LOGINMorning.The bell rang 3 times in the main square of _Blackthorn Pack_. 3 times.It meant only one thing: _The Alpha is calling everyone. Mandatory._500 wolves gathered. Men. Women. Children. Elders. Warriors.Everyone was whispering. "What happened?" "Is it a war declaration?" "Why is Rylan here?"Yes. _Rylan_ was there too. In the guest seat. Smiling. Like he already knew what was about to happen._Kael_ stood on the stage. Black coat. Bandage on his chest. Behind him _Torin_ and 4 guards.On one side of the stage stood _Lyra_. Simple white dress. Hair down. She hadn't spoken to anyone all morning.Kael picked up the mic. His voice echoed through the entire square."Blackthorn."Everyone went silent."I’m not here to lie today. I’m here to tell the truth."Silence.---*5 MINUTES AGO*Kael looked at the mirror.The wound was still there. The wound on his heart was bigger.Torin asked: "Alpha, is this necessary?"Kael said: "Yes. If I want her back, I have to humiliate mys
Dawn.The basement of _Blackthorn Mansion_ was dark. Only one torch was burning._Kael_ stood at the head of the table. In front of him, 3 old men chained. _Elder Varis, Elder Morn, Elder Sera._5 years ago these 3 told him: "Reject her or the pack dies."Today they would spit the truth. Or die.Torin stood at the door. Weapon in hand.Kael's voice was ice. "Last chance. Tell the truth."Varis spat. "We did what we did for the pack."Kael took one step forward. "For the pack? Or for your pockets?"Morn's eye twitched.Kael saw it. "Speak."Sera bowed his head. "Fine... fine. It wasn't just fear of war."Kael's fist clenched. "Then what was it?"Varis closed his eyes. "Your father... Alpha Dren made a deal with Drakhold. 50,000 gold coins. If you rejected Lyra."The room went silent.Kael felt like someone had stabbed him in the chest."Money?" his voice shook. "You sold my mate for 50,000?"Sera whispered: "Drakhold's Alpha was Rylan's father. He said if there was no alliance, he
Morning._Blackthorn Mansion_ was too quiet._Lyra_ sat by the window. Her arm was bandaged. The poison was gone, but her body still felt weak.Behind her, _Kael_ hadn’t slept. Again.He was watching her. Not moving. Like if he blinked, she’d disappear."Stop staring," Lyra said without turning."I can’t," Kael answered honestly.Lyra closed her eyes. "Then go out."Kael didn’t move.A knock._Torin_ entered. Face pale. "Alpha. The Elders are here. They want to talk."Kael’s jaw ticked. "Send them in."Three old men walked in. _Elder Varis, Elder Morn, Elder Sera_. The same three who told 19 year old Kael to break Lyra’s heart.Varis looked at Lyra, then quickly looked away. "Alpha. We heard about the attack."Kael didn’t sit. "You heard right. Now tell me why you lied to me 5 years ago."Silence.Sera cleared his throat. "We did what was best for the pack.""Best?" Kael laughed. No humor. "You told me to destroy the only person I ever loved to ‘save’ the pack?"Morn stepped forward
Blood.Lyra’s blood was warm on Kael’s hands."LYRA! STAY WITH ME!" Kael roared. His voice broke through the forest.The arrow was in her arm. Black poison spreading from the wound._Rylan_ was still standing there, smiling. "Told you. Only I have the cure."Kael didn’t look at him. He scooped Lyra up. "Torin. Back to the estate. NOW."Torin nodded. 4 guards cleared the path.Behind them, Rylan’s voice followed: "You have 2 hours, Kael. After that, she dies. Come to me if you want her to live."Kael didn’t answer. He was already running.Rain. Blood. Lyra’s faint breathing on his chest.`Not again. Not again I lose her.`---_BLACKTHORN ESTATE - HEALING ROOM_Torin and 2 healers surrounded the bed."We have to cut it out, Alpha," the elder healer said. "The poison is spreading.""Do it," Kael said. Shirt off. Hands shaking but voice steady.Lyra was unconscious. Pale. Lips blue.The moment the blade touched her skin, Kael grabbed the healer’s wrist. "Be careful.""We will, Alpha."2 h
Darkness. Only the beeping of machines._Kael Veyron_ lay on the bed. White bandages. A bandage across his chest. Unconscious for 3 days._Torin_ stood by the door. Eyes red. "Alpha... please wake up."Only the sound of rain in the room.Suddenly... The beeping sped up.Kael’s finger twitched."Alpha?" Torin rushed forward.Kael’s eyes opened. Grey. Empty.The first word: "Lyra..."Torin held his breath. "I’m here, Alpha."Kael looked around. Empty room."Where is she?" His voice was hoarse."Who, Alpha?""LYRA!!!!" Kael screamed and tried to get up. The wound tore open. Blood."Don’t!" Torin grabbed him. "She... she left."Kael froze. Breathing hard."Left...?" he whispered."Yes. 3 days ago. After the war."Kael closed his eyes. The pain in his heart was worse than the wound.He put a hand on his chest. Right on the mark. It was almost gone now. Faint."The mate bond... it’s breaking," Kael said.Torin stayed silent.---*2 DAYS LATER*Kael was healing. Physically. Menta
Blood. The rainwater was turning red.*Kael Veyron* sat on the ground. *Lyra’s* head in his lap."LYRA! OPEN YOUR EYES!" he roared. His voice echoed through the forest.Blood was pouring from Lyra’s arm. The arrow was still in it. Her lips were turning blue. Breathing fast."Doctor!" Kael bellowed. "TORIN!"Torin and 4 guards appeared in 2 seconds."Move back, Alpha," Torin said.Kael held Lyra tighter. "I’m not letting go.""Alpha she’ll die! The arrow has to come out!"Kael looked at the arrow with shaking hands. Poisoned. Black.He closed his eyes. And snapped the arrow. The rest stayed inside.Lyra groaned and opened her eyes."Kael..." her voice was so faint."I’m here," Kael pressed her hair to his chest. "Nothing’s going to happen. You hear me? Nothing."Lyra gave a weak smile. "You… saved me again...""Shut up," Kael put a finger on her lips. "Don’t talk."Then clapping came from the forest.Clap. Clap. Clap.*Rylan Drake* jumped down from a tree. 10 guards with him. Soake







