Blood and Betrayal
The morning sun poured into the packhouse, but the light did little to ease the storm brewing inside Ayla. The folder she had found in the hidden chamber was clutched tightly in her hand as she stormed into the Alpha’s office.
The Alpha glanced up from his desk, his piercing gaze hardening as he noticed the fire in Ayla’s eyes. “What is the meaning of this?” he growled.
“You lied,” Ayla spat, throwing the file onto his desk. Pages spilled out, revealing photographs, documents, and a haunting portrait of her mother. “You told everyone my mother died in an accident. But you executed her.”
The Alpha’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t flinch. “Your mother was a traitor,” he said coldly. “She defied the pack’s rules and jeopardized our survival. Her death was necessary.”
“Necessary?” Ayla’s voice shook with fury. “She fought for the truth. She fought against you. And now you’re trying to do the same thing to me!”
The Alpha stood, towering over her. “Watch your tongue, girl. You’re treading on dangerous ground.”
“I’m not afraid of you,” Ayla snapped, stepping closer. “I know what you’ve done. You’re not a leader—you’re a coward. And I’m going to expose you.”
The Alpha’s lips curled into a sneer. “You think anyone will believe the word of a disgraced wolf over mine? You are nothing to this pack, Ayla. Nothing.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Ayla said, her voice steady. “They’re starting to see through you. And I’m not stopping until they know the whole truth.”
The Alpha’s face darkened, and his voice dropped to a dangerous tone. “You won’t live to see that day.”
He turned to the guards standing near the doorway. “Take her. Execute her at dawn.”
The guards hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances.
“Did you not hear me?” the Alpha barked. “Take her now!”
Before the guards could move, another voice cut through the tension.
“Stop.”
Cian stepped into the room, his expression hard and unreadable. His green eyes burned with defiance as he positioned himself between Ayla and the Alpha.
“What are you doing, Cian?” the Alpha growled.
“I’m stopping you from making a mistake,” Cian said, his tone calm but firm. “Ayla is not a threat to this pack. You’re letting fear cloud your judgment.”
“This is not your decision to make,” the Alpha snapped. “I am still the leader of this pack, and you will obey me.”
“Not when you’re wrong,” Cian said sharply, his voice rising.
The room fell silent. Ayla stared at Cian, her chest tightening. She had never seen him defy his father like this, and the weight of his words sent ripples of unease through the pack members who had gathered outside the office.
“You’re dividing this pack,” Cian continued. “Your paranoia is turning us against each other, and it’s going to destroy everything we’ve built.”
The Alpha’s face twisted with rage. “You dare challenge me?”
“I dare to protect what’s right,” Cian said, his voice unwavering.
The tension in the room was electric, but before the Alpha could respond, a commotion erupted outside. Shouts and growls filled the air, and the sound of an alarm bell rang out.
“They’re here!” someone yelled. “The rogues are attacking!”
The packhouse descended into chaos as wolves scrambled to defend the territory. Ayla followed the others outside, her heart pounding. The rogues were everywhere, their eyes gleaming with fury as they clashed with the pack.
Zion appeared beside her, his face grim. “It’s started,” he said.
“What are you doing here?” Ayla asked, her voice laced with panic.
Zion met her gaze, his expression softening. “I came to protect you.”
Before she could respond, Rowan’s voice rang out. “Zion!”
All eyes turned to Zion as Rowan stormed toward him, his claws extended. “A rogue in our pack’s territory? And you’re with her?!”
Zion stepped forward, his stance strong. “Yes, I’m with her. She’s my mate.”
The words hung in the air like a bombshell. Gasps and murmurs spread through the pack as everyone turned to Ayla.
“She’s your what?” Rowan snarled, his eyes narrowing.
“She’s my fated mate,” Zion said calmly, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “And you’ll have to go through me to get to her.”
The revelation sent shockwaves through the pack. Ayla felt her cheeks burn, her heart torn between the truth of Zion’s bond and the growing feelings she couldn’t suppress for Cian.
The Alpha emerged from the packhouse, his face livid. “This ends now!” he roared, lunging at Zion.
Ayla’s instincts kicked in. She stepped between them, her body pulsing with raw energy. “Stop!”
The air crackled around her, and for a moment, everything froze. Wolves stared in shock as Ayla’s eyes glowed with an unnatural light. The power surging through her veins was overwhelming, but she didn’t fight it. She embraced it.
She let out a deafening roar, the sound reverberating through the clearing. The ground beneath her feet trembled, and the rogues faltered, their eyes wide with fear.
“She’s an Alpha!” someone whispered.
