The pack had fallen into uneasy silence as the weight of Mason's absence bore down on them. Ruby kept watch over the group, her sharp gaze darting toward the forest every so often, as though expecting trouble. Fey's pacing had grown more erratic, her frustration simmering beneath the surface, while Tobias and Kieran tried to maintain a sense of calm. The pack was holding together, but only just.
The tension broke when a familiar figure emerged from the shadows of the forest. Leona stepped into the clearing, her posture cautious but unyielding. The moment the pack recognized her, they shot to their feet, growls ripping through the air like a chorus of thunder.
"What are you doing here?" Fey snarled, her claws extending slightly as she took a step forward. "You don't belong here."
"I came to help," Leona said evenly, her voice carrying over the rising growls. Her golden eyes flicked toward Ruby. "I heard about Mason. You'll need every tracker you can get."
"We don't need you," Archer spat, his sharp teeth bared. "For all we know, you're part of this."
The pack edged closer, their bodies coiled with tension. Tobias tried to interject, but his voice was drowned out by the low, guttural snarls of the others. Leona didn't flinch, though her gaze darted toward the mansion, where Regina's commanding presence was a tangible force even from afar.
"Enough!" Ruby barked, stepping between Leona and the pack. "Everyone, stand down. Let her speak."
"She doesn't deserve to speak," Fey hissed. "She abandoned us!"
"And you think I'd betray you?" Leona shot back, her voice rising for the first time. "I left Graham's pack because I couldn't stand by and do nothing while Mason was taken! I'm here because I want to make this right."
The growls grew louder, the pack advancing again, their mistrust is clearly shown. Leona, sensing the mounting aggression, turned toward the mansion and dropped to one knee, bowing her head in the direction of the Queen Alpha.
The pack edged closer, their bodies coiled with tension. Tobias tried to interject, but his voice was drowned out by the low, guttural snarls of the others. Leona didn't flinch, though her gaze darted toward the mansion, where Regina's commanding presence was a tangible force even from afar.
The low growls of the pack faltered, fading into a tense silence as the mansion's door creaked open. Regina emerged, her figure framed by the moonlight, each step down the porch stairs deliberate and commanding. The forest itself seemed to hold its breath as her crimson eyes swept over the clearing, silencing even Fey's defiance with a single glance.
Leona took a deep breath and stepped forward, her movements deliberate. She knelt on one knee, bowing her head in a sign of submission. "Queen Alpha," she said, her voice steady. "I've come to help. Mason's been taken, and I couldn't stand by and do nothing."
Regina's sharp eyes bore into Leona, her silence heavy and expectant. The pack watched, their tension palpable as they waited for their leader's response.
"Help?" Regina's voice cut through the night like a blade, laced with authority and subtle danger. "You left your pack, walked into mine without invitation, and now you claim to offer help?"
Leona lifted her head slightly but kept her gaze averted, her body language screaming deference. "I left because I couldn't follow Graham's orders anymore. I didn't know Mason would be taken, but I should have seen it coming. I'm here to make it right."
A low, guttural growl escaped Regina, and the pack stiffened. "Regret doesn't undo the damage you've caused," Regina said, her voice razor-sharp. "You didn't just fail your pack—you endangered mine. Loyalty isn't a shield you wield when it suits you, Leona. It's a bond forged in trust, one you shattered the moment you followed Graham's orders." Her red-tinged eyes glowed faintly, a reminder of the power she held. "This isn't Graham's territory, and you don't answer to him anymore. You answer to me now."
Leona lowered her head further, pressing her hands to the ground in a full gesture of submission. "I understand. I'll prove myself, whatever it takes."
Regina stepped closer, the energy around her thick with dominance. "You've caused enough disruption tonight. You'll stay—but one wrong move, and you'll regret ever stepping into my territory."
Her words sent a shiver through the pack, the finality of her tone leaving no room for doubt. The other wolves exchanged uneasy glances, their mistrust of Leona evident. Fey let out a quiet snarl but backed away, her defiance tempered by Regina's presence.
Ruby stepped forward, her voice steady but firm. "Leona stays. The Queen Alpha has spoken."
The pack grumbled but ultimately relented, their loyalty to Regina overriding their mistrust. Leona remained on the ground until Regina turned and strode back into the house, her authority unquestioned.
