Talia’s POV
I halted abruptly, my stomach churning with dread.
Turning slowly, I found myself facing my older brother Maddox.
He must have tracked me from the banquet hall.
Maddox approached with deliberate steps, his expression twisted into a cruel smirk.
His gaze briefly acknowledged Madame Hildegard before settling entirely on me.
“I require a private word with my sister,” he declared.
The underlying menace in his tone was unmistakable.
I caught Madame Hildegard’s concerned look and offered her a reassuring nod.
“Please, go ahead.
I’ll handle this.”
Her eyes darted between us uncertainly.
“Very well, I shall wait for you ahead,” she said softly before reluctantly continuing down the corridor.
The instant she disappeared around the corner, Maddox lunged.
His hand clamped around my throat as he slammed me against the unforgiving stone wall.
Pain shot through my back as I gasped, my hands reflexively reaching for his grip.
Yet I remained still, not fighting back.
Not now.
My veil shifted but held its position.
Maddox’s hot breath scorched my face.
“You worthless piece of trash!”
I went rigid, my fingernails pressing into his wrist.
What transgression had I committed to provoke his wrath this time?
“You believe you’re protected here?” His hold constricted slightly.
“I witnessed how those dogs treated you tonight.
Even the help shows you no respect.
You’re completely without honor, Talia.”
I ground my teeth together.
His voice became a dangerous whisper.
“Produce an heir for Alpha Caspian and deliver the news home quickly.
If you fail…” His fingers compressed harder.
“I’ll turn your existence into pure torment.”
“Are you two engaged in some sort of entertainment?”
Both Maddox and I snapped our heads toward the interruption.
Caspian.
He stood at the corridor’s far end, arms folded behind him, those golden eyes fixed upon us.
My body tensed.
I had assumed he’d departed.
Maddox immediately released his grip, retreating while offering Caspian a respectful bow.
“Alpha Caspian,” he said smoothly.
“I was merely instructing my younger sister in proper conduct.”
Caspian’s mouth curved slightly upward.
Then he began advancing toward us with measured steps.
“You possess no authority to instruct anyone within my domain.
Particularly not my mate.”
I stared at him in confusion.
This marked the second time he’d claimed me as his wife.
First to the servant, now before Maddox.
But something felt different this time.
Something razor-sharp.
Something absolute.
As though challenging anyone to dispute his declaration.
Caspian stopped directly before us.
His voice became lethal ice.
“Should you ever touch my mate again…” His golden gaze darkened to amber.
“I will sever your hand and preserve it as a trophy.
Do we understand each other?”
Caspian’s POV
The silence that followed was thick with tension.
Maddox remained frozen momentarily before forcing a strained smile.
“Of course, Alpha,” he replied smoothly.
Yet his eyes found Talia one final time, cold and calculating, before he pivoted and departed.
My hands clenched with the desire to destroy something.
Instead, I allowed him to retreat.
The heavy doors sealed behind him, containing the noise and intoxicated celebration of the feast.
I shifted my attention to Talia.
She had turned completely toward me now.
The terror that had filled her eyes moments ago had vanished entirely.
Fascinating.
“You appear to fear your family far more than you fear me,” I observed.
“Why might that be?”
Talia offered no response.
I angled my head thoughtfully, studying her silence.
“One would assume I present a greater threat than your entire bloodline.
Yet you seem incapable of recognizing my danger.”
Her lips parted before closing again.
After a lengthy pause, she finally responded.
“You pose no threat to me.”
A low laugh escaped me, dark and laced with amusement.
No threat?
I leaned closer, using my height to loom over her, watching her scowl intensify.
“Little wolf,” I murmured silkily.
“Eventually, you will understand.”
Her jaw clenched tight.
I withdrew, my amusement evaporating as quickly as it had surfaced.
My features hardened into something sharp and inscrutable.
“What transpired earlier?” I demanded, my voice flat.
“During the banquet.
What were your intentions?”
Talia frowned, affecting bewilderment.
“I have no idea what you mean.”
I released a dismissive sound.
“Naturally.”
She truly believed me to be a fool.
“That peculiar way you gripped the table,” I continued.
“You intended to overturn it, correct?”
Talia didn’t waver.
“I did not.”
I examined her at length.
“Fury in the face of mistreatment is admirable,” I said eventually, “but rage alone cannot alter circumstances.”
Her brow furrowed slightly.
“What suggests I was angry?”
I smirked.
“Denial is entertaining, little wolf.
However, next time you wish to overturn furniture, acquire a wolf first.” I leaned in marginally, lowering my voice.
“Especially surrounded by Elders and pack leadership.”
Her reaction was instantaneous.
Her breathing quickened, fury blazing across her features.
Before she could unleash whatever cutting response was forming, I stepped away, clearing her path.
Talia hesitated briefly, then raised her chin and swept past me, her movements rigid with irritation.
As she vanished down the hall, I exhaled slowly, watching her retreating figure.
Let me see how you direct all that rage.
One thing remained certain—should Talia ever manifest a wolf, she would cease being a fragile creature.
She would become volatile.
Unmanageable.
Perilous.
And that possibility presented complications.
The banquet doors groaned open once more.
“Caspian.”
No need to look.
I recognized the voice immediately.
Sybil’s tone carried familiar notes as she approached.
I turned partially, noting how her gaze followed Talia’s path before quickly composing herself with a small sigh.
“You truly erred in marrying her,” she said, voice almost sympathetic.
I maintained neutral expression.
“In what way?”
Sybil faced me fully, emerald eyes narrowing.
“You witnessed tonight’s events.
She shamed you, Caspian.
Humiliated you before the entire council.
Even servants show her no deference.”
I glanced down at her.
“I can manage such matters.”
She inhaled sharply, disappointment flickering across her features.
“According to my father, gossip began the night you claimed her,” she continued, crossing her arms.
“You anticipated this outcome, didn’t you?”
“Gossip is constant, Sybil,” I replied simply.
“I expected it.”
She held my stare momentarily.
Then something unreadable crossed her expression.
“Caspian,” she said carefully, “do you truly intend to make Talia your mate?”
Her tone had shifted significantly.
I frowned subtly.
“She already is my mate.”
Sybil’s lips parted.
I could see words forming, but ultimately, she hesitated.
Then—she abandoned the topic.
“Never mind,” she murmured, shaking her head.
I knew precisely what she had meant.
She hadn’t been questioning whether I acknowledged Talia as my mate.
She had been asking if I planned to let Talia bear my offspring.
The answer was none of her concern.
But to establish boundaries, I let silence stretch between us.
Moments later, Sybil shifted subjects.
“I heard about another killing,” she said, folding her arms.
“We’re returning to Rainwood in two days.”
I nodded.
“Correct.”
Sybil tilted her head.
“Who do you suspect?
Humans?
Or some creature?”
I exhaled slowly.
“We’ll discover the truth when investigations conclude.”
Sybil studied me briefly, then nodded.
I had no patience for additional conversation.
“It’s been an exhausting day,” I said, ending the discussion.
“I require rest.”
She hesitated, lips parting as though to speak further.
Instead, she simply exhaled and forced a smile.
“Good night, Caspian.
Sleep well.”
I didn’t trust it.
Sybil never abandoned topics so readily.
Whatever was brewing in her mind remained unfinished.
And I suspected I’d learn her intentions soon enough.