Chapter 164 Robed Enemies

Chapter 164 Crimson Tide
Lyra POV

The moment I stepped through the door of the Wave Crest alpha house, I shut myself in my bedroom, desperate for a moment alone to clear my head. My body still hummed with satisfaction from my encounter with Gabriel, but my mind was racing with everything that had happened.

My wolf was content for now, her hunger temporarily sated, but I could feel her restlessness just beneath the surface—wanting more, wanting everything Gabriel had to offer.

"We need to mark him," she insisted. "Complete the bond."

"Soon," I whispered aloud, promising both her and myself.

I traced the mark on my neck, feeling the slightly raised skin where Gabriel's teeth had broken through. There was something deeply satisfying about carrying his mark, about belonging to him in that ancient, wolven way. But the bond remained incomplete without my mark on him.

I closed my eyes, thinking about Gabriel's actions since I'd woken up with no memory. Every move he'd made had been to protect me, even when I'd misinterpreted his intentions. Yes, he'd kept secrets about my past, but I understood now the weight such knowledge carried. Some truths needed the right moment to be revealed.

After all, wasn't I doing the same with Isabella? The truth about her father was mine to share, but I was waiting for the right time. Gabriel had done no different with me.

A pang of regret shot through me as I remembered how I'd doubted him, how I'd pushed him away. All along, the mate bond had been trying to tell me what my stubborn mind refused to accept—Gabriel was mine, and I was his.

The certainty of this truth settled into my bones, bringing with it a sense of peace I hadn't felt since before my memory loss. For so long, I'd been adrift, searching for solid ground in a world that seemed determined to sweep me away. In Gabriel, I'd found my anchor.

But with that certainty came responsibility. My pack needed me now more than ever. The threat of the Council loomed over us like a storm cloud, dark and ominous. I couldn't afford to lose myself in personal happiness when so many lives depended on me making the right decisions.

I wanted nothing more than to complete our bond, to mark him as he had marked me, to feel that final piece click into place between us. But not yet.

Rising from the bed, I walked to the window, gazing out at the ocean beyond. Waves crashed against the shore, powerful and relentless. The sight calmed me, reminding me of why I'd come back to Wave Crest in the first place. This place had become my second home, these people my responsibility.

The Council and Kade would be coming for us. I couldn't let my personal desires take precedence over protecting my pack—Jason's legacy and my future.

“We will fight for what's ours,” my wolf agreed, her protective instincts aligning with my thoughts.

A commotion outside pulled me from my thoughts. Frowning, I moved closer to the window, trying to see what was happening. The sounds grew louder—voices raised in argument.

I hurried from my room and out the front door of the alpha house. What I saw made me stop short.

A group of unfamiliar warriors stood in the courtyard, facing off against Gabriel, Isabella, and Alistair. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.

"What's going on here?" I demanded, striding forward.

The warriors turned to look at me, and I immediately noticed something odd—I couldn't sense any pack bond connecting me to them. They weren't Wave Crest wolves.

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice hardening as I positioned myself beside Gabriel.

One of the warriors stepped forward. "We're from Crimson Pine Pack, sent by Alpha Dominic to provide protection against Council threats."

My blood ran cold. "Dominic sent you?"

Gabriel's jaw tightened. "They arrived minutes ago, claiming they're here to help defend against the Council."

"I already told Dominic we don't need his help," I said, frustration bubbling up inside me. "Why is he being so stubborn about this?"

The warrior shifted uncomfortably. "Alpha Dominic gave us explicit orders. We are not to leave under any circumstances."

"This isn't your fight," I said, softening my tone. These wolves were just following orders—it wasn't their fault their Alpha was being unreasonable. "I appreciate the gesture, but we can handle this ourselves. Please, return to your pack."

The warrior shook his head. "We cannot. Alpha Dominic gave us an Alpha command to remain here and protect Wave Crest territory. We physically cannot disobey."

"And," another warrior added hesitantly, "Alpha Dominic is on his way here as well."

"What?" I gasped, shock rippling through me. "Dominic is coming here? When?"

"He should arrive nay minute."

Before I could formulate a response, a deafening explosion rocked the ground beneath our feet. The sound came from the direction of our border, followed immediately by the blaring of alarm sirens.

Panic flooded the pack bond as terrified thoughts from the border guards flooded my mind: "Attack! We're under attack!"

Isabella's eyes met mine, wide with fear. All around us, pack members emerged from buildings, their faces reflecting the same terror I felt coursing through the bond.

I looked toward Dominic's warriors, intending to tell them to leave immediately, but the lead warrior spoke first: "Defend against the enemy!" Without waiting for my response, they shifted into their wolf forms and bounded toward the border.

I had no time to stop them as their massive forms disappeared into the trees.

"Let them be. More fighters means better odds," Gabriel said, gripping my arm. "You should stay here. You're not at full strength after—"

"This is my pack, Gabriel," I cut him off, pulling away from his grasp. "What kind of Alpha hides while her people are under attack? You are my guardian. You guard me, but you don't tell me what to do. When you fight, you're protecting me."

The conflict in his eyes was evident, but after a moment, he nodded reluctantly.

"Isabella," I said, turning to her, "get everyone who can't fight to the island. "

She nodded, immediately starting to organize the non-combatants.

"Alistair," I continued, "gather all available warriors. We need to establish a defensive perimeter."

As Alistair hurried off to carry out my orders, I turned back to Gabriel. "Ready?"

He nodded, his eyes dark with determination. "Always."

We shifted together, our clothes tearing as our bodies transformed into our wolf forms. Around us, other pack members were doing the same, their minds linking with mine as we prepared to defend our territory.

Follow me! I commanded through the pack bond, leading the charge toward our border.

As we ran, I couldn't help but think about the timing of this attack. Was it coincidence that it came just as Dominic's warriors arrived? Or was something more sinister at play?

Whatever the truth, one thing was certain—this was a fight for survival. I will, and I must win.