Asher’s POV
The room hadn’t moved, but I felt like something inside me had
snapped. Jason’s voice still echoed in my head.
“I want you to marry Ava.”
It wasn’t just disrespect. It was audacity masked as diplomacy.
My wolf growled low in my chest, the sound buried under the
surface, but there. I wasn’t sure if Jason could feel it–but he
should have.
He stood casually, his tone smooth, his stance relaxed. Like he
hadn’t just crossed a line I didn’t even know I had.
“You’ll need time,” Jason added, as if he was doing me a favor.
“This is a delicate matter. Speak with your committee. Consider
what’s best for your pack.”
He said it like the answer was obvious.
My jaw locked. I didn’t respond–not with words. There was no
way I would give him that satisfaction. No anger, no refusal. I
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just stared at him, long enough for the room to go quiet again.
Then I tilted my head ever so slightly and triggered the Mind-
link.
“Philip. Lock the gates. Nobody leaves until I say so.”
There was a pause on the other end. “Understood.”
Jason didn’t miss the shift. His gaze snapped to me, then to
Philip, and back again. His shoulders tensed slightly. Ava did so.
Instinctively, she stepped in front of him–not dramatic, just
enough to block his path with her body.
“What’s this?” Jason asked, tone still light, but sharper now.
“Should I see this as a threat?”
I smiled, just a little. “Of course not. I insist you stay, that’s all. As guests. You’ve traveled far, and whether we agree or not, you’re welcome in our palace for a few more days. Take your time. Explore.”
He didn’t buy a word of it. But he couldn’t object without looking unreasonable in front of his own people.
“We’ll arrange for the best quarters in the east wing. You and your warriors can rest comfortably during your stay.” Violet
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said.
Jason hesitated. For a second, I thought he might push back,
insist on leaving now.
But then he nodded slowly. “Appreciated.”
His warriors shifted, the energy easing slightly. Jason’s
expression said everything–he knew this was far from over.
Soon after, Violet took them and left the hall. Once they left the
hall, the rest of the room finally began to breathe again.
I didn’t speak. Not to anyone. I just stood still, mind racing.
They had what we needed. And they knew it. Jason had turned
that advantage into leverage faster than I expected. That wasn’t
just strategy. That was planning. Preparation.
I was already thinking of our next move when a commotion
erupted near the corridor.
Then I heard it.
“Alpha!”
I turned instantly, heart slamming against my chest. Olivia’s
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voice. Urgent.
“Luna–she collapsed!”
I didn’t stop to ask anything. I was already running.
By the time I reached our chambers, Violet was unconscious.
Her face was pale, her breathing shallow.
“Get the doctor,” I said, sharper than I intended.
“Already. We will urge it.” Julia and Jayden left quickly. I sat
beside Violet, gently easing her back, brushing the hair from
her face. Her skin was cool to the touch.
“Violet. It’s me. Open your eyes.”‘
Nothing.
The doctor arrived minutes later with a vial of concentrated
magical blood–one prepared by Charlotte’s spellcasters, sourced
from Violet’s family.
As he began the process, I stayed by her side, fingers entwined
with hers.
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Slowly, her breathing leveled. A minute later, her eyelids
fluttered, and she stirred.
“Asher?” Her voice was hoarse.
“I’m here.”
She blinked slowly, confused, then looked around the room.
“What happened?”
“You fainted,” I said quietly.
She winced as she tried to sit. “The stress must’ve-” Then her
eyes met mine again, serious this time. “You didn’t let them
leave. What are you planning to do?”
“You should focus on yourself right now!”
“Answer my question,” Violet insisted.
“Oh that! It’s just some hospitality.“”
Her brow furrowed. “Asher”
“They’re not going anywhere until I get answers,” I said. “I know
it might upset them, but I don’t care. Jason turned this into a
power play. I’m not letting him walk away like that.”
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She closed her eyes for a second. “I just don’t want this to spiral.
The curse. everything else. We can’t afford a war!”
I reached for her hand again. “I’m not looking for war. But I
won’t let them think we’re desperate either. We’ve lived
without Silvermoon Grass for years. If I have to make them
sweat for a few more days, I will.”
She didn’t argue. But the worry stayed on her face.
“Don’t worry, Violet. I’ll do whatever it takes to get the
Silvermoon Grass,” I said as she nodded faintly. Then, I helped
her lie back against the pillows and gently urged her to rest.
An hour later, Xavier sent word that he needed to speak with
- me.
I found him leaning on one of the balcony rails in the west
garden, a glass of wine in his hand, watching the moonlit
courtyard.
“You missed the show,” I said.
“I heard,” he replied without turning. “Everything.”
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I stepped beside him, folding my arms. “Then you know why
the bear clan isn’t leaving.”
“You really think Jason came here only to offer help?” He
finally looked at me, brow furrowed.
I stayed silent.
Xavier finished his drink in one go. “You don’t bring your heir,
your best warriors, and your prized medicinal resource unless
you want something more than an alliance.”
“I know,” I said. “The marriage suggestion was the start of it.”
He nodded. “You’re lucky that didn’t turn into a full–blown
fight tonight.”
“I had it under control.”
“You sure?” he asked. “Because Jason’s pushing every boundary
he can. He wanted to see how far you’d go to protect your Luna.
And how much you’d bend for the grass.”
I didn’t answer that. Because Xavier was right.
He leaned in slightly. “What if this isn’t just about peace? What
if Jason’s trying to gain influence over the wolf packs? Control
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you politically–through Ava, through the child he’s hoping
she’ll give you?”
I looked at him then, my stomach tightening.
Xavier’s expression darkened. “There could be something else
going on here. Something bigger. And I don’t think we’ve seen it yet.”
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