Gunnar’s POV
I clenched my fists as I faced him, keeping my anger under control because reacting too quickly would only give him what he wanted.
"Riley cannot be your mate," I said, my voice steady and clear. "That bond you’re talking about was forced. It was created, not given. It isn’t real."
Emberkin didn’t interrupt. He just watched , his expression calm in a way that made it clear he didn’t take my words seriously.
"The only true mates she has are and my brothers," I continued. "That is not sothing you can take or change. It was decided by fate and by the Moon Goddess herself."
At that, he let out a quiet, mocking sound and shook his head slightly.
"That’s your belief," he said. "But I don’t answer to your fate or your goddess."
His tone stayed calm, but the disrespect in it was obvious.
"Let’s stop pretending this is sothing else," he added. "We both know why I’m here."
I held his gaze, and this ti I didn’t rush my response.
"Yes," I said. "I do."
Because I did understand.
This was not just about Riley. He was using her as a reason to get inside this place and create a situation where he could challenge us directly. If he weakened us, even a little, the pack would be exposed. He wanted that opening.
I stepped back slowly, putting a small distance between us, then let out a short breath.
"I’m not fighting you," I said.
The change in him was imdiate. His calm expression shifted, and for the first ti he looked genuinely displeased.
"What did you say?" he asked.
"I said I’m not fighting you," I repeated. "Not like this."
He stared at for a mont, then his eyes narrowed.
"You don’t get to refuse," he said.
"I just did," I answered.
That was enough to push him.
He turned sharply, not toward but toward Riley.
My attention snapped to him imdiately, but I didn’t move yet. I watched, trying to understand what he was about to do.
He reached her quickly and grabbed her wrist, pulling her toward him without hesitation. Riley tensed, but she didn’t fight him the way I expected, and that confird again that sothing was wrong.
Then I saw his fangs extend.
That was all I needed to see.
He was going to mark her.
Right here.
In front of everyone.
I moved instantly.
I stepped in, grabbed Riley, and pulled her away from him, placing myself between them as I pushed him back with enough force to create space.
"Don’t even try it," I said, my voice low and controlled.
Riley stumbled slightly as I pulled her back, but I steadied her without taking my eyes off him.
Emberkin straightened and looked at with interest, not anger.
"You reacted fast," he said.
I didn’t answer him. I already understood what he was trying to do.
He wanted to push into reacting. Not just to fight him, but to reveal what I was in front of everyone here. In this place, being a hybrid was not accepted. An Alpha who was both vampire and werewolf was sothing people questioned and feared. If that beca obvious now, it would create division, and that would weaken the pack.
That was his plan.
He wanted everyone to see it, to see what I truly was.
His lips curved slightly.
"Now we’re getting sowhere," he said. "You’re starting to show who you really are."
I kept my stance steady.
"Co on," he continued. "Stop holding back. Let’s settle this properly."
Before I could respond, Cane stepped forward.
"No," he said firmly. "Gunnar, don’t do this."
I didn’t look at him yet.
"He’s trying to expose you," Cane added, his voice lower but serious.
I knew that already.
That didn’t change the situation.
I released Riley and stepped forward, putting space between her and what was coming. I looked at her briefly, just to make sure she was steady, then turned back to Emberkin.
I made my decision.
"He wants a fight," I said.
I took another step closer.
"Then I’ll give him one."
The hall went quiet. Everyone understood what was about to happen.
Emberkin’s smile returned, stronger now, like this was exactly what he had been waiting for.
"Co on, this would be very interesting."
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