Asher’s POV
I stood in the war room with Philip, Simon, and Xavier. The
map of our territory and the Bear Clan’s was spread wide across
the table. My fingers rested near the edge of their marked lands.
“We don’t have time for another negotiation,” I said, looking up.
“Jason isn’t going to hand over the Silvermoon Grass. He’s
stalling, planning, hoping we fold.”
Philip folded his arms, nodding. “So what’s the move?”
“We strike,” I said simply. “We take control of their main
fortress–fast and hard. If we can corner Bear clan within two
days, they won’t have a choice but to give it up. Their alpha is
already our captive.”
There was no reaction from Simon, but he gave a single nod.
That was his way of agreeing.
Philip stepped closer. “You want us to capture the entire Bear
Clan base?”
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“Yes. Not destroy it. Occupy it,” I clarified, resting both hands on
the edge of the strategy table. “We strike fast, before they can
rally support from the northern clans. If we trap Jason and cut
off his ability to communicate, he’ll be forced to negotiate.””
Philip leaned in slightly. “So a targeted strike on their
temporary palace. And the main force holds the outer ring?”
“Exactly,” I said. “We’ll send in two waves. The first–our stealth
and tracking units–go in under cover of night, disable their
messengers and secure the inner circle. No blood if we can
avoid it. The second group surrounds the compound by
morning. Once they wake, they’ll see they’re surrounded. That’s
when we apply pressure.”
Simon rubbed his jaw. “And we hold formation until Jason
bends?”
“He will. Jason’s pride is everything. The moment he realizes
the only way out is to give us the Silvermoon Grass, he’ll cave.”
Simon gave a thoughtful nod. “If we control the flow of
information and movement, we can avoid dragging other clans
into it.”
Philip looked up at me. “And if they resist?”
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“Then we take the halls and lock them down. No one in, no one
out. No unnecessary casualties.” I glanced at both of them. “This
isn’t about starting a war. It’s about forcing Jason to give up all
his conditions and hand over the Silvermoon grass.”
Simon nodded again, slower this time. “It’s a solid plan. Coordinated. Minimal bloodshed if we execute it right.”
I let the silence hang for a moment, watching them absorb the
plan. And then, just as I expected, the question came–not from
them, but from the man who had been listening carefully
without saying much.
Xavier crossed his arms. “You’re still talking about a siege. A full–scale invasion of their royal seat, even if you call it strategic
occupation.”
“Yes,” I said.
“Do you realize what that will cost us?”
“I’ve thought it through,” I replied. “And I’m prepared.”
Xavier stepped closer to the table. “No, you haven’t. You’re
thinking like a mate, not a king. You’re looking at Violet and
your unborn child and deciding that nothing else matters. But
this war–it will crush both tribes. And the vampires will be
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watching.“”
“I don’t care if they are,” I snapped. “Let them. I won’t sit around
waiting for Jason to dictate terms to us.”
Xavier didn’t back off. “There has to be another way. Let me
talk to him. One last time. If he refuses, I won’t stop you.”
“He’s not going to talk,” I said. “And he sent Ava to hug me in front of Violet yesterday, on purpose. Trying to damage her
standing. My Luna. You still think this is about negotiation?”
Xavier’s jaw tensed. “I don’t think it is still the reason enough to
declare a capture on them.”
“It is I, who thinks, not you,” I said. “Jason’s trying to divide us
from within, make me look unfaithful, make her look unstable.
What more proof do you need that this man is not interested in
peace?”
Philip muttered something under his breath. Simon just stood
still, arms at his sides, observing.
Xavier held my gaze. “I don’t support Jason’s approach. But I
also know what full–scale war looks like. It won’t just be
soldiers who suffer. It’ll be children. Elders. Civilians.”
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“I’m not attacking civilians,” I said sharply. “You think I’m that
kind of king?”
“No,” he said. “I think you’re better than this. Which is why I
can’t support this path.”
