Chapter 9: The Sovereign's Threat

Valerius's POV

Witnessing the violent mechanisms of her survival instincts was slowly destroying my sanity. She had executed absolutely nothing to deserve the horrific hand fate had dealt her; her childhood had been ruthlessly dismantled, ripped away entirely because of a split-second tragedy in a forest clearing. But the graphic display in the marble bathroom had forced a chilling realization through my mind: she was far more profoundly broken than I had ever dared to calculate.

Yet, the horror only solidified my resolve. I would stand beside her as an unyielding pillar through every single step of her restoration, because though her pride refused to admit it, she desperately required someone to anchor her soul during her darkest hours.

I looked down at her fragile form as she finally drifted into a deep sleep, my heart swelling with an intense, protective adoration. She was breathtakingly beautiful. It felt entirely surreal that the Goddess had guided her to my territory, and it turned my blood to pure fire to reflect on the systematic abuse she had endured. No living soul should ever have to survive such degradation.

I buried my face into the crook of her neck, pressing a soft kiss directly over the fresh puncture marks of my fated bond. Her body let out an involuntary, delicate shudder against the sheets. A quiet chuckle escaped my chest as I slipped from the mattress, navigating into the adjoining bath to begin my morning routine.

"Alpha, enter your study immediately. A high-priority call has breached our secure line, and you will definitely want to handle this specific exchange personally," Barrett’s voice echoed directly into my mind through our high-ranking link.

I exhaled a heavy sigh, threw on a fresh shirt and trousers, and marched toward my private office. The moment I crossed the threshold, Barrett greeted me with highly cautious, troubled eyes.

"What has occurred?" I demanded, my voice gravelly.

"It is specifically for you, Alpha," he stated, passing the sleek desktop receiver across the dark wood.

I snatched the phone, my voice a sharp snap. "Speak ." I had zero patience for distractions; I simply wanted to return to my quarters and wrap my arms around my sleeping mate.

"Alpha Valerius... the exact sovereign I was hoping to reach," a smooth, drippingly arrogant voice purred through the speaker. "We have a slight administrative discrepancy. You see, my property—my fated mate—executed a rather foolish escape attempt. I have reason to believe her pathetic feet have crossed onto your territory. Her name is Aurelia, and I require her immediate return to my cells so she can properly satisfy my primitive urges—"

A feral, catastrophic growl ripped from my throat, completely cutting him off.

"If you stretch your filthy fingers within a thousand miles of MY fated mate, Malakor, I will personally detach your head from your shoulders and present it to your mother as a fated birthday gift," I promised, my voice dropping into a low, lethal register that vibrated the glass fixtures. My extended claws tore deep into the plastic of the receiver as my grip tightened.

A mocking, sarcastic chuckle echoed from the line. "No, no, that arrangement lacks utility, Alpha Valerius. You see, until my property is securely back in her chains, I will systematically slaughter a member of your pack every single week. Tell me... is a broken, used omega truly more valuable than the lives of your high-blood warriors? Let's verify."

The threat crossed a fatal threshold. Fueled by pure, unadulterated fury, I flexed my fingers, completely crushing the heavy desktop phone into a hundred flying shards of plastic and wire. I hurled the mangled remains against the stone wall, my entire frame vibrating with a primitive, dangerous rage. I curled my fist back and slammed it directly into the solid plaster, the sheer force of my Alpha strength tearing a massive hole through the structure.

"Valerius, regain your cognitive control," Barrett barked, stepping into my line of sight with his palms raised. "Go utilize the northern trail—burn the beast out on a run. If you step back into the master suite with this dark aura, you are going to terrify her completely."

The logic pierced the red haze. I looked through the shattered window, visualising Aurelia’s small, fragile form huddled in the far corner of the bed, trembling beneath her own memories. I stormed out of the pavilion, shedding my garments mid-stride as the shift consumed me.

