Chapter 8: The Alpha’s Regret

The cold morning breeze swept through the forest as Arnold and Lyra walked side by side.

Golden rays of sunlight filtered through the towering trees, painting the ground in patches of light.

Neither of them spoke.

Lyra’s body still ached from the previous night’s attack, but somehow, she felt safer than she had in years.

Arnold walked a few steps ahead, occasionally glancing around, as though expecting danger.

“You don’t have to keep looking over your shoulder,” Lyra said softly.

“I’ve already brought you enough trouble.”

Arnold smiled without turning around.

“I’ve faced worse.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“Worse than a pack of bloodthirsty rogues?”

He chuckled.

“You’d be surprised.”

For the first time since leaving Blackwood Pack, Lyra laughed.

It was quiet.

Gentle.

But genuine.

Arnold looked back for a brief second.

“She looks so much prettier when she smiles.”

Far behind them…

Karl Blackwood silently followed their trail.

He stayed hidden among the trees, masking his scent with wolfbane leaves.

Every time Arnold looked around, Karl disappeared into the shadows before he could be noticed.

His wolf growled furiously.

Another male is protecting our mate.

Karl clenched his jaw.

“She’s free to choose where she goes.”

Then why are you following her?

He had no answer.

He told himself he only wanted to make sure she was safe.

But deep down…

He knew he was lying.

Meanwhile…

Back at Blackwood Manor…

Selena stood before the Alpha’s office.

She knocked twice.

“Come in.”

Karl wasn’t there.

Instead, Beta Damien sat behind the desk, sorting through battle reports.

“Where’s Karl?” Selena asked.

Damien didn’t even look up.

“Out.”

“Where?”

“I don’t know.”

Selena narrowed her eyes.

“You always know where he is.”

Damien finally looked at her.

“And why would that concern you?”

“I’m his future Luna.”

“No.”

Damien’s voice was calm but firm.

“You’re the woman he intends to marry.”

“The Moon Goddess hasn’t accepted that.”

Selena’s smile disappeared.

Before she could reply, Damien added,

“If I were you…”

“I’d spend less time worrying about Lyra.”

“And more time wondering why Karl disappeared before sunrise.”

Selena’s heart skipped.

“He went after her…”

A dangerous rage filled her chest.

Hours later…

Arnold and Lyra reached a crystal-clear river.

The rushing water sparkled beneath the morning sun.

“You should clean your wounds,” Arnold said.

“They’ll become infected otherwise.”

Lyra knelt by the riverbank and gently washed the dried blood from her face.

She caught sight of her reflection.

Dark circles beneath her eyes.

Bruises along her arms.

A fading cut across her forehead.

She barely recognized herself.

“So much has changed…”

Arnold crouched beside her and handed her a small cloth.

“It will heal.”

She accepted it with a quiet smile.

“You’re very kind.”

“My mother used to say…”

“The strongest people are those who choose kindness when life gives them every reason not to.”

Lyra looked at him curiously.

“Your mother sounds wise.”

Arnold’s smile faded.

“She was.”

The sadness in his voice told Lyra not to ask any more questions.

Suddenly

Arnold’s expression hardened.

He stood abruptly.

“Stay behind me.”

Lyra’s heart began pounding.

“What is it?”

“I smell wolves.”

Before she could react…

Four large wolves emerged from the trees.

Each wore the Blackwood crest.

Their leader shifted into human form.

“Alpha Karl.”

The words escaped his mouth before he could stop them.

Lyra froze.

Karl stepped out from behind the trees.

His silver eyes immediately found hers.

For several long seconds…

Neither of them moved.

Neither of them spoke.

The forest itself seemed to hold its breath.

Arnold quietly stepped in front of Lyra.

A protective gesture.

Karl noticed.

His expression darkened.

“Move.”

Arnold folded his arms.

“I don’t think I will.”

The Blackwood warriors immediately tensed.

One wrong move…

And a fight would begin.

Karl took another step forward.

“I’m not here to fight.”

Arnold met his gaze without fear.

“Then why are you here?”

Karl looked past him.

Straight at Lyra.

“I came…”

His voice faltered for the first time.

“…to make sure you’re safe.”

Lyra stared at him in disbelief.

A bitter smile slowly appeared on her lips.

“Safe?”

She took a step around Arnold, facing Karl directly.

“When I needed you…”

“You rejected me.”

Her eyes glistened with tears she refused to let fall.

“When your future Luna humiliated me…”

“You watched.”

“When the rogues nearly killed me…”

“You said I meant nothing.”

She shook her head.

“So don’t stand here pretending you care now.”

Karl felt every word like a blade to the heart.

His wolf lowered its head in shame.

She’s right.

For the first time in his life…

The mighty Alpha King found himself unable to speak.

Lyra looked at him one last time.

Then, with quiet determination, she turned away.

“Let’s go, Arnold.”

Arnold gave Karl a long, unreadable look before following her.

Karl remained rooted to the spot, watching as the woman he had rejected walked farther away with another man.

The distance between them grew with every step.

And for the first time since becoming Alpha…

Karl realized that some mistakes couldn’t be undone with power.

Some hearts, once broken…

Didn’t wait to be mended.