Chapter 157Â
ClaimÂ
The tension in the hallway was sharp. Jason and Sage were still arguing, their voices raised and overlapping in a clash of anger, guilt, and exhaustion.Â
Alexander approached them, his expression calm now.Â
Jason was mid–sentence, gesturing in frustration. “I can’t believe you’re standing there just…”Â
Alexander’s voice cut in smoothly, low and steady. “I’ve decided,” he said, stopping a few feet away from them. His gaze was cold and focused–the kind of focus that came only when anger was buried too deep to show on the surface. “I’m going after her.”Â
Jason turned toward him, eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re not thinking straight. We can’t justÂ
–”Â
“I’m not asking for permission,” Alexander interrupted, his tone deceptively calm. “I’m telling you what I’m going to do.”Â
For a brief moment, silence filled the corridor.Â
Alexander exhaled. “I have a plan. I’ll leave at dawn, when their defenses are at their weakest. No grand entrance, no backup.”Â
Jason looked at him, torn between logic and guilt. “You plan to infiltrate Moon Claw territory alone? That’s crazy.”Â
“Not crazy,” Alexander replied. “Precision. The more wolves you take, the louder the noise. Draco will sense a full squad long before they reach his walls. I don’t need an army….I needÂ
silence.”Â
Jason studied him for a moment, the weight of the decision pressing on his shoulders. He finally let out a long breath, the tension in his stance easing into resolve. “Then I’m going with you.”Â
Sage blinked, startled. “Jason… what?”Â
Jason didn’t look at her. His eyes remained fixed on Alexander. “She’s in this because of me. They thought they were taking my Luna. That’s on me. I won’t let Alexander face that alone.”Â
Alexander didn’t respond. He merely nodded once, as if accepting a fact that didn’t surprise him.Â
Sage stepped between them, her expression laced with disbelief. “You’re both insane,” she said, her voice trembling. “Do you even hear yourselves? After what just happened here..afterÂ
1/3Â
Chapter 157Â
ClaimÂ
the attack…you think it’s wise for the Alpha of Silver Hollow to leave his territory? What if this is what they wanted all along… to lure you out?”Â
Jason met her gaze, the faintest edge of defiance flickering there. “And what if sitting here doing nothing means losing her for good?”Â
Sage shook her head, stepping closer, her tone turning desperate. “I want my sister rescued too, but send warriors! We have capable men–trained guards who can fight and track. You don’t have to go yourself, Jason.”Â
Alexander’s voice came from behind her. “That’s exactly why he can’t send warriors.”Â
Sage turned sharply to face him, her eyes narrowing. “Excuse me?”Â
Alexander moved closer. “If he sends warriors, the Moon Claw scouts will spot them miles away. They’ll tighten security. They’ll move her–or worse, use her to bait us. I need a quiet backup, not a parade of soldiers drawing attention. I’d rather go alone.”Â
Jason nodded, his expression set. “If I don’t go, he’ll go alone. And I’m not letting that happen. I’m going.”Â
Sage’s mouth fell open in disbelief. “Jason, that’s reckless! You’ll be leaving Silver Hollow unguarded after everything that’s happened today. What if they come back? What if this is all part of their plan?”Â
Jason turned to her then, his tone softening. “Then we trust the ones we leave behind to defend it. Sage, I can’t stand by while she’s out there, thinking we abandoned her.”Â
Sage swallowed hard, frustration clawing at her chest. She looked from Jason to Alexander- both of them resolute, neither willing to back down. The first time they chose to be on the same page… and it had to be like this. For a moment, she wanted to scream–to tell them both how insane this was. But she could see it in their faces: they had already made up their minds.Â
Alexander finally turned to leave, heading down the corridor toward his suite. “We move at dawn,” he said.Â
He disappeared around the corner, leaving Sage standing there with Jason in the heavy stillness of the hallway.Â
Jason let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair, the exhaustion in his eyes clear. “You should rest,” he murmured, turning slightly to walk away.Â
But Sage’s hand shot out, gripping his arm. “Rest?” she repeated. “You’re actually doing this?”Â
Jason turned to face her fully, his expression calm. “I already told you, I am.”Â
2/3Â
< Chapter 157Â
ClaimÂ
Sage’s voice trembled–not from fear, but from restrained anger. “You’re letting him control you, Jason. You’re the Alpha of Silver Hollow, not some common Blood Crescent soldier at his command. Why are you following his lead like you owe him something?”Â
Jason’s jaw tightened. “I’m not following his lead.”Â
Sage scoffed, stepping closer. “You could’ve sent warriors. You should have sent warriors. But instead, you’re abandoning your post–your people–because he thinks it’s a good idea?”Â
Jason nodded. “He was going alone, Sage. I couldn’t let that happen. This is Faye we’re talking about. I need to do right by her.”Â
The sincerity in his voice cut through her anger, replacing it with something else–something heavier. She stared at him, trying to piece together the emotions twisting inside her.Â
“So this is what?” she asked softly. “Some kind of redemption mission for you?”Â
Jason hesitated, his gaze flickering briefly. “Or maybe it’s just me trying to do the right thing. for once.”Â
Sage looked away, crossing her arms as she fought to keep her expression steady. “Or maybe you’re just trying to appear as her hero,” she murmured bitterly.Â
Jason’s head snapped toward her, surprise flashing in his eyes, but before he could respond, she shook her head quickly. “Forget it,” she said, her tone faltering. “That was unfair.”Â
She turned away, her throat tightening. Deep down, she knew her words weren’t entirely born of logic–they were born of something far messier. She felt a sharp, shameful sting at the thought of Jason risking his life for her sister… not her. And the guilt that followed was instant and suffocating.Â
How could she even think that way when Faye was the one in danger? When Faye was the one who needed saving?Â
Her chest tightened as she stared at the empty hallway Alexander had disappeared into moments ago. She knew she should be grateful–grateful that someone was willing to go to such lengths for her sister. But all she could feel was the weight of her own selfish thought pressing like a stone against her heart.Â
CommentsÂ
Get Bonus (Ad) >Â
(Â