I tore through the ancient pines, a massive dark wolf vaulting over jagged boulders and ancient fallen trunks. I reached a roaring mountain stream, diving headfirst into the freezing, glacial waters to force my inner beast back beneath the surface. Realizing my temper remained highly volatile, I opted for an extended trek along the high-ridge perimeter to guarantee I wouldn't snap at my own handlers—most specifically Aurelia. I despised the sight of her shrinking back into the shadows every time my hand offered affection, terrified that violence was the only outcome. I would sooner destroy myself than inflict a single bruise upon her skin.

Once the red haze had completely receded, I shifted back, retrieving a fresh set of clothes stored within a hollowed perimeter oak. Fully dressed, I marched back into the main estate, forcing my authority through our administrative link: "Barrett. My private study. Instantly."

"Understood, Alpha," his prompt reply echoed.

The moment I sank into my chair, Barrett stepped through the oak threshold. "Valerius," he greeted tightly.

"We need to construct an immediate tactical offensive against Malakor," I growled, crossing my arms over my chest. "He intends to breach our sanctuary to seize her, and I will embrace death before I permit that monster to look at her again."

"Have your hands filed a formal brief with the High Council?" Barrett questioned, his expression grim.

A low curse escaped my lips; in my blind fury, the administrative protocols had entirely slipped my mind. I shook my head. "I will handle the high-tier communications immediately," Barrett reassured me, turning to execute the tasks.

After finalizing several secure calls to bordering pack leaders, I stepped out into the main pavilion to locate Aurelia and remind her of our formal dinner engagement with my parents. Inhaling deeply, I caught the exquisite trail of rain and lemon drifting from the adjoining parlor. I rounded the corner, and the sight before me made my blood instantly boil.

One of my newly assigned perimeter guards had backed Aurelia against the wall, his massive frame trapping her structure as his hand slid suggestively up the silk of her thigh.

"Remove your hands from my body!" she spat venomously, driving her knee upward with immense force directly into his abdomen.

The guard grunted heavily at the impact but refused to break his positioning. I watched as Aurelia’s sharp blue eyes locked onto a heavy steel ring of keys resting on the accent table beside her. Moving with exceptional, unscripted precision, she snatched the keys and drove the jagged metal straight into the back of his exposed neck.

The guard shrieked in agony, his oppressive hold loosening instantly as blood welled from the puncture wounds. The moment she wrenched her wrists free, I closed the distance at an ungodly velocity, driving an explosive punch directly into his jaw.

"What the hell, Alpha?!" he spluttered, wiping a torrent of fresh crimson from his split lip.

I didn't offer a verbal reply; I hit him again, and again, and again, driving my fists into his face until his battered frame collapsed onto the hardwood, cradling his shattered features in absolute agony.

"If your filthy flesh ever registers the presence of MY fated mate again, I will personally end your bloodline," I spat over his whimpering form. I turned away, pulling a trembling Aurelia tightly against my chest to anchor her senses.

"It is time to prepare for the formal dinner with my parents," I murmured softly into her hair. "I have already instructed Freya to assist you with the proper styling ." She offered a quiet nod, and I guided her up the grand staircase so her system could finally bathe and find a moment of peace.

Aurelia's POV

I stepped over the threshold of the master bath wearing only my undergarments, only to freeze when I spotted Freya lounging casually across the velvet mattress. A sharp gasp escaped my lips, and I immediately retreated back behind the marble partition, reaching frantically for a plush white towel.

Freya let out a bright, ringing laugh that echoed through the suite. "Forgive me, sister! I completely neglected the protocol of knocking."

"It... it is perfectly fine," I stammered, my cheeks burning with an absolute, fiery crimson.

"So, what magnificent armor are we selecting for tonight's campaign?" she mused aloud, her fingers dancing through the custom garments lining my walk-in closet. "Ah! Found the absolute masterpiece!"

She emerged holding a spectacular, tailored black dress adorned with subtle, elegant patterns that perfectly suited a formal high-blood engagement. We paired the look with a set of minimalist black flats to accommodate my aching limbs, and she immediately set to work with the curling wand, weaving her magic through my cascading hair. The cosmetic application was flawless: a light, natural foundation, sharp eyeliner, dramatic mascara, and a deep, classical red lipstick.

