HARRISON'S POV
The knock came again—louder this time.
Before I could open it, Elena rushed ahead and turned the knob.
The door swung open.
And standing right there… was Mathew Wilson.
Alpha of the Red Moon Pack.
My half-brother.
He took one long look at Elena—at her messed-up dress, her bare shoulders, her flustered face—and his eyes narrowed in fake confusion.
"Elena," he said slowly, "what are you doing coming out of Alpha Walter's room looking like that?"
Before she could even speak, Jennifer stormed forward from behind him.
She didn't ask questions.
She just slapped her.
SMACK.
"Bitch!" Jennifer hissed. "Are you trying to seduce Alpha Walter now?! He's old enough to be your father!"
Elena stumbled back, holding her cheek, her breath shaky. "But… you told me to come here! God—you set me up!"
Jennifer scoffed and took another step. "How dare you try to pin this on me, you dirty little slut!"
Her hand raised again.
But this time it never landed.
I caught it mid-air.
Everyone froze.
"That's enough," I said coldly, my voice like ice.
Jennifer's eyes shot up to mine.
Mathew's mouth fell open.
I took my jacket off and gently placed it around Elena's shoulders. She looked up at me, trembling, eyes full of confusion and pain.
Jennifer took a step back, her hand still hanging where I'd grabbed it. "Alpha Harrison…" she stuttered. "What… How did you get in here? This is Alpha Walter's room—"
I cut her off. "We switched."
Mathew blinked. "What?"
I raised a brow. "We switched rooms."
Mathew looked at Jennifer, and for the first time that night, I saw panic flicker between them.
"What are you doing in Silver Blade?" he asked, tone tight.
"Obviously," I said, "Alpha Walter invited me."
"But… you never go to events."
I shrugged, smirking slightly. "That depends."
I looked at Elena.
"Now clearly, I've walked in on some drama. Which I'm sure you'll both explain to me."
Mathew adjusted his shirt collar, his smile forced. "Yeah, I will… when I figure out what's going on."
"Mathew!" Jennifer snapped. "You can't just—"
"Oh my God, will you stop?" he groaned, rubbing his temple. "You're so embarrassing."
He pointed at Elena sharply.
"You. Come with us. Now."
Elena looked at me, eyes pleading silently.
I wanted to stop her.
But I needed more time.
So I let her go.
She followed Mathew and Jennifer out of the hallway, wrapped in my jacket like a soldier walking into a storm.
A moment later, Luke, my Beta, walked up from the other end of the hall.
"Alpha," he said quietly, "the meeting with Alpha Walter is all set up for tomorrow."
"Good," I said, staring at the empty hallway Elena had just disappeared down.
Luke hesitated. "Any word on… that girl? From seven years ago?"
I didn't speak right away.
Then I turned to him.
"No," I said. "Still no leads."
Luke nodded grimly. "Should I keep looking?"
I exhaled, something twisting in my chest.
The scent.
The kiss.
The way she looked at me like she'd known me in another life.
"Stop searching," I said finally.
Luke tilted his head. "Sir?"
"I think…" I said slowly, "I've found my mate."
MATHEW'S POV
Elena stood in front of me.
Her face was pale. Her lips bruised. She wore my brother's jacket like a warning.
I sat back on the velvet couch in my guest suite, holding a glass of whisky in my hand. It burned my throat, but not as much as the storm brewing in my chest.
Jennifer sat beside me, her fingers slowly trailing up my shoulder.
I brushed her hand off.
"No."
She giggled, pretending not to notice the ice in my voice.
She tried again—soft fingers against my neck this time.
I snapped.
"Jennifer, please! What are you doing?" I growled. "What kind of game are you playing now?"
She blinked at me with fake innocence. "Me? This shameless maid is the one trying to seduce Alpha Harrison. Can't you see that?"
"Stop lying!" Elena cried, voice shaking but clear. "The only reason I was in that room was because you threatened me with my son!"
Jennifer's head snapped toward her like a viper.
"Oh, you bitch—"
"Enough!" I roared.
The walls trembled.
Elena flinched.
Jennifer took a step back, her hands clenched into fists.
I looked at Elena.
"Please, Alpha," she said softly. "My son… he's very sick. You said you'd help me. Can you please call Alpha Walter for a doctor? You promised me…"
Jennifer burst out laughing, like she was watching a comedy show.
"Don't be ridiculous!" she spat. "Why would Mathew beg Alpha Walter to help you? You're just a lowly maid."
I ignored her.
"Tyler," I called.
The door opened instantly.
My Beta stepped in—tall, broad-shouldered, always silent unless spoken to.
"Yes, Alpha?"
"Can you speak to Alpha Walter?" I said. "Ask if one of his healers can see a child immediately. Tell him it's urgent."
Tyler nodded. "Right away."
Jennifer's jaw dropped.
Her face turned red with rage.
"God!" she shouted. "That's why you brought her to the banquet?! Even after seven years, even after she gave birth to that bastard—you still love her!"
Her voice echoed in the room like a slap.
Elena froze.
My grip tightened on the glass.
I wanted to lie.
I wanted to scream.
But the truth was a blade.
"Shut up!" I growled.
Jennifer stumbled back like I'd hit her.
I stood, towering over her now.
"Tyler," I said quietly. "Lock Jennifer in a room until the banquet's over."
"What?!" she gasped.
Tyler grabbed her arm before she could move.
"You can't be serious, Mathew!" she yelled, struggling.
"I'm dead serious."
She tried to fight, but Tyler was stronger. She was gone in seconds—kicking, shouting my name, but I didn't care anymore.
The moment Tyler dragged Jennifer away, the room fell quiet.
Elena looked at the closed door, her eyes filled with things I couldn't name—pain, maybe. Or something worse.
"I should probably check on Lucas," she said softly, already turning to leave.
I stood up fast and grabbed her wrist.
She stopped, eyes wide.
"Did you sleep with my brother?" I asked. My voice wasn't calm.