Chapter 4 – Divided By Two Obligations

I couldn't breath once Kael's fingers wrapped around my wrist,His hold was tight, too tight — he pulled me out of the cave before I could understand what was happening. My arm throbbed, but I didn’t struggle. I stumbled on my feet as he moved ahead and we walked right on sharp rocks, hurting my feet, he was on boots and I was barefooted, he didn't care.

His gaze never met mine, not even for a second. His jaw was clenched so tight, and his yellow eyes seemed to burn with some inner fire, like the wolf inside him was fighting to get out.

We reached the large open field and Kael turned to me at last.

"What the hell are you doing in there?" His voice came out harsher than I expected.

I swallowed hard. I opened my mouth but nothing emerged. I couldn't tell him. If I explained to him what had happened in that cave… If he knew the bond then everything would all come crashing down.

“I was... drawn in," I murmured, so quiet the words almost disappeared.

Kael moved closer. "Don't lie to me." I shook my head quickly. "I'm not lying."

He glared at me. ”That whole area is forbidden,No one goes near it, and we don't even speak of it. And you, fresh out of a cell, just walk right in like you own the place? You trying to get yourself killed?"

“I wasn’t going to,” I replied, my hands shaking at my side. “I just … had to walk.”

I could feel his wolf stirring, a thick, hot presence that slammed into me, demanding I submit. But I held my ground, head held high, and refused to give in.

Kael's jaw snapped shut. For a second he looked like he would knock me to the floor. I was leaning on him. Then he turned and ran his hand over his hair. "My father will use this. He’ll portray you as dangerous. Cursed."

"I don't care what he says."

He whirled around. "You ought to fear him! And do you know what Marcus does to those who refuse? He'll destroy you, Lyra. He will break you to pieces."

“I was in his dungeon for seven years,” I said. "Do you really think I fear him anymore?"

Kael looked at me, mortified into silence.

We both paused for a moment, motionless. The wolves howled in the distance, and leaves rustled. My heart was beating so hard I knew he could hear it.

Stubborn as hell.” Finally Kael muttered, “You won’t see reason? " He released me, and I rubbed the tender skin as I didn't look at him.

The next day, word spread quickly. Whispers followed me everywhere.

"She put a spell on him."

"The future Alpha's heir wouldn't have had it any other way.

"She's doing dark magic. Look at her eyes."

I tried not to listen, but one couldn't help it. Their stares cut through me. Boys pointed, mothers tugged the little ones away and warriors sneered as they walked past me.

Marcus had his fill by noon. It was the middle of the training grounds, and his words boomed so that all members of the pack could listen.

He sneered, a finger jabbing at me like I was a piece of trash on his shoe. "This girl... she thinks she can interfere with us. She thinks she can bat her eyes at my son and get away with it. But we know what she is. Traitor's daughter. A liar. The mob roared, its belly glutted with blood lust”.

Marcus stared hard at Kael, a cold gleam in his eye. "Banish her, son. End this foolishness now, before it's too late."

Kael stood frozen beside him, not even glancing in my direction. My fists clenched until my knuckles went pale. His wolf was snarling low, straining against some inner leash. But still, he remained silent.

Marcus glared. "Stand down or you will wish that your feet had never touched my land.

I was about to defend myself when Elena, Shadowmere's Alpha interrupted me on the first word. She had stood in the background, mute and unreadable.

“Odd,” Elena said, cocking her head to the side. I’ve known him all his life. I have never seen him being controlled by a 'spell. Maybe there's something to this you aren't telling us about, Marcus."

The pack members present started whispering amongst each other but Marcus ignored her. He glared at me in isolation, daring me to do or say something.

"I won't beg," I said, the words echoing louder than I expected. "I don't need your permission. If Kael wants me to leave, let him say it himself."

Gasps of shock coursed through the crowd. Marcus's face twisted with rage, but Kael didn't open his mouth.

That evening, I couldn't sleep in the room that had been assigned to me. The whispers, the stares, Marcus's threats—everything. The more I thought about it, the more my heart hurt until it felt like I couldn't breathe. But even worse than all of it was the recollection of the cave.

Damon. His eyes crazy but. kind when he looked at me. His voice gruff but gentle when he called me silver wolf. The way he had settled had when his flesh was greeted by my blood.

My heart writhed. I shouldn't think of him. I shouldn't feel anything. But I couldn't help it.

When the moon rose, I slipped silently out of the tiny room where they had confined me. My footsteps were soft, silent, as I walked back toward the forbidden cave.

The guards were drunk at the gates, their raucous laughter resonating over some hunt. They did not notice me slip past.

Inside the cave, the air was cold and clammy. Chains clanged before I was even close to him. Damon's body shifted in the shadows, half-beast, half-man, his deformed and scarred body.

"Silver wolf," he croaked, his eyes burning bright with an otherworldly light, fixed on me.

"You came back," I breathed.

"I should not have," I said.

"But you did." His voice softened. "Because you feel it too."

I shook my head. "No. I can't."

Damon leaned forward as far as the chains would allow him. "Marcus will never let you. Kael is strong, but blind. He does not know what his father really is. You want answers? I can give them. I know what happened to your parents."

My chest tightened. "You're lying."

His face eased for a moment. "I would never lie to you."

The chains clanked as his hand reached out to me, trembling. Irresistibly, I drew near. His fingers touched mine, and the mate bond ignited with such brilliance I was seconds from screaming.

Damon's breathing leveled out. The madness in his eyes faded. For the very first time in his entire existence, he seemed nearly… sane.

"Don't be afraid of me," he whispered. "You're the only thing that makes me human."

My throat closed up. I had no idea what to say.

---

Something behind me made me turn.

Kael.

Standing at the mouth of the cave, golden eyes blazing, his chest heaving in and out rapidly. His wolf furled up, so close to the surface I could feel the heat of it.

"Lyra," he growled, his voice rough.

I froze, my heart pounding against my ribcage.

The next second I was watching Kael dash through the cave in a blur. His wolf slammed into mine, pinning me against the cold wall. His hands entrapped me, his gold eyes burning with fury—and something more.

Desire.

"Do you think I'm blind?" he breathed, his voice low and lethal. "Do you think I don't feel it when you slip away? When you… touch him?"

I couldn't answer. My breath shook.

Kael moved in, his wolf pushing more against mine. "You are mine. Never forget that."