Chapter 7

“Torn Between Two Alphas”

“Say it, Lora.   Tell me to stop and I will.

 Desperate, his voice sounded raspy.  Where his fingers held my waist, they shook.

 My breath caught when his brow met mine, and I said, "I don't know what I want anymore."

 "Then let me show you."

 I ought to have driven him away.  I should have yelled, kicked, ordered him out.  But I did not.

 Revan's lips hovered dangerously close to mine as I stood there, heart racing as though it were trying to leap out of my chest.  His smell clouded my thoughts; his body was hot and firm against me.  The most awful part?  I didn't want to consider it.

 He was all I should not desire.  Unforgiving.  Chilly.  Alpha of my pack's foe.

 Still, there I was.  Barefoot on the porch of his lodge, enveloped in his arms like if I belonged there.

 How did we arrive here?  I said, my voice almost inaudible.

 "You came to me," he whispered, running his fingers over my cheek.  Though unintentional, "  You're here now even if it came via treachery, suffering, and blood.  That’s all I care about.” 

 “I’m carrying Jordan’s child.” 

 I understand.  Though his eyes darkened, he held on.  I don't mind.

 You ought to.

 “I can’t.” 

 Two days ago, I would’ve hit him for saying that.   Two weeks ago, I would have labeled him a monster.

 But what about now?  I now had no idea what to name him.  How to feel.  What to have faith in.

 I backed off gradually.  I want time.

 "You're running," he replied, accusing me with the harsh honesty he carried like armor.

 "No," I answered resolutely.  I am still alive.

 His eyes looked for mine and then he slowly nodded.  I'll wait then.

 Later in the evening

 I shut my door.

 I wanted room, a second to inhale, but every time I closed my eyes, Revan appeared.  The eyes of his.  What he said.  The awful reality I had begun to want for someone I had regarded as the adversary.

 But soon as I shut my eyes, the door creaked.

 I sprang up.  Revan

 Silence.

 Pulse pounding in my ears, I walked out into the corridor.

 It was then that I detected blood.

 Barefoot along the hallway, the stone floor chilly under my feet I ran.  Every stride made my heart race more.

 Reaching the battle room made me halt short.

 Shirtless with blood-soaked hands, Revan stood centre.  Two of his troops were on the ground, wounded but still alive.  And opposite him—stood Jordan.

 I almost died.

 What the heck brings you here?  I yelled, moving in front of them.

 Jordan's gaze fell on me—hollow, red-rimmed.  I come to bring you home.

 I am not going anywhere with you!

 Lora  He reached for me, but Revan snarled and stepped forward angrily, every line of his body reflecting it.

 She's currently under my guard.

 Jordan's gaze shot to him.  She's pregnant with my kid.

 "Correction," Revan said icily.  She's having her baby.  Not your own.  The instant you tossed her to the wolves—literally, you forfeited all rights.

 Jordan growled, "Don't speak as though you care about her."  You're exploiting her to start a conflict.

 Revan's expression grew more serious.  "You caused this war by giving over your own mate like a piece of livestock."

 It was for the pack.

 Revan snarled, "Then may the Goddess help your pack?"

 Stop!  I shouted, my voice breaking.  "Just stop both of you!"

 They looked in my direction.

 I breathed unsteadily.  You choose Eva, Jordan.  You selected the coalition.  You choose to discard me as though I never counted.

 His face contorted.  Lora, I had no idea you were expecting.  I did not—

 I said that would not have altered anything.  Would it?

 He glanced down, and that was all the response I required.

 Revan moved ahead.  "You heard her."  Go now.

 Jordan's hands tightened into fists.  She remains in my pack.

 "Not any more," I said, quietly and steadily.  I refuse you, Jordan Ashfall.  My Alpha.  As my partner.  In any capacity.

 He turned pale.  “Lora…” 

 I looked aside.

 "I loved you," he said softly.

 Though my eyes ached, I kept going.  You enjoyed the strength.  Not me.

 AFTER

 Revan said nothing as he led me back to my room.  He merely kept close, his hand warm on my back, his presence anchoring. 

 When we approached the door, I paused. 

 He gently inquired, "Are you alright?"

 I will be.

 "Should I remain?"

 I gazed up at him.  “Do you want to stay?” 

 He didn't respond verbally.

 He gave me a kiss.

 Not harsh.  Not combative.

 Gentle.  Tolerant.  As though he had been waiting a long, long time.

 I cried for breath as we split.

 "Tell me to stop," he begged once again.

 I declined.  "Don't."

 He kissed me once more.

 Once again.

 That night, I let the distinctions blur.

 From agony to zeal.

 Between foes and something more profound.

 Between the girl who had been shattered...  and the lady who wants to ascend.

 Just before daybreak

 The complex was pierced by a scream.

 Heart pounding, I sprang up.

 Already up, jeans half-pulled on, Revan's face was immediately awake.

 One more scream.

 Then a howl.

 Revan stood still.  "That is..."

 "Your Beta," I completed.

 Running out together, anxiety curled in my chest like smoke.

 Reaching the courtyard, a warrior lurched in, bleeding profusely, eyes frantic.

 "They stole her!"

 Who?  Revan asked, seizing his shoulders.

 The fighter gasped for air.  Eva.  She arrived here.  She claimed to be searching for Lora.  Rogues, however, sprang from nowhere.  They stole her.  And abandoned this—

 He extended a bloodstained piece of cloth.  My sister's.

 I closed my eyes.  Eva arrived here?  Why?

 Revan's gaze tightened.

 "She didn't come to see you," he added carefully.

 She came to get you.

 Heart racing, I stepped back.

 Then came

 A howl rang out from the northern woods.

 The aroma of the breeze struck me.

 Known.  Strong.

 And fatal.

 "Jordan," I said softly.

 Fury turned Revan's eyes black.  It was a trap.

Revan, tell me the truth.  Was the scream intended for me?

 He stopped moving, his naked chest still rising from our combined breath.

 Not at all.  He clenched his jaw.  But now it's coming for you.

 I hardly had time to get my robe.

 By the time I emerged, the corridor was already teeming with guards.  Revan was quick, deadly, and sharp as a shadow.  Calculating, his eyes flitted from face to face.

 He said, "Where's the scream from?"

 One of the guards indicated the northern wing.  Cells for holding.

 Revan's gaze shifted to me.  Remain here.

 You know I will not.

 He muttered curses.  Okay.  Stay nearby.

 We sprinted.