Chapter 5: Fire and Fury

Their words weighed down on me, but I could not comprehend anything beyond the threshold of the looming threat of rogues. My instincts, my wolf, screamed at me-to run, to escape the encumbering tension between Aiden and Xander, and from the invisible enemy outside our door.

Xander moved with calculated precision; every step seemed to reverberate with the weight of an Alpha that had faced hostility all his life. His eyes, dark as a storm, scanned the window as if already planning an approach. The air was thick with the metallic tang of aggression, yet beside me, Aiden didn't move; he was as silent as a storm himself.

"We can't stay here," Xander growled. "They'll make a move soon."

Aiden tensed, stepped closer to me, his shoulder grazing mine. "You're not calling the shots, Xander. I can protect her just fine."

Xander's lips curled into a dangerous smirk, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "That's not up for debate, **Beta**."

And here it was again, that sharp condescending use of Aiden's title. A title once held with such power, respect, now jabbed within-as if a reminder that the status of Alpha outweighed that of Aiden's rank. I saw how Aiden's jaw clenched, the restraint it took for him not to lash out. But now wasn't the time for their rivalry.

"Stop," I whispered, stepping forward, placing myself squarely between them. "Please, stop fighting. I can't do this right now."

Both of them fell silent, their gazes snapping to me. I knew that I couldn't keep them at bay forever, but at least for right now, I needed them focused on the bigger threat.

The rogues. The very idea sent a shiver down my spine. Why would they be watching me? What could they possibly have to gain from my being mated to both Aiden and Xander? The rogues didn't care about packs or tradition. They thrived on chaos.

"We'll move into a secure location," Xander finally said, his tone resolute, his Alpha instincts taking over. "They won't get close."

"And what makes you think I'll just hand her over to you?" Aiden's voice was tight, taut with the same protective fire that had always made me feel safe. But this time, that fire wasn't for me, it was for Xander.

Xander's eyes flashed dangerously. "Because I can keep her safe in a way you can't. You might be strong, but you're not an Alpha."

"I'm more than capable-

You're in over your head here, Aiden. Those rogues aren't simply wolves that want a fight. They're organized, and they know what they want exactly."

I swallowed as my throat constricted. "What are they after?"

Xander's gaze gentled for all of a second before he looked at me. "They want power. And with you, they can destabilize two packs.

My stomach twisted. Of course. Mating with both Aiden, the Beta of my pack, and Xander, Alpha of our rival pack, had been more than an anomaly-it was a threat to the fragile balance of power. Two powerful wolves bonded to one woman meant I could sway the future of both packs-whether I wanted to or not.

"They think if they control you," Xander furthered, "they can control us."

Aiden's hand found mine, a soft squeeze. "They're wrong. We'll protect you.

I felt the bonds, one for the steadfast strength in Aiden's loyalty, the other for the fierce dominance in Xander's leadership, both pulling and tugging at me. But with their promises still echoing in my ears, I knew this was so much bigger than any of us. The rogues were a threat, not just to me, but to all we knew.

"We need to go," Xander growled, his voice low as he turned toward the door. "Now.

Aiden was wavering, his hand still clenching mine, his eyes screaming a million unsaid words. I could see the turmoil in him-the pain of having to trust Xander, of having to let go. But above everything else, I saw the fear of losing me.

"I won't let them take you," Aiden whispered, his voice trembling.

"I know," I whispered back, my heart aching for him. "But right now we have to work together. Both of you."

Xander didn't wait for a response. He was already moving, his footsteps silent but purposeful, his Alpha presence radiating throughout the room. Aiden and I followed, and as we stepped outside into the cool night air, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

There, the rogues were watching and waiting for that perfect moment to strike.

And deep inside of me, I knew that once it finally did, it would not stop with my life.

It would be everything.