Chapter 53 Forced To Run Back
DANIEL'S POV
I was furious about the legal manipulation and my hands shook with rage as I read through the formal challenge documents. Alpha Marcus from the Northern Territories was using an obscure pack law that had not been invoked in decades. Sophia had clearly researched it and brought Marcus here specifically to force Lisa's hand.
The challenge was delivered formally through official channels and there was no way to dismiss it as invalid. Alpha Marcus proposed a union between himself and Lisa, claiming it would strengthen both packs and create a powerful alliance. If Lisa refused, he challenged her right to lead Moonstone Pack on the grounds of abandonment and unstable leadership.
If she did not return within three days to address the challenge, she forfeited by default. The law was old and rarely used but it was legitimate. Sophia had found the perfect weapon.
Nathan, Ryan, and I were united in our fury for the first time in months. We stood in my office staring at the challenge documents like they might burst into flames if we glared hard enough.
"This is manipulation," Nathan said, his voice tight. "Sophia orchestrated this entire situation."
"Of course she did," I replied. "She has been waiting for an opportunity to strike and Lisa's absence gave her the opening she needed."
Ryan was silent but his jaw was clenched so hard I could see the muscle twitching. His hands were fisted at his sides and the mate bond was probably screaming at him that Lisa was in danger even from miles away.
Nathan immediately called Lisa to inform her. I watched his face as he explained the issue.
Lisa's voice was weary on the phone even though I could not make out the words.
"Every time I try to step away and heal, something drags me back into the chaos." Lisa said when Nathan put her on speaker.
"You have to come back," Nathan said gently. "The three-day deadline starts from when the challenge was officially filed. You have until tomorrow evening."
Lisa was quiet for a moment. "I will leave tonight."
Adrian's voice came through in the background. "I will return with you and stand as your champion again if needed."
"No," Lisa said firmly. "This is my pack and my responsibility, I need to handle it myself. You have done enough, Adrian. I cannot keep relying on others to fight my battles."
The call ended and I looked at Nathan and Ryan. "She is coming back."
"She should not have to," Ryan said, his first words since reading the challenge. "This is absurd. Marcus has no legitimate claim."
"The law does not care about legitimacy," I said. "It cares about technicalities and Sophia found a big one."
The drive back to Moonstone Pack took Lisa most of the night. She arrived on the third day just hours before the deadline and the pack was relieved to see her. Warriors who had been tense with worry relaxed when her car pulled up to the pack house.
But Lisa looked exhausted. The healing she had found at Western Pack was already fading under the weight of this new conflict. Her eyes held weariness that made my chest ache and I wanted to shield her from everything that was coming.
Alpha Marcus was waiting in the main hall. He was a large man in his fifties with broad shoulders and calculating eyes. He looked Lisa over appraisingly when she entered and his expression was dismissive.
"So you are the silver wolf everyone talks about," Marcus said. "Smaller than I expected."
Sophia stood beside him with a smirk on her face that made me want to throw her out physically. She had orchestrated this entire situation and was clearly enjoying watching Lisa struggle.
Lisa addressed them coldly with Alpha command ringing in her voice. "State your business or leave my territory."
Marcus presented his proposal with practiced ease like he had given this speech before. The marriage alliance between himself and Lisa would combine their packs under joint leadership. It was not uncommon in pack politics but it required Lisa to either accept or face leadership challenges.
"You would benefit from an experienced Alpha beside you," Marcus said. "Your pack has been through many attacks recently, even political instability. My resources and connections would strengthen the Moonstone Pack considerably."
"In exchange for what?" Lisa asked. "Half my territory? Control over my pack decisions? My autonomy as a leader?"
"In exchange for stability," Marcus replied smoothly. "And protection from future threats."
Sophia spoke up then. "It is a generous offer, Lisa. More generous than you deserve after abandoning your pack to go play house with Western Pack Alpha."
Lisa's eyes flashed at her. "You were exiled from these lands, Sophia. You have no right to speak here."
"I have the right as a concerned pack member to bring legitimate grievances to Alpha Council," Sophia said. "Which is exactly what I did."
I stepped forward. "This is a manufactured conflict and everyone knows it. You brought Marcus here specifically to create a crisis."
"The how does not matter," Marcus said. "The challenge is legitimate under the pack law. Your Alpha must respond."
Lisa was quiet for a moment and I could see her mind working through options. She looked tired but her spine was straight and her chin was up. Alpha through and through.
"I refuse your marriage offer," Lisa said clearly. "And I reject your challenge because you have no legitimate standing to challenge me. You are not a member of my pack, you have no genuine grievance, and this is clearly a manufactured conflict planned by Sophia who was exiled from these lands."
Marcus smiled coldly as if he had been expecting exactly that response. "I anticipated your refusal. Which is why I have already filed a formal grievance with the Alpha Council."
My stomach dropped. The Alpha Council was the governing body that oversaw disputes between packs. If they got involved, this situation became exponentially more complicated.
"What grievances?" Nathan demanded.
"Your prolonged absence from pack territory and weakened mate bond with your Beta demonstrate unstable leadership," Marcus said, looking at Lisa. "The Council will review your fitness to lead within a week."