Chapter 14 Attack and Unrest

Chapter 14 Attack and Unrest
Kael's POV

"Alpha, we have wounded coming in!"

I'm out of my chair before Damon finishes speaking. The scent of blood hits me as I run toward the main gates, thick, coppery, wrong. Wolf blood spilled on Shadowclaw territory.

Four wolves limp through the entrance, supported by others. Their clothes are torn, bodies covered in wounds that heal too slowly to be normal. Behind them, two more are carried on makeshift stretchers.

Dead.

"What happened?" I demand, reaching the first injured wolf. It's Alan, one of our border patrol leaders. Deep gashes cross his chest, and his left arm hangs at an odd angle.

"Bloodfangs," he gasps. "Ambush at the north border. They were waiting for us, Alpha. Knew exactly where we'd be."

My blood turns to ice. "How many?"

"They were about fifteen" He winces as the healers arrive and begin working on his wounds. "They didn't just cross the border this time. They wanted a fight."

I look at the dead wolves being laid carefully on the ground. Young. Both barely past their twentieth year. Their families will be gathering soon, wanting answers I don't have.

"Get everyone inside," I order. "Double the guards on all borders. No one goes out alone."

The compound erupts into controlled chaos. Healers rush between wounded wolves. Warriors grab weapons and head to defensive positions. Families huddle together, fear thick in the air.

I should be coordinating defenses. Should be planning our response. But all I can think about is Clara, alone in the guest wing, vulnerable if the Bloodfangs somehow breached our inner territory.

"She's safe," Damon says quietly, reading my thoughts. "Mira's with her."

I nod, forcing myself to focus on the immediate crisis. "Get the council together. Now."

The emergency meeting happens in the main hall instead of the formal council chamber. Too many pack members have gathered, demanding answers, wanting to know why the Bloodfangs are suddenly so bold.

Elder Thorne stands before I can even call the meeting to order.

"This attack was no accident," he announces, his voice carrying across the crowd. "The Bloodfangs have tested our borders before, but never with this much force. Never with the intent to kill."

"We don't know their intent…" I start.

"Don't we?" He turns to face me, and I see the calculation in his eyes. "Alpha, when did these attacks begin? When did Marcus Bloodfang start probing our defenses?"

The room goes quiet. Everyone knows the answer.

"It started when you brought the human here," Thorne continues. "When you formed a bond that made you vulnerable. That made all of us vulnerable."

"That's not…"

"Two of our wolves are dead!" A woman's voice breaks through… Sahira, mother of one of the fallen. "My son died today because you couldn't control your personal desires!"

The crowd murmurs agreement. Angry faces turn toward me, and I see doubt in wolves who've followed me for years.

"The Bloodfangs have been our enemies for generations," I say firmly. "This attack has nothing to do with…"

"Everything has changed since she arrived," another voice calls out. "You're distracted. Weak. Marcus sees it, and he's taking advantage."

"I am not weak," I growl, letting power fill my voice. The crowd backs up instinctively, but the fear in their eyes only makes me angrier.

"Then prove it," Thorne challenges. "Send the human away. Show Marcus… show all of us… that you put the pack first."

The demand hangs in the air. I look around the room at faces I've known for years. Some are sympathetic, but most look determined. They want Clara gone, and they're no longer afraid to say it.

"Clara is under my protection," I say coldly. "Anyone who challenges that challenges me directly."

"Then maybe someone should," a young warrior mutters. His name is Viktor, ambitious, strong, and apparently stupid enough to question his Alpha publicly.

I cross the room in three strides and lift him off his feet by his throat. My wolf surges forward, demanding blood for the insult.

"Say that again," I whisper.

Viktor's eyes widen with fear, but he doesn't back down. "We need a leader who puts the pack first. Not one who's willing to let us die for a human."

I want to crush his throat. Want to make an example that will shut down any further challenges. But that's exactly what they expect, the Alpha proving his strength through violence while ignoring their real concerns.

I drop him and step back.

"This meeting is over," I announce. "Return to your homes. Follow security protocols. We'll discuss our response to the Bloodfangs tomorrow."

I walk out before anyone can argue, before I do something I'll regret. Damon follows me to my study and closes the door behind us.

"That went well," he says dryly.

"Don't start."

"They're scared, Kael. Two dead wolves in one day? That hasn't happened in years. And whether you want to admit it or not, the timing is suspicious."

I pour myself a drink, down it in one swallow. "You think Clara being here caused this?"

"I think Marcus is smart enough to use any weakness he can find. And right now, your relationship with a human looks like weakness."

"It's not…"

"I know that. You know that. But perception matters." Damon leans against my desk. "The pack needs to see strength. Unity. Right now, all they see is division and doubt."

"So what do you suggest? That I throw Clara out to appease them?"

"I suggest you figure out how to protect both your mate and your pack before you lose both."

After he leaves, I sink into my chair and press my hands to my face. The weight of leadership has never felt heavier.

Are they right? Did bringing Clara here make us vulnerable? Marcus Bloodfang is ruthless, but he's also strategic. He doesn't attack without reason, without seeing an opportunity.

And what bigger opportunity than an Alpha distracted by a dying mate?

The door opens without knocking. Clara stands there, her face pale but determined.

"I heard what happened," she says quietly. "I heard what they're saying about me."

"Clara…"

"They're right, aren't they? Those wolves died because of me. Because you're so busy trying to save me that you can't focus on protecting them."

"That's not true."

"Isn't it? Why do you keep saying it's not true all the time?!" She steps into the room, and I see tears in her eyes. "Kael, I don't want anyone else to die because of me. If leaving would make the pack safer…"

"No." I stand, crossing to her in two strides. "You're not leaving. I won't let Marcus win by making us turn on each other."

"But if staying makes things worse…"

"Then we deal with it together." I cup her face in my hands, feeling the bond pulse between us. "Marcus was always going to attack eventually. Your presence didn't cause this… it just gave him an excuse to move up his timeline."

She leans into my touch, and I feel her fear through the bond. Not fear for herself, but fear of being responsible for more deaths. More suffering.

"I'm scared," she whispers.

"So am I."

The admission costs me, but it's true. I'm scared of losing her. Scared of losing the pack's trust. Scared that everyone might be right…that I'm no longer fit to lead because I can't let her go.

But I'm also scared of what I'll become if I do let her go.

A leader who sacrifices love for power.

An Alpha who lets fear make his decisions.

A man who proves that the curse won this battle after all.

So I hold Clara close and pretend I have answers I don't have.

And I pray to gods I stopped believing in long ago that I can find a way to save everyone before it's too late.