The portal cracked open like a tear in the world.

  They stepped through directly into the Alpha's private wing — the north tower, where no one would see them.

  Where no rumors could spread like wildfire about the white wolf, or how the Alpha and Gamma had carried her like she was something precious.

  Finric shoved open the heavy door to the room across from his own — the one never used.

  He crossed the threshold and gently lowered Nova onto the wide bed. Her lips were still tinged blue. Her olive skin was now pale. She looked impossibly small against the dark velvet of the bed.

  Aeron moved beside them, already rummaging through vials and instruments with the sharp impatience of someone who did not have time for stupidity.

  The door to the private recovery room clicked open. Elias strode in, bag slung over his shoulder, eyes already dissecting the scene.

  "Her blood is not what you think—" Elias began.

  "They've already seen," Aeron cut in.

  "Good. Saves us the part where I insult your intelligence for not figuring it out sooner."

  He crouched beside Nova, checking her pulse with a scowl so sharp it could peel paint. Then he glanced up at Finric and Jax.

  "Old medical protocols say siblings are often viable donors."

  He paused.

  "Would Meredith pretend to care enough to help save Nova's life?"

  Jax didn't hesitate. "They're not related by blood."

  Finric's head turned — slow, precise — like a predator tracking movement.

  "You seem certain," he said quietly. "How?"

  "She told me," Jax lied flatly. He had overheard her telling Elle, but no one needed to know that part. That was the day Meredith laid her hands on her.

  Finric's jaw tightened. She had told Jax what he'd only suspected. And she hadn't told him.

  Aeron glanced between the two of them, brows lifted.

  "She didn't tell me," Elias muttered.

  "Well then," Aeron said, clapping his hands once, "that's one useless princess off the list."

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Fin ricocheted straight to the next question, voice steady but taut.

  "Will Alpha blood work?"

  Silence snapped through the room.

  Elias mindlinked Aeron, forgetting to make it private. Fin and Jax heard.

  Elias: Alpha blood, maybe. Blood of a mate, yes. Fated or a matemarked chosen.

  Aeron snorted.

  Aeron: Neither of these two geniuses want her. I thought for sure she was fated to one of them. But I guess not.

  Elias: If she had a mate in this pack, he'd have shown by now. He's not here.

  Elias cleared his throat and answered aloud.

  "Yes," he said. "Alpha blood has a higher regeneration compound. With how much she's lost and how her cells are reacting, it might be our best shot."

  "I'll do it," Finric said.

  Jax looked up sharply, but said nothing. Out of the two of them, Alpha blood was better.

  Elas nodded. "Then let's begin. Please sit and we'll get a vial."

  He mindlinked Aeron, again not private and everyone could hear. Aeron was too distracted to notice.

  Elias: She is arguably the most beautiful woman in Varos. Why would they not want her as a chosen?

  Aeron: Oh... I am well aware. It's causing issues in our pack. And there's no doubt Princess Meredith resents her.

  Elias: Finric must really like Meredith. I guess physically there's nothing wrong with her ... she's a fine girl.

  Aeron: You sound like you're trying to sell me a horse with a limp.

  Jax coughed, hiding a laugh, shoulders shaking.

  Fin shot him a murderous glare—one that promised pain—but even he was struggling not to crack a smile.

  Elias: There's no way she's not fated to an Alpha. Or at least a Gamma or Beta. Her mate is in another pack, hopefully one with fewer sticks up their collective ass.

  Aeron flicked a glance toward the doorway. His voice was dry as winter air in their mindlink.

  Aeron: The only ones who aren't 'accepting' are Meredith the Horse and the fossil brigade she gossips to.

  Elias: There are only a handful of packs with heirs. Redmoon's Alpha line, Bloodmoon's as well.

  Something in Fin's chest clenched, but he said nothing.

  Aeron: Bloodmoon would execute her the first time she glowed in the dark. Redmoon is the winner.

  Elias: They have abilities there, don't they? We should mention Redmoon to Finric.

  Aeron: Yes. The Redmoon Prince is a cocky bastard. That man struts like he patented war, seduction, and oxygen. Their mage Hyran is the only reason I haven't prayed for a convenient meteor.

  Elias: The elders are going to riot the second they realize what she has abilities and can shift.

  Aeron's tone shifted — quieter, grudging.

  Aeron: If the council forces her out, I'll back you. Hyran would keep her safe. Redmoon it is.

  Across the room, Jax's hands curled into fists. Fin's jaw ticked.

  Neither could tolerate the suggestion for even a breath. There would be no way in hell she was going anywhere.

  But neither spoke.

  Fin's wolf Xeon answered his thoughts.

  Xeon: Her wolf is mine. She is meant for you. Claim her now and mark her.

  Jax's body was tense. He wanted to claim her the day he carried her in here. Why didn't he?

  He wasn't going to wait for anymore things to happen to her.

  His wolf Talon spoke into his mind, only confirming what he was thinking.

  Talon: Mate. Claim her. We aren't going to wait any longer.