By the time Valerius’s deep baritone called my name from the grand foyer, I was completely dolled up. A heavy wave of nerves instantly seized my throat as I began my descent down the grand staircase, Freya trailing supportive steps behind me.

As I entered the formal dining pavilion, my eyes locked onto an older, striking mirror image of Valerius. He carried a severe, deeply serious expression across his aristocratic features, standing tall beside a remarkably petite lady. She was absolutely stunning—a delicate, elegant figure paired with the exact same platinum-blonde hair as Freya. I instinctively tightened my grip on Valerius’s hand as we approached the noble couple.

I offered a shy, tentative smile, but before a formal greeting could clear my lips, the elegant lady surged forward, pulling my fragile structure directly into a warm, fragrant embrace.

"Welcome to our lineage, sweetheart," she beamed, her voice rich with genuine warmth. I let out a nervous, breathless laugh, casting a frantic glance over her shoulder at Valerius. He simply stood there, a brilliant, adoring chuckle escaping his lips at our interaction.

We took our designated seats as the elite staff began serving the multi-course meal. The conversation flowed smoothly as we discussed our respective realities; I carefully omitted the horrific details of my past, simply summarizing that my childhood had been exceptionally difficult.

Everything remained perfectly serene until Paula, Valerius’s mother, setting her glass down, let her gaze track the edge of my sleeve.

"Sweetheart... what caused that severe bruising across your forearm?" she questioned softly.

My entire frame tensed into stone, and a nervous panic paralyzed my throat as my eyes darted to Valerius. Across the table, Jacob Black let out a low, dangerous growl, his eyes flashing as he leveled a dark look at his son.

"Did your hands inflict violence upon her skin, Valerius?" the former Alpha demanded, his voice a gravelly warning.

Valerius’s eyes widened in absolute, unadulterated shock, his features flushing with instant outrage. "What?!" he screeched, his voice cracking slightly. "Of course I didn't! I would sooner dismantle my own bloodline than lay a hostile hand upon my fated mate!"

I bit back a sudden, genuine laugh at the absolute look of total, insulted outrage painted across his handsome face.

"He is articulating the absolute truth, Alpha Jacob," I intervened smoothly, letting a soft laugh break the tension. "The fault lies entirely with my own clumsiness. Pro tip for the high court: actually look down when your fingers are cutting sharp vegetables."

Paula offered a warm, understanding smile, and the topic was smoothly redirected to lighter pack politics. I glanced back at Valerius; he still looked thoroughly stunned and deeply offended by the accusation.

The remainder of the evening flew past in a beautiful blur of laughter. When the clock struck midnight, it was time for Paula and Jacob to return to their ancestral estate. Paula clasped my hands, extracting a firm promise from both Valerius and me that we would visit their lands again soon. Once their vehicle cleared the gates, I dragged my exhausted limbs back up the grand staircase, Valerius silently anchoring my steps from behind. I paused at the threshold of my designated guest quarters, turning to look flatly at the floorboards.

"Would you permit me to remain in your quarters again tonight?" I whispered softly, my fingers fidgeting. "The... the horrific nightmares don't seem to breach my mind quite as violently when your shadow is beside me."

He reached out, his long fingers sliding effortlessly through mine to lace our hands together. "Of course you can, little bird," he murmured with an exquisite gentleness.

He pushed open the double doors to his master suite, and we stepped into the quiet sanctuary. He navigated toward his dresser, producing a fresh, crisp cotton shirt. I offered a soft smile as his hands passed the fabric to my fingers. Slipped into the marble bathroom, I executed my nightly routine and slid into the comfort of his shirt.

When I emerged, I slid beneath the heavy covers, waiting quietly while he finished in the bath. Valerius eventually stepped out, extinguished the main lights, and slid into the expansive mattress beside my form.

I turned onto my side to face his frame, naturally resting my head against the broad muscle of his chest. Beneath my cheek, the steady, rhythmic drumbeat of his sovereign heart acted as an absolute sedative, and within minutes, the darkness claimed my mind—devoid of any monsters.