"Yes, Alpha," Luke confirmed. "There’s no fear in her movements anymore. There’s something else. Something I think you should understand."
Garrett turned back to the window, his mind processing everything Luke was saying.
"I think they came to Shadowmere for her," Luke said finally. "The Summit was the excuse. The opportunity. But she’s the reason they’re here. And I think....I think they intend to take her back with them when they leave."
The statement fell into the silence like a stone into still water, creating ripples that spread outward.
Garrett stood there for a long moment, not responding. His hands were clenched at his sides. His expression was troubled. When he finally spoke, his voice was low.
"That’s what I’ve been thinking too," he said quietly.
Luke waited, understanding his alpha needed to process.
"But the blood debt was paid," Garrett continued, turning to face his beta. "The contract was fulfilled. They had no legal claim to her after the contract ended. So why come back? Why go to all this trouble? Why orchestrate an entire Summit just to get close to one omega?"
"Because she means something to them," Luke said, his voice carrying certainty. "Not as payment. Not as obligation. As something more personal."
Luke moved closer, his voice dropping even lower.
"I’ve seen many alphas, Alpha. I’ve seen many possessions. I’ve observed the dynamics between alphas and omegas in various packs. This is different. This feels territorial in a much deeper way. It’s not about control or ownership in the traditional sense. It’s about... claim. About mate bond."
The words landed like a physical blow.
Garrett’s eyes narrowed. "You think they’ve identified her as their mate?"
"I think it’s possible, Alpha," Luke said carefully. "I think the bond might have happened during the contract, and now they’re trying to win her acceptance of that bond. They’re get her back her, not forcing her. That’s different. That means they want her willing."
Garrett began pacing, his mind racing through the implications.
"So what are our options, Luke?" he asked, his voice tight. "Because I need to understand what we’re dealing with here."
Luke considered the question carefully.
"Option one," Garrett continued, answering his own question as he paced, "I forbid them from seeing her. But that violates pack law and basic courtesy to visiting alphas. And more importantly, I’d be overstepping my authority to interfere with an alpha’s personal business."
"That would create conflict," Luke agreed.
"Option two," Garrett continued, "I warn her. I tell her what I’m observing. But what am I warning her about? That three powerful alphas want her? She’s omega. She has no authority to refuse them anyway. She’s already bound by conditioning to obey alpha commands."
"She’d have no defense against them," Luke said quietly.
The evening ceremony had already been underway for nearly two hours when Garrett finally took his seat at the raised table.
The grand dining hall was filled with alphas and warriors. The formal discussions were in full swing. Territory disputes were being negotiated. Alliances were being finalized. The third day of the Summit was proving to be critical, this was where real political agreements would be made.
But Garrett’s attention was divided.
He watched the Blackwood brothers as they sat with absolute authority at their table. Nicholas listened to a mid-tier alpha’s proposal with the kind of focused intensity that suggested he was genuinely considering it. But his dark eyes occasionally drifted across the room. Sebastian lounged in his chair with casual confidence, his dark gaze sharp and assessing. Lucian’s posture was rigid, controlled, his gold eyes constantly tracking something...someone, across the space.
Garrett followed the direction of Lucian’s gaze and found Lilith.
She moved through the hall with practiced efficiency, serving drinks and clearing plates. She was dressed in a simple black gown, omega serving attire, designed to be invisible. But there was nothing invisible about the way the brothers responded to her presence.
Nicholas would glance at her as she moved past their table. Just a brief look, but it was enough. Enough to communicate something. Enough to make her pause slightly before moving on.
Sebastian watched her with an expression that was difficult to read. There was possession in it. There was satisfaction. There was a kind of proprietary pleasure, like he was enjoying a piece of art that belonged entirely to him.
And Lucian...Lucian’s entire body seemed to vibrate whenever she was nearby. His fingers would drum against the table. His jaw would clench. He would have to visibly restrain himself from standing up and going to her.
What struck Garrett most profoundly was Lilith’s response to them.

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