Darius knew Marlon understood exactly what he meant. He didn't explain further. He added, "And honestly, you should discipline Colonel Green. If you keep letting him run wild, your pack reputation won't last." After that gentle warning, Darius gave Marlon a polite nod and left. The moment Darius stepped out, the guards entered the room to attend to Marlon. But Marlon's thoughts continued to drift. Darius's words kept echoing in his head. Loyalty. It was the most basic quality a soldier should have. And that loyalty wasn't just toward the empire; it also meant being faithful to one's mate. Every military family followed an unspoken rule. Once a soldier completed their bonding ceremony, they must stay absolutely loyal to their mate. Anyone who betrayed that bond would be rejected by their own kind. In serious cases, their whole pack could fall, and their military career could come to a stop. Rumors about Norman's behavior had been around for years. It all came from his extreme sense of male superiority. And yet, Marlon had never looked deeper into it. Right now, he realized he had failed as a father. He let out a long, weighted breath. His family had fallen this far, and he couldn't pretend he wasn't responsible. "Let's go," he finally said. "Old Alpha, where to?" a guard asked. Marlon spoke in a deep voice, "To teach my useless son a lesson. And help Thora clean house." ... At the party, music played and glasses clinked. Almost every well-known pack in Starlance City had come.Norman stood with a glass of red wine, laughing and chatting with several officers in military uniform. He looked completely pleased with himself. Caleb, dressed in a sharp black suit, also held a glass of wine as he moved through the crowd. At 19, he looked far more mature than he had two years ago. He talked politely with the guests while keeping an eye on the entrance. "Caleb!" Hazel showed up with her makeup perfect and her smile sweet. She walked straight toward him. Her pretty face was full of shy delight. Caleb stepped forward with a smile and domineeringly pulled her into his arms. Hazel lightly hit his chest and acted cute. "Hey, everyone's watching." Caleb leaned close to her ear. "Everyone already knows you'll be my mate someday. What's there to be shy about?" Hazel's cheeks turned pink.Her mom had been right; marrying a man who liked her and whom she could control was the smartest choice. And Thora? Even if she didn't die out there, marrying Darius meant she would end up lonely. A top-tier Alpha like Darius would never be with a low-rank mixed-blood werewolf like Thora. Just thinking that filled Hazel with superiority. She held Caleb's arm and streamed through the guests, smiling as they accepted everyone's congratulations. When the party reached its peak, Norman exchanged a glance with Caleb's parents. The moment the host stepped onto the stage, he drew everyone's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight as we celebrate my daughter Hazel and Caleb Lawson's Mating Pact ceremony." He didn't even finish before a wave of whispers swept through the room.All eyes turned toward the entrance. Four figures dressed in black military uniforms walked in, each step steady and powerful. Their presence was so strong that the crowd parted on instinct, opening a path for them as if pushed by an invisible force. There were only four of them, yet their aura was heavier and sharper than an entire battalion. This was the kind of pressure forged through real battles—fire, gunfire, and blood. But unlike regular soldiers, their stance carried something freer, wider, and almost untamed. Their uniforms showed no rank patches, but a few senior officers in the room still rose to their feet. They knew exactly what that black uniform meant. It belonged to the special forces. The ones with the highest level of authority. The ones granted first-strike rights before any report was needed. Leading the group was a young man who looked barely twenty. Tall, charming, with a gaze as sharp as blades.Two towering men followed behind him. At the very back, a petite girl with bright, smiling eyes skipped along, sweet as a doll. Then the Greens finally took a good look at the leader, and their faces changed instantly. "It's Thora!" The shout came from a former Astralis College student. His voice shook with excitement. Others who had once studied beside Thora looked just as thrilled. Some even stood up, unable to hide the admiration in their eyes. To them, Thora had always been a hero. Now she had returned, armored in honor and strength, reigniting every bit of pride they once felt. Thora hadn't disappeared for two years. She had enlisted. And now she was back as a major general.