Chapter 21

The Alpha of Woods Clan

The arrow had missed. Barely. Yet the image refused to leave Froz’s mind. Even now.

Hours later. The sight of that arrow embedding itself into the tree behind Sam haunted him. Because if he had reacted one second slower—

One second—

The outcome would have been very different. And Froz White Fang hated that thought. More than anything.

White Fang Territory had become a fortress overnight. Warriors patrolled every entrance. Scouts monitored every border. The palace itself remained under constant watch.

No one entered.

No one left.

Without permission.

Sam noticed it immediately.

Of course she did.

She always noticed everything.

Unfortunately.

Especially when it involved her.

“You’ve doubled the guards.”

Froz continued reading the report in front of him.

“No.”

Sam crossed her arms. “You tripled them.”

The Alpha remained silent.

A clear admission.

The future Luna narrowed her eyes. “You can’t lock down an entire territory because of me.”

The Alpha finally looked up.

His blue eyes immediately finding hers.

Cold.

Sharp.

Certain.

“I can.” The simple answer caught her off guard.

Immediately.

Sam blinked.

Then blinked again.

Because somehow—

He wasn’t joking.

Not even slightly.

Several days passed. The attackers vanished. No new threats appeared. No new clues emerged. Which somehow made everyone even more uneasy. Because enemies didn’t simply disappear.

They waited.

And waiting made them dangerous.

Very dangerous.

Especially for Alphas.

On the fourth day—

Everything changed. The palace gates opened. A diplomatic delegation arrived. The Woods Clan.

The announcement spread throughout White Fang Territory within minutes.

Servants whispered.

Warriors exchanged looks.

Even Queen Rhed seemed surprised.

Because the Woods Clan rarely visited.

And certainly not without notice.

Sam stood beside Queen Rhed near the palace entrance.

Curious.

Excited.

Suspicious.

Mostly suspicious.

The massive gates slowly opened.

A line of black horses entered first.

Then warriors.

Then servants.

Then—

The leader appeared.

And suddenly everyone understood why the Woods Clan had such a reputation.

The man looked like trouble.

Beautiful trouble.

Dangerous trouble.

Confident trouble.

The rider dismounted smoothly.

Dark hair.

Golden eyes.

A charming smile.

Expensive clothing.

The confidence of someone who had never heard the word “no.”

The newcomer looked around casually.

Then smiled.

Immediately.

Because his eyes landed on Sam.

And stayed there.

“Oh.”

The stranger’s smile widened.

Dangerously.

“Well, this trip suddenly became worthwhile.”

Silence.

Pure silence.

The courtyard froze.

Queen Rhed blinked.

Metro looked concerned.

Several warriors exchanged uncomfortable glances.

And Froz—

Froz looked murderous.

The stranger walked forward. Completely unconcerned. Completely fearless. Entirely too comfortable. Stopping before Queen Rhed, he bowed respectfully.

“My Queen.”

The older woman smiled politely. “Deph Ian Woods.”

So this was him. Sam immediately recognized the name. The future Alpha of Woods Clan. One of the strongest young wolves in the North.

And apparently—

One of the most shameless.

Because the moment his greeting ended—

He looked directly at Sam.

Again.

“I’m assuming you’re Summit Angel Warm.”

Sam blinked. “Yes?”

The man grinned. “You’re prettier than the rumors.”

The courtyard became silent.

Again.

Even the wind seemed to stop.

Because nobody—

Nobody—

Spoke to Sam like that.

At least not in front of Froz.

The Alpha’s expression became terrifying.

Instantly.

“Deph.” The warning in his voice could have frozen a river.

The Woods heir looked toward him.

Then smiled wider. “Amazing.”

Froz narrowed his eyes. “What is?”

The grin became even more dangerous.

“You actually sound jealous.”

The next several minutes were painfully awkward. At least for everyone except Deph. The Woods Alpha seemed to enjoy chaos.

Actively.

Enthusiastically.

The more irritated Froz became—

The happier Deph looked.

Which quickly became a problem.

A very large problem.

The official welcome luncheon took place shortly afterward. The palace dining hall sparkled beneath crystal chandeliers. Long tables overflowed with food.

Nobles gathered.

Clan leaders attended.

Everything looked perfect.

Unfortunately—

Deph Ian Woods existed.

Which ruined the peace.

Immediately.

The Woods heir somehow managed to sit directly across from Sam.

Nobody knew how.

Nobody stopped him.

Mostly because everyone was too shocked.

The man smiled constantly.

Talked constantly.

Flirted constantly.

And somehow remained completely immune to danger.

Even while sitting across from Froz.

Which should have been impossible.

“You like winter flowers?”

Sam looked surprised. “I suppose.”

Deph nodded thoughtfully. “Good.”

She blinked. “Good?”

The Alpha smiled. “I’ll send you some.”

The fork in Froz’s hand snapped.

Instantly.

Silence.

The entire table froze.

Metro looked away.

Queen Rhed suddenly became fascinated by her tea.

Several nobles reconsidered their life choices.

Sam stared. Then looked at the broken fork. Then at Froz. Then back at the fork. The Alpha calmly placed the ruined utensil aside.

As if nothing happened.

Absolutely nothing.

“Interesting.” Deph looked delighted.

The man was enjoying this far too much.

That evening—

Sam escaped.

Or at least attempted to.

The banquet.

The nobles.

The endless political conversations.

Everything exhausted her.