Beneath Storybrooke, in a hidden underground chamber shrouded in darkness and cloaked with powerful wards, Mason sat tied to a chair, his body battered and broken. His breathing was shallow, each inhale a struggle against the pain that wracked his ribs. His hands were bound with enchanted chains that burned against his skin, and the chair was inscribed with runes designed to suppress his transformation.
Efron leaned against the wall, his face pale but his expression twisted with satisfaction. The wounds Regina had inflicted were still healing, the deep gashes across his chest covered by a loose shirt, but his presence was no less intimidating.
A Keeper stepped forward, his cold eyes fixed on Mason. "You're loyal to your Queen Alpha. Admirable, but misplaced. Tell us what we need to know, and this can all end."
Mason glared at him through swollen eyes, blood dripping from a cut on his lip. "Go to hell."
The Keeper's expression darkened, and he backhanded Mason across the face. The crack of the blow echoed through the chamber, but Mason didn't cry out. He spat blood onto the floor and smirked faintly.
"Is that all you've got?" he rasped, his voice rough but defiant.
Efron stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. "You think your loyalty is noble, but it's foolish. Regina Mills can't protect all of you. She's already failed to protect you."
"She hasn't failed," Mason growled, his voice trembling with conviction. "I chose to fight for her. I'd rather die than betray her."
The Guardian in the corner, a hulking figure with glowing eyes, spoke for the first time. "He's strong. But everyone breaks eventually."
The Keeper stepped closer, his voice lowering to a menacing whisper. "Tell us what we want to know. Where does Regina's weakness lie? How does she keep her power? You've scouted her territory; you know the land better than anyone."
Mason's jaw clenched, his silence his only answer.
Efron sighed, feigning disappointment. "You're wasting our time. But that's fine. We have plenty of it."
He gestured to the Guardian, who stepped forward, his massive hands tightening around Mason's shoulders. The pressure sent fresh waves of pain through Mason's battered body, but he refused to make a sound.
"You'll break eventually," the Keeper said coldly. "It's just a matter of how long it takes."
Mason's head lolled forward, his voice barely above a whisper. "You'll get nothing from me. You don't understand what loyalty means."
Efron smirked, his expression full of malice. "We'll see about that."
As the interrogation continued, the Keepers and Guardians grew increasingly frustrated by Mason's resilience. But Mason, despite the torment, clung to one thought: Regina will come. She always does.
Mason sagged against the restraints, his body battered and bleeding but his resolve unbroken. His head lolled forward, but his ears remained sharp, catching every word as the Guardians and Keepers argued amongst themselves. Their voices echoed in the damp, hidden chamber, growing louder with each passing moment.
Efron stood to the side, his arms crossed over his still-healing chest, watching the argument unfold with a mixture of irritation and unease. His wounds from Regina's claws pulsed faintly, a painful reminder of the mistake he had made at Eden.
"This was your plan, Efron?" a Guardian sneered, his deep, guttural voice reverberating through the chamber. His glowing yellow eyes bore into Efron, his massive frame barely contained by the space. "You assured us you could keep Regina contained. Instead, you've returned here beaten and useless."
Efron's jaw tightened, his hands clenching into fists. "I didn't anticipate the extent of her power."
"You didn't anticipate?" another Keeper interjected, his voice cold and mocking. "You claimed you understood her strengths and weaknesses. You assured us you could control her—contain her. And yet, here we are, with a pack member of hers in chains and no closer to our goal."
Mason lifted his head slightly, forcing his swollen eyes to focus on the group. Their frustration was palpable, and it filled him with a grim sense of satisfaction despite his pain. He smirked faintly, blood smeared across his teeth, and whispered hoarsely, "Underestimated her, didn't you?"
"Shut him up," one of the Guardians growled, but Efron held up a hand, signaling for silence.
"He's irrelevant," Efron said dismissively, though his tone lacked its usual confidence. "Regina was a challenge, yes, but we've weakened her. Sabine—"
"Sabine," another Guardian snapped, his voice cutting through Efron's words. "Did you bond with her? Were you able to establish the connection?"
Efron faltered for a moment, his usual arrogance slipping. "No. It happened too quickly. Regina intervened before—"
"Before you could do anything useful," the Guardian interrupted, his tone dripping with disdain. "You failed, Efron. Miserably."
