Chapter 205: Just being cautious

Dorian had just completed another round along the borders of the Northern territory, checking on the warriors and ensuring every entrance and exit was heavily guarded.

He had spent the entire morning and afternoon making rounds and tightening security. Yet, despite every precaution, a deep sense of unease remained.

Strangely enough, Shadow and Soren had been quiet all day. Usually, his inner beasts would be prowling restlessly, clawing to be released. Instead, they were unexpectedly silent.

Now that darkness had fully settled, he knew he couldn’t keep circling the borders. He needed to return to Alyssa. He had to be at her side before midnight.

He made his way back toward his SUV just as Jake, Alec, and Anthony approached from the tree line.

"Everything is in place, Alpha," Jake reported. "Ragnar won’t be able to breach the borders even if he brings his entire horde of rogues."

"I’m still trying to understand why you think Ragnar is going to attack tonight," Anthony chimed in. "For all we know, this whole precaution could be for nothing."

"Well," Alec shrugged lightly. "We did catch glimpses of him and his rogues over the past few weeks. And knowing Ragnar, he strikes when you least expect it."

"Not tonight," Jake countered. "If he makes a move, we’ll strike him down."

Dorian remained silent throughout the exchange, his mind churning with endless dark possibilities.

?Anthony noticed his quiet detachment and stepped away from Jake and Alec, closing the distance between them. His brows pulled together in a tight frown.

"What’s really going on with you, Dorian?" he asked in a low voice. "The last time I saw you this riled up was during the war with the Onyx and the Hybrids."

"I’m not riled up," Dorian muttered coldly. "I’m just being cautious."

"Bullshit," Anthony shot back. "Don’t forget we grew up together. I know you better than you know yourself, and this isn’t just being cautious. This is different.

He planted himself directly in Dorian’s path and crossed his arms. "Does this have something to do with Alyssa?"

Dorian glared at him, his mouth set in a grim line. "It has everything to do with her. I am keeping my Luna safe."

"That’s not what I meant, and you damn well know it," Anthony pressed.

Irritated, Dorian brushed past him and climbed into the driver’s seat. He slammed the door, lowered the window, and stared coldly at Anthony.

"I’m returning to the clearing. It’s nearly midnight, and the Solstice will begin soon. Get back to the gathering, especially you, Jake. You need to be beside your mate."

"We’re right behind you, Alpha," Jake nodded, already gesturing for Alec to move toward the second vehicle.

"And Anthony, I need you back at the clearing as well," Dorian added sharply. "I need you to keep Pandora safe."

"Safe from what?" Anthony demanded, stepping closer to the door. "Of course I’ll protect her with my life, but from what? If we’re facing a real threat tonight, why the hell aren’t you telling us?"

Dorian gave no answer. He turned the key, shifted into gear, and sped down the snow-covered road toward the clearing.

A sharp pang of guilt bit at him as he drove. He knew he was playing a dangerous game by keeping Alyssa’s vision and her true heritage concealed from Anthony and Alec. These were men he trusted with his life. If Anthony discovered the truth later, the breach of trust would run deep.

?As for Alec, Dorian hated to think how betrayed the Gamma would feel knowing his own twin, Jake, had kept him in the dark.

"It’s for the best," he muttered. Once the Solstice passed and the threat was dealt with, he would find a way to lay the truth out before them.

He arrived at the clearing minutes later. Pulling off onto the side of the road, he stepped out into the crisp, icy air and moved quickly toward the bonfire.

The music had picked up, carrying a solemn melody through the trees. Shifters danced in pairs around the fire, their laughter echoing through the canopy alongside distant howls deeper in the woods. The atmosphere appeared deceptively peaceful.

Dorian scanned the crowd, spotting Alyssa standing near the far edge of the clearing, a few meters away from Pandora and Henna as she watched the dancers.

He approached silently from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back against his chest.

She turned in his arms, her tense expression melting into pure relief the moment her eyes met his.

"You’re back," she breathed out, throwing her arms around his neck. He held her close, pressing her tightly against him as he kissed her.

