Chapter 10 - Astraia

The wolfsbane cider's pleasant haze evaporated instantly at that voice. Even Odette stopped humming, her violet eyes suddenly sharp despite her intoxication. Through the glow of our ridiculous fairy lights, I watched Carson's expression darken, his Alpha power surging protectively around our group.

Grant stepped out of the shadows, his cold blue eyes taking in the scene with calculated amusement. He looked exactly as I remembered – classically handsome, perfectly polished, and completely cold.

"Isn't it a bit early for tomorrow's meeting?" he asked, his voice carrying that familiar edge of mockery. "Though I suppose some of us are more... prepared than others." His gaze swept over our green outfits and fairy lights with obvious disdain.

Carson moved slightly, positioning himself between our group and Grant. The air crackled with tension as two Alpha energies collided.

"I wasn't aware Rivermoon Pack had any business in this territory," Carson's voice was deceptively calm, but I could feel the power rolling off him in waves. "Especially at midnight."

"Neutral territory," Grant's smile didn't reach his eyes. "That's the beauty of university grounds, isn't it? Anyone can visit. Even rejected mates."

I felt Carson's Alpha power spike at those words, but Grant was right, this was neutral ground. No Alpha, not even Carson, could force another wolf to leave without proper cause.

"Though I must say," Grant continued, his cold blue eyes taking in our little group, "I'm surprised to find High Crest's Alpha doing midnight store runs. Unless..." his gaze shifted between Carson and me, "this is some sort of unofficial meeting? Trying to get ahead of tomorrow's agenda perhaps?"

The implication in his tone made my wolf guarded. Even through the cider haze, I could sense his attempt to create trouble, to make this innocent encounter seem like something more political.

"High Crest Pack maintains regular patrols in this area," Carson's voice remained controlled, but his meaning was clear. Even on neutral ground, this was his territory to protect. "For student safety."

"How... convenient," Grant's eyes flickered to the fairy lights around my neck. "Though it seems some students need more protection than others." He stepped forward, reaching for my arm. "Astraia, we need to talk."

I backed away instinctively, my wolf bristling. "No. There's nothing to discuss."

"Don't be difficult," his voice carried that familiar edge of command. "As your Alpha—"

"She's under High Crest protection, and she said no" Carson's growl cut through the air, his Alpha power surging protectively around our group.

Grant's eyes narrowed as he took another step forward. "Last I checked, she's still technically under Rivermoon jurisdiction until the transfer is complete. And as her former—"

"Former being the operative word," Odette cut in, her royal blood allowing her to intervene where others couldn't. "And as a member of the Royal Council, I should remind you that any interference with a pack transfer, especially one already approved by High Crest, could be seen as a direct challenge to pack authority."

Her violet eyes, despite the wolfsbane cider, held every bit of her royal authority. Several students hanging around had stopped to watch the confrontation, drawn by the clash of Alpha energies.

"Just ensuring my pack's interests are protected," Grant's gaze fixed on me again. "After all, Astraia knows all our pack secrets. Don't you, love?"

He reached out as if to touch my arm again, but Carson moved faster than I'd ever seen an Alpha move, especially in neutral territory. Suddenly he was between us, his presence a wall of protective power.

"Touch her," Carson's voice dropped to a dangerous rumble, "and neutral territory won't matter."

Grant's eyes flashed with challenge as he moved forward anyway, grabbing my wrist. "I need to talk to my mate—"

"I am not your mate," I tried to pull away from his grip. "Let go."

Odette and Lila moved to help, but Carson was faster. In one fluid motion, he removed Grant's hand from my wrist and positioned me behind him, his pine and storm scent wrapping around me protectively.

"She said let go," Carson's voice was deadly calm. "Leave now."

The air crackled with Alpha energy, making my wolf stir despite the cider's influence. Around us, students were backing away, sensing the building tension between two powerful Alphas.

"Don't make me remove you," Carson's warning carried the full weight of his Alpha power. "Neutral territory or not."