Efron's lips pressed into a thin line, his chest rising and falling as he struggled to keep his composure. He wouldn't admit it, not openly, but the memory of Regina's feral power still haunted him. The way she had torn into him at Eden, her eyes blazing with dominance and fury—it had been like staring into the jaws of death. He suppressed a shudder and straightened his posture.
"You don't understand what it's like to face her," Efron said, his voice low and sharp. "Regina is unlike any alpha we've encountered. Her connection to her pack, her strength—it's unprecedented."
"You were the one who claimed you could handle her!" a Keeper spat, his face contorted with anger. "You said Graham's pack and the wraiths would be enough to keep her distracted. Instead, you've brought us more trouble than progress."
"Regina is a threat," Efron snapped back, his composure fraying. "But she's not invincible. She has weaknesses."
"Does she?" another Keeper asked, his tone icy and skeptical. "Because it seems like you've only exposed our weaknesses."
Mason chuckled weakly, the sound rough and strained but unmistakably amused. The Guardians and Keepers turned to glare at him, their anger momentarily redirected.
"Go ahead," Mason rasped, his voice barely above a whisper. "Keep arguing. Makes it easier for her to win."
The Guardian closest to him lashed out, slamming a fist into Mason's ribcage. The sickening crack of breaking bone echoed in the chamber, and Mason groaned in pain, but he refused to cry out.
"Enough," one of the senior Keepers said, his voice cold and commanding. "This bickering achieves nothing. Efron, you've made a mess of this situation. The question now is how we salvage it."
Efron's eyes narrowed. "We still have an advantage. Mason knows the layout of her territory better than anyone. He knows her routines, her habits. If we break him—"
"You won't," Mason interjected, his voice hoarse but steady. "I'll die before I betray her."
"You will die," the Guardian sneered, leaning down to meet Mason's gaze. "But not before you've served your purpose."
Mason met his gaze, his expression defiant despite the pain etched into every line of his face. "You don't know what loyalty is. You never will."
The Guardian snarled and raised a hand to strike him again, but one of the Keepers intervened. "Stop. He's no use to us dead—yet."
"Then what do you suggest?" Efron asked, his frustration evident. "We don't have time to waste."
"We use him as bait," the Keeper said simply. "Regina will come for him. She won't leave one of her own behind. When she does, we'll be ready."
"And if she doesn't?" a Guardian asked, his tone skeptical.
"She will," the Keeper replied, a twisted smile curling his lips. "Queens don't abandon their pawns."
Mason's heart sank at their words, but his resolve only hardened. He closed his eyes briefly, focusing on the bond he shared with his pack, the bond that Regina had strengthened through her unwavering leadership. He had no intention of being used as bait. If this was to be his end, he would face it with the same loyalty and strength that had brought him here.
The moonlight pierced through the dense canopy of the forest, casting fragmented silver patterns onto the ground below. The quiet rustling of leaves and the distant calls of night birds underscored the heavy tension that hung over the gathered wolves. The pack stood together, their unease palpable, like a storm brewing just beneath the surface.
Graham stood in the center, his figure partially illuminated by the pale light. He was a steady presence, but his thoughts churned in turmoil. He clenched his fists at his sides, his eyes scanning the faces of his packmates, their expectant gazes like a weight pressing on him. They were looking to him for answers, for a plan, but his secrets clawed at the edges of his resolve. Graham had told them only half-truths about the Keepers. He knew more than he had admitted, and the guilt of his omission was as suffocating as the forest's dense air.
Tobias stepped forward, his weathered leather satchel slung across his shoulder. He carried a notebook in his hands, its edges frayed from years of use. The pack hushed as he opened it, flipping through pages of meticulous notes, hand-drawn diagrams, and fragmented lore.
"I've spent years piecing this together," Tobias began, his voice steady but laden with the weight of his findings. "The Keepers weren't always what they are now. They were… something different, something tied to a greater purpose."
"What purpose?" Archer asked, his sharp features tense with impatience.
Tobias shook his head. "That part is unclear. What I do know is that they abandoned that purpose—or twisted it into something unrecognizable. Now, all that remains is their hunger for power and control."
Graham's jaw tightened, his voice firm. "That doesn't explain their current actions. What does this have to do with us?"
