Lila's Next Move

Lila sat at her vanity, her fingers trembling as she brushed her hair, her mind spinning with fury and desperation. She had underestimated Ella. That frail, pathetic girl had somehow survived... and worse, she was now under the protection of the most feared Alpha in the region.

How could this have happened? How had that wretched orphan managed to escape her carefully laid plans?

She stared at her reflection, her eyes darkening with hatred. No. This wasn’t over. She wouldn’t allow it to be over.

Ella still posed a threat. If she found her way back... if she exposed Lila’s lies... everything would be ruined.

No. She couldn’t let that happen.

Lila’s lips curled into a cold smile as she reached for a parchment and quill, her hand steady as she began to write. If force didn’t work... then manipulation would.

The Shadow Fang Alpha may have protected Ella this time... but he was still a man. A man who could be persuaded, controlled... deceived.

She wrote swiftly, her words flowing with calculated precision:

To the honorable Alpha of the Shadow Fang Pack,

I write to you with a heavy heart, knowing that you are sheltering a dangerous fugitive. Ella is a criminal, accused of attempting to murder the Luna of the Blood Moon Pack. She is deceitful, manipulative, and treacherous. I fear she may be using her charms to take advantage of your kindness.

I implore you to see through her lies and return her to us to face justice. It would be most unfortunate if your reputation were to be tainted by harboring a traitor.

With utmost respect,

Lila, Heir to the Blood Moon Pack

Lila set the quill down, her smile widening as she read over her work. If she couldn’t kill Ella, she would destroy her another way. She would turn the Alpha against her, paint her as a villain, make him see her as the treacherous snake she was.

It was perfect.

She sealed the letter and called for one of her spies. “Deliver this to the Shadow Fang Pack,” she ordered, her voice cold. “Make sure it reaches the Alpha’s hands... and no one else’s.”

The spy bowed and disappeared, leaving Lila alone, her heart racing with anticipation. Soon, Ella would be hunted once more... this time, by her own savior.

---

Refusing Kindness

Ella winced as she struggled to sit up, her body aching, her wounds throbbing with pain. She was lying on a soft bed, wrapped in warm blankets, sunlight streaming through the windows.

For a moment, she wondered if she was dead. The last thing she remembered was the rogues attacking her, the pain of their blows, the darkness swallowing her whole.

But then she remembered him. The Alpha who had saved her. His fierce eyes, his powerful presence, the way he had destroyed her attackers without hesitation.

Her heart tightened, her chest aching with confusion. Why would an Alpha save someone like her? A weak, useless rogue... a slave...

The door creaked open, and he walked in, his presence filling the room. Tall, imposing, his dark hair falling over his intense eyes. He looked at her, his gaze softening as he approached.

“You’re awake,” he said, his voice deep and commanding. “I thought you were going to die on me.”

Ella’s body tensed, her eyes widening with fear. She tried to move, but pain shot through her ribs, making her gasp.

“Stay still,” he ordered, his voice firm but gentle. “Your injuries are severe. You need to rest.”

Ella’s heart pounded, her mind racing. She was in his territory. In his packhouse. At his mercy.

“I... I don’t understand...” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Why... why did you save me?”

He looked at her, his jaw tightening. “Because I don’t tolerate scum like them on my land. And because no one deserves to die like that.”

His words were harsh, but his eyes were kind, filled with something she didn’t understand. Concern. Compassion.

No. It had to be a trick. No Alpha would ever care about her. She was worthless. Discarded. Unwanted.

“I... I don’t need your help,” she said, her voice shaking. “I don’t belong here. I... I should go...”

He narrowed his eyes, his face hardening. “You’re not going anywhere in this condition. You can barely move, let alone survive out there.”

His words cut deep, shame flooding through her. He was right. She was too weak to protect herself, too broken to run.

But she couldn’t stay. She didn’t deserve his kindness. She didn’t deserve anything.

“Please... let me go...” her voice cracked, tears burning in her eyes. “I don’t want to be a burden... I don’t want to cause you any trouble...”

His expression softened, his eyes darkening as he looked at her, his voice low. “You’re not a burden.”

Ella’s heart skipped, her chest tightening. No one had ever said that to her before. Not once in her life.

But it was a lie. It had to be.

“I... I don’t belong here...” she whispered, her body trembling. “I’m just... a worthless rogue...”

His eyes flashed with anger, his voice hardening. “You are not worthless. And you’re not just a rogue. You’re my guest. And as long as you’re under my roof, no one will harm you.”

His words were fierce, protective, his power wrapping around her like a shield. It terrified her... and yet, it made her feel safe.

She looked away, her heart aching. She didn’t deserve to feel safe. Not after everything she had been through... not after everything she had lost.

The Alpha watched her, his gaze unwavering, his voice softening. “I don’t know who hurt you... but I’m not them. You don’t have to be afraid of me.”

Ella’s eyes burned, her throat tightening with emotion. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to trust him.

But trust was a luxury she could no longer afford.....