Chapter 10: Shadows of Betrayal

Pain followed me long, after the challenge ended.

Every muscle ached as I made my way through the quiet corridors that evening. Bruises bloomed along my ribs and arms, reminder of how close I had come to losing in front of the entire pack.

But I had not fallen.

And somehow, that felt more dangerous.

Servants bowed as I passed, though their curiosity lingered. Word of the challenge had spread quickly. Some wolves now watched me with reluctant respect.

Others watched with resentment.

I reached my chambers, exhaustion weighing heavily on my shoulders. All I wanted was sleep.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

“Elara?” a familiar voice called. “It’s Mira.”

I frowned. Mira was one of the younger servants, kind and quiet. She sometimes helped bring meals when training left me too tired to walk.

I opened the door.

Mira stood there, wringing her hands nervously. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but Alpha Kael asked for you.”

My pulse jumped. “Now?”

“Yes. He’s near the south boundary. Something urgent.”

Confusion flickered through me. Kael would usually come himself.

But urgency was common near pack borders.

“Thank you,” I said, already turning back to grab a cloak.

I didn’t notice the fear in Mira’s eyes.

The night air was cold as I made my way toward the south side of the compound. Torches burned low along the stone paths, shadows stretching long and thin.

Something felt wrong.

Too quiet.

Normally, patrol wolves guarded the boundary. Tonight, the area seemed empty.

“Elara.”

A voice called from the trees ahead.

Relief washed over me. “Kael?”

I stepped forward.

And walked straight into a trap.

Hands grabbed me from behind, clamping over my mouth. Another wolf seized my arms, dragging me backward into the shadows.

Panic exploded in my chest.

I struggled, kicking wildly, but their grip tightened. A sharp blow struck my side, forcing the air from my lungs.

“Quiet,” one of them hissed. “Or this gets worse.”

My heart pounded as they shoved me against a tree. Three wolves surrounded me, their faces half-hidden in darkness.

I didn’t recognize them.

“You shouldn’t have survived,” one growled.

Understanding crashed over me.

This wasn’t random.

“You make him weak,” another said. “The Alpha protects you instead of leading.”

Fear twisted into anger. “He choosed me.”

“Then he choose wrong.”

Pain erupted as a fist slammed into my stomach. I collapsed to my knees, gasping.

The bond flared desperately, reaching for Kael.

Help me.

One wolf grabbed my hair, yanking my head back. “You should have stayed invisible.”

A knife flashed in the moonlight.

Cold terror seized my chest.

This was not a challenge.

They meant to kill me.

A roar shattered the night.

The wolves froze.

Power crashed through the clearing like a storm as Kael burst from the trees, eyes glowing with fury.

“Release her.”

His voice carried death.

The wolves stumbled back, fear flashing across their faces.

“Run!” one shouted.

They scattered, vanishing into the forest before Kael could reach them.

He was beside me in seconds, dropping to one knee. His hands moved quickly, checking for injuries.

“Elara. Look at me.”

My vision blurred. Pain pulsed through my ribs and stomach.

“I thought… you called me,” I managed.

His jaw tightened dangerously. “I didn’t.”

Understanding dawned slowly.

“They lied.”

“Yes.”

His hands trembled slightly as he helped me stand. Rage rolled off him in suffocating waves.

“They used one of the servants,” he muttered. “Someone inside the pack helped them.”

A chill slid down my spine.

“Why?” I whispered.

His gaze hardened. “Because survival wasn’t enough for them.”

The realization settled heavily between us.

Someone in the pack wanted me gone.

Kael lifted me into his arms, carrying me back toward the compound. His grip was careful, but tension radiated from him like heat.

“They won’t try again,” he said quietly.

I believed he meant it.

But as I rested against his chest, a darker truth settled in my mind.

They hadn’t just attacked me.

They had declared war against the Alpha’s mate.

And next time, they will be smarter.

Stronger.

More careful.

Because now they knew something important.

I could bleed.

And wolves always chased blood