Tobias flipped to another page, pointing to a sketch of an ancient sigil. "Their methods haven't changed. They manipulate, they sow fear, and they distract. What they did at Eden—taking Sabine, then Mason—it fits their pattern. Sabine might have been the distraction."
Cosette crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "So Mason was their real target? Why?"
"Mason knows the forest better than anyone," Tobias replied. "Her knowledge of our territory, our hiding places, makes her a valuable asset—or a dangerous liability."
Graham's shoulders stiffened as Tobias's words hit home. He had suspected as much but had kept those suspicions to himself. He had hoped to shield his pack from the full weight of the truth, but now it was clear that his silence had only fueled their uncertainty.
"And what would they gain from her?" Cosette pressed, her frustration evident. "Mapping our weaknesses? Setting traps?"
"Or forcing us to make a mistake," Tobias said, his gaze steady. "They want us divided, distracted, and vulnerable."
The pack exchanged uneasy glances, their growls and whispers growing louder. Tension rippled through the group like a palpable force.
"What do we do now?" Elise asked, her usually quiet voice trembling.
Before Graham could answer, Kieran stepped forward, his calm demeanor contrasting with the rising tension. "We need to talk to them."
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. The pack bristled, growls rumbling low in their throats.
"Talk to them?" Cosette snapped, incredulous. "Are you out of your mind? You think they'll just sit down and chat after everything they've done?"
Kieran didn't flinch under her glare. "I'm not saying we trust them. I'm saying we figure out what they want. Sometimes the best way to defeat an enemy is to understand them."
Ronan, his calm voice cutting through the noise, said, "We don't have to decide now, but Kieran has a point. If we keep reacting without knowing their goals, we're playing their game."
Cosette turned back to Graham, her tone sharp. "You've been quiet. What do you think, Graham? What's the plan?"
Graham met her gaze, his expression unreadable. The truth he withheld gnawed at him, but revealing it now would risk fracturing their trust further. Instead, he took a steadying breath and spoke with the authority of an alpha.
"We focus on what we can control," he said. "Tobias, keep digging into their history. There's something in their past they don't want us to know, and it might be the key to understanding their actions."
Tobias nodded, clutching his notebook tightly. "I'll do what I can."
"Cosette," Graham continued, his voice firm, "coordinate the scouts. I want every inch of Eden and our territory searched for clues. If they left anything behind, I want to know about it."
Cosette hesitated, her eyes narrowing as though searching for cracks in his resolve. Finally, she nodded, though her frustration lingered. "Understood."
"Kieran," Graham added, his tone softening, "your suggestion isn't off the table. But we're not making any moves until we have more information."
The pack dispersed slowly, some nodding in agreement while others exchanged uneasy glances. Graham stood still in the clearing, watching as his wolves moved into the forest, splitting off into smaller groups to carry out their assignments. His chest felt heavy, each step they took away from him a reminder of the fragile thread of trust holding them together. He had given them direction, spoken with the authority of an alpha, but inside, his own uncertainty loomed like a storm cloud, threatening to consume him.
Archer and Vera lingered at the edge of the clearing, their hushed conversation a whisper against the rustle of the trees.
"This isn't good," Vera murmured, her voice trembling as she glanced at the departing wolves. "We're falling apart."
"We're not falling apart," Archer said, though his tone was tinged with doubt. His sharp eyes scanned the retreating figures of their packmates. "We're just… scared. And we have every right to be."
Vera hesitated, her hands wringing nervously as she cast a wary glance toward Graham. He stood apart, his shoulders stiff and his head slightly bowed, a lone figure against the backdrop of the shadowed woods. "Do you think Graham knows what he's doing?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Archer followed her gaze, his jaw tightening. "I think he's trying," he said after a long pause. "But trying might not be enough."
Their words hung in the air, carried away by the breeze, but Graham didn't miss the tension in their voices. He remained rooted in the clearing long after the others had gone, his chest tightening with the weight of the secrets he carried. His fists clenched at his sides, the sharp sting of his nails biting into his palms grounding him against the rising tide of doubt.
He had lied to them. Not outright, but through omission—a carefully curated version of the truth that concealed the full extent of what he knew about the Keepers. His intentions had been noble, or so he told himself. The lies were meant to protect them, to shield them from the full, terrifying reality of the threat they faced. But now, those lies felt like a crack in the foundation of his leadership, threatening to split wide open and bring everything crashing down.
