Emma

My stomach turned. "So I'm supposed to hide for six months? Just wait and hope he doesn't find a way through your territory?"

"No," Marcus said quietly. "You're supposed to train. Learn to fight. Understand your power before it fully awakens. When the blood moon comes, you'll be ready."

Adrian nodded. "I can help. I know Richard's weaknesses. His fighting style. His pack's tactics."

"You're betraying your own father," I said softly.

"He stopped being my father when he murdered your mother." Adrian's voice was steady. "And he's not the Alpha Dark Moon Pack deserves. Maybe it's time for new leadership."

The weight of his words settled over us. Adrian wasn't just offering help. He was choosing sides. Risking everything.

"Why?" I asked. "You barely know me."

Adrian smiled slightly. "Your mother helped my mother once. Saved her life when she was pregnant with me. I owe her a debt. And..." He paused. "I've seen what my father does to wolves he claims to love. You deserve better."

Marcus studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "You can stay. Train with Emma. But if you betray her,

"You'll kill me. Yeah, I got it." Adrian's grin was sharp. "Wouldn't expect anything less from a Lycan."

Sophia, who'd been watching everything with wide eyes, suddenly spoke up. "Are you Emma's boyfriend?"

Adrian blinked. "What? No, I'm not"

"Good. Because Daddy already likes her. I can tell."

"Sophia!" Marcus's face actually flushed. "That's not......."

"You smell different when she's around," Sophia said matter-of-factly. "Happy different."

I felt my own face heating. Adrian was trying very hard not to laugh.

"Sophia, go play in your room for a bit," Marcus said firmly.

"But"

"Now, please."

She huffed but obeyed, taking her stuffed wolf with her. Once she was gone, Marcus turned to me, looking uncomfortable.

"Sorry about that. She's very... observant."

"It's fine." My voice came out higher than normal. "She's sweet."

"She's a menace," Adrian muttered, but he was smiling.

The moment stretched awkwardly and tensely. Then Marcus's phone buzzed again. He checked it, and his expression went deadly.

"What?" I asked.

"The Council representatives will be here tomorrow. They want to interview you, your father, and Richard separately." He looked up. "Emma, if Richard has any evidence that your father agreed to his claim, even verbal, the Council could rule in his favor."

"Then we make sure they don't," Adrian said. "We prepare. Get our stories straight. Show them Richard is unstable."

"And if that doesn't work?" I asked quietly.

Marcus stepped closer, and that heat flared between us again. His silver eyes were intense, protective, possessive in a way that should have scared me but didn't.

"Then I'll do what I should have done the moment I saw you," he said. "I'll challenge Richard for Alpha's Right myself. And I'll win."

The promise in his voice was absolute.

But it was also dangerous. Because I could see the cost in his eyes. Revealing himself as a Lycan. Putting Sophia at risk. Starting a war between packs.

All for someone he barely knew.

"Marcus, you can't"

"I can. I will." He didn't look away. "You're under my protection now. That means something."

It meant more than protection. I could feel it in the way he stood too close. The way his hands flexed was like he wanted to touch me. The way his daughter's innocent words rang with truth.

Daddy already likes her.

And god help me, I was starting to like him too.

The front door burst open. Owen rushed in, his face pale.

"We have a problem. Richard's not waiting for the Council. He's issued a formal challenge to Emma's claim. Tomorrow night. Full moon. Winner takes the mate bond."

My world tilted.

"He can't do that without her consent," Marcus growled.

"He's claiming Dad gave consent as her guardian. And he has a witness. Someone from our old pack who swears they heard Dad agree to courtship rights."

"It's a lie," I said.

"Doesn't matter. If Dad can't prove it's false, the challenge stands." Owen's eyes were desperate. "Em, you need to accept a different mate claim. Tonight. It's the only way to void Richard's challenge."

"What? I'm not just picking some random wolf to"

"Not random." Owen looked at Marcus. "Someone strong enough to protect her. Someone with Alpha blood."

No. He wasn't suggesting

"Marcus," Owen said quietly. "You could claim her. Pre-emptive bonding rights. If she agrees, Richard's challenge becomes void."

The room went silent.

Marcus's expression was anguished. Conflicted. "Owen, I can't force her into"

"You wouldn't be forcing. She'd be choosing." Owen turned to me. "Emma, I know it's fast. I know it's insane. But if Richard wins that challenge tomorrow, you'll be his. Marked. Claimed. And breaking that bond could kill you."

I looked at Marcus. This man who'd saved me. Protected me. Made me feel safe for the first time in years. His daughter had called me his safe smell. His hands had trembled when they touched my skin.

And now he might be my only way out.

"If I agree," I said carefully, "would it be a real bond? Or just political?"

Marcus's jaw clenched. "It would be whatever you wanted it to be."

"That's not an answer."

His silver eyes met mine, raw and honest. "The bond would be real, Emma. I can't fake something like that. But I would never force you to feel something you don't. We could make it work however you're comfortable."

My heart hammered. "And if I say no? If I take my chances with the Council?"

"Then I'll still fight Richard if it comes to that. I'll still protect you." He stepped back, giving me space. "But I won't lie and say I'm offering this just out of duty. There's something between us. You feel it too. I know you do."

I did. God help me, I did.

"I need to think," I whispered.

"You have until tonight," Owen said gently. "After that, Richard can claim the challenge stands."

I walked outside, needing air, needing space. Adrian followed.

"For what it's worth," he said quietly, "Marcus is a good man. Better than most Alphas I've met. If you have to choose someone, you could do a lot worse."

"I shouldn't have to choose at all."

"No. You shouldn't." He leaned against the porch railing. "But we don't always get the life we deserve. Sometimes we just get the choices in front of us."

Inside, I could hear Marcus and Owen talking in low voices. Sophia's laughter drifted from upstairs. Normal life continued while mine fell apart.

Six months until my transformation.

One day until Richard's challenge.

A few hours to decide if I'd claim a mate I barely knew.

I touched Mom's bracelet on my wrist.

Power in choice.

But what if every choice led to the same trapped ending?