Page 59 of Unveiled

Garrett’s mouth curled. “And what about him?” He jetted a finger toward the tree line, as if he could summon Connor by accusation alone. “What about that brute you’re tied to?”

Adrian’s throat tightened. The bond tugged again. Harder this time. Insistent, as if a hand was closing around his ribs. Adrian’s attention snapped to the trees. And there, between trunks and shadow, he saw movement.

The figure breaking into the clearing at a run.

Connor.

He came fast, his coat flaring, his hair wind-tossed, and his breath puffing in the cold air. His face was pale, his jaw tight, his eyes locked on Adrian as if he were the only fixed point in a shifting world.

Max stepped forward , half-blocking his path, but Connor barely seemed to recognise him. He slowed only at the edge of the circle, his chest heaving, his gaze still pinned to Adrian.

The clearing went silent. Garrett seemed to savour it, his grin widening as if the world had proven his point for him.

Adrian’s gaze flicked briefly to Garrett, then back to Connor. His eyes softened for a moment. He didn’t speak. He didn’t have to.

***

Connor

Connor could feel the steadying in him, the way Adrian’s presence made the air feel less sharp, less ready to cut.

Garrett broke the silence with a laugh. “See?” he said, his voice loud and victorious. “He comes when you call, Gauthier. Like a mate. Like a leash.”

Adrian’s head turned, slow and dangerous. “Say that again,” he said softly.

Max’s hand moved toward Adrian’s elbow and seemed to send a silent warning.

Connor stepped forward before Adrian could. “This is between you and me now, Garrett.”

Garrett’s eyes burned. “No. It’s between you and what you’ve become.”

Connor’s voice went low. “You challenged Adrian. You lost. Yield was given.”

Garrett spat, his blood dark on the grass. “Aye. I yielded. But I didn’t believe.”

Connor felt his wolf surge, furious. He forced it down.

Max’s voice cut in, sharp. “Donaldson, you’ve had your answer. Walk away.”

Garrett’s gaze flicked to him, then to the crowd, then back to Connor. He looked like a man standing on the edge of a cliff, deciding whether to jump. “Fine,” Garrett said too quick, too easy. “If you’re so sure you’re not a puppet, prove it properly.”

Connor’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”

Garrett’s grin was all teeth. “Shift.”

A collective inhale. Connor’s blood went cold. “No shifting. That was the rule, wasn’t it?” He looked over at Adrian, whose nod confirmed it.

Garrett shrugged, spreading his hands. “Rules change. The world’s changed. Or are you afraid your wolf will run straight to him?”

Adrian’s expression didn’t change, but Connor felt the bond.

“You’re slipping too, Connor,” Garrett said. “The packs need strength. Not hesitation.”

Connor didn’t take the bait. “Walk away.”

Garrett’s laugh was sharp as winter. “Not until you acknowledge what everyone sees. You’re not fit to lead a clan. Neither is he,” he waved at Adrian.

Adrian stiffened. “Garrett, don’t start this. This isn’t your clan, or your challenge.” His voice boomed, but free will was not subject to its power.