Library
Maghanap
Home / Werewolf / FATED BY FIRE / CHAPTER 4

Share

CHAPTER 4

Author: lord james
last update Huling Na-update: 2025-08-11 17:27:17

Ayla's pov

I finish out my school day and head for my locker. Jace is my ride this week, we trade off, and it’s his turn to drive. I’m rearranging my books, trying to figure out which ones I’ll need for homework, when I feel someone step into my space.

I look up.

Ice blue eyes.

Kieran Vale.

Future Alpha of Moonridge.

Fantastic.

I rein in the instinctive aggravation that sparks in my chest. No good comes from picking a fight with the guy I’ll probably be bound to for life. Still, it’s hard to stay neutral when he doesn’t even recognize me. My parents literally bled for his family. My mother gave her life protecting his. My father lost everything fighting for theirs.

And Kieran Vale doesn’t even know my name.

I take a breath, keep my face polite. “Alpha,” I say evenly. “Can I help you?”

Kieran smiles like the world bends around him. “Hey there, beautiful. Don’t think I’ve seen you around before.”

Seriously?

We’ve gone to the same schools since we were five. I stare at him for a second, trying to decide if he’s kidding. Nope. That smile is 100 percent sincere. He doesn’t have a clue who I am.

I return his smile with the fakest one I can manage. “I guess it’s hard to see past all your adoring fans.”

I shut my locker and lean against it, tilting my head and widening my eyes for effect. “You are an Alpha, right?”

His grin grows. “I am, sweetheart. Don’t let the aura get to you. I know it can be a little... overwhelming.”

Wow.

Artemis, my wolf, snorts inside my head. Please tell me he’s not serious.

Oh, he’s serious. Kieran Vale: walking ego in alpha skin.

The joke’s on him though. Guardians are immune to Alpha aura. Always have been. Alphas used to get too protective of their Guardians, pulling rank mid-fight. Too many Alphas ended up dead because they forced their Guardians to stand down. Eventually, nature fixed that flaw. Alpha command no longer works on us.

I still feel his aura, It hums at the edge of my skin, but it doesn’t touch me.

Not that he needs to know that.

I clutch my chest with mock awe. “Oh wow. It’s such an honor to meet you.”

Laying it on a little thick, aren’t we? Artemis Teases.

Maybe. But honestly, I want to see how long it takes this guy to realize I’m from his own pack.

Kieran holds out his Hand. “I’m Kieran Vale. Alpha heir of the Moonridge Pack. Maybe you've heard of me?”

I blink. Give him my best innocent look. “Oh! Wow. Nice to meet you.” I shake his hand and jolt.

It’s like static, but heavier. Electric. His hand grips mine a second too long. I look up. His expression has shifted. Briefly. A flicker of confusion. Did he feel it too?

He keeps holding my hand.

What’s he waiting for?

“It’s customary where I’m from to introduce yourself after someone gives you their name,” he says smoothly.

Ugh. Of course.

He thinks I’m starstruck.

Right on cue, Jace appears. “Hey, Ay,” I cut him off with a sharp look.

“Hey, Jace,” I say brightly, turning toward him. “Do you know Alpha Kieran?”

Jace looks confused for half a second, then catches on. “Of course. He’s our future Alpha.”

Kieran turns to Jace, nods with his usual arrogance. “Jace.”

“Alpha,” Jace replies, bowing his head slightly in respect.

Kieran looks back at me. “So, sweetheart, what’s your name and what pack are you from?”

My spine straightens. He’s really going with sweetheart again?

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jace wince. He knows exactly what’s coming.

I arch a brow. “What makes you think I’m not from your pack?”

He chuckles like I just asked where the moon goes during the day. “Because I know every member of my pack. And I don’t know you.”

Time to educate him.

I step into his space and press my palm to his chest. His very solid, warm chest.

Focus, Ayla.

I rise up on my toes, bringing my mouth close to his ear. “Well, obviously,” I whisper, “you don’t know every member.”

Then I step back.

“And my name isn’t Sweetheart.”

The sharp breath he takes tells me I landed the blow.

