The Lies

Chapter Four – The Lies

Axel’s POV

The morning sun hadn’t even touched the mountains when I got out of bed. Sleep didn’t come easily last night. Not after what happened.

I stood by the window, arms folded, watching the forest sway in the early wind. The girl… Nora.

I had saved her life, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her. About her face. Her scent. Her tears.

Something was off.

I didn’t trust easily, and definitely not strangers who just showed up at the border getting attacked by rogues.

It felt too clean. Too perfect.

Why was she alone?

Why did the rogues find her?

Why did she look… like her?

I shut my eyes tightly and pushed that thought away. Lillian. That name had no place in my mind anymore. But the more I tried to forget, the more it came back.

The resemblance was sharp. Not just the face—but the way she looked at me, the softness, the fear. It stirred something in me I had buried long ago.

“Alpha Axel,” a voice said behind me.

I turned. It was Rafe, one of my top guards.

“Go find out about the girl,” I ordered without greeting. “Everything. Her name, her past, the pack she came from. I want to know if she’s a spy or just another lost soul.”

Rafe nodded quickly, almost too quickly.

“Do you mean Nora Thorne?”

I froze.

I hadn’t told him her name.

I narrowed my eyes. “You know her?”

He looked away for a second, then gave a short nod. “No No… i don’t know her, she just look… look a bit familar?

“Familiar how?” I demanded, stepping closer. “Have you met her before? Or is someone feeding you information?”

Rafe hesitated. “Not really, I am not sure, I don’t know her”

“Then go confirm it. And bring me the truth.”

He bowed and left quickly. I didn’t like the look in his eyes. There was something hidden behind that calm face of his. Something I needed to dig out.

But first… the girl.

I opened the door to the guest room and stepped in. The scent of healing herbs filled the air. Nora was sitting up in bed, her long hair falling around her shoulders.

She looked tired. Pale. Weak.

But still… too familiar.

She looked up at me and froze, her lips parting slightly.

“Alpha…” she whispered.

I didn’t reply. I just stared.

She dropped her gaze. Her fingers fidgeted with the bedsheet.

“You’re awake,” I said flatly.

She nodded. “Yes. Thank you for—”

“Who are you?” I cut in, stepping forward.

She blinked. “I—I told the healer. My name is Nora Thorne.”

“Where are you from?”

“Ashmoon Pack.”

The same pack my father had dealings with years ago.

“What were you doing at the edge of our border?”

“I was running,” she said softly. “I was being chased. The rogues found me before I could find help.”

“Why were the rogues after you?”

“I don’t know,” she said quickly. “I swear, I don’t know.”

“You didn’t call them?” I asked coldly.

She looked up in shock. “What?”

“You didn’t lead them here to get close to me?” My voice turned sharp. “You didn’t plan this entire act so I’d find you and feel sorry for you?”

Her eyes widened. “No! No, I didn’t! I swear! I didn’t even know this was your land, I didn’t even know anything about you before now”

I stared hard at her. She didn’t break eye contact.

But the fear was real. Or it looked real.

And still, I didn’t trust her.

“Why do you look like her?” I asked suddenly.

She blinked, confused. “Look like who?”

I didn’t answer. I turned and walked to the window. My hands were balled into fists.

Was she sent to me?

Was this fate messing with me again?

Was it a trick?

I whirled on her. "Tell me the truth. All of it. Now."

She shook her head, tearful. "I have nothing to hide. I just wanted to live. That's all."

I didn't get a chance to push her further when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," I barked.

Rafe came in.

He bowed briefly, then glanced at Nora.

"Well?" I demanded.

"She was banished from Ashmoon Pack," he answered reluctantly.

Nora's head snapped up. "What?"

I tried talking to Rafe. "Why?"

He looked straight at me and told me, "She cheated on one of the elders while she was still mated with the alpha of our pack."

Nora gasped. "What?!"

My heart turned cold.

I looked at her, stunned.

"You… what?" I said slowly.

"That is not true!" she screamed. "That's a lie!"

Rafe continued, unflappable. "She was caught sneaking into his room.some elders called for her banishment. It was a scandal.".

That's not true!" Nora screamed. "I did respect every elders of my pack ! They were all like a father— I would never do that!"

But I didn't respond. I just stared at her.

Her face.

Her eyes.

And now… this?

It made too much sense. She was too perfect. Too fragile. Too much like the ghost I'd been trying to forget for years.

My voice was a glacier. "Do you think I'm stupid?

Tears streamed down her face. "Please. I don't know why he's making this up. It's not true."

I turned to face the healer. "Don't let her out of this room."

"Alpha—" she began.

"I said don't let her out."

And then I was gone.

My heart raced, but my expression did not change.

If she was really lying… if she came into my life pretending to be weak just to trap me…

Then she was worse than Lillian.

And I wouldn't repeat the same mistake twice.