"Careful, Thorne," Grant's smile turned sharp. "That almost sounds like a challenge. Over a rejected mate, no less." His cold blue eyes found mine over Carson's shoulder. "Though I suppose some wolves don't mind taking... leftovers."

Odette gasped, her royal composure slipping. "How dare you—"

"You know," Lila cut in, her voice carrying that particular Briarthorn diplomatic tone even through her tipsy state, "the Royal Council takes a special interest in cases where Alphas abuse their former pack bonds. Especially when those bonds were properly severed."

Grant's jaw tightened. Even he knew better than to ignore that particular threat, especially with a Royal Pack witness present.

"Just looking out for pack interests," he said smoothly, though his scent betrayed his anger. "After all, we wouldn't want any... sensitive information falling into the wrong hands. Especially with tomorrow's meeting."

Carson's answering growl reverberated through the air, his Alpha power making the windows of the minimart tremble. "Choose your next words carefully. That sounded like a threat."

The combination of wolfsbane cider, clashing Alpha energies, and Grant's presence made my head spin. My wolf, already unsettled, began to pace anxiously as memories of another night, another confrontation, threatened to surface. The scar at the back of my neck seemed to burn.

Lila must have sensed my distress because her hand found mine, squeezing gently – a gesture we'd perfected years ago after the rogue attack. The touch helped ground me, pushing back the edge of panic.

I straightened, channeling every ounce of Beta training despite the slight sway in my stance. "Any official pack business can be addressed at tomorrow's meeting," I stated, proud of how steady my voice remained. "In front of the proper authorities. Unless you'd prefer to explain to the Council why you're harassing students on neutral territory at midnight?"

Grant's eyes narrowed at my composed response, but we both knew I had him. With Odette as a witness and Carson's obvious protection, he couldn't push further without risking serious political consequences.

"Of course," he replied smoothly, though his scent betrayed his frustration. "We'll discuss everything tomorrow. Though you might want to show up... sober." His gaze pointedly took in our fairy lights and green outfits.

Something in his tone, that hint of predatory amusement, made my wolf curl defensively. But I wasn't that helpless girl anymore, and I had something now I didn't have then – a circle of protection.

"Better drunk with fairy lights than lurking in shadows," Odette shot back, her royal authority cutting through any pretense of politeness. "The Council might find that behavior far more concerning."

Grant's jaw tightened, but he stepped back, offering a mock bow. "Until tomorrow then. Do try to keep better... company, love." His eyes flickered between Carson and me meaningfully before he melted back into the shadows.

The moment he disappeared, my knees nearly buckled. Lila's steady presence kept me upright while Carson's Alpha energy remained protectively wrapped around our group.

"Well," Freya broke the tense silence, adjusting her crooked fairy lights. "I think we definitely need those snacks now."

"And maybe something stronger than wolfsbane cider," Odette added, though her violet eyes remained serious as she watched the shadows where Grant had vanished.

Carson turned to face us, his golden eyes finding mine. "You shouldn't be out this late. Especially not—" he stopped, seeming to catch himself. "I'll escort you all home."

"How gallant," Odette giggled, the tension breaking slightly. "Our very own Alpha escort. Though I suppose that was your plan all along, patrolling this exact area at this exact—"

"Od," Lila interrupted, still keeping close to me. "Maybe we should actually get those snacks first? Since we're here?"

Carson's eyes hadn't left my face, probably noting how pale I'd gone despite my attempt to maintain composure. "Snacks only," he said firmly, his Alpha tone brooking no argument. "You've all had enough wolfsbane cider for one night."

"Spoilsport," Odette pouted, but her usual playfulness seemed forced, her violet eyes still scanning the shadows where Grant had disappeared.

The fluorescent lights of the minimart were almost painful after the darkness outside. As Freya and Odette debated the merits of different chip flavors, Lila stayed by my side, her presence grounding and familiar.

"You okay?" she whispered, low enough that only I could hear.

