CHAPTER 12

My heart pounded between my ribs, as I strode outside the council chamber, replaying the elders' whispers in my head. “Darius would never forgive us if he knew the truth about the attack.”

Which truth? And why was he not being told about it?

I leaned against the chilly stone wall and wished my heart had slowed down. Whatever they had to conceal, it wasn't good. But a part of me was hesitant to take action. I can't casually interrupt a man like Darius, especially if it is half-baked suspicions.

I straightened as the door flung open. Darius came out with a sad yet composed look. His unfathomable, dark gaze fell upon me.

"Maya," he uttered in a deep, authoritative voice. "Why are you still here?"

"I could pose the same question to you," I joked while crossing my arms.

He twitched his lips but did not smile. Instead, he moved closer, shadowing me with his massive body. Though his words lacked genuine anger, he said, "Don't play games with me right now."

"I'm not," I shot back, looking him in the eye. "I simply thought that you might need… support."

Darius raised an eyebrow, a glimmer of laughter piercing the storm cloud in his eyes. “Support?"

With no intention of giving in, I replied, "Yes. Even Alpha men need someone in their corner.”

He merely stared at me, his eyes probing for a time. Then, much to my astonishment, he chuckled. "You are amazing."

I remarked calmly, "I get that a lot," though the tension between us was anything but.

Something heavy rapidly replaced his amusement. He mumbled, raking a hand through his dark hair, "I don't have time for this. The southern border is under attack. Rogues. It is worse that we thought.”

“Then let me help you.” I said right away.

Darius stopped, his hand motionless. "No."

"No?"

"You're staying here." He said firmly. “This is not your fight."

With my frustration rising to the surface, I took a step closer. “If it’s not my fight, then whose is it? I’m part of this pack now, whether you like it or not.”

"I'm not going to put you in the middle of a battlefield because of that," he said sharply.

I didn't back down and kept looking into his eyes. "I can look after myself."

His imposing presence made my breath catch as he drew closer to me. "You don't know what you're asking for," he murmured, growling low.

"Then explain to me," I argued, my voice quivering.

With his mouth clenched, Darius gazed at me. I briefly believed that he might let me in. Then he stepped back and shook his head. "Maya, not now."

"Why not?" I moved forward and made a demand.

He blurted out, "Because I can't afford to lose you," before he could stop himself.

His confession slammed into me, shifting the atmosphere between us. A peculiar mixture of vulnerability and rage twisted inside me, making my chest constrict.

My voice shaking with emotion, I murmured, "You don't get to decide what I'm worth."

His voice rising, he shouted, "And you don't get to put yourself in danger just to prove a point."

The sound of hasty footsteps cut through our disagreement. His face was white as one of his guards showed up. "Alpha," he said, panting. Things are getting worse at the border. We have to go now.”

With a hardened gaze, Darius nodded. He gave me a fleeting glance, his eyes unreadable. There was no room for argument in his tone as he said, "Stay here."

I wanted to attack him and tell him to let me assist. However, the expression in his eyes halted me. Something unspoken and raw, something I could not comprehend fully.

I caught hold of his wrist as he turned to walk away. He turned back to face me and froze.

Be careful." I murmured silently.

There was a slight softening of his expression. “Always."

With his guards, he withdrew and vanished down the hallway. My heart was heavy with a mix of anxiety and frustration as I watched him leave.

Once he was out of sight, my determination solidified. I refused to stand by and watch as secrets were tossed around me.

I walked silently over the stone floor toward the elders' chambers. I would find out what they were hiding from Darius if they were.

Upon arriving at their chamber, I strained to hear the muffled noises within by pressing my ear against the door.

With a quiet voice, one declared, "This attack is a test. The others will only become more confident if the rogues are successful."

"But if Darius discovers we hid information—"

"He won't," said the first voice. "We'll handle the fallout when it occurs. Our attention must be on containment for the time being.”

I felt a knot in my stomach. Darius was unaware the border strike was a perverse test.

The creaking of the door opened before I could process what I had heard. I staggered back as one of the elders emerged, my heart pounding.

When he noticed me, his eyes narrowed, and he froze. "Why have you come here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," I responded, attempting to sound assured despite my heart palpitations.

His countenance flickered with distrust as his eyes darkened. "You have no place here, girl. Return to your chamber.”

I stayed put. "What are you hiding?"

The older man approached, his presence threatening. "You don't know what you are talking about," he remarked icily. “And if you value your place here, you’ll stay out of matters that don’t concern you.”

He walked right by me and disappeared down the hallway before I could reply. I stood there with my thoughts racing.

There was more to it than a rogue attack, whatever it was. The elders were untrustworthy if they were willing to keep the truth from Darius.

I need to warn him. However, I wondered if I would get the chance n time because he had already headed to the border.