My Mate Poisoned My Alpha Father for Power

The Blood River messenger departed with my promise to consider Blaze's offer, though my mind was already racing with alternatives. I wouldn't surrender—not to him, not ever.

"Buy me time," I told Renata as I watched the messenger's retreating form. "I need twenty-four hours."

She nodded, understanding the weight of my request. "Mario and I will start digging through Jax's belongings. There must be something there."

---

Renata and Mario didn't disappoint. They worked through the night, systematically cataloging every item confiscated from Jax's quarters.

"Emma," Renata called, her voice tight with excitement. "You need to see this."

I found them in the security office, surrounded by papers and a small crystal orb that pulsed with an eerie blue light.

"It's a communication crystal," Mario explained, his warrior's instincts clearly troubled. "Directly linked to Blaze Murray."

I picked up the crystal, feeling its cold weight in my palm. "How does it work?"

"Like a secure phone," Renata said, pointing to a small button. "But it's been used recently. Look."

She handed me a transcript of intercepted messages. My eyes widened as I scanned the contents.

"Blaze's father had a blood feud with your father," Renata explained. "It happened before you were born. Apparently, there's an outstanding blood debt."

"And Blaze thinks this gives him the right to our territory?" I asked, anger flaring.

"Worse," Mario interjected, unfolding a map of our patrol routes. "Jax has been deliberately leaving our borders vulnerable. These markings show all the weak points."

I traced the red marks with my finger, seeing the pattern clearly now. "He's been setting us up for years."

"There's more," Renata said quietly. "Blaze isn't just after territory. He wants to destroy the Spencer bloodline completely."

---

The Sanctuary was ancient—a neutral territory where pack disputes had been settled for generations. I chose it deliberately for my meeting with Blaze, knowing its magical barriers would prevent either of us from shifting or using excessive force.

"You came," Blaze observed, his voice deceptively smooth as he gestured to the stone table where we would sit. "I'm impressed by your courage."

"I'm not afraid of you," I replied, taking my seat. Renata and Mario flanked me, their presence reassuring.

Blaze's eyes narrowed slightly. "Then you're a fool. Your father is dying. Your pack is vulnerable. And you've rejected the one wolf who could have protected you."

"I rejected a thief," I corrected, leaning forward. "And I'm not interested in your proposal."

His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Then why are you here?"

"To understand why you're so obsessed with destroying my family," I said, studying him closely. Something wasn't right about his appearance—a subtle distortion around his edges.

"The blood debt must be paid," he replied mechanically.

"There's no debt," I countered. "My father never harmed yours. It was the other way around."

Blaze's composure slipped for just a moment—enough for me to see what I needed.

"You're wearing a glamour charm," I said, my voice hardening. "What are you hiding?"

His hand flew to his throat, too late to conceal the dark magic scarring that had momentarily become visible.

"Your father was weak," I continued, pressing my advantage. "And so are you, hiding behind charms and forbidden magic."

Blaze's control snapped. His eyes flashed red, the glamour charm falling away to reveal the ritual markings etched into his skin.

"You know nothing about power," he snarled, his voice distorted with rage.

I leaned back, having gotten exactly what I needed. "I know enough to understand why the Lycan Council would be interested in your... enhancements."

---

While I kept Blaze occupied at the Sanctuary, Mario led our elite team through the dense forest separating our territories.

"The location mentioned in Jax's notes should be just beyond that ridge," he whispered to his warriors.

They moved silently, taking advantage of every shadow. The small stone building appeared exactly where Mario had predicted.

"Two guards," he observed. "One circling, one at the door."

The team split efficiently. Two warriors disabled the circling guard while Mario approached the door with another team member.

The lock yielded to the specialist's tools. Inside, they found shelves of labeled potions and herbs.

"Find the wolfsbane antidote," Mario ordered.

Their search was methodical but quick. One warrior located a small vial with the distinctive blue label they sought.

"Got it," he whispered.

They were nearly clear when an alarm sounded—a high-pitched howl that echoed through the trees.

"Run!" Mario commanded. "Back to our territory!"

The chase was on—Blaze's guards in pursuit, Mario's team racing for the border with the precious antidote clutched in their hands.

I felt the vibration of the communication crystal in my pocket as I sat across from Blaze, a small smile playing at my lips despite the danger my team faced.

Something was happening at the border. And soon, Blaze would discover exactly what kind of Alpha I truly was.