POV: Xavier

I ignored him, focusing entirely on my mate. On the girl who'd run from me three days ago with good reason. On the woman who'd shown me what it meant to truly care about someone more than yourself.

"Please," I said softly, knowing she could hear me even across the distance. "Trust me one more time."

Another howl, this one from the east. Then the west. The packs were coordinating their approach. They'd attack from all sides at once.

"We're out of time," Luna said grimly. She looked at Thelma and Theo. "Your choice. Both of you. Do we accept their help or face this alone?"

Thelma and Theo looked at each other. Through their twin bond, I could see power flickering between them. They were communicating somehow, deciding together.

Finally, Thelma turned back to us. "Fine. We accept your help. But Xavier, if this is a trick…"

"It's not," I promised.

"If this is a trick," she continued, "I will kill you myself. Mate bond or not."

The words should have hurt. Instead, I felt relief. She was alive. She was fighting. And she was giving me a chance to prove myself.

"Fair enough," I said.

Luna gave orders, and her guards opened the gates. Neon and I entered with the Silver Moon warriors I'd brought. Immediately, I felt the hostile stares of Luna's pack. They didn't trust us. Smart.

Thelma approached slowly, her brother staying close beside her. Up close, I could see the family resemblance. Theo had the same eyes, the same stubborn set to his jaw. But where Thelma's expression held pain and wariness, Theo's held pure hatred.

"You have five minutes to explain your plan before the first pack reaches our walls," Luna said. I quickly outlined our strategy. Silver Moon warriors would reinforce the weak points in Luna's defenses. We'd coordinate our fighters to cover all approaches. And most importantly,

Thelma and Theo would stay inside, protected, while we held off the attackers.

"No," Theo said immediately. "We're not hiding while others fight for us."

"You're targets," I explained. "Every pack out there wants you. If they see you in battle, they'll focus everything on capture or kill. You'll get people killed trying to protect you."

"He's right," Thelma said quietly, though I felt her frustration through our bond. "We're liabilities right now, Theo. Our power is too unstable."

Theo looked like he wanted to argue, but a massive howl shook the air. Closer. Much closer.

"They're here," Luna said.

"Positions!" I shouted, and warriors scattered to the walls.

Neon stayed close to me, which made my skin crawl. I didn't trust him. Couldn't trust him. But I needed him for the antidote, and he seemed content to fight alongside us. For now.

The first wave hit the eastern wall with brutal force. Wolves in their animal forms crashed against Luna's defenses. They were organized, professional. Mercenaries, probably. Hired by packs who didn't want to risk their own warriors.

"Hold the line!" Luna commanded, her Alpha voice carrying across the battle.

I fought beside her warriors, taking down attackers as they breached the walls. My injuries slowed me down, but adrenaline kept me moving. I couldn't let them reach Thelma.

Neon fought with disturbing efficiency, killing without hesitation or remorse. Whatever else he was, he was a skilled warrior.

"Behind you!" he shouted, and I spun just in time to block a wolf's lunge.

"Thanks," I said grudgingly.

"Can't let you die yet," Neon replied. "Still need you for the next phase of the plan."

"What plan?"

"You'll see." His smile was infuriating.

The second wave hit the western wall. Then the third from the north. They were coordinating perfectly, trying to overwhelm us with numbers.

"We can't hold much longer!" a warrior shouted.

He was right. There were too many. Even with Silver Moon's help, we were being pushed back.

That's when I felt it through the mate bond.

Thelma's power surging. She and Theo had joined the fight despite our plan, unable to stay hidden while people died for them.

I saw them on the southern wall, their combined white-gold light blazing as they fought side by side. They were magnificent and terrifying. Every attacker that got close was thrown back by their power.

"No!" I started toward them, but Neon grabbed my arm.

"Let them fight," he said. "This is what they were born for."

"They're not ready!" I tried to pull free, but his grip was iron-strong. Too strong.

That's when I noticed it. The way my vision was blurring at the edges. The way my limbs felt heavier than they should. The strange bitter taste in my mouth that I'd been ignoring for days.

"What did you do?" I asked slowly, looking at where Neon's hand gripped my arm.

"Just a little insurance," he said calmly. "Nothing personal, Xavier. But I couldn't have you interfering at crucial moments. The poison I've been giving you is slow-acting. Weakens you gradually. Makes you... manageable."

Horror washed over me.

"You've been poisoning me?"

"Since we formed our alliance." Neon's smile was apologetic. "Had to make sure you'd be too weak to stop what comes next. Don't worry, it's not fatal. You'll just be... incapacitated for a while."

My legs buckled. I tried to reach for Thelma through the bond, to warn her, but everything was getting fuzzy.

"Thelma..." I managed to whisper.

And then I felt it. Felt her attention snap to me across the battlefield. Felt her realize something was wrong. Through our bond, she saw what I saw. Neon standing over me.

The truth clicking into place.

"XAVIER!" Her scream cut through the sounds of battle.

The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was Thelma's face, twisted with rage and fear. And Neon's satisfied smile as he watched his plan unfold. I'd brought the enemy right to her doorstep. And now I was too weak to protect her from him..