Jake and Anthony stood frozen, identical expressions of total bewilderment plastered across their faces. They clearly didn’t expect Dorian to drop such a bomb.
"Wait, I don’t understand," Anthony said finally, breaking out of his shocked silence. "You plan to marry Alyssa?"
"Yes," Dorian maintained coldly. "You’re not deaf, Anthony. That is exactly what I said."
"But, Alpha," Jake frowned. "The council will frown over this."
"Will they?" Dorian remarked, arching a perfect brow. "You were at the court yesterday. What condition did my mother give the council regarding the retention of my Alpha title?"
"For you to officially marry or produce an heir before the 135th Moon Ceremony," Jake recited.
"Exactly," Dorian said simply. "It does not matter who I marry, as long as the decree is carried out."
"But Dorian, she is wolfless," Anthony pressed on. "I know that is the last thing you want to hear right now, but it is the truth and it has to be said. How do you expect the pack to accept a Luna who has no wolf?"
"They will have no choice but to accept her," Dorian stated. "No one in the territory would dare stand against my decree."
"That may be true, but you must remember that true respect is earned, not forced. The people may tolerate Alyssa as their Luna to please you, but they will never respect her position fully. You have to think about this."
"There is nothing to think about," Dorian said, his voice dropping into a tone that left no room for arguments. "My mind is made up. I will marry Alyssa."
"What did Alyssa say?" Jake cut in. "How does she feel about suddenly getting married to the King of the North?"
"I haven’t told her yet."
"And what if she doesn’t accept?"
Dorian chuckled softly, a dark, amused sound as if Jake’s question was an entertaining joke. "She will accept. Now, enough with the questions!"
Anthony and Jake finally gave up. They knew convincing Dorian to change his mind was impossible.
"At least get to know her first," Anthony continued quietly. "You still don’t know anything about her past. Like why she turned up on your territory, bleeding and running for her life."
"I am way ahead of you, Anthony," Dorian replied. "That is exactly what I intend to do. She is already asking questions."
He fell silent for a beat, his gaze drifting down the hallway before he added, "She saw the portraits in the basement yesterday. Including my wedding portrait."
Anthony’s eyes widened instantly while Jake nervously scratched the back of his neck, shifting his weight. Everyone knew Dorian aggressively loathed any mention of Elvira.
"Did she ask who the woman was?"
To his surprise, Dorian nodded grimly. "She did. She wants to know everything, including how it is possible that I am over a hundred years old."
A tense silence settled over them. The only audible sound was the ticking of the grandfather clock at the far end of the hallway.
"Will you tell her?" Anthony asked finally.
Dorian didn’t answer immediately. "I don’t know. I need to understand why I am so intensely drawn to her, to her scent. But in order to do that, I have to know everything about her, which means I will eventually have to open up about my past."
Another long silence followed. Ultimately, Anthony was the first to break the tension.
"Alright, then," he said, offering a supportive nod. "You know I’ve got your back, no matter what choice you make. I will always stand by you, Dorian."
"Me too, Alpha," Jake added. "Alyssa already has my sworn loyalty."
"Mine as well," Anthony agreed.
Their unyielding sincerity touched Dorian. A rare, soft look crossed his eyes for a fraction of a second before his stoic mask locked back into place.
"So what now?" Jake asked.
"For now, keep this information a secret," Dorian muttered. "Both Samantha’s involvement in the assassination, and my desire to marry Alyssa. Do not breathe a word to anyone, especially you, Anthony."
Anthony stepped back dramatically, placing a hand over his heart in a feigned look of deep betrayal.
"Me? Why single me out?"
"Because I know you," Dorian countered, rolling his eyes. "The second we walk out of this hallway, you’ll be running straight to Pandora to spill everything."
"Fine, fine," Anthony chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. "My lips are sealed. For real this time."
[Isn’t this the perfect opportunity to tell the Alpha about your feelings for his sister?] Jake asked suddenly through the private mind-link.
Without breaking the amused expression on his face, Anthony snarled back through the link. [Shut the hell up, Jake!]
