Chapter 24: New Ally

Chapter 24: New Ally
Kyle's POV

I saw the smirk on Kiara’s face the moment Trent scooped Eva off the ground.

That twisted, smug grin she wore like a victory crown—it told me everything I needed to know.

She’d planned this.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered, fists clenched at my sides.

Across the field, Myra caught my glare. Her face was unreadable, but she didn’t look surprised. That was enough to piss me off even more.

I stormed toward the edge of the training ring, heat building in my chest. Myra intercepted me halfway.

“Kyle, don’t,” she said lowly.

I ignored her. My eyes were locked on Kiara, who was still wiping fake concern off her face while murmurs swirled through the crowd.

“She set Eva up,” I said through gritted teeth.

“And what if she did?” Myra’s tone was flat. “Watch your steps, Kyle. Don’t choose the wrong side.”

I turned sharply to her, eyes flashing. “The wrong side?”

“Yes,” she said. “She’s Trent’s mate—”

“And Kiara nearly broke her damn neck,” I snapped.

“Eva’s fine,” she replied, glancing at where Trent was disappearing with Eva in his arms. “The pack saw what they needed to see.”

“Oh, they saw something alright,” I growled, and before Myra could speak again, I was already moving.

Kiara was wiping her sweat with a towel, pretending to listen to a young trainee who was nervously asking about footwork.

I didn’t bother announcing myself.

“Are you proud of yourself?” I asked, stepping into her space.

She raised her eyebrows. “Good afternoon to you too, Kyle.”

I didn’t blink. “If anything had happened to her—”

“But nothing did,” she said coolly. “She’s alive. Trent’s fine. You’re angry. All is right in the world.”

“You think this is a game?” I said, voice dropping. “You’re skating on thin ice, Kiara.”

Her eyes gleamed. “And you think protecting a weak outsider will get you in Trent’s good books? Newsflash: loyalty doesn’t mean stupidity.”

“I swear—” I stepped forward, and she laughed.

“What, you’ll growl at me? Please.”

I didn’t growl.

I grabbed her.

Fast.

Pressed her back against the training hall’s stone wall before she could blink. My hand slammed beside her head, claws unsheathed. She gasped—more surprised than afraid.

“You don’t get to touch her again,” I said darkly. “You don’t even get to breathe near her.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t dare—”

I slashed.

Just a shallow scratch across her collarbone. Skin only. No blood.

But it was enough to wipe the smirk off her face.

“I’ll heal,” she hissed, glaring.

“But you won’t forget.” I leaned closer. “You’re lucky Trent still sees you as pack.”

Then I stepped back.

Myra hadn’t moved from where she stood by the field. Her face was pale, unreadable.

I didn’t wait for permission.

I left.

Because if I stayed a second longer, I might forget that Kiara and I were raised in the same war camp. I might forget that we once bled for each other.

And right now, I didn’t care.

The Next Morning

The moment I stepped into the pack infirmary, I felt it—that lingering guilt I always carried after I lost my temper.

But when I saw Eva sitting up on the bed, sunlight streaming in behind her, it melted.

She was smiling.

“Good morning,” she said, her voice soft.

I blinked. “You’re… you’re okay?”

“Trent says I’m healing unusually fast,” she replied, rubbing her shoulder. “He thinks I might be part tank.”

I laughed—genuine and short. “I don’t think tanks cry when they fall.”

“I didn’t cry.”

“Sure,” I teased. “And I didn’t almost murder Kiara yesterday.”

Her smile faded a little. “She doesn’t like me.”

“She doesn’t know you,” I corrected, walking to the side of her bed. “And some people prefer easy targets. You’re not easy.”

She looked at me, something unreadable in her gaze.

“She embarrassed me,” she whispered.

“She tried,” I corrected again. “But you stood up. You got back on your feet.”

“Only to get kicked down again.”

I exhaled slowly. “You know how this pack works. Respect is earned with strength. With grit. And right now, they’re watching.”

She nodded. “I know.”

There was a pause.

Then she added, “Can we go for a walk? The garden maybe?”

“Trent’s okay with that?”

“He had to meet with some visiting Alphas. Said I needed fresh air.”

I hesitated for a second.

Then offered my hand.

The garden behind the Alpha Manor was still damp from the morning mist. Flowers swayed gently in the breeze. The scents were sweet and calming.

Eva walked slowly beside me, careful with every step.

“I’ve never really had... this,” she murmured. “Space. Peace. Flowers.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

She glanced up at me. “Do you think I’ll ever fit in?”

I stopped walking and looked at her fully. “I think you’ll have to prove yourself. Again and again. But eventually? Yes.”

“And what if I can’t fight like the others?”

“Then I’ll teach you.”

She blinked. “You?”

“You think I’m just a pretty face?” I grinned.

“I think you like to punch people who deserve it.”

“Only when they threaten my Luna,” I replied.

Her eyes widened slightly.

I paused, then corrected, “I mean, Trent’s Luna. Obviously.”

She chuckled. “Thanks… friend.”

“Friend, huh?” I smirked. “That’s an upgrade from ‘that grumpy Beta guy.’”

“I never said that out loud.”

“You didn’t have to.”

We found a shaded spot near the willow tree. I took off my jacket and spread it on the grass. She sat, stretching her legs carefully.

“Let’s start with basics,” I said.

“Here? In the garden?”

“Why not?”

She gave me a skeptical look.

“Eva, you said you want to be strong. You don’t have to wait for a battlefield.”

“Alright.” She got to her feet slowly. “Don’t go easy on me.”

“No promises.”

We began.

Simple drills. Defensive stances. Wrist blocks. Light footwork. She moved clumsily at first, but I could see the fire building behind her eyes.

Every time I corrected her, she listened. Adapted.

Until sweat beaded at her brow.

Until she finally blocked a hit without flinching.

“See?” I said, grinning. “Told you you could do it.”

She was panting. “You’re brutal.”

“Better me than Kiara.”

“True.”

She stepped back and bowed playfully. “Thank you, Master Kyle.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t let Trent hear you call me that. His ego might crack.”

“Then I’ll call you something else.”

“Like what?”

She grinned. “Friend.”

I looked at her—really looked.

Something about the way she said it made me feel... steady. Like for once, someone saw me for more than a title.

I gave a nod. “Then as your friend, I promise you something.”

“What?”

“I’ve got your back. No matter what.”

Her smile softened. “Even if the whole pack turns against me?”

“Especially then.”