"Your wolves lack conviction," I tell him as I barge into his office, not bothering to knock.

Thane laughs, immediately putting his pen down and looking up at me from behind his desk. "I take it you weren't impressed by the training?"

"Didn't even break a sweat," I said with a grin, and he rolls his eyes, but his eyes twinkle.

"Lack of conviction, you say?" He asks, bemused.

I nod, plopping down in the leather chair across from him, kicking my feet up on the desk. "Lack of conviction," I confirm. "Like they aren't actually trying to cause harm."

Chuckling, Thane says, "I would hope not. The goal of training isn't for them to maximize the wounds they inflict."

I scoff, "They need more intensity. Their wolves want it, I can see that."

Thane regards me with interest, respect. "So train them."

"Train them?" I repeat, surprised. "You would let me train your wolves?"

He shrugs. "Can you name someone more qualified? I'd consider it an honor to have someone of your caliber teach them."

I grin. "No, no I can't name someone more qualified."

"I'll let you train them if," He pauses. "You agree to go on a date with me."

"A date?" I snort.

"Yes, my beloved mate," He says, his tone amused and his eyes are alight with mischief. "A date. Is it safe to assume it would be your first?"

In an attempt to rile him up, I ask, "Are you implying I don't attract males?"

He laughs. "If you're looking for a fight, my lovely mate, you won't get one."

My eyes narrow. I immensely dislike that he refuses to fight fire with fire.

"If you want to goad me into a fight, you'll have to do better than that, I'm afraid," He smirks, and I scowl.

"I would be doing you a favor by training your wolves. And you have the audacity to ask for a date in addition to that?" I ask incredulously.

"Ah, but if you decline the date, you'll be missing out on a night with the most handsome man you've ever seen," He grins, making me roll my eyes.

"I've seen better," I lie, and his grin only widens, making me even more infuriated.

"What's wrong, Gamma?" He teases. "Scared you'll fall in love with the big, bad Alpha?"

Grinding my teeth, I spit out: "Fine. One date. But no one is falling in love with anyone."

His emerald eyes stare deeply into mine, as if to say: I already am in love with you, Ares.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"You were tossing and turning all night," Cain says as I get dressed.

A few days had gone by since we found the body of another guard. Again, mateless. He had gone to his shift alone, too early, and the wolf he was partnered with discovered his body.

Since then, the woods were quiet, and the attacks stopped, though I wasn't dumb enough to believe they were over. But the wolves stayed partnered, and it proved effective against whatever threat was lurking.

"Dreams are a bitch," I mutter. "Can you zip this?"

He walks over, his large hands dwarfing the small zipper of the dress I selected for the Mating Gathering. It was one Gwen had selected while we were in Blue Moon, a long, black, tight gown with a slit that hit high up on my thigh.

Cain growled, "I'm not sure my wolf will appreciate the stares you will undoubtedly receive tonight."

I shrug. "I'll kill anyone who looks at me. Simple."

Cain laughs. "As much as I would enjoy that, I do feel the need to once again remind you that we are not there to kill anyone. You are not allowed to kill anyone, so do refrain from drawing any weapons, would you? That would just be more paperwork for me."

"Are you sure I can't just stay here?" I pout. "What if the wolves attack tonight because they know we'll be gone? I could stay and help guard."

Sighing, Cain wraps his arms around me. "I don't think they'll be bold enough to attack a Pack House full of wolves. Some of our top warriors are staying to guard, they will be able to handle two wolves, even if they were dumb enough to attack, which I doubt."

I'm about to argue further when I hear a knock on the door. Gwen.

"That's my cue to leave," Cain sighs, kissing me deeply before opening the door, which Gwen immediately walks through.

"Nice dress, whoever bought it must have excellent taste," She smirks, and I summon a knife, throwing it at her, only halfway trying to stab her.

She sidesteps it easily, putting a hand on her heart as she mockingly says, "I'm shocked and offended that you think your Weapons Master wouldn't be able to dodge a mere dagger."

"I could use an arrow next time?" I suggest, and she laughs, dragging me into the bathroom and shoving me on the stool in front of the vanity.

She brushes through my hair as the straightening iron heats up. "I'm so jealous that you get to go to the Mating Gathering," Gwen whines.

"Um, Gwen, in case if you hadn't noticed, you don't have a mate to meet there," I point out, and she rolls her eyes.

"Obviously," She says scornfully. "But Alpha Killian is going to be there. He doesn't have a mate, you know?"

"He could always meet her," I say, wincing as she tugs the brush through a knot.

"You don't get it, Ares. He doesn't have a mate," She says excitedly, like she's telling great news. "I heard a rumor- from a guy in his pack, actually. We screwed after one of the Mating Gatherings before I met Jax, not that it's relevant, but you wouldn't believe how he-"

"Gwen," I cut her off, rolling my eyes. "The point? Not his point, mind you."

"Oh, right. The point is, the guy from his pack told me that Killian will never have a mate. Apparently, he was given the choice between an absurd amount of power with his Gift, or a mate. Guess what he choice?" She asks, obviously insinuating he chose the Gift.

"What's his Gift?" I ask curiously.

Gwen shrugs, and sections my hair before straightening it. "Not sure. He keeps it on the hush-hush, if you know what I mean. But based on how he looks, I'd guess the Gift of absolutely, Godly sexiness."

I laugh, rolling my eyes at her antics. "Will your sister be there?" I ask, suddenly remembering about her mysterious sister from Iron Claw, who had been the reason Cain found me in that cellar, barely breathing.

Gwen's eyes soften at the mention of her sister, to whom she was close to, even though they lived in separate packs. "No, her birthday is next week. She's still 17."

Since my hair is already straight for the most part, Gwen finished quickly. "Hair up or down?" She asks.

"Up," I answer immediately. While Cain told me that no wolves would attack, one can never be too careful, and I wanted to be prepared for battle, in case it came to that.

"I don't even know why I asked," Gwen muttered, pulling my hair into a high, sleek ponytail, leaving a few long strands out to frame my face.

She gets started on my makeup, making snide comments when I worn her nothing too heavy.

"They're posting me on the roof for tonight," She tells me gleefully. "To keep watch. I'm the best shot with arrows, so if those bastard wolves come, you better believe I'm aiming for the eyes."

"Bring Belle," I tell her.

"Isabelle?" She says in confusion, and I nod.

"She's too young for the Mating Gathering, so she'll be in the Pack House. Give her a bow and arrows and she'll help you guard," I order.

She nods, but she doesn't understand why I insist on bringing the young she-wolf. "She's a strong wolf," I say. "An excellent shot. She has great potential. She'll be one of the top warriors some day, I can see it."

Gwen thoughtfully considers my words. "Well if even you admit someone is skilled, I have no doubt of her greatness."

She continues working on my makeup in silence, before I say, "Leo will be there tonight." Her hands still.

"Hope he finds his true love," Gwen says sarcastically. "May they ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after."

"Maybe she's already dead?" I suggest.

Gwen grins wickedly. "One can only hope."

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Gwen finishes dolling me up, and Cain and I give instructions to the warriors and pack members. The strongest will be posted outside, and I begin to relax when I realize that Cain was correct: Some of our strongest wolves would still be here, including Lucas, which made me relax slightly.

We pile into cars, Axel taking a separate one from Cain and I.

And we begin our journey to Alpha Killian's territory.

READ ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS AT THE MATING GATHERING + LOADS MORE ON MY PATREON. NEXT LETHAL UPDATE: A WEEK FROM TODAY.

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