The Alpha's Edge

The Alpha's Edge
Chapter 10

Two Alphas' Edge

Night air bit at my body like frost as I ran, the thud of my heart in my head as if it were ready to burst. My gasps came in ragged bursts, fogging the cold air as I cinched Kade's cloak tighter around me. The fabric still retained his warmth, his scent—something calming and reassuring. But with every step, fear burrowed deeper into my lungs.

What have I done?

The notion spun wildly in my head as I slapped my naked feet on the hard stone ground. I shouldn't have let him in. I shouldn't have talked to him. I shouldn't have even looked at him like that. But what else could I do? He was nice… nice. The only one in so long who talked to me and didn't splinter me apart with malice.

But Ronan—if he ever discovered it—

I lurched, bracing myself against the wall as the recollection of Ronan's eyes leapt into my mind. The glint in his eyes when I dared defy him. Cold. Controlled. Deadly. The sort of rage that didn't require shouting to make me shake with fear.

And then—his voice.

"Lyra."

I froze.

That deep, smooth voice that could and probably would shake me to my core. I didn't need to glance over my shoulder to know whose it was. My lungs caught with a heart-wrenching pain as I felt the air shift behind me—close, charged, like preceding lightning.

I faced around slowly.

There he was. Ronan. Moonlight framed him like a statue carved from stone—tall, broad-shouldered, and silent. His face set, his gaze fixed on me with between shock and clenched fury.

My legs almost collapsed. I didn't know how long he'd been there, or what he'd seen, but I knew it was enough to kill.

"I—" My words caught in my throat. I couldn't manage to speak.

Ronan moved forward, his boots echoing off the rocks. "Fleeing from me again, Lyra?" His tone was soft, too soft, and for some inexplicable reason, it frightened me even more.

I shook my head frantically. "No, I just—

He faced me, inches between us, so I could notice the white scar next to his lip—the one he got years ago, when things between us were all different. His scent—smoke and rain and something wild—enveloped me, and my heart pounded.

"Where were you going?" he asked, his voice steady but his gaze razor-sharp.

I swallowed hard, avoiding his eyes. "Nowhere."

He tilted his head to one side, looking at me like a predator looks at prey. Then his eyes dropped to the cloak that I had wrapped around me—the thick dark fabric that was not his.

"Whose is that?" he asked quietly.

My throat went dry. "I—It's just a blanket—"

"It's not," he interrupted, his voice now lower and menacing. "That's Alpha Kade's cloak.".

My breath caught. I didn't know he'd figure it out so fast, but of course he would. Ronan noticed everything. Always.

He exhaled slowly, his jaw grinding. "He was here."

I froze, my heart hammering. "No—"

"Don't lie to me."

The authority in his tone kept me pinned to the earth. I couldn't even look at him anymore. "He just… dropped by to check on me," I gasped. "He brought over food. That's all."

Ronan's eyes flashed with something unreadable—something that was anger mixed with hurt. He spun his head around, as if trying to keep his control in place.

"Did he touch you?"

The words cut at me like a knife. "No!" I answered quickly, shaking my head. "He didn't. He just talked to me, that's all."

Ronan's jaw tightened. "You ran from him."

I hesitated. "I—yes. I did not want trouble.".

His face eased for a moment, his voice dropping. "Then why are you trembling?"

Because you scare me more than anyone else ever possibly could.

I couldn't tell him that, though. I just looked down at the ground, holding the cloak close to me.

He took a deep breath, running his hand through his hair as if trying to figure it out. "You shouldn't have left your room, Lyra. Not tonight."

There was something in the way he said my name that made me squirm. I wanted to tell him, I'm so tired of being shut away, exhausted with pretending I wasn't breaking apart inside—but the words wouldn't come.

"I'm sorry," I breathed barely.

He stared at me for a moment before leaned in slightly. Then, without a word, he turned his face to the courtyard on the opposite side of the hall. His entire body tensed.

"Kade," he muttered to himself.

I glared in his direction—and my heart froze.

Standing at the far end of the hall, half-hidden by silver moonlight, was Alpha Kade. Serene. Unmoving. His eyes locked onto Ronan's, his face impassive but unyielding.

My heart dropped into my stomach.

