Alpha's Ruin: He Betrayed Me, I'll Make Him Kneel

Rhea stayed on the stone steps with Eli for a few more minutes, rocking him until his small frame stopped shaking.

Footsteps crunched on the gravel. She looked up as Bernard walked toward them, his broad chest still smeared with dried blood. Rhea’s brows pulled together in a tight, defensive line.

"We have to leave now," Bernard said, his deep voice gravelly. "The trail is clear, but some of my men will stay behind to guard the sanctuary."

Rhea’s silver eyes narrowed, her tone turning instantly defiant. "There will be no need for that. Go back to BloodVeil, Bernard. Tell Adam that I will never choose his pack, and he should stop sending his wolves to protect me."

Bernard looked down at her, a slow, pitying shake of his head following her words. "You still think this is about you, Luna?" he asked, his voice flat. He flicked his yellow eyes down to Eli before looking back at her. "The Alpha made a promise to his friend, and he is only keeping it."

With that, Bernard turned his back on her and walked toward the gate, his boots heavy on the earth.

Rhea’s jaw hardened, her heart hammering against her ribs. Not for me? The realization stung her pride like a splash of acid. He wasn’t doing this to win her back. He was doing it for her son.

A sudden shift in the wind carried the thick, metallic stench of fresh death and blood directly into her nostrils, pulling her from her thoughts. She stood up, taking Eli’s small hand in hers. Together, they walked across the yard to watch the remaining guards drag the dead bounty hunters toward a deep pit near the forest line.

Nearby, several sanctuary warriors were already hauling heavy logs, working hard to rebuild the smashed sections of the wall.

"Mama, I am really happy I got to fight like Uncle Adam today," Eli said, a small, proud grin breaking through the soot on his face. Then, his eyes dimmed. "I only wish Uncle Adam could have seen me bite that rogue."

Rhea felt her breath catch. She crouched down to his eye level and shook her head firmly. "You are much too young to be biting warriors, Eli. I already told you that."

Eli frowned, looking confused. "But Uncle Adam says that if I sit and wait for someone to save me, I will end up dead."

Rhea’s chest tightened, a hot flash of anger rising in her throat. She wasn’t angry because Adam’s words were wrong. She was angry because he was right, and because her sweet child had been forced to learn such a brutal truth so early in life.

"He is only preparing the pup for the monsters out there," River’s voice rumbled softly in her head, surprisingly calm. "The world is not safe for him."

Rhea’s jaw clenched. That should have been my duty, not his. He is my pup. Mine.

"Why do I feel like you are angry for a different reason?" River countered, her wolfish thoughts teasing her. "Are you angry because you have to be grateful to him now?"

Before Rhea could snap back at her wolf, a familiar voice called out through the courtyard.

"Rhea!"

She turned and saw Elder Magnus walking toward her, his face grave. On either side of him walked Elders Rowan and Seraphine, their long robes sweeping over the bloody dirt.

Rhea exhaled slowly as they stopped in front of her.

"We heard about what happened," Elder Magnus said, his grey eyes scanning the dead bodies. "We had to see the damage for ourselves."

Rhea looked at the bodies being tossed into the pit, then sighed, resting her hand on Eli’s shoulder. "We are fine, thankfully."

"This proves Alpha Thorne was right to worry," Elder Seraphine said softly. "Now we see why he was so hesitant to bring you or any of us to the boy’s location."

Rhea knew the elder was right, but she kept her lips pressed tight, refusing to agree with Adam.

Elder Rowan walked closer to the edge of the pit, his nose flaring as he caught the scent of the dead men. He looked back at Rhea. "The worst part is, these are not rogues. These men were hired. Sent here by a master."

"So someone paid them to take my son?" Rhea asked, her eyes widening as her fingers tightened around Eli’s hand.

"It means news of the boy’s wellbeing and whereabouts has spread much further through the valleys than we hoped," Elder Magnus said, shaking his head.

Rhea’s eyes flashed with a dangerous, silver light. "No one will touch my son. Not while I am still alive."

"I will tear their throats out before they lay a hand on our pup," River snarled in agreement.

Elder Seraphine sighed, her gaze softening as she looked at Rhea. "I know you want nothing more than to protect him, Rhea, but you must face the truth. You cannot guard this boy alone. Let us help you."

Rhea looked at the elders and let out a tired sigh. "Thank you for the offer. But I will not ask for anyone’s help. Not until I know exactly who in this valley I can trust."

Elder Seraphine smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "You will not have to ask, trust me."

"What do you mean by that?" Rhea asked, her brows drawing together.

Elder Rowan let out a soft chuckle. "An unattached Luna with your name, mother of Ironfang’s true heir, the greatest battle commander of your generation. Every Alpha who marries you gains legitimacy, and every Alpha who lets another claim you becomes weaker.

"Exactly," Elder Seraphine added. "Alliances will come to your door in ways you do not expect."

"I stand by my word," Rhea said, her voice hard as iron. "I have trusted two Alphas in my life, and they both betrayed me. I have no plans of making the same mistake twice. That part of my life is done. I will protect my son with my own claws."

Elder Rowan looked at her, his eyes drifting down to the heavy tracks left by the BloodVeil vanguards who had saved them. He smiled gently. "Looking at where you stand right now, Luna, do you still truly believe Alpha Thorne betrayed you?"

Rhea swallowed hard, her jaw locking as she stared at the empty iron gates.

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