Chapter 23
Third Person POV
Tristan stepped into the cool night air, desperate to clear his head. The past two days had left him on edge, his temper threatening to boil over at the slightest provocation. The Moon Ring Council had always been tedious, but this year felt unbearable.
Movement on the path ahead snapped him from his brooding. A blur of blue fabric, the sound of rapid footsteps. Someone was running toward him.
The scent hit him before he could make out her features violets and midnight air. Lysandra.
–
Lysandra turned forward too late, slamming directly into Tristan’s chest. His hands instinctively steadied her shoulders.
He shifted his gaze beyond her to the approaching men, their intentions clear in their hungry eyes. Three Rogues, unaffiliated with any pack, closing in on their prey.
“Hey, buddy,” the tallest one called out, still gripping Lysandra. “She’s our prey. Find your own.”
“Your prey?” Tristan asked, his voice deceptively calm.
The man smirked, looking Tristan up and down. “She’s just playing innocent. Bet she’s wandering alone looking for some rich Alpha to fuck. We’re not what she wants, so she’s acting all resistant. But we’ve got other things to give her, you know?”
The words ignited something primal in Tristan. A growl built in his chest, erupting into a full Alpha roar that shook the very air around them. The Rogues flinched, their bodies automatically responding to the dominance display, heads lowering instinctively.
Lysandra’s eyes widened, her body fighting against the mental pressure of his Alpha voice. For a moment, her defiant gaze met his, and he could see her struggling to remain standing.
“Did they touch you?” Tristan demanded, his Alpha voice still resonating.
–
Lysandra said nothing, shock apparent in her expression. Something flickered in her eyes an internal struggle he couldn’t quite read.
“I asked if they touched you,” he growled, stepping closer.
Her body trembled slightly under the weight of his command. She finally answered, her eyes glistening. “Yes.”
Tristan’s jaw clenched. “Where?”
Lysandra stared at him, suspicion clear in her gaze. “Why do you care-
He turned to her fully, the edges of his eyes bleeding red. “Where?”
1/4
Chapter 23
She swallowed hard. “My wrist and arm. I can handle it. It’s nothing.”
One of the Rogues snickered, breaking the tension. “Oh, look at the Alpha hero. Don’t waste our time. If you want her too, we can share the pretty bitch together.”
Something snapped in Tristan. In one fluid motion, he lunged forward, gripping the Rogue’s arm and twisting until the crack of breaking bone echoed through the night. The man’s scream died in his throat as Tristan’s hand closed
around his neck.
The other two Rogues rushed him. Tristan dropped the first one, turning to face the new threat. His movements were calculated, brutal efficiency in every strike. One grabbed a knife, slashing wildly, but Tristan caught his wrist mid–swing, crushing it with barely a thought.
Lysandra stood frozen, watching the violence unfold with wide eyes. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Tristan registered that she hadn’t run away.
The Blood Gaze – that rare manifestation of Alpha rage – activated fully now, his eyes glowing with terrifying red light. Partial claws emerged from his fingertips, piercing through the second Rogue’s jaw as Tristan lifted him by the face.
The third Rogue trembled, backing away. “W–who the fuck are you?”
Tristan’s voice dropped to a deadly whisper. “I’m the Alpha of Silverblood Pack. Your death.”
The man turned and fled, disappearing into the darkness. Tristan returned his attention to the two who remained. Their struggles weakened as he methodically ended their lives, snapping their necks with clinical precision.
When it was done, he sneered down at the bodies, annoyed that one had escaped. His gaze tracked the direction of the fleeing Rogue, but he couldn’t leave Lysandra alone. He turned to find her staring at the dead men, her face
pale.
Quickly, Tristan pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiping blood from his hands and shirt. He moved to Lysandra, gently taking her arm to examine the injury. His fingers brushed against her skin, sending an unexpected jolt through both of them.
“Are you hurt anywhere else?” His voice came out softer than intended.
When she didn’t answer, he tore a clean strip from the bottom of his shirt and carefully wrapped it around her
wrist. Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms, holding her close.
His touch feels safe, Astrid whispered in Lysandra’s mind.
–
The scent of her hair – violets and midnight air filled his senses. Something inside him clicked into place, the mate bond humming between them. His blood boiled at the thought of those filthy Rogues touching her, his Alpha instincts screaming to protect what was his.
“Are you okay?” he asked quietly.
Lysandra stood stiff in his embrace for several heartbeats before suddenly pushing him away. She straightened her dress and turned toward the hotel, walking away with determined steps.
2/4
51%
Chapter 23
“Stay away from me,” she said, her voice steady despite everything. “You saved me, and I’m grateful. But that’s it.”
But he’s our Alpha! Astrid protested. He’s protecting us!
He never protected us, Lysandra argued.
Tristan followed, keeping a few paces behind. “Why are you so stubborn? Only I can protect you. Don’t you understand?”
She ignored him, continuing forward, her fingers unconsciously touching the makeshift bandage on her wrist.
“Lysandra! Listen to me!” he called.
FU
She fought the internal battle between her own resolve and Astrid’s yearning for his touch. Memories of every insult, every cold glance, every moment of indifference during their marriage remained razor–sharp in her mind.
The day she’d left Silverblood Pack, Tristan had made it crystal clear he would never accept children born from a “defective specimen.” How was today any different? He’d saved her from Rogues, yes, but he’d been the source of her deepest wounds.
What did he want from her now?
く
A car pulled up alongside Lysandra, interrupting Tristan’s thoughts. The window rolled down to reveal Kieran’s concerned face. Lysandra glanced back at Tristan once before opening the passenger door and sliding inside.
Kieran spotted Tristan standing on the sidewalk but said nothing as he started the engine. Through the side mirror, Lysandra caught a final glimpse of Tristan, standing motionless in the middle of the path, watching them drive away.
“Why are you out here at this hour?” Kieran asked, concern evident in his voice.
“Let’s just go back to the hotel,” Lysandra replied, her voice calm but her eyes betraying exhaustion.
Kieran glanced at her bandaged wrist as he drove. “You were with Tristan again?”
“He happened to save me from some Rogues,” she explained briefly. “I could have handled it myself, but he got there first.”
Kieran’s expression darkened. “I saw two men lying on the path. He killed them?”
“Yes,” Lysandra answered, her voice eerily calm. “He killed two Rogues. The third ran away.”
“Are you alright?”
Lysandra felt Astrid stirring restlessly inside her. “I’m fine.”
After a moment of silence, she leaned back against the seat. “Thank you, Kieran.”
He frowned. “For what?”
3/4
Chapter 23
Lysandra closed her eyes. “For showing up when I needed you today. I saw your social media post.”
“Protecting you is my duty and my honor,” Kieran said seriously. “But you should avoid Alpha Tristan at all costs. We can’t have a repeat of what happened five years ago.”
Lysandra thought of the twins and nodded. “I know.”
Chapter Comments
1
