Kiera's POV
Four hours isn't enough time.
I paced Theron's private chambers—the room he'd moved me to after Rafe's devastating news. The most secure place in Blood Court. The place no one could reach without going through the Alpha King himself.
It didn't feel safe enough.
We'll make it enough, Theron said from where he stood by the window, staring out at the fortress below. Guards patrolled everywhere now. He'd tripled security. Called in loyal warriors. Prepared for war.
All to protect me.
Twelve Alphas, I said, my voice shaking. That's twelve packs worth of wolves. Hundreds of warriors loyal to the Council. How can we fight that?
We don't fight. We prove your innocence. He turned to face me, silver eyes blazing with determination. Rafe is gathering every document from Shadowmoon. Evidence of the mate bond experiments. Lyra's testimony. Everything.
That won't be enough for them. They've already decided I'm guilty.
Then I'll make them change their minds.
His absolute certainty should have comforted me. Instead, it terrified me.
What if you can't? I whispered. What if they force you to choose between me and your crown?
Theron crossed the room in three strides and gripped my shoulders. Then I choose you.
You can't
I already have. His hands tightened. The moment that bond snapped into place, I chose you. Every decision since has been about keeping you alive. And I'm not stopping now.
Tears burned my eyes. You'll lose everything.
I'll lose everything if you die. His voice roughened. Don't you understand? You're not just my mate. You're the only thing that's made me feel alive in eleven years. The only person who sees me as more than the merciless Alpha King.
Theron
Rest, he ordered gently. You need strength for tomorrow. I'll wake you when it's time for the Council.
He was right. I was exhausted—physically, emotionally, completely drained. But how could I sleep knowing that in a few hours I might be executed?
Where will you be? I asked.
Right here. He gestured to the chair by the fireplace. I'm not leaving you alone. Not tonight.
Something warm bloomed in my chest. Safety. Trust. Things I thought I'd never feel again.
I climbed into his massive bed—it smelled like him, pine and winter and strength—and tried to close my eyes.
But the moment I did, I saw Damien's face.
The mating chamber. White silk and red roses and the ceremonial altar where we were supposed to complete our bond. Damien's hands on me, too rough, too possessive.
You belong to me now, he said, his smile cruel. Body, soul, and that beautiful spirit I'm going to enjoy breaking.
I tried to pull away but he was too strong. The bond between us pulsed—wrong, invasive, like chains wrapping around my soul.
Please, I begged. Don't do this.
Do what? Claim my mate? He laughed. This is what you wanted. What you agreed to. Complete the bond and your sister lives.
You're lying about Lyra. You've been lying about everything!
Smart girl. His hand closed around my throat. But too late. Once I consummate this bond, you'll be mine forever. Obedient. Submissive. Exactly what a Luna should be.
I reached for the silver dagger hidden in my dress. My last hope. My only choice.
I'm sorry, I whispered.
And drove it through his heart.
His eyes went wide with shock. Blood bloomed across his white shirt.
You'll never save her now, he gasped as he fell.
I woke up screaming.
Hands gripped my shoulders—strong but gentle. A familiar voice spoke urgently.
Kiera! Kiera, you're safe. It's just a dream. You're safe.
Theron.
I grabbed onto him like a lifeline, sobbing into his chest. He was somehow on the bed with me, holding me tight, one hand stroking my hair.
I'm sorry, I choked out. I'm sorry, I can't, I keep seeing him
Shh. I've got you. His arms tightened. Just breathe. You're here. You're safe. He can't hurt you anymore.
But the nightmare clung to me like poison. Damien's hands. His cruel smile. The way he'd tried to force the bond, to make me submit completely.
How did you know? I asked when I could finally speak. How did you get here so fast?
I was already here. In the chair. Theron pulled back enough to look at me, his silver eyes soft with concern. You started thrashing. Calling for help. I couldn't just sit there and watch you suffer.
My hands were shaking. My whole body was shaking.