“Let’s go, Jace,” I call as I turn and head for the doors.

We’re halfway to my house when Jace finally breaks the silence.

“Okay, what the hell was that?”

I stare out the window, pretending to be calm. “What?”

“You pretended like you didn’t know him. Let him think you’re from some other pack.”

“I didn’t lie,” I say, voice steady. “He made the assumption.”

“Still, Ayla. Why not just tell him?”

I whip my head toward him. “Are you kidding me? He looked right at me, Jace. Looked me in the eye. And still didn’t know who I was.”

Jace stays quiet.

“I get that he doesn’t remember me from when we were five,” I continue. “But come on. My parents gave everything to their family. Everything. And I’m training every day to be his Guardian. He should know who I am.”

“He will,” Jace says gently. “Eventually.”

I sigh. “By then, it’ll be too late.”

He pulls onto the narrow road leading to our house. “I’m just saying... you’re probably going to be bound to him someday. Maybe don’t make him your mortal enemy before that happens.”

“He’d have to earn that kind of loyalty,” I mutter.

“And he is the Alpha heir.”

“I’m not scared of him.”

“I know.”

I glance out the window, chewing on the inside of my cheek. “If it ever came to a fight,” I add, “I could take him.”

Jace groans. “Don’t say things like that.”

“I’m serious. He may be strong, but I’m fast. I’m smarter. And Guardians don’t fight fair. You know that.”

Jace glances over at me, concern etched into his face. “Ayla... just be careful. If he finds out you’ve been playing him”

“I’m not playing him,” I snap. “I’m proving a point.”

He doesn’t say anything as we pull into the driveway.

I grab my bag and hop out. “Thanks for the ride. See you tomorrow.”

He watches me a beat longer, then nods. “Later.”

As I step inside, I shake off the last of Kieran’s cologne and attitude.

Time for training.

Dad’s waiting.

And I’ve got a lot to hit.

Patuloy na basahin ang aklat na ito nang libre
I-scan ang code upang i-download ang App
Nakaraang Kabanata Susunod na kabanata

Pinakabagong kabanata

  • FATED BY FIRE   CHAPTER 53

    Cara’s POV The night sky over the Silvercrest borders was heavy with clouds, a low rumble echoing through the forest. The air smelled like rain and blood. My hands trembled as I wiped Lucian’s wounds with a damp cloth, each stroke sending a ripple of fear through me. His skin was cold. His breathing uneven. He had taken the hit meant for me. Again. “Stop frowning, little wolf,” he murmured, voice hoarse but teasing. “You’re ruining that fierce look you wear so well.” “You almost died,” I said, not hiding the anger in my voice. “There’s nothing funny about that.” Lucian tried to smile, but his body flinched. The scent of iron was thick in the room. I pressed harder against the gash on his shoulder, forcing myself not to cry. I couldn’t afford weakness, not now. He caught my wrist before I could move away. His grip was weak, but his eyes—those deep, burning gray eyes—were the same. “I’d do it again,” he said. “Every time.” The words hit me harder than the battle had. I looked awa

  • FATED BY FIRE   CHAPTER 52

    Cara’s POVThe world came back to me slowly. First the smell of smoke, then rain, then the sound of steady breathing beside me. My head rested on something warm and solid. When I opened my eyes, I realized it was Lucian’s chest.We were in his cabin, the one deep inside pack lands where no one but his Beta was allowed to come. A fire burned low in the corner, its glow brushing across his face. He was asleep in a chair beside the bed, still holding my hand like he thought I’d vanish if he let go.I watched him for a while. He looked younger in sleep, softer, like the Alpha everyone feared had finally set down his crown. For the first time in weeks, I wasn’t afraid. Just… tired.My throat hurt when I spoke. “Lucian.”His eyes opened instantly, sharp and alert. He was on his feet in a second, crouching beside me. “You’re awake.”I nodded weakly. “How long?”“Two days. You lost too much blood. The healer said your energy was drained by whatever spell Varek used.”The memory hit me like a

