Chapter 57: A warning

Dorian remained silent for so long that Anthony began to think he wouldn’t answer at all. When he finally spoke, his voice was raw, laced with a tight, dangerous tension.

"I don’t know," he admitted. "Maybe I’m over-thinking it. But there was something Gaten said."

Anthony frowned. "What are you talking about? What did Gaten say?"

"The day the soulless rogues slaughtered those campers," Dorian murmured, his gaze drifting to the frost-rimed window. "He noted that those beasts had been silent for a long time. Yet they suddenly resurfaced the moment I found Alyssa."

"That was just purely coincidence," Anthony insisted, shaking his head. "Gaten probably doesn’t know what he’s saying."

"Except he does, Anthony. Think. Who was the only force capable of controlling the soulless rogues?"

Anthony lowered his eyes, his posture stiffening. He despised the direction this conversation was heading. "The Onyx King controlled them. But he is dead. You killed him yourself, Dorian. You wiped out every last trace of their bloodline."

"And what if I missed one?" Dorian turned fully, his golden eyes locking onto Anthony’s. "What if one survived and sired a child? The Onyx are the only creatures in recorded history with hair like blood. It is their signature. And Alyssa carries that exact crimson streak."

"You are chasing shadows," Anthony muttered, his tone desperate as he tried to cut the theory short. "I shouldn’t have asked you that question. I really don’t think Alyssa is one of those cursed creatures. Have you asked her about her past?"

"She doesn’t remember," Dorian said flatly. "She remembers her father remarrying when she was eight, but her life before then–and several years after–is a complete void. It’s as if her memories were erased or suppressed."

Anthony let out a slow breath, rubbing his temples. He stepped closer, placing a firm hand on Dorian’s shoulder. "Alyssa is not an Onyx, Dorian. She’s kind and sweet. Don’t let past nightmares ruin what you have found with her."

"And if she truly is an Onyx?" Dorian pressed, staring right at him. "What then?"

Anthony’s expression hardened into stone. He, too, didn’t have an answer, even though he hadn’t forgotten what those monsters did; how they slaughtered every last member of his family.

In the silence that reigned between them, Dorian could almost hear the distant, echoing screams of terror as those bloodthirsty monsters tore the Lycans apart.

With a furious growl, he slammed the memory back into the dark depths of his mind.

"Enough of this," he muttered, turning on his heel. "Keep this conversation between us, Anthony."

He threw the Conclave door open and stepped out, slamming it hard behind him. As he headed down the hallway toward the study, he paused by the threshold of the living room.

On the sofa, Alyssa and Pandora were curled up beside each other, a movie playing softly in the background.

His gaze softened instantly as his eyes found Alyssa. She had changed into a t-shirt and tight jeans that hugged the soft, enticing curves of her body, making a primal hum of possessiveness reverberate in his chest.

Looking at her now, his theory felt absurd. Someone this pure, this sweet, could never carry the cursed blood of the Onyx. Fate would not be so cruel to him, not after he had spent three agonizing years searching for her.

As if sensing his presence, Alyssa looked up. Her striking blue eyes instantly brightened, and a soft, beautiful smile bloomed across her face.

"Dorian, you’re here," she murmured, gracefully slipping off the sofa and walking toward him.

​Pandora tilted her head back, letting out a dramatic sigh. "About time you came out. Uncle Conri is on the verge of burning this mansion down with his impatience."

Ignoring his sister, Dorian wrapped his arms securely around Alyssa’s waist. He pulled her flush against his chest and kissed her, a deep, lingering caress that made her cheeks flush with the sweet memory of their earlier intimacy.

"Are you ready to meet Conri?" he asked softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her cheek. "I want to introduce you formally. But it’s okay if you don’t want to."

"No, I want to meet him," Alyssa said, nodding firmly. She squared her shoulders. "I owe him that respect as the oldest member of the family, even though he terrifies me."

A swell of pride warmed Dorian’s chest. In just a few short weeks, the timid, frightened girl he had rescued had grown into a woman of quiet, formidable strength.

Taking her hand, he led her up the stairs toward the study.

