Chapter 23: The Mercurius's Threat

  Kaden’s POV

  A flicker of light shifted across the surface, and Lyra, Alpha Rhys’s daughter, appeared. Calm focus framed her face, but her eyes carried that sharp edge Kaden had learned to recognize — the look she wore before dropping something important.

  “Kaden,” she greeted, voice low but clear. “I’ve got news. It’s about our… guests.”

  Kaden leaned closer, instantly alert. “Please go ahead, Lady Lyra. What do you have?”

  “The vampire with Faith — Zagan — he’s not just any merchant. He’s a noble from House Virellion, one of the fallen bloodlines. He deals now in rare artifacts.”

  Kaden’s amber eyes narrowed. “So that’s why the merchant is powerful.”

  “Exactly,” Lyra confirmed. “And Faith… she’s likely a slave. No records, no pure blood ties. She must be bound to him in the deadly sea.”

  Kaden’s voice grew colder. “So, what do we do with them?”

  Lyra’s tone was firm. “We have more important work. When the portal opens for royal engagement, we hand them to officials safely — and gain their help against our enemies.”

  Kaden nodded. “I’ll keep a closer watch. You’ll hear from me if anything changes.”

  “Good,” Lyra said. “If anything goes south, we’ll need control. Be careful.”

  She paused. “Sunstone reached?”

  Kaden’s jaw tightened. “It’s not Alpha Geri. It’s his brother, Dr. Mercurius.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Lyra’s eyes flickered. “To aid our pack, of course. I’ll check Alpha Geri’s absence soon.”

  “Understood,” Kaden replied. As her image faded, his thoughts spun. Zagan wasn’t simple. He was noble — and dangerous.

  ---

  Evanora’s POV

  Thunder roared in Dracula’s coven, drenching the desert sand. The hospital tent flapped wildly, canvas snapping like restless wings.

  Kaden stood nearby, notebook in hand, pen poised. His eyes were watchful, steady as the storm.

  “You needed something?” I asked, not looking at him.

  “Checking on my patients,” he said lightly.

  I forced myself upright, biting back a huff. My leg was bad, but not broken.

  Kaden’s voice cut through the storm. “Are you sure you can stand?”

  I pushed up, stubborn. He mirrored my huff, then pressed a stick into my hand.

  “Bad leg,” I muttered. “Thanks for the stick. Anyway… I wish Zagan was here.” My humor fell flat.

  Kaden leaned closer, voice low, swallowed by thunder. “It’s okay. I’m still here.”

  I nodded.

  The storm pressed harder. That was when Mercurius drifted inside. He didn’t announce himself — just lingered, smile tugging at his mouth.

  “Well, well,” he said casually. “A vampire walks.”

  Annoying.

  I ignored him.

  He stepped closer. “That leg. I could check it.”

  The tent smelled of wet herbs and blood. His words clung heavier than the stench.

  Kaden’s pen stilled. His eyes sharpened.

  “Mercurius, the Devourix healers have her. Treat our wolves.”

  Mercurius smirked. “Wolves bore me.”

  Silence stretched. He leaned closer, voice smooth.

  “Tell me, vampire… do you enjoy hiding in wolf tents? Or is it just convenient?”

  I kept my silence.

  Mercurius tilted his head. “You don’t answer much. I enjoy a challenge.”

  Kaden’s stance shifted, voice stripped of politeness.

  “She is off limits.”

  Mercurius’s tone slid into arrogance. “I get women however I please.”

  The tent flap snapped in the wind. Kaden’s claws caught the stormlight. His warning was low, dangerous.

  “Mercurius. Back off.”

  The storm faltered as Arabella’s words sliced through the tent, calm but edged with steel.

  “I heard Doctor Mercurius is too good at probing minds… pulling out their secrets.”

  She stepped inside, her presence shifting the air. Wolves straightened, even the wounded lifted their heads.

  Mercurius bowed slightly, smiling thin.

  “Lady Arabella. Good news — you are out of my radar. But I wonder… how my work traveled to this desert.”

  Arabella’s gaze didn’t waver.

  “Curiosity ends at my threshold, doctor. These people are under my protection.”

  Mercurius dipped his head again, feigning courtesy.

  “Of course, of course. We will chat later… about this.”

  The storm roared louder, echoing the unspoken clash. Wolves exhaled, tension breaking under Arabella’s command. Kaden eased his claws, but his eyes stayed sharp.

  Mercurius leaned forward, smile thin.

  “Protective Beta. I wonder… how far you’ll go.”

  Kaden’s voice stayed steady.

  “Far enough.”

  The silence stretched, broken only by thunder. Mercurius’s gaze stayed fixed on me, waiting for a reaction I refused to give.

  Then his eyes flicked to my leg.

  “Your bandage,” he murmured. “Poor work.”

  Before I could respond, his fingers brushed the edge of the cloth, peeling it back just enough to expose the darkened fabric beneath. Not fresh blood. Old. Dry.

  He tore a strip free, skin clinging to it — dead, healed, insignificant.

  “Waste not,” he said softly.

  I felt it then. Not fear.

  No.