Chapter 0012

Theron was nearly feral, his growls vibrating through my skull. "I don't give a damn. I'll tear him apart! She belongs to us. I'll claim Evelyn even if I have to rip Dorian's throat out."

I barely kept him in check. The last thing Blackthorn Pack needed was a blood feud with Nightshade.

Forcing the shift, I took human form and sprinted toward the packhouse. Theron raged inside me, claws scraping at my control. "Theron!" I snapped, skidding to a halt. "We're not starting a war because you've decided she's ours. If she's truly our mate, the bond will draw her to us. But if we scare her—or worse, hurt her—she'll never forgive us."

That finally silenced him.

I grabbed shorts from one of the hidden stashes near the tree line and slipped in through the back entrance. The packhouse doors were always open—warriors trained at all hours, patrols cycled through for meals, and omegas worked around the chaos.

The kitchen light was on.

My mother stood there in my father's oversized shirt, her hair disheveled, assembling two sandwiches. I didn’t want to think about why.

"Hey, Mom." I grabbed a water bottle, hoping to escape fast.

"Adrian!" She beamed. "Good run?"

"Great," I lied. "Heading to bed."

"Wait—" She wiped her hands. "I forgot to tell you at the memorial. I invited Evelyn to your birthday party. I know we usually invite the whole pack, but you mentioned never meeting her. Your father strongly encouraged her attendance." Her smile turned sly. "And her father’s."

A plan ignited in my mind. Perfect.

"Thanks, Mom." I grinned. "I’ve been meaning to get to know everyone better. Dad’s lectures about pack unity finally stuck."

We said goodnight, and I took the stairs two at a time. Donovan was on the third-floor landing, saying goodbye to a redhead. As I passed, I mind-linked him. "Find me tomorrow. We need to talk."

He pulled back, frowning. "Everything okay, Alpha?"

"It will be."

The next morning, I cornered my father in his office. Confirmed: Evelyn trained with him every morning, even weekends. Her afternoons were reserved for private sessions with Gregory.

Then I tracked down my mother.

"I want the party set up near the training grounds," I said. "And make sure Evelyn’s seated at my table."

She lit up. "You think she’s your mate?"

"Maybe."

She clapped her hands. "Consider it done."

Finally, I met Donovan by the east gate. I laid out the plan—subtle but unmistakable. A statement to the pack.

He whistled. "You’re basically marking your territory. Everyone will know what it means."

I smirked. "Exactly."

"Then let’s make it happen." He punched my shoulder. "You know I’ve got your back."

I did. That’s why he was my Beta.