Kai led the way, his steps confident, while Lyra tried her best to keep up. Draven followed behind, his presence heavy and unwelcoming.
For a while, none of them spoke. The silence was tense, filled with unspoken thoughts. Lyra kept stealing glances at Kai, his broad back a constant reminder that she didn't fully understand him—or his motives.
Finally, unable to hold back any longer, she broke the quiet. "What's the plan, Kai? Let me guess—you fight, and I stand around like a distraction?"
Kai didn't stop walking. "If you're lucky, you won't have to do much at all."
Draven snorted from behind her. "She won't make it past the first fight."
Kai stopped so suddenly that Lyra nearly bumped into him. He turned, his silver eyes locking onto Draven. "She'll do what I need her to do. That's all that matters. You don't have to like it, Draven, but you will follow my orders. Is that clear?"
Draven's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Yes, Alpha."
Kai shifted his gaze to Lyra, his expression softer but still commanding. "And you, Lyra. You're not just standing around. You're part of this now. The Silver Claw sees you as a threat, and I'll make sure they regret it."
Lyra folded her arms. "And what about you? What do you get out of this? You're not saving me out of the goodness of your heart."
Kai's lips twitched into a small, humorless smile. "You're right. This isn't about saving you. It's about taking down the Silver Claw. Once they're gone, I'll be the only Alpha strong enough to lead. That's what I want."
She stared at him, trying to read his expression. "So, I'm just a tool to you? A means to an end?"
Kai took a step closer, his height and presence towering over her. "You're not just a tool. You're the key. They're afraid of you for a reason, and I need to find out why."
Lyra hesitated, feeling the weight of his words. She wanted to argue, to fight back against the idea that she was being used, but deep down, she knew he was right. There was something she didn't understand about her connection to the Silver Claw.
"Fine," she said, at last, her voice firm. "But don't expect me to bow down and call you Alpha."
Kai chuckled, his voice low and rough. "I wouldn't dream of it."
Hours later, they stopped in a small clearing. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a faint glow over the trees.
"We'll rest here," Kai said, scanning the area.
Draven sat on a fallen log, his arms crossed, his gaze flickering to Lyra with open disdain. She ignored him and chose a spot near a tree, leaning back against the rough bark.
Kai didn't sit. Instead, he paced along the edge of the clearing, his sharp eyes scanning the forest. His movements were restless, like a predator waiting for prey.
Lyra watched him for a moment before speaking. "Do you ever stop moving?"
Kai didn't look at her. "Not when I have something to protect."
Her brow furrowed. "And what happens if this doesn't work? If the Silver Claw wins?"
Kai's pacing stopped. He turned to face her, his expression hard and unyielding. "They won't win. I'll make sure of it."
His words were so final, so absolute, that Lyra didn't know how to respond. She turned her gaze to the fire they had built, watching the flames dance.
The attack came without warning.
A low growl pierced the quiet night, followed by the sound of leaves rustling. Lyra shot to her feet, her heart pounding.
"They're here," Kai said, his voice sharp.
Draven was already moving, his blade flashing in the moonlight.
From the shadows, a pack of wolves emerged. Their glowing eyes reflected the firelight as they snarled and snapped, closing in on the group.
Kai didn't hesitate. He shifted into his wolf form, a massive black beast with gleaming silver eyes. He charged into the fray, meeting the first wave of attackers head-on.
Lyra backed up, gripping a broken branch she had grabbed earlier. Her mind raced, trying to think of a way to defend herself.
Draven fought like a whirlwind, his movements precise and deadly. But even as he struck down one wolf, another took its place.
"Kai!" Lyra shouted, her voice shaking.
Kai didn't respond. He was locked in a brutal battle with the largest wolf—a scarred beast that moved with terrifying speed.
The leader shifted, his wolf form melting into that of a man. He stood tall, his scarred face twisted into a cruel smile.
"Kai," the man said, his voice mocking. "Still playing the hero, I see."
Kai growled, shifting back into his human form. "Garrick. You're still a coward, I see."
Garrick's smile widened. "And you're still chasing dreams of being the supreme Alpha. Tell me, what's the human girl to you? A pet? A distraction?"
"She's none of your business," Kai said, his voice low and deadly.
"Oh, but she is," Garrick replied. "The Silver Claw wants her. And when I bring her to them, I'll finally take my rightful place."
Kai stepped forward, his fists clenched. "You'll have to get through me first."
Garrick's smile faded, replaced by a snarl. "Gladly."
The fight that followed was chaos.
Wolves lunged at Kai and Draven, their snarls filling the air. Lyra swung her branch wildly, managing to keep one wolf at bay.
Kai and Garrick clashed, their movements a blur of strength and fury. The ground shook with the force of their blows, each strike more brutal than the last.
Draven fought alongside Kai, his loyalty to the Alpha clear in every move. But no matter how many wolves they took down, more seemed to appear from the shadows.
Lyra's arms ached, her breath coming in short gasps. She could feel her strength waning, but she refused to give up.
Suddenly, Garrick called out, his voice cutting through the noise. "Enough!"
The wolves froze, their glowing eyes fixed on him.
Kai shifted back into his human form, his chest heaving. Blood streaked his face and arms, but his expression was as fierce as ever.
Garrick smirked, wiping a trail of blood from his lip. "You've gotten stronger, Kai. But this isn't over."
He turned his gaze to Lyra, his smile sending a chill down her spine. "I'll be seeing you, little one."
And just like that, the wolves retreated, melting into the forest as quickly as they had come.
Kai's fists clenched at his sides. "This isn't over."
Draven sheathed his blade, shaking his head. "We should've killed them all."
"We will," Kai said, his voice cold. "But not yet."
Lyra stared at the place where Garrick had disappeared, her mind racing. "Why do they want me? What did he mean?"
Kai's gaze softened, but only slightly. "We'll figure it out. But for now, we need to move."
As night fell again, they set up camp at the edge of the forest. Lyra sat by the fire, staring into the flames.
Kai and Draven stood a few feet away, speaking in low tones. Lyra couldn't hear them, but she could feel the tension in their voices.
A cold wind swept through the clearing, causing the fire to flicker.
Lyra looked up, her heart skipping a beat. "Kai?"
Before he could answer, a low growl echoed from the darkness.
And
then, a pair of glowing red eyes appeared just beyond the trees.