  • FATED BY FIRE   CHAPTER 51

    Lucian’s POVThe scent of blood still lingered long after the battle ended. It mixed with rain and earth, sharp enough to burn my lungs. I stood over the last rogue’s body, chest heaving, trying to steady my thoughts, but all I saw was Cara disappearing into the forest again.She hadn’t looked back.I knew I should’ve chased her. Every part of me screamed to follow. But something in her eyes before she left—calm, resigned, almost free—had stopped me.I’d spent years learning how to command others. But nothing had prepared me for how powerless it felt to love a woman who refused to be owned.Jayden appeared behind me, his scent cutting through the damp air. “She’s gone east,” he said quietly.“I know.”“Are you going after her?”I turned slowly to face him. His face was bruised from the fight, his jaw tight, but his voice was steady. “You think she’ll come back if you chase her?”My hands clenched. “You think she’ll come back to you if I don’t?”He didn’t flinch. “This isn’t about me.

  • FATED BY FIRE   CHAPTER 50

    Cara’s POVThe storm outside had not stopped for hours. Rain lashed against the windows of the safe house, echoing the chaos in my chest. Every drop sounded like a heartbeat I couldn’t control. Every flash of lightning reminded me of Lucian’s eyes the moment I left him standing in the woods.He hadn’t said a word when I turned away. He didn’t have to. The silence between us had already said everything.I stood by the window, watching the treeline blur through the downpour. My fingers trembled around the pendant he’d given me before the council meeting. It still pulsed faintly with his scent, a reminder of the bond that refused to fade no matter how much distance I put between us.Jayden had found the cabin. He’d told me it was the only place the rogues wouldn’t search. His scent filled the air now, cedar and danger. I had thought I could handle being near him. I was wrong.“Cara,” Jayden’s voice came from behind me, low and steady. “You haven’t slept since we got here.”“I’m fine,” I

  • FATED BY FIRE   CHAPTER 49

    Cara’s POVThe air tasted like metal. The patrol’s scent report was a bruise on my senses. They had found evidence of the Crescent Moon. Once extinct, now back in the dark. Lucian’s warning had been right. The peace we had patched together after the last attack was as fragile as a wet cloth.I had been on the edge of the camp when the scouts returned. They limped into the clearing in a line, heads low. One carried a broken spear. Another had a torn sleeve. Eyes met mine in quick flashes. They wanted orders. They needed direction. They wanted a leader who would do more than bark commands.I stepped forward.My body still ached from the wound. My bandages had a brown fringe where the dried blood met the cloth. That physical pain helped. It kept my mind sharp. It kept the panic from rising.Lucian watched from the shadow of the trees. He didn’t join me. He trusted me to take the first step. That trust felt like hot coals in my chest.“Report.” My voice was steady. No tremor. They answer

  • FATED BY FIRE   CHAPTER 48

    LUCAN’S POVThe night was still, yet my wolf was restless. The forest around the packhouse carried the scent of blood, iron, and smoke. We had buried the last of the rogues an hour ago, but my mind hadn’t settled since. Cara’s blood still lingered on my hands, a reminder of how close she’d come to being taken from me.I’d trained her to fight. I’d warned her to never hesitate. But watching her throw herself between me and a rogue had done something I hadn’t expected—it shook me.She wasn’t supposed to protect me. That wasn’t how it worked. I was the Alpha. She was the one I was meant to keep safe.The door to her room was slightly open when I passed. I should have kept walking, but my feet betrayed me. I stopped, listening. Her breathing was shallow, uneven. Pain. I pushed the door open quietly.She was asleep, but her body twisted restlessly, her skin pale against the sheets. The scent of healing herbs filled the room. The wound on her side had closed, but the exhaustion ran deeper.

Higit pang Kabanata

Maaari mong magustuhan

Galugarin at basahin ang magagandang nobela
Libreng basahin ang magagandang nobela sa GoodNovel app. I-download ang mga librong gusto mo at basahin kahit saan at anumang oras.
Libreng basahin ang mga aklat sa app
I-scan ang code para mabasa sa App
DMCA.com Protection Status