My Fated Alpha's Cruel Game (Elena and Marcus) novel Chapter 185

Chapter 185: Chapter 185 Their True Weapon

Briar’s POV

Damien looked ready to tear Asher apart, but Elena stood between them with an eerily calm expression, her gaze shifting between the two men.

"Fate doesn’t ask for our permission when choosing mates. We simply delivered Briar’s destined partner to her," Elena stated with unsettling composure.

"What exactly have you two been plotting?" Damien’s voice carried a dangerous edge.

"That’s not your concern," I shot back sharply. Elena’s hand found Damien’s arm, and the change in him was immediate.

When he turned toward her, his entire demeanor shifted. The rage melted from his features without her speaking a single word. His expression grew tender as their eyes met.

Was this the mysterious mate bond everyone whispered about? The same force that made my heart race whenever Asher appeared? The same pull that made everything else fade into background noise when he was near?

I’d grown up hearing fragments about werewolf mate bonds, but the Hunters had never explained the mechanics. They’d only taught us how to exploit such weaknesses.

Asher had understood this connection from the beginning, leaving me torn between fury and an inexplicable deeper attraction toward him.

My thoughts spun in chaotic circles. Everything I’d believed about myself was crumbling. I stood surrounded by creatures I’d been conditioned to eliminate, and they claimed to be my biological parents.

They insisted I was one of them. How was I supposed to process this revelation?

I studied Damien and Elena, who maintained their respectful distance, while Asher remained protectively close to my side.

"The Hunters will notice our absence," I finally managed to say.

"They’ve deployed extensive search teams. Your constant pack evacuations have them convinced they’re under werewolf surveillance," Asher informed Damien and Elena.

"You’re planning to return?" Damien’s question held barely contained anguish.

"It’s the only world she’s ever known," Elena replied softly. Damien looked at her as if his heart was shattering.

"I have to go back. They’ll discover I’m missing," I explained, my voice steadier than I felt.

"The Hunters will mobilize everything to retrieve Dawn," Asher warned. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Her name is Briar," Damien corrected with fierce intensity.

"She’s right about returning. If the Hunters catch us together, it’ll compromise everything. But we’re not disappearing. Briar needs time to adjust to these revelations," Elena reasoned.

Elena’s pragmatic approach contrasted sharply with Damien’s visible distress over the entire situation.

"What if she returns and they detect her werewolf nature?" Damien demanded.

"Damien, she’s their primary asset. Her absence will trigger a manhunt, and she’ll lead them straight to us. She needs to process this information before making any permanent decisions," Elena explained patiently.

"I’m accompanying her. She’s my mate, and I won’t abandon her to face potential danger alone," Asher declared firmly.

"Do I have any voice in this discussion?" I interrupted. They all turned toward me with varying expressions of guilt.

"We apologize. We shouldn’t be planning your future without your input," Asher said quickly.

"What’s your preference?" Elena asked gently.

"I’m going home before they realize I’ve vanished," I announced, already turning to leave.

Which seemed perfectly reasonable. He’d already caused enough emotional damage as far as I was concerned.

I needed space to process everything I’d learned.

But I suspected time was a luxury I couldn’t afford.

I had to decide my next move quickly, or I’d end up dead - either killed by the people who raised me or by my own kind.

I desperately wished this nightmare was happening to someone else instead of me.

Why had they sent me to infiltrate Obsidian Pack if they suspected I was Damien and Elena’s missing daughter?

Had I been nothing more than a distraction? A pawn to test whether they’d recognize me?

If that was their strategy, what was their ultimate objective? Why manipulate Obsidian Pack so elaborately?

Wouldn’t they want to maintain the element of surprise for a complete assault? They’d sent me to retrieve some artifact from their house. I still didn’t understand the significance of that item, but I’d known immediately that finding it in that massive mansion was impossible.

They were manipulating me.

They wanted to determine if I could distract the Alpha and Luna. They needed intelligence about Damien and Elena’s vulnerabilities for their planned attack, and I’d be positioned directly in the crossfire.

They’d be too focused on protecting me to defend themselves effectively.

That had always been the real plan - using me as the key to destroying Damien and Elena.

As the first rays of sunlight crept through the windows, I sat up, pulled on my boots, and left the dormitory behind.