Graham tilted his head back, staring at the fragmented moonlight filtering through the trees. The forest, usually his sanctuary, felt oppressive tonight. He closed his eyes briefly, forcing himself to focus on the mission ahead. Tobias's warnings, Cosette's frustration, Kieran's cautious suggestion—all of it swirled in his mind like a storm he couldn't calm.
The wolves trusted him, but for how long? How much longer could he hold them together while carrying the burden of his half-truths? He clenched his jaw, his resolve hardening despite the weight of his doubts. He would not let his pack fall apart. Not now. Not while Mason was still out there.
As the forest around him settled into its nocturnal rhythm, Graham turned and strode toward the edge of the clearing. His pack needed him to be strong, even if the cracks in his armor were beginning to show. Whatever secrets the Keepers held, whatever plans they were spinning in the shadows, Graham vowed to uncover them—no matter the cost.
He glanced at Tobias's notes, the fragmented lore of the Keepers swirling in his mind. He had dealt with them before, had seen their games and manipulations firsthand. And yet, even now, he couldn't bring himself to reveal the full extent of what he knew. To do so would risk not only his authority but the fragile unity of his pack.
For now, he could only hope that the lies he told were enough to keep them together—and that the truth, when it inevitably surfaced, wouldn't destroy them all.
The tension inside the mansion was heighten, like a storm brewing just beneath the surface. Regina's pack had gathered in the spacious living room, their usual camaraderie replaced by quiet unease. The air buzzed with unspoken worries, each wolf standing at attention, their eyes flickering with a mix of determination and anxiety. Ruby stood near the center, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she scanned the room. By her side were Fey, Tobias, Archer, Kieran, Vera, and several other wolves whose loyalty to the Queen Alpha was unquestionable.
"We don't have time to waste," Ruby began, her voice sharp and commanding. "Mason's out there, and the Keepers and Guardians are likely using her as leverage—or worse."
Regina stepped forward, her presence immediately silencing any murmurs. The glow of her crimson eyes hinted at the immense power she held, a quiet reminder of who led them. Her tone was measured, but her words carried an edge of steel. "I want every inch of this town and the surrounding forest scouted. If there's a Keeper's base, we'll find it." She paused, her gaze sweeping over the pack. "Ruby, who among the pack has the sharpest scent-tracking abilities?"
Ruby nodded, already prepared. "Archer, Tobias, and Fey are our best trackers. They've been reliable before and know how to move undetected."
Regina shifted her gaze to the trio, her expression leaving no room for doubt. "The three of you will split up and follow Mason's scent trail. Report back the moment you find anything unusual. Do not engage. The rest of the pack will scout the perimeter and the forest for any signs of Keeper activity. We're not taking chances."
The pack responded with a unified nod, their faces resolute as they began dividing into their groups. Ruby lingered by Regina's side, her voice dropping to a quieter tone. "We'll find her," she said with confidence. "You know we will."
Regina's gaze softened for the briefest moment. "I trust you, Ruby. Now go."
Upstairs, the guest room was eerily quiet except for the steady hum of Sabine's breathing. The room was dimly lit, a soft golden glow from a nearby lamp casting shadows across her pale features. Leona sat beside the bed, her usually stoic demeanor replaced by something far more vulnerable. Her fingers brushed against Sabine's hand, her quiet voice barely audible as she whispered, "I'm sorry. I should have done more. I should have stopped them."
The sight of Leona's rare display of emotion caught Regina by surprise as she entered the room. For a moment, she paused, watching the wolf whose loyalty had always been in question. This wasn't the hardened enforcer Regina had known; this was someone burdened by guilt and anger.
"Leona," Regina said softly, though her voice carried the weight of authority.
Leona jolted upright, her mask of composure slipping back into place as she turned to face her Alpha. "Queen Alpha," she said stiffly, her posture straightening.
Regina's piercing gaze lingered on her. "Follow me."
Leona hesitated, casting one last glance at Sabine before nodding and trailing behind Regina down the hall. Her steps echoed faintly on the polished floors, each one heavier than the last. By the time they reached the office, Leona's unease had grown into a palpable tension.
