Chapter five

The Proposal

The clearing erupted into chaos.

The rogues attacked without warning.

Miguel shifted in a blur of black fur and razor-sharp claws. His enormous wolf landed between Lynnek and the rogue leader, releasing a thunderous roar that shook the trees.

The rogues hesitated.

Then they charged.

Miguel tore through the first wolf with terrifying precision. His warriors joined the fight, clashing with the rogues as snarls and screams filled the forest.

Lynnek refused to stand back.

She shifted into her silver she-wolf and lunged at a rogue trying to attack one of the Blackstone warriors.

Her teeth sank into its shoulder.

The rogue yelped, throwing her aside before another Blackstone warrior finished it off.

More wolves poured into the clearing.

"There are too many!" one warrior shouted.

Miguel's wolf let out a commanding howl.

Immediately, his warriors changed formation, surrounding Lynnek in a protective circle.

She growled in frustration.

"I don't need protecting!"

Miguel glanced at her briefly before throwing another rogue against a tree.

Apparently, he disagreed.

The scar-faced rogue leader watched the battle with amusement.

"You still don't understand, do you?" he called.

Miguel ignored him.

The rogue laughed.

"The girl isn't valuable because she's the former Luna."

That caught Miguel's attention.

The rogue smiled wider.

"She's the last descendant of the Moonfang Bloodline."

Lynnek froze.

Moonfang?

She had never heard that name before.

"What are you talking about?" she demanded.

The rogue only laughed.

"Ask your dead mother."

Rage exploded inside Lynnek.

She rushed toward him.

"Lynnek, wait!" Miguel shouted.

Too late.

The rogue had expected her attack.

He caught her wrist and pressed a silver dagger against her throat.

The entire clearing fell silent.

Miguel's icy blue eyes darkened.

"Let her go."

The rogue chuckled.

"Or what?"

The air suddenly became heavy.

Every wolf—friend and enemy alike—felt it.

Miguel's Alpha aura burst across the clearing like a violent storm.

The pressure was overwhelming.

Several rogues collapsed to their knees.

Even Lynnek struggled to breathe.

The rogue's smile disappeared.

Miguel took one slow step forward.

"You have three seconds."

His voice was calm.

That made it even more frightening.

"One."

The rogue tightened his grip.

"Two."

His hand began to tremble.

Before Miguel could say "Three," the rogue shoved Lynnek away and ran.

The remaining rogues scattered in panic, disappearing into the darkness.

Silence settled over the forest.

Miguel rushed to Lynnek.

"Are you hurt?"

She shook her head.

"I'm fine."

He gently lifted her chin, inspecting the thin cut on her neck.

His touch was surprisingly careful.

Their eyes met.

For a heartbeat, neither of them spoke.

Lynnek's wolf stirred inside her.

She could feel his wolf responding.

The pull between them was undeniable.

Miguel stepped back first, clearing his throat.

"You can't stay on your own anymore."

"I've survived this long."

"No."

His voice was firm.

"You survived because I found you."

Lynnek hated that he was right.

One of Miguel's warriors approached.

"Alpha, the council from Lucaster has arrived."

"What?"

Lynnek turned to see three Lucaster elders entering the clearing under a white flag.

Elder Rowan stepped forward.

"We come seeking peace."

Miguel folded his arms.

"Speak."

"The Lucaster Pack has reached a decision."

Rowan looked directly at Lynnek before turning back to Miguel.

"To prevent a war between our packs... and to protect the Moonfang bloodline..."

He took a deep breath.

"We ask that Alpha Miguel take Lynnek as his wife."

The world seemed to stop.

Lynnek stared at the elders in disbelief.

"You banished me yesterday," she said coldly. "Now you want to marry me off?"

"It's for the good of the pack," Rowan replied.

She laughed bitterly.

"No... it's for your own survival."

Miguel's expression remained unreadable.

"I haven't accepted."

The elder bowed respectfully.

"The decision is yours, Alpha."

Miguel looked at Lynnek.

She met his gaze without flinching.

Neither of them wanted this marriage.

Yet both understood that refusing it could plunge the werewolf world into war.

As the silence stretched between them, Miguel finally spoke.

"If we do this..."

His eyes never left hers.

"...we do it on our terms."