06

Rylan

The tension in the room was suffocating, like a thick fog I couldn’t escape. I paced back and forth, my boots scuffing against the wooden floor. Every time I tried to sit down and think clearly, my wolf, Rue, stirred restlessly within me, urging me to act.

A death sentence.

The words rang in my head like a death knell, louder and louder with every passing second. Valeria was facing execution for something I was certain she didn’t do, and I couldn’t sit here and let it happen. I couldn’t just watch her be torn from this world while the real culprit likely walked free.

I clenched my fists, trying to contain my rising fury. Rue’s voice growled in my mind, sharp and insistent.

“Enough pacing, Rylan. You know what we have to do.”

“And what’s that? Start a war?” I muttered under my breath. “You want me to challenge the entire council and get myself killed in the process?”

Rue’s growl rumbled low, sending a shiver down my spine. “If it means saving her, yes.”

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. My wolf wasn’t wrong. Doing nothing wasn’t an option. But what I wanted to do and what I could do felt worlds apart.

Finally, I stopped pacing and grabbed my jacket. If there was anyone who could be reasoned with, it had to be the Beta. I wasn’t his biggest fan, but I couldn’t deny that he was loyal to the pack. He had to see reason.

The Beta, Jeric, was in his office when I stormed in. His gaze lifted from a stack of papers, his expression unreadable. “Alpha Rylan,” he said smoothly, though there was a flicker of irritation in his eyes. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“This death sentence,” I began, my voice taut with barely restrained anger. “It’s wrong, Jeric. You know it is.”

Jeric sighed, leaning back in his chair. “It’s not about right or wrong, Rylan. It’s about ensuring the stability of this pack. The Alpha King and his family are dead. That kind of loss shakes the very foundation of our hierarchy. Someone has to answer for it.”

“You think killing Valeria will fix that?” I snapped, stepping closer. “You think executing her will magically bring peace? She’s innocent, Jeric. You can’t seriously believe she did this.”

Jeric’s expression darkened. “Innocence doesn’t matter when the pack’s future is at stake. The council has already decided, Rylan. And as Alpha of the Blackridge Pack, you should understand the gravity of the situation.”

I felt Rue bristle inside me, a growl rising in my throat. “Don’t lecture me about responsibility. I know what’s at stake, but condemning the wrong person isn’t justice—it’s cowardice.”

Jeric stood, his gaze hard and unyielding. “This conversation is over, Alpha. If you have nothing else to say, I suggest you leave.”

The urge to lash out, to knock some sense into him, was almost overwhelming. But I forced myself to turn and leave before I did something I’d regret. As I stepped out into the hallway, Rue’s voice growled in my mind again, this time more insistent.

“You heard him. They won’t listen. We have to do this our way.”

“You’re suggesting we break her out,” I muttered, more to myself than to Rue.

“Yes.”

“That’s insane.”

“So is letting her die.”

I stopped walking, running a hand through my hair. Rue was right, damn him. There was no way the council or the Beta were going to change their minds, and time was running out. If Valeria was going to live, I’d have to take matters into my own hands.

Back at the packhouse, I pulled Aiden aside first. He was in the common room, his expression as tense and grim as I felt. The second I mentioned my plan, his eyes widened, then narrowed with determination.

“I’m in,” he said without hesitation.

“You don’t even need time to think about it?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Aiden gave me a small, humorless smile. “What’s there to think about? Valeria doesn’t deserve this. If breaking her out is the only way to save her, then that’s what we’ll do.”

I nodded, relief flooding through me. But the next part of the plan was going to be harder.

Kade was in his quarters when I found him, sitting by the window with a far-off look in his eyes. He didn’t even turn when I entered, but I could feel the tension radiating off him.

“Kade,” I started, leaning against the doorframe. “We need to talk.”

He glanced at me, his expression guarded. “What now?”

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Aiden and I are planning to break Valeria out.”

Kade’s eyes widened, but his reaction wasn’t the one I’d hoped for. Instead of agreement, there was a flicker of doubt.

“You’re serious,” he said after a moment, his tone flat.

“Deadly.”

He stood, crossing his arms over his chest. “You’re asking me to go against the council. Against the Beta. Do you have any idea what kind of repercussions that will have?”

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my frustration in check. “Do you think I care about repercussions right now? Valeria’s life is on the line, Kade. She’s our mate.”

“And what if she’s guilty?” he shot back, his voice rising. “What if we’re risking everything for someone who—”

“She’s not guilty,” I interrupted, my voice sharp. “I know she’s not. Aiden knows it. Hell, even you know it. You’re just too damn scared to admit it.”

Kade’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he was going to refuse outright. But then he sighed, running a hand through his hair. “This is insane.”

“Yeah,” I said, stepping closer. “But it’s the only way.”

He hesitated for a long moment before finally nodding, though his expression was still wary. “Fine. I’m in. But if this goes south, we’re all going down together.”

That night, we met in the shadows outside the pack’s prison. The guards were stationed at the entrance, their presence a constant reminder of what we were risking.

“We need to be quick,” Aiden whispered, his eyes scanning the area. “In and out before anyone notices.”

Kade nodded, his expression still tense. “Let’s just get this over with.”

As we moved into position, Rue growled in approval, his excitement mingling with my own nerves. This was it. If we failed, there’d be no turning back. But if we succeeded…

I pushed the thought aside. Failure wasn’t an option. Valeria’s life depended on us. And I wasn’t going to let her down.