The door swung open, and Regina entered first, her movements deliberate and calm. Leona stepped inside, and the door slammed shut behind her with a force that rattled the walls. The air in the room shifted immediately, heavy with Regina's dominance.
Without warning, Regina partially transformed. Her crimson eyes flared with supernatural intensity, her claws elongated into sharp, glistening points, and her fangs bared in a snarl that made the hair on Leona's neck stand on end. Her presence was overwhelming, a flood of raw power that pressed down like a weight.
"You'll tell me everything," Regina growled, her voice low and guttural, vibrating with barely restrained fury. "Now."
Leona froze, caught off guard by the sheer force of Regina's aura. "I—I don't know much," she stammered, her voice trembling.
Regina didn't wait for her to elaborate. With a swift motion, she grabbed Leona by the arm and hurled her across the room. Leona landed hard on the floor, skidding slightly before coming to a stop. The pack wolf gritted her teeth, forcing herself to kneel, her head bowed in submission.
"You knew something," Regina snarled, her voice dripping with menace. "The Keepers used you, and Graham let it happen. How much did he know?"
Leona's voice shook as she spoke. "He didn't tell us everything," she admitted. "But he ordered us to stay at Eden. He said our job was to distract your pack with the wraiths while… while the Keepers took Sabine."
Regina's claws flexed, her growl deepening into a low, resonant roar that seemed to vibrate through the very walls. "And for what purpose? What are they planning?"
Leona swallowed hard, her fear palpable. "I don't know. I swear I don't. Graham didn't share the details, just told us to follow orders. But…" She hesitated, her voice faltering.
"Speak!" Regina barked, her tone sharp enough to make Leona flinch.
"I think Sabine wasn't the only target," Leona said hurriedly. "The Keepers don't waste this much effort on one wolf. They were planning something bigger. Graham didn't seem to like it, but he didn't stop it either."
Regina stepped closer, her presence looming over Leona like a storm cloud. Her claws retracted, but her glowing eyes burned red with unrelenting intensity. "You expect me to trust you after this?" she demanded coldly. "You chose to follow him. You chose to obey, knowing it could harm my pack."
Leona's voice broke as she replied. "I didn't know it would go this far. I came here because… I want to help. I'll prove myself if you let me."
Regina let out another guttural growl, then released a lighter but resonating roar that sent a clear message: she was in charge, and Leona would answer to her now.
"You answer to me," Regina said sharply. "You're part of my pack because I allow it. Step out of line, and you'll regret it."
Leona nodded fervently, her head still bowed. "I understand."
"Good," Regina said curtly. "Now go to Ruby. She'll decide how you can contribute."
Leona scrambled to her feet, her steps quick as she left the office. Regina watched her go, the anger simmering beneath her calm exterior.
When the door clicked shut, leaving Regina alone. She slumped into her chair, her claws absently raking against the polished wood of her desk. The betrayal stung more than she wanted to admit. Graham's actions—or inactions—had opened the door for the Keepers' plans to take root, and now her pack was paying the price.
Her mind raced as she pieced together the fragments of information Leona had provided. Sabine had been taken as part of a larger plan, but what was the ultimate goal? Whatever the Keepers were planning, it was calculated and ruthless. And Graham had played a part, whether willingly or not.
Regina's eyes drifted to the maps spread across her desk, her mind torn between action and strategy. Every instinct screamed at her to strike, to show the Keepers the full force of her power. But reason held her back. This wasn't just about her; it was about her pack, her son, and everyone who depended on her leadership.
The room grew silent except for the faint sound of her breathing. Regina's resolve hardened. The Keepers had underestimated her once. They wouldn't get the chance to do it again. Whatever they were planning, she would uncover it—and when the time came, she would make them regret ever crossing her.
The damp air of the underground chamber pressed against Mason like a second skin, heavy with the acrid tang of blood and sweat. The chains binding his wrists and ankles to the enchanted chair burned against his skin, their magic suppressing every instinct to shift, to fight, to escape. His breathing was labored, every inhale a sharp reminder of the cracked ribs and bruised lungs he bore. The Keepers and Guardians encircled him like vultures, their faces shadowed by the dim, flickering light of a single, swaying lantern.
