His destined mate
Chapter 76: Misappropriation

Emily's POV

The silence stretched thickly, broken only by the sound of faint deliberate footsteps. Theron stood a few feet away from where Derek and I stood, his golden eyes shining in the firelight as they swept over us like a predator measuring prey. "Trouble," Derek had called it, and I could see why.

Theron stopped risking, his smile managed to cut sharp. But I wasn't going to let him overpower me, "Theron," I said in my steady voice, crossing my arms. "You have to think more about yourself without making our meeting an uninvited accident." His grin widened, revealing teeth that glowed like a wolf in the dark.

"Emily," he said, his voice silky and teasing, "I wouldn't call it a knock. It's more like... an intervention." Derek stepped forward, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Feel like it, Theron. You are welcome here." Theron laughed, the sound low and sweet.

"Come now, Derek. We don't engage in threats. We all had our part in this little game, right? Some of us are better than others." I cut it off before Derek could resist, eyes fixed on Theron's. "If you have anything to say, Theron, say it. I have no patience for untrue privacy tonight."

Theron nodded sarcastically and respectfully. "It's straightforward work. I love that about you, Emily. Very good," he said. He pointed to the table between us, more like he was ordering than begging. "I can?" he said. "Speak from where you stand." His eyes widened in amusement, but he allowed it. "I'm here because you two decided to mess things up. Your plans for Ethan are tricky-if a little obvious. But the big picture Emily... you ignore it. I couldn't get that."

Derek gave a wry smile. "The big picture? This is from a man who grew up in violence and deception?" A glance from Theron to Derek, and the amusement vanished. "You call it change control. I call that strategy. If you had half the logic to understand that, Ethan wouldn't have ended up kicking you out."

Derek's hand tightened on the sword, but I stopped him and raised my hand. "Enough," my voice said, cutting through the tension. "Theron, if you have anything to offer, do it. Otherwise, stop." He turned his attention back to me, his expression softening into something like amusement. "It's always worth it. Well, then. I'm here to warn you:

Ethan is not just your biggest problem." I arched my eyebrows. "And what, exactly, is it?" Theron leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "Do you know what made them live so long? Why does he avoid every trap and every cruelty?"

"Because he's stubborn," Derek muttered. Theron ignored him, eyes on me. "Because he's not alone. You focus on Ethan, but it's his friends-the ones you can't see who pose the real threat. They are looking for. running. Preparation. And unless you stay focused, Emily, your carefully laid plans will fall apart."

I didn't flinch under his menacing gaze. "And what do you suggest, Theron? If we give up our goal of following the shadows?" He smiled at her. "It's not abandoned. adjust. expand. Let me help you see the whole board instead of just one." Derek smirked. "You expect us to believe you? After all?” Theron's smile turned cold. "Trust? No, Derek. I expect you to let me know it's your best chance to win. I don't care if you trust me. I care if you're smart enough to use me." I weighed his words and studied him. Theron was dangerous, but not reckless. If he was here, it was because he had something to gain. The question was whether I could turn his willpower into something useful.

"And what's in it for you?" he asked. I asked the man. His vision darkened, the playful edge disappeared. "Is it always in it for me, Emily? potential. guide. And the satisfaction of seeing the pieces fall right where I want them." Derek made a fussy face at me, but I silenced him with my eyes. "You think you're looking at the board, Theron. But I assure you, I have my own opinion. If you want a seat at this table, you have to play by my rules." Theron's smile came back louder than ever. "Of course. Your rules, Emily. For now." Before I could react, the cave shook, and the ground shook violently beneath us. The fire burned and the shadows danced loudly on the walls. "And what about now?" Derek roared, drawing his sword. Theron's face turned sad, all traces of mockery gone. "The shadows seem to be happy with us." A low, eerie noise rumbled out of the darkness, the deepest and most terrifying I had ever heard. Bright sickly green eyes appeared at the edge of the firelight.

Theron stepped back, his hand hovering near the sword at his waist. "Looks like I'm not the only one in the room," he said quietly. The roar grew louder and the eyes widened. Derek positioned himself between me and the creature, his sword at the ready.

"Theron," I said, my voice firm despite the finger of fear on my forehead. "What's that?" Theron's gaze never left her bright eyes. "Nothing I called him."

The creature stepped into the light, its majestic form sunk and marred by thorns. His eyes fixed on me, and he spoke in a voice that resonated in my very bones. "Emily... you have to pay the debt."