So naturally—

She ended up in the palace gardens. Her favorite hiding place. The snow-covered pathways glowed beneath moonlight. Everything felt peaceful.

Quiet.

Relaxing.

Finally.

“Running away?”

Sam nearly jumped.

Immediately.

Deph stood nearby.

Smiling.

Of course.

Because apparently the man appeared from nowhere.

Like a particularly annoying spirit.

“You scared me.”

The Woods Alpha laughed. “A future Luna shouldn’t scare so easily.”

The title caught her attention.

Immediately.

Future Luna.

Not punishment mate.

Not outsider.

Not guest.

Future Luna.

The realization felt strangely comforting.

Deph noticed.

Because Deph noticed everything.

Dangerous man.

Very dangerous.

“You care about him.”

Sam’s eyes widened. “What?”

The Alpha shrugged. “It’s obvious.”

Heat touched her cheeks.

Immediately.

Which unfortunately answered the question.

Deph laughed again.

Not cruelly.

Not mockingly.

Just honestly amused.

Then surprisingly—

His smile softened.

Slightly.

“He cares about you too.”

Sam looked away. Because that conversation felt dangerous.

Far too dangerous.

The problem was—

She wasn’t sure anymore.

Froz protected her.

Trained her.

Supported her.

But—

Did he care?

Or was it simply responsibility?

The uncertainty lingered.

Painfully.

Meanwhile—

Froz was looking for her. And becoming increasingly irritated. Every passing minute. Metro wisely maintained distance. Several feet of distance.

Possibly several miles emotionally.

Because the Alpha’s mood was worsening rapidly.

“Where is she?”

Metro adjusted his glasses. “Outside.”

The answer was unfortunate.

Because Froz immediately headed outside.

And found exactly what he feared.

Sam.

Standing beside Deph.

Laughing.

The sight hit him unexpectedly.

Hard.

Much harder than it should have.

The Alpha stopped walking.

His jaw tightening.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Something unpleasant twisted inside his chest. A feeling he disliked immensely. Because he recognized it.

Jealousy.

Pure jealousy.

And he hated it.

The garden suddenly became colder. Both Sam and Deph noticed immediately. They turned.

And found Froz approaching.

Slowly.

Dangerously.

The Alpha stopped before them.

Blue eyes fixed entirely on Deph.

The atmosphere changed instantly.

The playful mood vanished.

Tension replaced it.

Heavy tension.

The kind that existed before fights.

Or wars.

Or both.

“Froz.” Sam smiled.

Relieved.

Unfortunately—

That somehow made things worse.

Because Deph noticed.

And smiled.

Again.

The man was impossible.

Absolutely impossible.

The Woods heir folded his arms.

“You know.”

His golden eyes shifted between them.

“I finally understand.”

Froz looked unimpressed. “Understand what?”

Deph’s grin widened. “Why the entire North is talking about you two.”

Silence.

Then—

“Deph.” Froz’s voice carried a warning.

The Woods Alpha ignored it.

Naturally.

Because fear apparently didn’t exist in his vocabulary. The man looked directly at Sam.

Then said:

“If you ever get tired of him, my territory is significantly warmer.”

The world stopped.

Completely.

Even Sam froze.

Because nobody had expected him to say that.

Nobody.

Froz took one step forward.

Dangerously calm.

Dangerously controlled.

Which somehow felt more threatening.

The Alpha’s blue eyes locked onto Deph.

Ice met fire.

Wolf met wolf.

Future Alpha met future Alpha.

The tension became almost visible.

Then—

Deph smiled.

Again.

Because apparently he enjoyed risking his life.

A lot.

Before things could escalate—

Queen Rhed appeared.

Perfect timing.

As always.

“My boys.”

Both Alphas immediately looked toward her.

The Queen sighed.

Long suffering.

Entirely unsurprised.

“You’ve known each other for twenty minutes.”

Silence.

“Please try not to start a war tonight.”

Sam immediately laughed.

The image was absurd.

Unfortunately—

Neither Alpha looked embarrassed.

Which was somehow even worse.

Later that night—

Froz stood alone on the balcony. Snow drifted across the territory below. His thoughts remained restless. Dangerously restless.

Because Deph’s arrival changed things.

The Woods heir wasn’t stupid.

Wasn’t weak.

Wasn’t harmless.

And worst of all—

He was interested in Sam.

The realization irritated him far more than it should.

A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Thinking?”

Froz didn’t need to turn around.

He already knew.

Sam.

Of course.

She stepped beside him.

Close.

Comfortably close.

The silence that followed felt natural.

Easy.

Then—

Unexpectedly—

She smiled. “You’re jealous.”

The Alpha nearly choked.

Immediately.

“What?”

The amusement in her eyes deepened.

Dangerous woman.

Very dangerous.

“You’re jealous.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Absolutely.”

Froz looked away.

A mistake.

Because she caught it.

The tiny reaction.

The brief hesitation.

And suddenly—

Sam laughed.

Bright.

Warm.

Beautiful.

The sound echoed through the night.

And for one brief moment—

Froz forgot about assassins.

Forgot about prophecies.

Forgot about politics.

Forgot about Deph.

Because all he could think about was her.

Unfortunately—

Neither of them noticed the shadow watching from beyond the palace walls. Or the pair of golden eyes hidden within the darkness.

Watching.

Waiting.

Planning.

Because Deph Ian Woods had arrived.

And whether he became ally, rival, or enemy—

Nothing in White Fang Territory would ever be the same again.