Chapter 70 - The Messenger
The white flag was visible long before the mage himself was.
Athena stood on the outer wall beside Rowan, her hands gripping the cold stone as she watched the lone figure approach the boundary line. He walked calmly, deliberately, as if he weren't stepping into the territory of wolves who could tear him apart in seconds.
Below, the gates remained closed.
But Silas, Kael, and a small group of wolves stepped beyond them to meet the mage at the marked border where Silverwood land officially began.
Athena's heart pounded.
She hated how familiar the sight felt.
A lone mage.
Walking with confidence.
Like he believed he held power here.
The mage stopped just short of the boundary stones.
Silas did not cross them.
They stood facing each other across an invisible line.
Even from the wall, Athena could feel the tension in the air.
The mage's voice carried clearly.
"I come with a message from Victor Whitlock."
Silas said nothing.
The mage continued.
"He requests the return of the girl. Peacefully. Without conflict."
Athena's stomach twisted.
The girl.
Not her name.
Not who she was.
Just what they thought she was.
A possession.
A thing.
The mage's voice remained smooth.
"Return her, and no one gets hurt."
Silence followed.
Long.
Heavy.
Silas didn't answer right away.
Instead...
He looked up.
His eyes found Athena on the wall.
Even from the distance, she felt it.
The intensity.
The possessiveness.
The promise in his gaze.
Her breath caught.
He wasn't looking at her for permission.
He was looking at her like he was reminding himself exactly who he was protecting.
Then he turned his attention back to the mage.
His voice carried across the field, calm and deadly clear.
"Tell Victor Whitlock to come get her himself."
Athena's chest tightened.
A strange mix of fear and warmth rushed through her at the same time.
He wasn't offering her.
He wasn't negotiating.
He was daring them.
The mage's expression flickered for the first time.
Then hardened.
He turned and walked back the way he had come without another word.
Athena watched until he disappeared into the tree line.
Her hands were still gripping the stone.
And for the first time...
She realized Silas wasn't just protecting her.
He was claiming her.