Chapter 6_The Cruel Alpha virell

"That is none of your business," I said, trying to sound brave, though my voice broke at the end. "Just let me leave. I have nothing to do with Xavier or his pack anymore. I am nobody."

Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly as his gaze dropped to my hands, which were still stubbornly shielding my lower stomach. A small, strange look flashed across his eyes—so fast I almost missed it.

"You are not nobody, Lyra," Kael murmured. He stood up smoothly, turning his head toward his warriors. "Take her bag."

"No!" I scrambled to my feet, but my legs were shaking so badly I almost fell again. "Please! Just let me go! I won't cause any trouble for your pack! I just want to leave!"

"You are coming with me," Kael said calmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"I won't go with you!" I yelled, stepping back. "I would rather die in this forest than become your prisoner!"

Kael turned around to face me again. He took one single, rapid step forward, closing the distance between us before I could even blink. His large, warm hand gently gripped my arm. He didn't hurt me, but his hold was as strong as iron.

"You are not going to die tonight, Lyra," Kael said, his dark eyes staring directly into mine. "And you are not a prisoner. But you are far too weak to survive in these woods alone. Look at yourself. You can barely stand."

He was right. My body was burning with exhaustion, and a faint, dull ache was returning to my lower back. I was pushing my body past its limits.

"Why are you doing this?" I whispered, tears filling my eyes again. "If you hate Xavier, why take me? I am trash to him now. He threw me away for my sister. Taking me won't hurt him."

Kael looked down at me, his face unreadable. "Xavier is a fool who doesn't know the value of what he had," he said quietly. "He thinks he threw away a weak girl. But I know better."

Before I could ask him what he meant by those strange words, Kael shifted his grip. In one swift, smooth motion, he scooped me up into his arms, lifting me off the ground.

I gasped, grabbing onto his dark leather jacket for support. "Put me down!"

"Quiet," Kael commanded softly, holding me securely against his chest. "If you keep struggling, you will hurt yourself. Save your energy."

His chest was hard and solid, and his arms held me with an effortless strength. He didn't squeeze my stomach or push against me roughly. Instead, he carried me with a strange, careful caution that caught me completely off guard.

Kael turned toward his warriors. "Clean up this mess and secure the border," he ordered, glancing down at the kneeling rogues. "Then follow us back."

"Yes, Alpha!" the warriors shouted in unison.

Kael began walking deep into the dark forest, carrying me away from the Crescent Moon border. I looked back over his broad shoulder, watching my old home disappear into the night shadows.

Everything I had ever known was gone. My mate had abandoned me. My sister had betrayed me. And now, I was being carried deep into rival territory by the most dangerous Alpha in the world.

I looked up at Kael's sharp profile as he walked silently through the dark trees.

What did he want with me? And why did he look at me as if he already knew my biggest secret?

As fatigue finally pulled my heavy eyelids down, I clutched his jacket tightly, letting the darkness take over my mind.

The deep dark swallowed the forest around us as Kael carried me further into the shadows. My body was completely exhausted, every muscle aching from the terror of the night, the broken bond, and the strain on my body. Against my own will, my eyes grew heavy, and my mind slowly drifted into pitch-black sleep.

When I finally woke up, the first thing I noticed was warmth.

I wasn’t lying on the cold, damp dirt of the forest floor, nor was I in the sterile, cold medical room of the Crescent Moon Pack. I was resting on an enormous, soft mattress covered in smooth black silk sheets. 

A thick, heavy blanket was pulled up to my chin, keeping out the morning chill.

I opened my eyes slowly. Sunlight was filtering through a massive arched window on the far side of the room. The room was huge, built with elegant gray stone walls, high dark-wood ceilings, and expensive furniture. It smelled strongly of pine wood and winter rain—Kael's scent.

Panic instantly flared in my chest.

Where am I?

My hand flew to my stomach under the sheets. I pressed gently, holding my breath until I felt the quiet, steady warmth beneath my palm. My baby was still safe. I let out a long, shaky sigh of relief.

"You're awake."

A deep, smooth voice cut through the quiet room.

My head snapped toward the corner of the room. Sitting in a large black leather armchair near the window was Alpha Kael Virell. He had changed into a dark gray shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong forearms covered in faint combat scars. A glass of dark liquid sat on the small table beside him, but his dark, intense eyes were fixed entirely on me.

I quickly pulled the heavy blanket tighter around my shoulders, backing up against the tall wooden headboard of the bed.

"Where am I?" I asked, my voice dry and raspy.

"You are in the Shadow Fang Pack fortress," Kael replied calmly. He didn't move from his chair, keeping a respectful distance. "Specifically, in my private quarters."

"Why did you bring me here?" I demanded, forcing myself to look straight into his dark eyes, even though my heart was pounding. "I told you, I am nothing to Xavier anymore. If you think you can use me as a hostage or a bargaining chip to get land or power from him, you are wasting your time. He announced his engagement to Emily. He doesn't care if I live or die!"