"I’m sorry I was away for so long," he whispered against her lips, then pressed a soft kiss to her temple. "I had to ensure the borders were well protected."

Alyssa pulled back slightly, nodding in understanding. "Is everything in place?"

Dorian nodded firmly. "Yes. It’s almost midnight. Are you wearing the talisman?"

She reached into the neckline of her dress, drawing out the talisman briefly before tucking it safely back inside. "I’m scared, Dorian. I can barely focus on what’s happening around us."

Dorian kept one arm anchored around her waist, resting his chin atop her head. "I’m right here with you. Everything will be fine. I promise."

She leaned into his chest, taking comfort in his warmth. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Jake entering the clearing alongside Anthony and Alec.

Jake immediately found Henna, pulling her into his embrace and guiding her toward the quieter side of the clearing. Anthony and Pandora stood next to one another, maintaining an awkward distance without exchanging a word.

Alec scanned the crowd intently, searching until his eyes landed on Samantha standing on the opposite side of the fire. He slowly slipped away and moved towards her.

Suddenly, a thought struck Alyssa and she looked up into Dorian’s eyes. "Luna Kalista is here, along with your uncles, Conrad and Devon. But Conri isn’t here."

"He was stripped of his right to attend after what Joffrey did to you," Dorian replied darkly. "He has no place at this Solstice."

Alyssa felt a cold wave of doubt. In her vision, she had repeatedly tried to picture the figure that drove the blade into her heart, and Conri’s face was the only one her mind kept returning to.

Maybe it would have been safer if he were here, she thought uneasily. At least then we could watch his every move.

Before she could voice out her concern to Dorian, a perimeter guard hurried through the crowd, stopping a few feet away and bowing his head low in submission.

"Alpha, the Council requests your immediate presence, as well as the Luna’s."

Dorian’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Why? What do they want?"

"I wasn’t informed, Alpha," the guard answered quickly. "They specified that they must speak with you both before midnight."

Dorian didn’t trust anyone tonight, not even the Court Council. In his mind, everyone was a potential threat where Alyssa was concerned. And with midnight lingering minutes away, the timing was deeply suspicious.

"You may leave," he grunted, dismissing the guard. He turned back to Alyssa, his hands gripping her shoulders. "Wait here for me. I’ll find out what they want."

"I should come with you," Alyssa protested, but Dorian shook his head firmly.

"I don’t trust them," he insisted. "Stay here in the open where it’s safe. I’ll be back in five minutes."

Alyssa wanted to argue, but she changed her mind and nodded reluctantly. "Alright. I’ll wait here."

"Stay close to Anthony and Pandora," Dorian added softly. He kissed her forehead once, then turned and strode away into the dark.

Alyssa stepped closer to Pandora and Anthony, chatting lightly to pass the time. It was just a few minutes to midnight. Soon, the Solstice would begin, and every shifter would run wild into the forest.

Feeling a sudden need to pee, Alyssa excused herself softly to Pandora and slipped toward the tree line. She walked away from the noise and light of the bonfire and found a secluded spot to relieve herself.

She finished quickly and was adjusting her cloak to return when the faint crunch of snow underfoot made her freeze.

She dropped low behind a thick brush, straining her eyes against the shadows. At that precise second, midnight struck.

The clouds parted completely, exposing a massive, luminous full moon in the sky.

The forest lit up, the moon’s silvery light illuminating the snow in a pale, ethereal glow. The atmosphere changed, charged with a powerful sensation and static energy that made the hairs on Alyssa’s arms stand on end.

Oblivious to the cosmic shift occurring around her, she kept her eyes locked on the figure moving through the trees.

It was Elvira. She was wrapped in a black cloak that barely concealed her against the bright moonlight. She kept glancing nervously over her shoulder, ensuring she wasn’t being followed as she moved deeper into the forest.

As her silhouette faded, Alyssa slowly straightened. Her instincts screamed at her to turn around and return to the clearing, but something about Elvira’s presence didn’t feel right.

Without making a sound, she stepped into the path and began following Elvira secretly.