I nodded slightly, though we both knew it was a lie. Three years wasn't long enough to forget some things, but I refused to let Grant's presence shake me. Not anymore.

"Moon-blessed chips or regular?" Freya called from the snack aisle, trying to inject normalcy into the night.

"Both," Odette declared, already filling her basket. "And those honey-roasted nuts Carson likes—" she stopped abruptly, shooting a guilty look at her brother's best friend who was positioned near the door, his golden eyes constantly scanning the area outside.

I pretended not to notice how my wolf preened at learning this small detail about him, focusing instead on selecting some moonflower tea packets. My hands were steadier now, though the combination of fading wolfsbane cider and lingering adrenaline made everything feel slightly surreal.

"Done?" Carson asked after a few minutes, his deep voice carrying that Alpha edge of impatience.

"Almost!" Odette chirped, deliberately taking her time at the counter. "You know, since you're being such a responsible Alpha, maybe you should carry the bags—"

"Od," Lila warned, though her lips twitched slightly.

The walk back was... interesting. Carson insisted on taking point, his Alpha presence creating a protective bubble around our group. Odette, still slightly tipsy, kept humming what was definitely a mating ceremony song while shooting not-so-subtle looks between Carson and me. Freya and Lila flanked me, their casual chatter about tomorrow's classes almost making the night feel normal.

Almost.

~

Our apartment building came into view all too soon. The fairy lights around our necks created dancing shadows as we approached, making everything feel dreamlike – or maybe that was just the lingering effects of the wolfsbane cider.

"Well, this was fun!" Odette announced, far too cheerfully. "Nothing like a midnight snack run with a side of Alpha confrontation to build pack bonds!"

"Od," Carson growled, but there was a hint of fondness in his tone. Years of friendship with the royal family evident in that single syllable.

"Right, right," she grinned, grabbing Freya's arm. "Come on, let's get these snacks inside. Lila, you too – I need help organizing for tomorrow's... thing."

Lila hesitated, her eyes meeting mine in silent question. I nodded slightly – I was okay. The panic from earlier had subsided, replaced by a strange mix of exhaustion and heightened awareness of Carson's presence.

"Miss Briarthorn," Carson's voice was low once the others had disappeared inside, taking their fairy lights and chatter with them. "About tomorrow—"

"I know," I cut in, suddenly needing to prove I wasn't as affected by tonight as I probably appeared. "Six o'clock. Your office. Non-negotiable."

His golden eyes studied me for a moment, something unreadable flickering in their depths. "That's not—" he stopped, his jaw tightening slightly. "Just... be punctual."

The dismissive tone shouldn't have stung, but my wolf whined softly anyway. "Of course, Alpha Thorne. Thank you for the escort."

"If he—" Carson paused, his professional mask slipping for just a moment. "If there are any issues before tomorrow's meeting, the pack patrol lines are always open."

"Thank you," I repeated softly, more genuine this time. My wolf preened slightly at his protective offer, even if it was probably just standard Alpha protocol.

He nodded once, that mask of indifference firmly back in place. "Goodnight, Miss Briarthorn... and take care."

As I watched him disappear into the shadows, his pine and storm scent lingering in the air, I couldn't help but wonder what tomorrow would bring.

✧ ✦ ✧

Author's Note:

Hi Moonlings! 🌙✨

Well... that midnight snack run certainly took a turn! Who knew fairy lights could attract so much Alpha attention? 

From Grant's surprise appearance to Carson's protective growls (just "standard Alpha protocol," right? 😉), this night had EVERYTHING!

Some burning questions:

~ What's Grant really up to?

~ Why is Carson so insistent about tomorrow's meeting?

~ Did anyone else catch how he knew exactly where to patrol? 🤔

Don't forget to:

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🐺 Comment with your theories - I read every single one!

Moon's blessings,

Odessa 🌙✨

P.S. Team "Just Standard Protocol" or Team "Definitely Protective"? Let me know in the comments!