The uneasy peace of Maggie's mill settled heavily between them. Though Eva rested, shadows danced behind her closed eyelids, and unease crackled within Elias like a gathering storm. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time, that something terrible was closing in. He also hated that Eva was putting herself in harms way by developing and unlocking these strange and sudden powers, his job so far was to keep her safe, and not for her to protect herself.

He watched her sleep, his gaze possessive. The events of the past few days had strengthened something deep within him, an instinct to claim and protect that was separate from his duty as a future Alpha. He wanted her safe, shielded from the darkness, but he knew that was impossible. Her destiny was intertwined with the fate of Ashwood, whether she liked it or not.

The quiet of the mill was broken by a series of sharp raps on the door. Hard, urgent knocks that spoke of trouble.

Elias tensed, his senses immediately on high alert. He moved quickly, placing himself between Eva and the door, his hand instinctively reaching for the knife he kept sheathed at his hip.

"Who is it?" he called out, his voice low and guarded.

A voice answered, a familiar voice that made his gut twist with apprehension.

"Elias, it's me. It's Samuel."

Samuel. His Beta. His closest friend. The man he trusted above all others. What was he doing here?

Elias hesitated, suspicion warring with relief. He trusted Samuel with his life, but something felt wrong. The urgency in his voice, the fact that he had tracked them to this hidden place... it didn't add up.

He glanced back at Eva, who was still sleeping soundly, oblivious to the danger that was gathering at the door. He couldn't risk waking her, not yet.

He moved to the door and cautiously unbolted it, peering out into the fading light. Samuel stood on the doorstep, his face grim, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and... something else. Something Elias couldn't quite place.

"What is it?" Elias asked, his expression tight. "What's wrong?"

Samuel stepped inside, his gaze darting around the mill's interior. He seemed uneasy, as if he didn't want to be there.

"We have a problem," he said, his voice low. "A big problem. The Council knows."

Elias's blood ran cold. The Council. The ancient governing body of the werewolf packs. What did they know? And how had they found out?

"Know what?" Elias demanded, his voice barely above a whisper.

Samuel hesitated, his gaze shifting nervously. "They know about the girl. They know she's here. And they know...about her blood."

Eva. They knew about Eva. About her connection BloodMoon Line and Aric. About the magic that flowed through her veins. How?

"How did they find out?" Elias asked, his mind racing.

Samuel shrugged, his expression troubled. "I don't know. Someone must have betrayed us. Someone must have told them."

Betrayal. The thought hit Elias like a physical blow. He trusted the members of his Pack. He had known them his entire life. Who would betray him? Who would betray Ashwood?

"What do they want?" Elias asked, his voice hardening.

Samuel's gaze flickered to the room where Eva was sleeping. "They want her, Elias. They want to bring her before the Council. They say she's a danger. That her blood is tainted. That she could bring about the end of us all."

Elias clenched his fists, his anger simmering beneath the surface. The Council didn't understand Eva. They didn't understand the power she possessed. They only saw her as a threat.

"I won't let them have her," Elias said, his voice firm. "I'll protect her. I don't care what the cost."

Samuel sighed, his expression filled with despair. "You don't understand, Elias. This isn't something you can fight. The Council has power. They have resources. They have... enforcers."

Enforcers. The Council's elite guard. Ruthless warriors who enforced their laws with brutal efficiency. Elias had heard stories about them, tales of their mercilessness, their unwavering loyalty.

"I don't care," Elias retorted. "I won't let them take her."

Samuel stepped closer, his hand reaching out to grip Elias's arm. "Listen to me, Elias. You have to think about the Pack. About Ashwood. If you defy the Council, they'll retaliate. They'll punish us all. They'll destroy everything we've built."

Elias hesitated, torn between his loyalty to his Pack and his feelings for Eva. He knew Samuel was right. Defying the Council would have devastating consequences for Ashwood. But he couldn't abandon Eva. He couldn't let them take her.

"There has to be another way," Elias said, his voice strained. "There has to be something we can do."

Samuel shook his head, his expression bleak. "There is no other way, Elias. The Council has made its decision. We have to hand her over."

Elias stared at Samuel, his mind reeling. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Samuel, his friend, his brother, was telling him to betray Eva. To sacrifice her for the sake of the Pack.

"I can't do that," Elias said, his voice trembling with anger. "I won't."

Samuel's expression hardened. He stepped back, his hand reaching inside his coat.

"Then I have no choice," he said, his voice cold and detached.

Elias's senses went on full alert, suspicion solidifying into certainty. Samuel wasn't here to warn him. He was here to capture Eva. He had betrayed him.

"What are you doing, Samuel?" Elias asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Samuel pulled a silver dagger from inside his coat. The blade gleamed in the dim light, its edge honed to a razor sharpness.

"I'm doing what's necessary," Samuel replied, his eyes filled with steely resolve. "I'm protecting Ashwood."

Elias lunged, his hand grabbing Samuel's wrist, his fingers vise-like. He twisted, sending the dagger clattering to the floor.

"You're making a mistake, Samuel," Elias snarled, his voice filled with rage. "You don't understand what you're doing."

Samuel struggled against his grip, his face contorted with anger.

"I understand perfectly," he spat. "I'm saving us all from a war we can't win."

He kicked out, his foot connecting with Elias's stomach, sending him staggering back. Samuel seized the opportunity, grabbing the fallen dagger and lunging towards the room where Eva slept.

Elias roared, his rage exploding. He shifted, his body contorting and changing, his bones cracking, his muscles bulging, his face elongating into a wolfish snout. He transformed into a werewolf, a creature of pure fury.

He launched himself at Samuel, knocking him to the ground, his claws extended, his teeth bared. He pinned Samuel beneath him, his growl echoing through the mill.

"You will not touch her," Elias snarled, his voice a guttural rasp. "You will not harm her."

He raised his claws, ready to strike, ready to end Samuel's betrayal once and for all.

But then, he hesitated. He looked into Samuel's eyes, and saw not hatred, but fear.

He saw the fear of a man who believed he was doing what was best for his Pack. The fear of a man who was willing to sacrifice everything to protect his home.

Elias's rage faltered. He couldn't kill Samuel. He couldn't kill his friend.

He shifted back into human form, his body trembling, his heart aching. He released Samuel, stepping back, his head bowed in defeat.

He looked what the choice that he had to make, let Samuel go but also save Eva from his hands.

"What are you doing, Samuel" Elias could only ask, knowing what Samuel would do for the safety of his own pack.

Samuel looked back, fear growing, but he ran away to carry towards his deed. But before Elias could respond he heard. "She knew to run. We both know why you cannot let me go, and I have warned others to find her."

Samuel ran away, and did not come back.

The only feeling left was to embrace the most important person her so she could leave to another location... Eva.