Tell me what happened, Theron said quietly. All of it. Everything from that night. No more pieces. I need to understand the whole truth.
I wanted to refuse. Wanted to bury it deep where it couldn't hurt me anymore.
But maybe speaking it out loud would finally free me from it.
So in the darkness of his chambers, with only the firelight casting shadows, I told him everything.
I told him about the mating ceremony. How beautiful it had been at first—flowers and candles and the whole pack celebrating. How Damien had smiled at me like I was precious.
Until we were alone.
He changed the moment the door closed, I said, my voice hollow. Like he'd been wearing a mask and finally took it off. He told me the truth about Lyra—that she'd been arrested on his orders. That the evidence against her was planted.
Theron's jaw clenched but he said nothing, letting me continue.
He said completing the bond would make me obedient. That the mate bond would force me to submit to my Alpha in all things. He wanted me broken. Dependent. Completely under his control.
That's not how mate bonds work, Theron said, his voice rough with anger. Real bonds are partnerships. Equal. They don't force submission.
I didn't know that then. I just knew that if I let him complete it, I'd lose myself. My hands fisted in Theron's shirt. He started touching me. Wouldn't stop when I asked. Said it was his right as my mate. As my Alpha.
A growl rumbled through Theron's chest—pure wolf rage.
So I reached for the dagger I'd hidden, I continued. The one I'd brought just in case. And when he tried to force himself on me, I—I drove it through his heart.
You defended yourself, Theron said fiercely. You protected yourself from a monster.
I'm a murderer.
No. He cupped my face in both hands, forcing me to look at him. You're a survivor. You made an impossible choice to save yourself and your sister. That took incredible strength.
Tears spilled down my cheeks. I don't feel strong.
Because you're carrying all this weight alone. All this guilt and grief and trauma. His thumbs wiped away my tears. But you don't have to anymore. I'm here. I see what happened. I see what he tried to do to you. And I see the brave, fierce woman who refused to let him break her.
Something cracked open inside me—all the pain I'd been holding in, all the shame and fear and self-hatred. It poured out in wracking sobs.
Theron held me through all of it. Didn't tell me to stop crying. Didn't tell me to be strong. Just held me while I shattered and slowly started to piece myself back together.
When I finally quieted, exhausted and empty, he was still there.
Thank you, I whispered against his chest. For believing me. For not thinking I'm a monster.
You're not a monster. You're— He stopped, his whole body going tense.
Through the bond, I felt it too. A shift in the fortress. Movement. Power gathering.
Theron pulled away and stood in one fluid motion, every muscle coiled tight.
What is it? I asked.
The Council. His eyes flashed gold. They're not waiting until midnight.
My blood turned to ice. What?
They're marching on my chambers right now. With all twelve Alphas. He moved to his weapons chest, pulling out a sword. They're coming for you early.
How much time do we have?
Theron's expression was grim as he listened to the approaching footsteps echoing through the fortress.
Minutes. Maybe less.
He turned to face me, and in his eyes I saw a decision being made. A line being crossed.
Kiera, I need to know right now—do you trust me?
Yes.
Completely?
With my life.
He nodded once, then crossed back to me and did something that stopped my heart.
He tilted my head to the side, exposing my throat.
Then let me mark you, he said roughly. Right now. Before they get here. A bonded mate can't be executed without executing her Alpha too. If I mark you, they can't kill you without going through me first.
I stared at him. That's—that's permanent. A mating mark can never be undone.
I know.
If you do this, you're bound to me forever. The mate-murderer. The prisoner. Your reputation
Will survive. His hand cupped my cheek. But I won't survive losing you. So choose, Kiera. Now. Do I mark you and damn the consequences, or do we face the Council and hope we can prove your innocence before they execute you?
Footsteps thundered closer. Voices shouting orders.
They're at the outer doors! someone yelled in the hallway.
Theron's eyes held mine, silver and fierce and desperate.
Choose, he whispered.