There was a pause.
“Then don’t,” I said. “You don’t have to be involved.”
Xavier straightened slightly. “You’re excluding me?”
“You’re part bear, Xavier. And if your loyalty’s divided, I can’t
afford that right now!”
He blinked, just once. “So that’s what this is about.”
“You think I don’t notice how you hesitate every time the Bear
Clan is involved?” I said. “If you’re not with us on this, then stay
out of it.”
Xavier didn’t respond. He stepped away from the table. “Let me
speak to Jason. Once. If nothing comes of it, I’ll walk away”
I didn’t answer right away. Then I gave a slight nod.
“Fine. One chance.”
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Xavier’s POV
It had been years since I’d felt this kind of unrest in my chest.
The old version of me would have jumped at the chance to
fight. But after nearly ruining everything once, I knew better.
War wasn’t always a sign of strength.
I made my way to the outer edges of the palace where the Bear
Clan was staying. The guards were tighter than usual,
especially around the inner chambers. It didn’t surprise me.
Jason probably knew the wolf pack was done playing nice.
When I approached the main entrance, two of their warriors
blocked me.
“Jason’s not seeing anyone,” one of them said flatly.
“Tell him Xavier is here,” I said.
“Like I said, he isn’t seeing ‘anyone.””
I held up my hands. “Fine.”
They relaxed slightly, assuming I would turn away.
I didn’t.
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Instead, I slipped around the side of the courtyard and into a
shadowed corridor. A few servants walked past, and I kept my
head down, blending in with a group of palace workers until I
found a hallway that wasn’t being watched closely. The palace
design was thoroughly known to me, which gave me a slight
advantage.
I didn’t make it far before a blade touched the side of my neck.
“Don’t move.”
The voice was sharp, female.
I slowly turned my head just enough to see the source of the
voice. She stood taller than I expected, dressed in loose warrior
robes that flowed with the movement of her limbs. A long
dagger was pointed toward my throat, steady as stone.
Her dark auburn hair was pulled back neatly, not a strand out
of place, and her face was sharp, composed–calm in a way that
was almost unsettling.
But it was her eyes that froze me. Emerald green. Clear and
piercing. She looked at me like she already knew what kind of
man I was. Like she was reading every unspoken thought.
I should’ve spoken immediately, but for a second, I was caught
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off guard–because she was stunning. Not in a delicate, elegant
way. There was strength in her stance, the kind that couldn’t be
faked. Even her scent–it wasn’t perfume, but something natural
and warm. Sweet. Familiar. It pulled at something inside me.
I raised both hands. “I’m not here to fight.”
“Then why are you sneaking around the halls like a thief?” she
asked coldly.
“I came to speak with Jason.””
“He’s not taking visitors.”
“Clearly“”
Her blade didn’t waver.
“You planning to kill him?” she asked bluntly.
“No.”
“Then explain.”
“I just want to meet him once. That’s all.”
She tilted her head slightly, still staring me down, like she
wasn’t sure whether to believe me. I met her eyes and held the
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gaze. Honestly, after I looked into her eyes, there was nothing
else I wanted to look at.
Then, a shuffle of boots interrupted us. One of the bear guards
rounded the corner and paused when he spotted us.
“Princess Ava,” the guard called out, stepping forward with
concern. “Is everything alright?”
Princess?
I looked back at her. Ava. So this was Jason’s daughter.
She didn’t answer right away, then waved him off casually. “It’s
fine. I’ll handle it.”
The guard hesitated. “Are you sure-”
“I said I’ll handle it,” she repeated firmly. “My father will deal
with him later.”
The guard nodded slowly and walked off.
I stared at her again. This time, everything clicked into place.
Jason’s daughter. The one he was so eager to marry off to
Asher.
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Before I could ask her anything else, she grabbed my wrist
firmly to start walking.
The moment her skin touched mine, something shifted.
Like a spark.
Then I heard my wolf’s voice.
Mate.
