did he do?
Offered me protection. A way out. I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly very aware I'm naked. I said no.
Relief floods his expression before he can hide it. He shrugs off his jacket and tosses it to me without getting closer. We should get back. Marcus is calling an emergency council meeting.
Of course he is. I pull on the jacket. It smells like Dominic—pine and rain and something uniquely him. The scent makes my wolf whine. Let me guess. They want to discuss my future?
They want to control it. His jaw clenches. Maya, about that recording—
Don't. I can't hear his excuses right now. Can't handle whatever explanation he's about to give. Just... don't. We need to get through this council meeting first. Then we can talk about what we are. Or aren't.
Pain flashes across his face, but he nods.
The walk back to the manor is silent. Other wolves fall in around us—Silas, Elder Josephine, Iris wielding her frying pan like a weapon. By the time we reach Crescent Manor, we're a small army.
But Marcus has a bigger one.
The council chamber is packed when we arrive. Every Elder, every high-ranking wolf, every pack member who thinks they have a say in my future. They fill the circular room, leaving only a small space in the center.
Where I'm clearly meant to stand. Alone. On trial.
Marcus sits in my father's chair—the Alpha's seat—like he already owns it. Vanessa stands behind him, looking smug despite the bruises from her fight with Silas.
And beside Marcus, looking concerned and fatherly, sits Darius.
He's here. Already. Like he was waiting for this exact moment.
My wolf growls low in my chest.
Maya. Marcus stands, opening his arms like we're a happy family. Thank you for joining us. Please, come to the center so the council can see you properly.
I walk to the center of the circle, head high. Dominic moves to follow, but Marcus holds up a hand.
Beta Ashford can observe from the edge. This discussion concerns Maya's future, not his.
Dominic's eyes flash gold, but he moves to the perimeter. I watch him go, feeling suddenly very exposed.
Now then. Marcus addresses the room. We're here to discuss Maya's transition into her role as Alpha heir. Specifically, the matter of choosing a suitable mate before the Trials.
Murmurs of agreement ripple through the crowd.
I don't need a mate to complete the Trials, I say clearly.
Actually, you do. An Elder I don't recognize stands. Pack law states that an Alpha heir must be either mated or of dominant bloodline strong enough to rule alone. Your late shift suggests your bloodline may not be sufficient.
My bloodline is
Questionable, Marcus interrupts gently. Your mother was human, Maya. Your father was Alpha, yes, but the human blood may have diluted your wolf nature. Hence the late shift. Hence the need for a strong mate to compensate.
Rage burns through me. My mother has nothing to do with
The council disagrees. Marcus's smile is patient, like I'm a child throwing a tantrum. Which is why we've invited Alpha Darius here today. To present himself as a potential mate.
Darius stands, and I see him properly now. He's handsome in a calculated way. Strong. Powerful. Everything an Alpha should be.
And looking at me like I'm a prize to be won.
Maya Thornhill. He steps into the circle with me. I've heard much about you. Your intelligence. Your strength. Your father spoke highly of you when we met at the Summit two years ago.
That stops me. You knew my father?
Briefly. We discussed an alliance between our packs. He wanted what was best for Silverpine. For you. Darius moves closer, his voice dropping. I can give you that. Protection from those who want to use you. Power to face the Trials. A true partnership built on mutual respect.
It sounds reasonable. Logical. Everything I should want.
So why does my wolf recoil from him?
What do you get out of it? I ask.
An alliance between two powerful packs. A strong mate. Children who will carry both bloodlines. He says it so matter-of-factly. Like I'm a business transaction.
And if I refuse?
Marcus stands. Then the council will have to reconsider your fitness to lead. The Trials require strength, Maya. If you're too stubborn to accept help when offered...
The threat hangs in the air.
This is insane, Iris shouts from the edge of the room. You can't force her to marry someone!
We're not forcing anything, Marcus says smoothly. Merely presenting options. Maya is free to choose any mate she wishes. As long as that mate is approved by the council as sufficiently strong to support her leadership.
I look at Dominic. He's standing perfectly still, face blank, hands clenched so tight I can see blood dripping from where his nails have cut into his palms.
What about Dominic? I ask. He's strong. He's Beta. He knows pack law better than anyone.
The room goes silent.
Marcus's smile turns sharp. Beta Ashford is your guardian, niece. Surely you understand how inappropriate such a union would be?
Why? He's not my blood. He's not related to me in any way.
He's fifteen years your senior. He's been responsible for your welfare since your father's death. The power dynamic alone makes it unsuitable. Marcus looks around the room. Not to mention the rumors already circulating about his... proximity to you.
Vanessa steps forward. I hate to bring this up, but people are talking. About how close they live. How much time they spend alone together. Some are suggesting the relationship has already crossed inappropriate lines.
Gasps echo through the chamber.
That's a lie! I shout.
Is it? Vanessa's eyes gleam. Then explain the mark on your shoulder. The one you claim is a mate mark. When exactly did Beta Ashford place that mark, Maya? Before you shifted, when you were under his care? Or during your shift, when you were vulnerable and in pain?
The implication makes me sick.
It wasn't like that
What it looks like, Marcus interrupts, is that your guardian took advantage of your first shift to mark you. To claim you before you could make an informed choice. He shakes his head sadly. If that's true, it's a serious violation. Beta Ashford could face exile.
