Alexandra sat cross-legged on the floor, her mother’s journal resting on her lap. She turned each page carefully, her breath catching every time she stumbled upon something that felt like a clue. Notes scrawled in the margins mentioned alliances, enemies, and hidden truths.
But one passage in particular stopped her cold:
“The woman by Raven’s side is no ally of ours. Her presence unsettles me, but Cedric insists we let her stay. Her child’s role in all of this is unclear. Is it innocence, or is it manipulation? Trust is dangerous. Be vigilant.”
Her hands trembled as she read the passage again. The woman—her uncle’s mysterious companion in the photograph—was clearly more than just a maid or outsider. And the child… the child was connected to it all, somehow.
Later that evening, Alexandra was walking back to her dorm when she felt the familiar prickle of being watched. She quickened her pace, clutching her bag tightly.
“You’re looking for something you don’t want to find,” a voice called from the shadows.
She stopped, her heart pounding. “Agor,” she muttered, turning to find him leaning against a lamppost.
His silver eyes glinted in the dim light as he approached her, his tall figure cloaked in darkness. “We need to talk,” he said, his tone firm.
“No, we don’t,” Alexandra snapped, turning to leave.
Agor moved quickly, blocking her path. “You’re in danger, Alexandra,” he said, his voice low but urgent. “You have no idea what’s coming.”
She glared at him, her fists clenching. “The only danger I’m in is from you!”
Agor’s jaw tightened. “You think I’m the threat? I’ve been trying to protect you from the moment I got here.”
“Protect me?” Alexandra’s voice rose. “You’re working for my uncle! Do you think I forgot about the shirt? You’re his Beta! You lied to me!”
Agor flinched as if she’d slapped him. His silver eyes darkened with pain, but he didn’t deny it. “Yes,” he admitted, his voice rough. “I’m Beta of the Black Stone Pack. I’ve done terrible things under Raven’s orders. But I’m not your enemy, Alexandra.”
Her breath hitched. “How can you say that? You expect me to believe you when you’ve lied about everything?”
Agor stepped closer, his voice softening. “Because I know why I’m protecting you.”
Alexandra’s heart pounded as his words hung in the air. She felt that same strange pull toward him—the magnetic force that made her stomach twist and her chest ache. She hated it. “Why?” she demanded, her voice trembling. “Why are you protecting me?”
Agor hesitated, his gaze searching hers. “Because there’s more to this than you know. Raven’s not just after you to secure his power. There’s a secret about you, something even I haven’t been able to uncover. But I swear to you, Alexandra, I’m not the one feeding him information about you.”
Alexandra’s eyes narrowed. “Then who is?”
Agor’s expression hardened. “Someone close to you. Someone you trust.”
Her chest tightened. “Liam…” she whispered, the thought making her stomach churn.
Before Agor could respond, a guttural snarl tore through the air. Alexandra’s head whipped around just in time to see three rogue wolves emerge from the shadows, their glowing eyes locked on her.
“Get behind me,” Agor growled, shifting into his massive black wolf form in an instant.
Alexandra didn’t hesitate. She pulled out the silver dagger Nana Lea had made her carry, her grip firm despite the fear coursing through her veins.
The rogues lunged, and the fight began.
Agor tore into the first wolf with brutal precision, his fangs sinking into its neck. Blood sprayed, but he didn’t flinch. Alexandra slashed at the second wolf, her dagger slicing through its flank. She moved instinctively, the training she’d done in secret taking over.
The third wolf lunged for her, and she fell backward, her dagger slipping from her hand. Just as its jaws snapped at her throat, Agor slammed into it, sending the rogue flying. He turned, his black fur streaked with blood, his silver eyes blazing with fury.
“Alexandra, watch out!” he roared, his voice rough and animalistic.
Another wolf lunged at her, but this time, it stopped mid-air, snarling as a new figure appeared.
“Liam?” Alexandra gasped, her voice trembling with confusion.
Liam stood in his wolf form, his hazel eyes glowing eerily in the moonlight. He was larger than the rogues, his posture commanding and powerful. His coat was a deep, tawny brown with streaks of gold, the markings of an Alpha’s bloodline.
“Finish him,” Liam growled, his voice sharp and commanding, as he glared at Agor.
Alexandra froze, her heart racing. “Liam, what are you doing?” she whispered.
Liam shifted back into his human form, his hazel eyes cold and unrecognizable. “He’s been lying to you, Alex. He’s working for Raven. He’s the enemy.”
Alexandra shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “No. This doesn’t make sense. Why are you—”
Liam’s voice cut through her confusion, harsh and final. “Because he’s a threat. And you can’t trust him.”