Jake laughed mentally and closed off the link.
"One more thing," Dorian added, turning back to his beta. "Jake, have the kitchen staff prepare a meal and bring it straight up."
"Will do, Alpha," Jake nodded.
Meanwhile, inside the bedroom, Pandora turned around as the bathroom door softly creaked open.
"Hi, Alyssa," she said, offering a bright smile.
Alyssa paused at the threshold. She had wrapped a plush white towel tightly around her chest, suddenly feeling incredibly small and bashful under the scrutiny.
"Hello," she replied, smiling a little. "I didn’t realize you were in here."
"I just wanted to make sure you were alright." Pandora slowly rose from the bed, clasping her hands together. "Do you need something?"
Alyssa’s eyes darted toward the clean clothes folded neatly at the edge of the bed. Dorian must have set them out before he stepped out.
"Um, just the clothes," she murmured, gesturing with her chin.
Pandora lifted the pile and walked over, handing them to her. "Here you go."
"Thank you. I’ll be out in a minute."
"Take all the time you need," Pandora reassured her gently.
Disappearing into the bathroom again, Alyssa quickly pulled the garments on. They were too big for her.
Dorian’s t-shirt reached all the way down to her knees, wide enough to accommodate another girl her size. But the drawstring shorts managed to stay up.
She stepped back out into the bedroom where Pandora was patiently waiting.
"Can I brush your hair?" Pandora asked hopefully. "You have such incredibly beautiful hair. I’ve never seen such a rare color before."
Alyssa shyly lowered her gaze. No one had ever complimented her appearance before. During the years she spent surviving under Ingrid and Melinda, they had consistently abused her, calling her cursed for possessing such hair.
"You can," she nodded softly, stepping forward.
Pandora beamed with excitement. She fetched a silver-backed brush from the vanity and stood directly behind the chair as Alyssa lowered herself onto the cushion.
"You are so beautiful," Pandora gushed warmly, gently running the bristles through the thick, lustrous length of Alyssa’s hair. "I’m certain you take after your mother’s appearance."
Alyssa’s lips curled into a faint, melancholic smile. "I wouldn’t know. I never met her."
Pandora’s movements paused instantly. "Oh. I’m so sorry."
"It’s fine," Alyssa assured her softly, looking at her reflection.
Pandora wanted to pry further, the curiosity burning inside her, but she firmly restrained herself. Dorian had already warned her not to interrogate Alyssa.
"Can I ask you something, Pandora?" Alyssa asked suddenly, breaking the silence. "Promise me you won’t tell Dorian, or anyone else."
"Of course," Pandora nodded eagerly, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "What do you want to know?"
"Is Samantha... Dorian’s true mate?"
Pandora let out a sharp, cynical snort before answering. "No, she is not. And I thank the Moon Goddess every single day that she isn’t mated to my brother. I despise her entire existence."
"Oh," Alyssa murmured, a quiet wave of relief washing over her. "Does he have a mate?"
Pandora shook her head, resuming her gentle brushing. "He doesn’t. Lycans don’t find their fated mates the same easy way werewolves do. Sometimes it takes centuries before our souls lock onto their match. Most of the time, if a Lycan grows tired of waiting, they simply choose a compatible mate and build a life together."
She ran the brush through the soft, blood-tipped strands one final time before placing it down on the table. Stepping to the side, she leaned back against the edge of the wood, looking down at Alyssa.
"I have never seen my brother care for another person the way he cares for you," Pandora began softly, her expression turning serious. "It’s honestly shocking, because he is typically so cold, reserved, and distant to everyone, including me."
Alyssa listened in absolute silence, her heart hammering against her ribs.
"You are very special to him, Alyssa," Pandora continued. "You are the first woman he has treated with this level of devotion since he lost his first love."
Alyssa slowly lifted her head, her eyes locking onto Pandora’s. "Is his first love the woman in the portrait? The one he married?"
Pandora offered a sad, tight smile. "I guess you’ve seen the portraits in the basement, and you’ve discovered that he’s more than a century old. But yes, that was his first love, Elvira. He killed her."