Chapter 59 East border
~ Kael's POV ~
Leaving Lyra’s room that morning was one of the hardest things I had ever forced myself to do. Every instinct in me wanted to stay, to linger beside her, to remain wrapped in her scent and the quiet comfort her presence brought me.
Walking away felt wrong on a level I could not properly explain. Still, duty waited for no one, not even an Alpha who had just found his mate, and responsibility dragged me out of that room despite my reluctance.
When I stepped into my own room, the place felt strangely unfamiliar, as though I had been gone from it for years rather than hours. The absence of Lyra’s scent was immediately noticeable, and it left the space feeling empty and cold.
I moved through my morning routine quickly, going through the motions without thought, eager to be done and out of there. Within minutes, I was dressed and leaving the room behind, already focused on the mountain of work waiting for me.
After sitting through two consecutive meetings, I finally returned to my office. I had just settled behind my desk and begun signing documents when Elder Rowan arrived. He greeted me as he entered and lowered himself into one of the chairs across from my desk.
“Morning, Kael,” he said.
“Morning, Elder Rowan,” I replied. I paused my work and set the papers aside, giving him my full attention. “How was the press conference?” I asked, aware that they had addressed the public that morning in an attempt to calm the growing unrest.
“It went well,” he said. “I am confident it will help bring the panic down. However, many of them expected you to speak personally. We told them that would happen soon.”
I nodded slowly. I had anticipated that reaction. If not for my packed schedule, I would have addressed the people myself.
“I will have Dagan fix a date for it,” I said.
“Of course,” he agreed.
I studied him for a moment before speaking again. “You look like there is something else on your mind.”
He hesitated, his expression troubled. “The rumors about you being bewitched have not died down. In fact, they are spreading even more disturbingly. Many of our people now believe you are no longer competent enough to lead.”
“That should be the least of our worries right now, Elder Rowan,” I said, trying to ease his concern.
He shook his head slowly. “I used to think so as well, but not anymore. Now that the witch is your mate, everything has become more complicated. Imagine what will happen when you announce it.”
“That is precisely why I will not announce it until the coast is clear,” I said firmly.
The moment the words left my mouth, Dagan’s voice echoed sharply in my mind. “Trouble at the east border, Alpha. We are under attack.”
I jumped to my feet immediately. “Who is attacking?” I asked, though I already suspected the answer.
“Shadow Pack,” Dagan replied.
Elder Rowan stood as well. “What is wrong?”
“The east border is under attack,” I said, already moving toward the door.
He did not ask any further questions. He followed me without hesitation. Once outside, I saw Dagan approaching at a hurried pace. As we moved, I mindlinked Abel and instructed him to gather the warriors currently available and head to the east border immediately.
This was no random attack. The timing was too precise. I had only just reassigned half of the warriors stationed at the east border to reinforce the west, and now the Shadow Pack struck the east. The realization made my blood boil. There was a mole within our ranks, someone feeding information to the enemy, and I intended to uncover them.
What greeted me at the east border filled me with rage. Many of my men were already down, and those still standing were being overwhelmed quickly. The sight was disturbing and infuriating. Without hesitation, I shifted the moment I stepped out of the vehicle and launched myself into the fight, unleashing every ounce of fury I possessed on the intruders who dared set foot on my territory.
Amid the chaos, I noticed a truck speeding away from the border. It carried several lifeless looking werewolves in its back. I did not know what had been done to them, but I suspected they were Ironfang members and that magic had been involved.
I chased after the truck and caught up with it quickly. I struck the driver with lethal force, sending him spiraling out through the passenger door. Only then did I realize Elder Rowan had followed me. He finished the driver off without hesitation and immediately pursued the second occupant, who had already fled into the forest.
Confident Rowan could handle one warrior on his own, I turned my attention to the back of the truck. Several werewolves lay unconscious, and the lingering traces of magic around them confirmed my suspicions.
By the time Dagan and the others arrived, I searched for Rowan but could not find him. I listened closely and soon heard the sounds of combat coming from deeper within the forest. It did not sound like a fair fight. It sounded like several warriors attacking one. Without wasting another second, I followed the noise.
I arrived too late. The sight that greeted me made my chest constrict painfully. Elder Rowan fell to the ground before my eyes, his neck bleeding heavily and a deep stab wound visible in his abdomen. Five Shadow Pack warriors surrounded him.
The moment they noticed me, they scattered in different directions. Every instinct screamed at me to chase them down, to tear them apart, but Rowan needed immediate attention.
“Elder Rowan,” I called as I reached his side. He did not respond. Panic tightened around my heart. I could not lose him. Losing him now would be devastating.
“Take him back to Kaitlyn immediately,” I ordered Dagan.
My mind burned with a single purpose. I hunted down every Shadow Pack warrior involved and dealt with them before allowing myself a moment of rest.
When I finally returned to the packhouse, I went straight to the clinic, clinging to the hope of good news. Instead, I was met with grim expressions and shaking heads.
“I am sorry, Alpha,” Kaitlyn said softly. “His injuries are too severe. I am afraid he may not make it.”
My heart dropped painfully at her words, and for the first time that day, I felt truly powerless.