Alyssa’s pulse quickened as they approached the study door. Despite her brave words to Dorian, a cold sweat broke out across her palms. She clutched his hand tighter, dreading her introduction to the old patriarch of the Northern lineage.

Dorian pushed the doors open. Slipping his hand from hers, he settled his palm firmly against her lower back, gently guiding her into the room before closing the door behind them.

Conri was practically vibrating with rage. His face was twisted into a dark scowl, his lips pressed into a thin, bitter line. Beside him, Bethany fumed, her sharp eyes instantly locking onto Alyssa with pure venom.

"Have you completely lost your mind, Dorian?" Conri snarled, slamming his cane against the floor as he stood. "Keeping me waiting for hours like some servant? The utter disrespect!"

"You brought this on yourself, Uncle," Dorian said coldly, bypassing him to lead Alyssa toward the massive leather chair behind his desk. "Your arrival was unannounced. You cannot expect me to halt the critical duties of the North simply because you decided to grace us with your presence."

He helped Alyssa into the seat, ensuring she was comfortable, before turning his freezing gaze back to the older Lycan. "Next time, send word of your arrival. Do not barge into my home unannounced."

Conri’s jaw clenched, but he slowly lowered himself back into his chair, resting both hands heavily on the gold wolf-head of his cane.

"So," he murmured, his eyes narrowing as they swept over Alyssa. "This is the girl."

"Uncle Conri, Bethany," Dorian announced, his voice ringing with absolute authority. "Meet Alyssa. My wife, and the Luna Queen of the North."

Alyssa sat up straighter, keeping her spine rigid under the weight of their scrutiny.

When the silence stretched to a breaking point, Conri cleared his throat, his tone dripping with condescension.

"What pack is she from?" he asked, speaking as if Alyssa wasn’t sitting right there. "Is she of a prominent, noble line? Your ancestors built this empire by mating with powerful bloodlines to ensure the strength of our successors, and your mother was the daughter of a legendary Alpha..."

"I am not my ancestors, Uncle," Dorian interrupted, his voice flat and dangerous. "And I certainly am not my mother. My decisions are my own, and they are not up for debate."

"We only wish to know if she is respectable," Bethany chimed in, her eyes lingering on Alyssa’s hair. "And if she possesses the strength to lead. That strange hair she carries speaks of anomalies."

"Alyssa’s lineage is none of your concern," Dorian snapped, his shadow shifting behind him. "What she is, and where she comes from, does not require your approval."

"She is wolfless, isn’t she?" Conri sneered, leaning forward. "That is why you hide her like a shameful secret. You have married a fragile, wolfless pet, blatantly spitting on the sacred customs of the Northern territory."

"WATCH YOUR TONGUE, CONRI!" Dorian roared, causing Alyssa to flinch. The terrifying frequency of his Alpha voice made the glass pane of the windows rattle violently. "You may be the elder of this family, but you will show your Luna the respect she is owed!"

He stepped forward, the air in the room turning freezing cold. "I am going to ask you to leave. Both of you."

"You would kick out your own flesh and blood for the sake of your wolfless bride?" Conri hissed, standing up.

"I will do far worse if you ever speak of her in that tone again," Dorian retorted, his eyes flashing a lethal, predatory gold. He was not bluffing. "Let this be a warning."

Conri stared at his nephew, realizing he had pushed him to the very edge. With a harsh scoff, he turned toward the door, his cane thumping angrily against the floorboards.

"Do not think this is settled, Dorian," he warned darkly, pausing at the threshold. "The court council will hear of this. I will not stand by and watch you destroy the legacy my sister died to protect. I do not accept this girl as my Queen."

"I did not ask for your acceptance," Dorian shot back, his voice cool and unbothered. "She is already crowned. Now, take your complaints and get out of my sight."

Conri stormed out of the mansion, the front doors rattling in his wake. Outside, the sharp strike of his cane echoed against the cobblestone driveway as he and Bethany slid into the waiting SUV. A second later, the engine roared to life as they sped away.

Dorian turned back to Alyssa, his golden eyes slowly softening as they met hers. But deep down, the threat of his uncle remained.

The storm hadn’t passed; the first strike had only simply landed.