"Get up, mutt."
The slap echoed down the stone corridor.
Zoraide froze mid step.
Another voice laughed. "Look at him. He still thinks he belongs here."
Her blood went cold.
She followed the sound around the corner and stopped.
Three young warriors stood in a half circle.
On the ground, curled around himself, was Toby.
His lip was split. His shirt torn.
"Toby," she breathed.
One of the warriors looked up. "Oh. The Alpha's little pet."
Another smirked. "Did you lose your leash, Omega?"
Zoraide stepped forward slowly.
"Leave him alone," she said quietly.
The tallest warrior tilted his head. "Or what?"
Toby looked up at her, eyes wide. "Zora, it is fine. Just go."
Her pulse spiked.
She crushed it down.
"I said," she repeated softly, "leave him alone."
The warrior kicked Toby's shoulder lightly.
"Make us."
The scent of blood hit her.
Sharp. Metallic.
Her wolf surged.
Her herbal mask burned at her throat as heat climbed her spine.
"Do not," Toby whispered urgently. "Please."
One warrior stepped closer to her.
"You should be grateful," he said. "We let you sleep in the Citadel."
"I did not ask to be here."
"Then why are you still breathing?"
Before she could answer, a deep voice cut through the corridor.
"Enough."
All three warriors stiffened.
Alaric stood at the end of the hall.
Shadows clung to him.
His gaze moved from the warriors to Toby. Then to Zoraide.
"What is happening?" he asked calmly.
No one spoke.
The tallest warrior cleared his throat. "Just correcting a stray, Alpha."
Alaric's eyes flicked to Toby's bleeding lip.
Then to Zoraide's clenched fists.
"Is that so?" he asked.
His voice was quiet.
Too quiet.
The air thickened.
"He disrespected rank," another warrior muttered.
Toby tried to stand.
He swayed.
Zoraide moved instantly, catching him before he fell.
The contact snapped something inside her.
The bond flared violently.
Alaric inhaled sharply.
Her control slipped.
Just a fraction.
The warriors felt it.
Their expressions shifted.
Confusion.
Alarm.
"What was that?" one whispered.
Zoraide steadied Toby carefully.
"Take him to the infirmary," she said softly.
The tallest warrior laughed. "You give orders now?"
She lifted her eyes to him.
And for one heartbeat, she forgot to hide.
The corridor trembled.
Not physically.
But in presence.
The torches flickered violently.
Toby's breath hitched.
The warriors stepped back instinctively.
Alaric went completely still.
Her pulse thundered before she forced it down again.
The herbal scent thickened around her throat.
"I said," she repeated calmly, voice now smooth, controlled, "take him to the infirmary."
Silence.
Alaric's eyes blazed gold.
"Do as she says," he ordered.
The warriors obeyed instantly.
They lifted Toby without another word.
As they passed, one glanced at her warily.
Zoraide avoided Alaric's gaze.
"Walk with me," he said.
It was not a request.
She followed him down the corridor.
Neither spoke for several steps.
"You almost shifted," he said finally.
"No."
"Yes."
"I did not."
"You shook the air."
She stayed silent.
He stopped abruptly.
She nearly walked into him.
He turned.
"You forget yourself when you are angry."
"I was not angry."
His hand shot out.
He grabbed the torch on the wall.
Wood cracked under his grip.
Flames flickered wildly.
"Do not lie to me."
His eyes burned gold.
She forced herself not to react.
"He is my friend," she said quietly. "Anyone would be upset."
"Omegas cry," Alaric said sharply. "They do not make warriors step back."
Her pulse thudded.
"I am not like other Omegas."
"That much is obvious."
Silence stretched.
The bond hummed thick and electric between them.
"You brought him here," she said suddenly.
"Yes."
"Why?"
He watched her closely.
"To see what you would do."
Her breath stilled.
"You used him."
"I tested you."
Her jaw tightened.
"He could have been hurt."
"He was never in danger."
Her laugh was cold.
"He was bleeding."
Alaric stepped closer.
"You would have torn this corridor apart if I had not arrived."
"And whose fault would that be?"
His eyes narrowed.
"You cannot protect everyone."
"I can try."
"You are in my Citadel," he said quietly. "Under my rule."
She lifted her chin.
"Then rule better."
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
The air froze.
His presence surged hard against her.
She refused to step back.
The mate bond roared between them.
"You challenge me openly now?" he asked softly.
"I defend what is mine."
The silence after those words was dangerous.
His gaze sharpened.
"Yours?"
She realized her mistake.
"I mean," she corrected quickly, "my friend."
His hand lifted slowly.
He brushed a strand of hair from her face.
Too intimate.
Too close.
"You almost revealed yourself tonight," he murmured.
"I revealed nothing."
"You forget your scent changes when you lose control."
Her stomach dropped.
"It does not."
He leaned closer.
"It does."
His nose hovered near her neck but did not touch.
The memory of the study flashed between them.
"Medicinal rot," he said quietly. "And something brighter beneath."
She stepped back.
"You imagine things."
He followed.
"You burned the air tonight."
"You exaggerate."
His hand slammed against the stone wall beside her head.
Not touching her.
But trapping her.
The stone cracked slightly under his palm.
"I have led battles," he said softly. "I know power when I feel it."
She met his gaze.
"And what do you think I am?"
He studied her face.
Then slowly.
"Not Omega."
Her heart pounded.
Footsteps echoed down the hall.
One of the warriors returned alone.
"Alpha," he said quickly, voice tight. "The boy is in the infirmary."
Alaric did not look away from her.
"Speak."
The warrior swallowed.
"He keeps asking for her."
Silence.
Zoraide tried to move around him.
He blocked her path effortlessly.
"You will not interfere again," he said quietly.
"He needs me."
"He needs to learn."
"He needs protection."
His eyes flashed again.
"And who protects you?"
The question hit harder than she expected.
"I protect myself."
His gaze dropped to her throat.
"To what cost?"
She pushed past him this time.
He allowed it.
Barely.
As she walked away, she heard him inhale.
Slow.
Measured.
Confused.
Behind her, his voice followed.
"You cannot hide forever, Zoraide."
She did not turn.
At the infirmary doors, she paused.
Inside, Toby's weak voice called her name again.
She stepped in.
And froze.
Toby sat upright on the bed.
Eyes glowing faint gold.
Not the dull brown she knew.
Gold.
He looked at her with something like fear.
"Zora," he whispered. "They know."
Her pulse slammed violently.
Behind her, she felt Alaric's presence fill the doorway.
"What do they know?" he asked quietly.
Toby's golden eyes locked onto hers.
"They know about the starlight."