CHAPTER 2 – THE ALPHA'S DECISION

CHAPTER 2 – THE ALPHA'S DECISION

My hand tightened around the knife.

“You are not what you smell like.”

Kael's words settled over the ravine like a threat.

I stared at him.

“What does that mean?”

He didn't answer.

Instead, he looked at the blood running down my arm.

“You're injured.”

I glanced at my shoulder.

“It isn't serious.”

“You've been running through the Barrens while being hunted.”

“I survived.”

Kael's eyes narrowed.

“That's not what I asked.”

“I didn't ask for your concern.”

A few of his warriors exchanged looks.

One of them stepped forward.

“Alpha, she's a rogue. We should restrain her.”

Kael raised his hand.

“No.”

The warrior stopped.

“But—”

“I said no.”

His voice wasn't loud.

It didn't need to be.

The warrior immediately stepped back.

I watched Kael carefully.

Powerful men always had the same problem.

They believed everyone should obey them.

I had learned a long time ago not to become one of those people.

Kael looked at me again.

“Why were you inside Ironfang territory?”

I gave him a blank look.

“I wasn't.”

His brow furrowed.

“You were caught inside a restricted area.”

“I was running for my life.”

“That doesn't answer my question.”

“It answers enough.”

One of the warriors scoffed.

“She's disrespecting you.”

I turned toward him.

“Would you prefer I lie?”

He stepped forward.

Kael stopped him with one look.

Then Kael faced me again.

“Who sent you?”

“No one.”

“Which rogue faction do you belong to?”

“None.”

“You travel alone?”

“Yes.”

“How long?”

“Long enough.”

His jaw tightened.

“You expect me to believe you've survived the Ash Barrens alone?”

“I don't care what you believe.”

Silence followed.

Kael stared at me.

I stared back.

Something about his expression told me he wasn't used to being challenged.

Good.

He needed to get used to it.

His gaze moved over my torn clothes, my bruised arms, and the dried blood on my boots.

“You fought six hunters alone.”

“I didn't count them.”

“You defeated several.”

“I got lucky.”

His eyes sharpened.

“That wasn't luck.”

I shrugged.

“Then maybe they're just bad hunters.”

One of the warriors muttered, “She's arrogant.”

I smiled faintly.

“I'm alive. That's what matters.”

Kael's expression remained unreadable.

Then he asked, “What's your name?”

I hesitated.

A name was more dangerous than a weapon.

Names could be used to find you.

Names could be used to own you.

“Nyra.”

“Nyra what?”

“Just Nyra.”

“You have a family name.”

“No.”

The lie came easily.

Kael seemed to notice.

His eyes narrowed.

“Everyone has a family.”

“Not everyone.”

Something flickered across his face.

For the first time, I saw something other than authority in his eyes.

Curiosity.

He took a step closer.

I immediately raised my knife.

“Don't.”

He stopped.

“You think I'd hurt you?”

“I don't know you.”

“You know who I am.”

“I know what people say about you.”

“And what do they say?”

“That you're dangerous.”

Kael's mouth barely moved.

“They're right.”

I believed him.

He looked at my knife.

“Put it down.”

“No.”

“You're surrounded.”

“I noticed.”

“You can't escape.”

“I've escaped worse.”

Kael studied me for another moment.

Then his gaze shifted toward the ravine.

“You're hurt.”

“I can walk.”

“That wasn't my question.”

“I didn't ask for help.”

“You keep saying that.”

“Because you keep acting like I need it.”

His eyes darkened.

“You're stubborn.”

“And you're controlling.”

One of his warriors stepped forward.

“Watch your mouth, rogue.”

I turned toward him.

“Or what?”

He growled.

I lifted my knife.

“Come closer and find out.”

Kael suddenly stepped between us.

“Enough.”

His voice cut through the tension.

The warrior immediately lowered his weapon.

Kael looked at me.

“You're making this difficult.”

I gave him a cold smile.

“Good.”

He shook his head slightly.

Then he looked at the blood on my arm again.

“Your wound needs treatment.”

“It will heal.”

“Maybe.”

“I'll manage.”

“You're going back into the Barrens?”

“Yes.”

“Alone?”

“Yes.”

“While injured?”

“Yes.”

His expression hardened.

“That's not an option.”

I laughed once.

“You don't get to decide where I go.”

Kael's gaze held mine.

“You're inside my territory.”

“I didn't choose to be here.”

“You're still here.”

“And I'll leave.”

I turned.

That was my mistake.

I moved quickly toward the narrow path behind me.

One step.

Two.

Three.

Then an arm wrapped around my waist.

I gasped.

Kael pulled me backward before I could react.

I twisted violently.

“Let me go!”

He caught my wrist before I could strike.

“Stop.”

“Release me!”

“You're going to hurt yourself.”

“I'll take my chances.”

I kicked backward.

He shifted easily, avoiding it.

My frustration exploded.

I tried to pull my wrist free.

Nothing.

He was stronger than anyone I'd ever fought.

“Let me go!”

“Nyra.”

The way he said my name made me freeze for half a second.

He used that moment to turn me around.

We stood face-to-face.

His hand was still around my wrist.

His eyes dropped to my knife.

“Enough.”

I glared at him.

“You think holding me proves you're powerful?”

“No.”

“Then let go.”

“You're trying to run.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I don't like cages.”

His expression changed.

Just slightly.

“You think I'm putting you in a cage?”

“I think powerful men always have reasons for keeping people close.”

Kael released my wrist.

I immediately stepped back.

He didn't try to grab me again.

Instead, he said, “I'm not sending you back to the Barrens.”

My eyes narrowed.

“You're not?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“You're injured.”

“I've survived worse.”

“I believe you.”

“Then let me leave.”

Kael shook his head.

“I can't.”

“Can't or won't?”

“Both.”

My anger rose.

“Then what do you want?”

“Answers.”

“You won't get them.”

“Perhaps.”

He looked toward his warriors.

“Prepare a horse.”

My eyes widened.

“What?”

“You're coming to Moonfall Fortress.”

“No.”

Several warriors looked at each other.

Kael's expression didn't change.

“You misunderstood me.”

“I understood perfectly.”

“You're coming with us.”

“I said no.”

His gaze hardened.

“You have no idea what is waiting for you in the Barrens.”

“I know exactly what is waiting for me.”

“Hunters.”

“I'm used to them.”

“More will come.”

I stared at him.

He continued.

“And next time, you may not survive.”

“I'll take that chance.”

Kael was silent.

Then he turned away.

“Alpha,” one warrior called quietly.

Kael stopped.

The warrior approached him and lowered his voice.

I couldn't hear everything.

But I heard my name.

Kael looked back at me.

Then he said quietly, “Her scent.”

The warrior frowned.

“What about it?”

Kael's expression tightened.

“It reminds me of something.”

“Something familiar?”

“I don't know.”

“Should we investigate?”

Kael stared at me for several seconds.

“Not yet.”

My stomach tightened.

I didn't know what they were talking about.

But I knew one thing.

He was hiding something.

Kael walked back toward me.

I stepped away.

He stopped a few feet in front of me.

“You have two choices.”

I said nothing.

“Come with me willingly.”

He paused.

“Or I will have my warriors take you.”

I looked around.

Weapons surrounded me.

The hunters were gone.

The ravine was blocked.

And Kael stood between me and the only path out.

Neither choice was freedom.

I slowly lowered my knife.

Not because I trusted him.

Because I understood the situation.

Kael watched me carefully.

“So?”

I looked straight into his eyes.

“If I go with you, Alpha, what exactly do you plan to do with me?”

His expression became unreadable.

“You'll find out at Moonfall.”