The room's tension was thick enough to stifle breathing. Kai stood before me, arms folded, his silver eyes flashing with something incomprehensible.
The proposition he made hovered between us like a trap just ready to close.
I was in need of defence. I was in need of strength.
But putting faith in another Alpha?
I had already once made a mistake like that.
I exhaled gently, forcing the discomfort turning in my stomach back-off. "Why would you show me this?"
Kai wore a slow, deliberate smile. "Because I see potential in everything."
I wrinkled. "Possible for what?,"
His eyes grew black, something perilous flickering under the surface. " survivability."
A shiver slid down my back. He was talking about something more than simply me surviving. Something I was not ready to confront.
I squinted. And should I refuse, what then?
Kai slanted his head slightly, thinking. Then you leave here by yourself.
Those words weight settled deep into my chest. I lacked the privilege of declining.
I was in need of this.
personally. for my child.
I straightened my shoulders and gulped hard. "Great. I welcome.
Kai's smile broadened. "Good option, little wolf."
I knew I was under observation the minute I set foot on the open training field.
Many of the wolves, in tiny groups, were engaged in various kinds of combat. But the second I arrived, their eyes turned to me.
I was an unidentified menace, not only an outsider.
Raine stood to the side, arms folded and a smile flickering across her lips. You did therefore survive the night.
I ignored her, concentrating on Kai, who had driven me here without saying. "What now??"
Kai pointed towards the grass. "Now you show you belong here."
The wolves fell into a great quiet.
I put my hands tightly together. Surely. Here nothing would be provided to me. I had to work for my place.
Kai looked to Raine. "Match her up."
Raine's smile grew wider as she waved for someone go forward.
Approaching with rolled shoulders, a big man with scarred knuckles wore a nasty smile. He was at least twice my weight, raw power wrapped in muscles.
"This is Jarek," Raine replied, hardly containing her delight. "He isn't easy."
Jarek laughed a little softly. She will be on the ground less than a minute.
My wolf bristled at the contempt, but I forced my face into neutrality.
For years I had been standing next to an Alpha. I'd trained. I'd battled. I had lived through.
Of him, I had no fear.
Kai watched with interest leaning against a nearby post. Try to keep up, he said quietly.
The struggle started out of nowhere.
Jarek lunged, faster than I had expected but not fast enough. At the last second, I sidestepped to get out of his grasp.
There were gasps throughout the audience.
I stopped not once more. Staying light on my feet and escaping his strong strikes, I took use of my size.
Frustrated, he snarling attacked me more forcefully. greener.
And I saw my opening at that point.
I pivoted behind him, dove under his next strike, and forcefully slammed my elbow into his ribs.
Eyes wide in shock and anger, he stammered.
I pushed my advantage, punching once more, this time bringing him down.
Stillness.
Laughing follows then.
Kai laughed, the sound full with enjoyment. "Very impressive."
I stepped back, my breath consistent even though adrenaline was running through me.
Jarek pushed himself upward and snared. Though his pride suffered, he nodded grudgingly. Not bad, tiny wolf.
Raine snorted. She seems to be not entirely useless.
Kai moved forward, staring right at me. " welcomes Shadow Moon."
I hardly could hear the noises all around me.
Every thing was off.
Three days had passed since Zaia left, and something in my soul felt hollow no matter how hard I tried to persuade myself that I had made the correct decision.
My wolf was on a frenzy. Angry.
I ought to have been relieved.
Rather, I felt as though I was losing something I could not identify.
The voice of Kieran drew me from my reverie. " Alpha, we have a problem."
I pushed myself to concentrate by sharply exhaling. "What is it right now??"
He paused. "That's... about Zaia."
Straightening my spine. Just hearing her name hurt like hell.
"What about she?" I ask.
Kieran looked with mistrust. She was clearly visible.
I stilled. "where?"
"The Shadow Moon Pack"
My blood turned chilly.
Shadow Moon
Kai's pack headed forward.
Inside my chest rumbled a ghost of a growl. Are you sure?
Kieran gave a nodding. "We confirmed it this morning." She is still with them.
My hands came together in fists. She would be visiting there for what? With what did Kai wish for her?
Something evil twisted within of me. Kai was not a perfect fool. He saw value in Zaia if he had brought her in.
And my wolf snarling in displeasure at another Alpha recognising worth in my erstwhile friend made sense.
I staggered suddenly. Get the fighters ready. We are headed to Shadow Moon.
Kieran squinted. "Alpha, do you find that wise? Over her, we no longer have any claim.
I shot him a stern glance. "She was my."
Kieran nodded slowly. You rejected her, though.
The words dropped like a blow to the chest.
I had turned down her offer.
She was also choosing another pack right now.
selecting another Alpha.
I turned aside, my voice icy. "I am eager to see her. I have to:
I paused.
What was I supposed to have? What exactly did I want?
To get her back in line? How could I mend what I had broken?
Alternatively merely to find out whether it was too late.
Kai sat across from me, his face blank. He seemed even more deadly when the firelight created shadows across his sharp features.
He admitted, "You're changing faster than I expected."
I raised my arms in folding manner. "I have nothing to choose from."
His eye flicked with something. You are mistaken in that regard. You are constantly free to make decisions.
I let out a breath, turned aside. "Not usually."
We were silent between each other.
Kai then slanted forward just slightly, his silver eyes blazing into mine.
"What will you do," he questioned gently, "when your past calls?"
I grew stiffer. "That won't transpires."
Kai graced his smile. "Oh, it will."
Something chilly and knowing glowed in his eyes.
Then he said the words that turned my blood to ice.
He is on his way to you.