I see the trap now. If I claim Dominic as my mate, they'll accuse him of manipulation. Of abusing his position as my guardian. He'll be exiled, and I'll still be forced to choose someone else.
But if I deny the bond, I lose my mate forever.
Well? Marcus prompts. What is Beta Ashford to you, Maya? Guardian or mate? Choose carefully. His future depends on your answer.
Every eye in the room turns to me.
Dominic is staring at the floor, jaw clenched, clearly trying not to influence my decision.
Darius watches with patient interest.
Marcus smiles like he's already won.
And I realize something.
This was never about finding me a mate. This was about separating me from Dominic. About making sure the one person who might actually help me investigate Dad's murder is removed from my life.
If I claim Dominic, he's exiled.
If I don't, I lose him anyway.
I open my mouth to speak
I can answer that.
Dominic's voice cuts through the tension. He steps into the circle, moving to stand beside me.
Don't, I whisper. Dominic, whatever you're about to do
Maya Thornhill is my mate. He says it clearly, loudly, so everyone can hear. True mate bond, ordained by the moon. I marked her during her shift because my wolf recognized what my human mind was too cowardly to accept.
Shocked whispers explode around the room.
Beta Ashford, Marcus warns. Think carefully about what you're admitting
I'm admitting the truth. Dominic's eyes blaze gold. Maya is my mate. I am hers. The bond is real, legitimate, and unbreakable. And if this council has a problem with that, they can exile me. But they cannot force her to mate with anyone else.
Marcus's face goes purple with rage. You've violated your position as guardian! You've manipulated a vulnerable
I've done nothing but protect her. Love her. And yes, fight the bond because I thought it was wrong. Because I thought she deserved better. Dominic finally looks at me. I was an idiot. The moon doesn't make mistakes. And Maya Thornhill is mine, whether this council approves or not.
My heart is pounding so hard I can't breathe.
He just chose me. Publicly. Knowing it could cost him everything.
How touching, Marcus sneers. And how convenient. You claim a mate bond that can't be proven, hoping to secure your position in the pack through
It can be proven.
Elder Josephine stands, pulling out an ancient leather-bound book. Pack law, section seven, article twelve: A true mate bond can be verified through the Binding Ritual. If Beta Ashford and Maya truly are fated mates, the ritual will prove it beyond doubt.
And if they're not? Marcus demands.
Then Beta Ashford faces exile for marking her falsely. And Maya must choose another mate within the week.
The room holds its breath.
Dominic turns to me. Your choice, Maya. We can do the ritual. Prove the bond is real. Or you can walk away right now. Choose Darius, choose freedom, choose whatever you want. I won't force you into anything.
I stare at him. At the man who pushed me away, who called me his ward, who fought the bond with everything he had.
The man who just risked exile to claim me publicly.
What is this ritual? I ask Josephine.
Ancient magic. Both parties enter a sacred circle. If the mate bond is true, it will manifest visibly—a golden thread connecting your souls. If the bond is false... She pauses. The magic will reject you. Violently. You could both die.
And if we refuse the ritual?
Then the council assumes the bond is false. Dominic is exiled. You choose another mate.
I look at Dominic. You'd risk death to prove we're mates?
I'd risk anything for you. His voice is quiet but absolute. Even if you don't believe me yet.
My wolf is screaming at me to accept. To prove we're mates and claim him forever.
But my human mind remembers that recording. Remembers years of rejection and distance.
What if the bond is just my desperate heart creating what I wanted? What if the ritual kills us both because I've been wrong all along?
Maya. Darius steps forward. You don't have to do this. Come with me to Northridge. Be safe. Be certain. You owe this man nothing.
Two choices. Two futures.
Trust Dominic and risk everything.
Or walk away and lose him forever.
I take a breath
And the doors to the council chamber explode inward.
Silas staggers through, bleeding from a dozen wounds. We're under attack! Rogues breaching the eastern border—dozens of them
An explosion rocks the manor. Screams echo from outside.
Then I smell it.
Smoke. Fire. And underneath
Wolfsbane.
Someone's burning wolfsbane. Enough to weaken every wolf in the building.
Marcus stands, face pale. This is impossible. We have defenses
Defenses someone disabled from the inside. Silas's eyes cut to Marcus. Someone who knew exactly where to strike.
Another explosion. Closer this time.
Dominic grabs my arm. We need to get you out of here. Now.
But before we can move, the windows shatter inward. Dark shapes pour through—rogues, feral and vicious, their eyes glowing red with bloodlust.
And leading them, wearing a smile that makes my blood run cold
Vanessa.
Hello, Maya, she purrs, shifting into her wolf form. Time to see if you're really Alpha material. Or just another weak half-breed who doesn't deserve to live.
She lunges.
And I realize this was the plan all along.
The council meeting. The mate debate. The ritual.
All of it was distraction.
While we argued about bonds and politics, someone was preparing an attack.
An attack meant to kill me.
And standing in the doorway, watching the chaos with satisfied eyes
Marcus smiles.
Because even if I survive the rogues, even if Dominic saves me, even if we prove the mate bond—
Everyone will know I needed saving.
Everyone will know I'm not strong enough to lead.
And the council will never let a weak Alpha take power.
I was doomed from the start.