"Still stubborn, aren't we?" Efron sneered, leaning casually against the wall as if Mason's suffering were a mere curiosity to him. His wounds from Eden were still raw, the scars Regina had left seething with an unnatural heat. Efron winced as he adjusted his position, his arrogance only thinly veiling his lingering fear of the Queen Alpha.
Mason raised his head, the defiance in his bloodshot eyes unyielding despite the toll his body had taken. "You talk a lot," he rasped, his voice hoarse but laced with venom. "For someone who ran scared the moment Regina showed her teeth."
The room fell silent for a beat, the tension snapping like a taut wire. Efron's expression darkened, and he crossed the space between them in a flash, gripping Mason's jaw with a bruising force. "You're in no position to mock me, dog," he hissed. "She's not here to save you now."
Mason let out a breathless laugh, blood staining his teeth. "She doesn't have to be. You're already scared of her."
Efron snarled and released him with a shove, his frustration simmering as one of the Guardians stepped forward. The hulking figure loomed over Mason, his glowing yellow eyes blazing like twin suns in the darkness. "Enough of this posturing," the Guardian growled, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to vibrate through the very walls. "We break him now."
The Keeper closest to the scene, a wiry man with piercing, icy eyes, raised a hand to stop the Guardian. "Not yet. There's still more we can learn from him."
Mason leaned back against the chair, his body sagging from exhaustion but his spirit unbroken. "You'll learn nothing," he said, spitting blood onto the stone floor. "You think I'm afraid of pain? I've faced worse than you."
The wiry Keeper smirked, his pale lips curling upward in amusement. "Brave words for someone who's already breaking."
Mason's eyes narrowed. "You don't know what loyalty means. You think pain will turn me? You're wrong."
The Guardian snarled, his patience wearing thin. He reached out and gripped Mason's arm, squeezing until the bone threatened to snap. Mason winced, a strangled groan escaping his lips, but he didn't cry out. The Guardian leaned in, his voice a low snarl. "You think loyalty will save you? Your Queen Alpha doesn't even know where you are. You're nothing but a pawn."
"She knows," Mason whispered, his voice trembling but resolute. "And she'll come. You won't see it coming."
The words sent a ripple of unease through the room. Even Efron shifted uncomfortably, though he quickly masked it with a sneer. The wiry Keeper chuckled darkly, his amusement returning. "You place too much faith in a leader who's already lost control. Regina can't save you, and she won't save the others when we're finished with you."
The Guardian released Mason with a shove, sending fresh waves of pain radiating through his battered body. "Enough of this talk," the Guardian growled. "He's wasting our time. Let me end this."
"No," the Keeper said sharply, his cold gaze locking on Mason. "He's bait. The Queen Alpha will come for him, and when she does, we'll be ready."
Mason lifted his head slightly, his vision blurring but his focus sharpening on their words. Bait. The revelation struck him like a blow, but it also fueled his resolve. If they intended to use him as a pawn, they underestimated the bond between him and his pack. They didn't understand that loyalty wasn't a weakness—it was his strength.
"You think she'll walk into your trap?" Mason asked, his voice barely above a whisper but laced with defiance. "You think she'll play your game?"
"She won't have a choice," the Keeper replied coldly. "Queens don't abandon their pawns."
"She's not just a queen," Mason said, his voice growing steadier. "She's the Alpha Queen. And you'll never be ready for what's coming."
The Guardian moved to strike him again, but the wiry Keeper held up a hand. "No. Let him sit with his thoughts. Let him wonder if his faith in her is misplaced."
The Guardian growled but obeyed, stepping back into the shadows. Efron lingered, his expression twisted with frustration and unease. He said nothing, his confidence eroding under the weight of Mason's unyielding defiance.
Mason closed his eyes as the sound of their footsteps receded, the chamber growing quiet once more. Every breath was a struggle, every inch of his body screaming in pain. But his mind remained sharp, his resolve unbroken. He clung to the bond he shared with his pack, the bond strengthened by Regina's unwavering leadership.
He thought of her crimson eyes blazing with fury, her commanding voice cutting through chaos. She would come. Not because he was her pawn, but because he was part of her pack—and Regina Mills never left her own behind.
As the lantern's flickering light cast shifting shadows across the room, Mason's lips curled into a faint, bloodied smile. Let them try to break him. Let them try to outmaneuver her. They had underestimated the Alpha Queen, and that would be their undoing.