Chapter 8 Freedom
LIRA POV
The massive figure stepped through the shattered doorway, and I felt every instinct scream danger. Behind it, more shapes moved in the darkness, rogues with eyes that glowed like embers.
"Well, well," the creature said, its voice high-pitched and grating. "The little silver wolf finally shows herself. My master has been waiting a very long time to meet you."
Kael stepped forward, partially shifting with fluid grace. His muscles bulged with wolf strength, claws extending from his fingertips. "You're not welcome here."
"Welcome?" The creature laughed, a sound that made my bones ache with wrongness. "I go where my master sends me."
The battle erupted without warning. Rogues poured through the entrance like a black tide, and I watched Kael meet the first wave head-on, his claws tearing through flesh with brutal efficiency.
I found myself face-to-face with the lead creature. Silver light flared around me as Selwyn rose to the surface, and I struck out instinctively. My power caught the thing across the chest, burning through dead flesh with satisfying heat.
"Impossible," it hissed, stumbling back with wide, disbelieving eyes. "The bloodline was supposed to be dormant."
"Twenty years of suppression builds pressure," I replied, surprising myself with my steadiness.
Around the hall, pack members fought desperately. Blood stained the stone floors, and the scent of death filled the air. But gradually, I watched the tide turn. Kael was a force of pure destruction, cutting down rogues with savage precision that made my heart race.
Finally, the creature raised its hand with sharp authority. The remaining rogues stopped fighting and began retreating like shadows.
"This isn't over, princess," it called to me, its voice promising dark things. "My master knows you're awakened now. The real hunt begins tonight."
Then they were gone, melting back into the forest darkness.
I looked around at the carnage, my stomach lurching. Five pack members lay dead. Twice as many were wounded. The weight of it crashed down on me like a collapsing mountain.
"This is my fault," I whispered, guilt crushing my chest.
"No," Kael's voice cut through my self-recrimination like a lifeline. "They died because evil exists. You didn't create it."
He turned to address the survivors, his alpha presence commanding absolute attention. "Anyone who wants to leave has until dawn. No shame in choosing survival."
One by one, most pack members stepped forward, choosing to stay. But I barely noticed, staring at the blood on my hands, the silver fire that had burned through flesh.
"Come," Kael said, catching my elbow firmly, his grip brooking no refusal. "We have things to discuss."
He led me through the torchlit corridors to what had once been Magnus's private chambers. The room still smelled of his father's leather and whiskey that lingered in the air like a ghost.
"You fought well tonight," Kael said, pouring amber liquid into a glass with steady hands.
"I was terrified," I admitted, my voice low as I stared at the floor.
"Fear keeps you alive," he countered, taking a long swallow, his movements sharp with barely restrained tension. "But you revealed too much. That creature will report everything back to its master."
"So what was I supposed to do?" I shot back, my eyes flashing with indignation. "Hide while people die?"
His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "You were supposed to trust me to protect you."
My hands curled into fists at my sides. "I've been hiding for twenty years. I'm done being protected."
Kael's expression hardened, his voice dropping into something darker, more dangerous. "You think you have a choice? You're my mate now. My Luna. That comes with restrictions."
Before I could respond, there was a soft knock. A young pack female entered—I recognized her as one of the kitchen workers. Blonde, pretty, with the kind of curves that drew male attention.
Her breath hitched as she stepped closer, her eyes wide with need. "I wanted to make sure you weren't injured, Alpha," she whispered, her voice trembling with both fear and desire.
Kael's gaze dragged over her curves, his jaw tightening with visible tension. "Concerned for me, Nessa?" he rasped, his hand already brushing her waist.
"Always," she breathed, pressing forward, her scent warm and inviting.
My chest constricted, the bond clawing at my insides like a living thing. I could feel the spark of want in Kael and the answering heat in Nessa.
Kael's lips curved into something dark and predatory. "It's been a long night," he said roughly, sliding his hand lower on Nessa's hip. "Perhaps you could help me unwind."
Her cheeks flushed pink, but she leaned in eagerly. "Anything you need, Alpha," she murmured, her body arching into his touch.
I swallowed hard, my throat burning with unshed emotions. "I assumed you wanted privacy," I whispered, stepping toward the door.
"Stay." The command cracked through the air, making me freeze mid-step. "You need to understand how things work now."
He turned back to Nessa, his hand tightening on her waist possessively. "I've been in exile for eleven years," he growled, pulling her closer until her body pressed flush against his. "Fighting. Surviving. Denying myself."
Nessa whimpered softly, tilting her head as his mouth descended to her throat. "Alpha," she moaned, her fingers clutching at his shoulders desperately.
Kael’s eyes flicked to me even as his lips grazed Nessa’s skin. “I won’t deny myself anymore,” he said against her pulse, his voice vibrating with hunger. “An alpha takes what he needs.”
Nessa melted into him, her breathing ragged. “Then take me,” she whispered, almost pleading.
Kael caught her mouth in a brutal kiss, his growl rumbling through the room. His hands roamed with ruthless purpose, gripping, claiming, making Nessa gasp between every frantic press of lips.
My nails dug into my palms, the mate bond twisting my insides into fire. I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. My wolf howled, torn between rage and need.
Kael broke the kiss only to bite at Nessa’s jaw, his voice low and raw. “This is power,” he told me, his hand fisting in the girl’s hair. “This is what it means to be alpha.”
Nessa moaned louder, her body pliant under his touch. “Yes, Alpha,” she panted, her voice thick with need.
Kael smirked as his hands slid down her sides, gripping the thin fabric of her dress. With a sharp tug, he pulled it over her hips and let it fall to the floor. She gasped, bare skin exposed to the cool air.
“Beautiful,” he growled, dragging his fingers along the inside of her thigh. Nessa trembled, her knees going weak.
“Please,” she begged, rocking toward his hand.