8. All Out War

“You shouldn’t be too hard on yourself,” Adrian said, his voice calm but concerned. “You shouldn’t have agreed to Alpha Dominic’s terms. I could’ve talked to him for you.”

Adrian had helped me back to my room after what happened. I was too weak to walk on my own, so he guided me gently, his arm supporting most of my weight. The moment I sat down, I let out a shaky breath. My chest felt tight, and honestly, I was still struggling to breathe properly. I never imagined Dominic could be that fast… or that strong.

“He’s powerful.” I whispered, still catching my breath.

Adrian nodded slowly, like he wasn’t surprised. “That’s why he’s the Alpha here. No one can beat him. He’s not just strong, he’s formidable.”

I nodded, trying to process everything. My hands trembled slightly as I placed them on my lap. “I really thought he was going to kill me back there.”

He let out a small sigh. “Oh no, Cass. That was just him warming up. He wasn’t even using his full strength. From what I saw earlier, he was only teasing you.”

“What?” My eyes widened in disbelief. “If that was him teasing, then how powerful is he really?”

“He’s on a whole different level,” he said, nodding again. “That’s exactly why I told you not to train under him. You’re going to end up dead if you keep this up.”

“I just…” I looked down, swallowing the lump in my throat. “He told me that if I don’t get stronger, he’ll cast me out of the pack. I don’t want that. I don’t want to go back to my old pack. I can’t.”

He looked at me, his expression softening. “I get it. That’s why I’m here,” he said gently.

“You should stop pushing yourself so hard too,” I said, looking him in the eyes. “You’re not even fully healed yet, Adrian. But here you are, taking care of me.”

“Well, as I should,” he replied with a light chuckle. “Because you’re my sister. Of course I’ll always look out for you.”

He reached out and cupped my cheek with his hand, and for a moment, I felt safe again. Even just for a second.

But the peace didn’t last.

Suddenly, we heard shouting from outside. Loud voices. Running footsteps. Something wasn’t right.

Adrian stood up immediately, his senses on high alert. “Something’s going on,” he muttered.

I tried to stand too, but a sharp pain shot through my stomach. I gasped and clutched it instinctively, wincing. My heartbeat sped up, not just from the pain, but from the fear building inside me.

Was it the baby?

“What’s going on?” I asked, breathless.

Adrian moved toward the door, eyes scanning the hallway from our window. He looked tense as his jaw clenched.

“We’re under attack,” he said grimly. “An enemy approached the tribe!”

“What?!” I cried out, heart dropping to my stomach.

He turned toward me. His eyes fierce. “Stay here, Cassie. No matter what happens, don’t come out!”

He rushed out of the room before I could say another word, leaving me alone with the fear building in my chest and the dull, persistent ache in my stomach.

I curled into myself, trying to steady my breathing. I didn’t know what was worse, Dominic’s brutal training or the thought of another enemy threatening our pack. Either way, I was stuck in the middle of it.

I wanted to help. I wanted to run outside and be part of whatever was going on. But I knew Adrian would never allow it.

So, I stayed put, sitting quietly in my room even though my hands were trembling.

Then I heard it…a voice.

A loud, familiar voice echoed through the grounds. My heart skipped a beat when I recognized it.

“Where is she? Where is Cassie? I know she’s here!”

No… That voice. It couldn’t be…

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. My palms turned clammy.

But despite my fear, my body moved on its own. I crept toward the window, slowly peeking through the curtain.

And there he was.

“Lance…”

He was standing tall and furious, his warriors flanking him like they were ready for an all-out war.

He came prepared to fight. He wouldn’t leave without answers!

And in front of him, blocking his path, was none other than Dominic.

Dominic stood firm, unshaken, his entire pack behind him like a wall of protection. His presence alone was intimidating enough, but the way he stood between his pack and Lance’s men showed just how far he would go to protect what was his.

“Leave this place. You are forbidden here,” Dominic said in a cold, calm tone.

“I’m not going anywhere until you show me where Cassie is,” Lance barked back.

I stepped back from the window, my breathing uneven. My chest felt tight again. My heart was pounding so fast it almost hurt. What was I supposed to do? Should I hide? Should I run? I didn’t know.

“She’s not here. You won’t find her here,” Dominic said again, firm and unmoving.

Adrian stepped forward too. Even though the wounds from the last attack were still fresh, his arms wrapped in bandages, he didn’t hesitate to stand his ground. He stood beside Dominic, facing the threat head-on.

“She’s not here,” Adrian said. “If I were you, I’d leave while you still can.”

But I knew Lance wouldn’t stop there.

“If she’s not here, then we’ll search,” Lance growled.

In an instant, without waiting for permission, Lance’s warriors began to spread out. They didn’t ask. They didn’t hesitate. They started searching every corner, invading the territory without consent.

And then… chaos erupted.

Children were caught in the commotion, running and crying. I heard a little girl scream. The warriors were moving recklessly, pushing through homes and scaring the pack members.

“Stop that!” Adrian shouted, his voice shaking with fury.

From my window, I could see the rage in Dominic’s eyes. He was doing everything he could to hold it in. His fists were clenched, his jaw locked tight. His power was on the verge of exploding, but he was trying so hard to stay in control, for his pack.

“Leave,” Dominic said, voice sharp and heavy with warning. “Or I will kill every last one of you.”

Lance stepped forward, glaring back at him. “You can’t threaten me like that,” he said. “We can kill you first before you even touch us.”

I had to do something! I couldn’t stay silent anymore!

I ran out of the room, ignoring the stabbing pain. Servants tried to stop me.

“Lady Cassie, where are you going?!”

But I didn’t answer. I didn’t stop. I just kept running until I reached the back of the house. I pushed the doors open and screamed from the top of my lungs.

“Lance! Stop this!”