Ronan's body went rigid in a snap, filling the room like a storm. The air chilled, becoming thick with anger and tension.

Kade did not bow or falter. He stood there as if he'd expected this to occur.

"Ronan," Kade declared flatly. "I came by to check in on her. Nothing more."

Ronan's tone was low, controlled, and cold. "You trespassed on my pack's land. My home. That's not 'nothing,' Kade."

"I did not arrive as an Alpha," Kade replied quietly. "I arrived as a friend. She's been hurting."

Ronan's eyes ignited. "She's under my protection."

Kade's lips pressed into a thin line. "Protective" was not something he would describe it as.

I felt the air come in close about me. Every word between them was spiked, purposeful—a battle of power building to ignite. I could read it in their eyes: the unspoken history, the competition, the pride.

"Lyra," Ronan said with his back turned to me, his tone abrupt. "Go in."

My heart tightened. "Ronan, please—"

"Now."

I froze. His voice did not rise, but the authority was complete. For a moment, I thought about doing what he instructed. Sprinting back up the stairs, locking my door, pretending this wasn't happening.

But I couldn't.

"I don't want any trouble," I stuttered weakly, looking at both of them. "Please."

Kade's gaze fell upon me and relaxed. "It's okay, Lyra. Go."

But I didn't. My body didn't budge.

Ronan took a step closer, his eyes blazing into Kade's. "You think you can just walk in here and be a hero?"

"I didn't walk in here to fight," Kade replied quietly. "You're the one who's making this one."

Ronan's expression went icy. "You walked in here for her. That's reason enough."

Kade would not stand down. "And even if I did? Are you going to punish her for that as well?"

The silence that followed was oppressive. I struggled to breathe.

Ronan's eyes grew darker. His fists were bunched at his waist, but he didn't strike. Not yet. Instead, he edged closer, his voice softer but heavy.

"Go inside, Lyra. Please."

Please shocked me. It was something he had never said to me before. This time, his tone was not hard—it was weary. Pain-filled.

I stood frozen, then backed away one step, unsure whether to listen or run. My mind was in chaos—fear, confusion, and guilt stacked on top of each other.

Kade's voice came again, softer, nearly gentle. "Ronan, she doesn't belong in a cage."

Ronan's eyes flashed at him. "She belongs where she's safe."

Kade's jaw clenched. "Then maybe you should start by making her feel it."

The words fell like a blow—too harsh. Ronan's expression didn't change, but I saw something flicker in the back of his eyes. Something open.

Before another word could be spoken, the sound of boots creaking from the distant hall echoed thinly. Guards. Someone would have heard the commotion.

Kade's eyes returned to me again. "I should be leaving," he whispered.

Ronan didn't move, his eyes following Kade's every step as he retreated.

Kade lingered for one last look my way. There was something in his eyes—sadness, maybe. Or regret. "Stay strong, Lyra," he breathed.

I ached to reach out, caution him to be wary, but my throat closed.

He disappeared into the night.

The moment he was gone, Ronan exhaled a deep breath, half growl, half sigh. His shoulders locked, his fists clenching as if he suppressed the urge to tear walls down.

I steeled myself for the blast—the rage, the accusations. It never happened.

He shifted toward me, though. His voice low, subdued. "You shouldn't have met him."

I bit my lip hard, fighting not to weep. "I didn't ask him in."

He didn't answer. His eyes stayed for a fraction of a moment longer, and in them I saw something I couldn't pin down. It wasn't anger—it was deeper. Something painful.

"I'll fix this," he said finally. "Go to your room, Lyra."

I nodded unsteadily and began to move, my legs weighted with lead. Every step was a misstep. The silence behind me was thick with all the unsaid things—accusations, regrets, fears.

As I stood at the door, I lingered and glanced back. Ronan still stood there in the moonlight, his back to me, his shoulders tense.

And he whispered, hardly above a whisper, "I promised I'd keep you safe… but you keep running from me."

His words broke something inside me.

I dashed to my room before he would see the tears streaming.

As I closed the door, I leaned my forehead against it, trembling.

Ronan and Kade. Two Alphas. Two worlds. And I was caught between them—heart broken, soul trembling, and a secret they both still didn't know.

The darkness outside was quiet once more, but I could still feel the storm brewing in the silence.

And I knew—this was just the start.