The Alpha's Choice

Chapter 4

Riven's Pov

I stood tall, my eyes locked on the elders as they circled me, their faces stern. "Riven," Gamma Luu said, his voice firm. "Your chosen mate has vanished. You must choose another, and quickly. The Luna ceremony cannot be delayed further."

My jaw clenched, frustration burning within. "You don't understand, Elder. She's my chosen mate. I can't just pick someone else and forget her."

Elder Militao stepped forward, his eyes cold. "Chosen mate or not, the pack needs stability. You need a mate to secure your position. Choose another, or we'll have no choice but to remove you as Alpha."

I took a deep breath, trying to reason with them. "Just give some time."

Suddenly, my mind-link with one of my warriors, Cormac, buzzed. "Alpha, we've found a blood trail," his voice echoed in my mind.

My heart skipped a beat. "Where?" I demanded, already moving towards the door.

"Near the old oak tree, outside the wall," he replied.

I turned to the elders, determination burning within. "I'm going to find my mate."

Elder Militao's face darkened. "You're making a grave mistake, Riven."

I ignored their warnings, already racing out the door.

I summoned our 20 best Warriors.

"Alpha, don't you think it's best I should stay behind?" Cormac voiced

"Why?" I growled.

"I think it's best someone runs the pack in your stead, while you're away."

I wasn't quite convinced, but I had no time.

"Fine, you can stay," I concluded hastily.

"Let's go," I signaled to the rest if the warriors were getting impatient.

We followed the trail, sniffing the scent of Lyra's blood on the grass. It would have been a lot easier if I had marked her and connected her to the mind-link.

The trail led us to an old abandoned cave. We lit torches and went in searching for every sign of Lyra.

"Alpha," one of my warriors whispered, "there is a door."

I hurried over; the room was in disarray, and I perceived a great stench of Lyra's scent blend with someone else's. I refused to believe what it meant. She was defiled.

I howled angrily and turned to leave the room, but my leg stepped on something. I lowered my torch to take a closer look; it was a torn fabric. I looked closely at the fabric; it carried a royal crest of the Revlon pack.

I knew at once who was behind all this.

"Kaid"

I crumpled the fabric in my fist, my eyes burning with rage. Kaid's involvement changed everything.

"How could he?" I growled, my voice echoing off the cave walls.

I remembered Lyra's stories about Kaid's cruelty and possessiveness. But he rejected her. What could he possibly want now?

I took a deep breath, forcing calm into my mind. I needed a clear head to strategize.

"Jax," I mind-linked, "go home and fetch us Backup. We're heading to Revlon Pack territory."

"Alpha, are you sure?" Jax's voice was laced with caution. "We can't afford war with the Revlon Pack."

"I don't care," I snarled. "I'm getting Lyra back. Get the warriors ready."

"What if it's a trap? What if he purposely wants to lure us there?"

I knew he had a point, but I didn't care; I had to save Lyra.

"Get us backup," I repeated, growing impatient.

"Yes, alpha," he bowed and left.

The Revlon pack was not too far; we made camp in the woods awaiting our backup so we could attack in the morning.

As night fell, our camp was shrouded in darkness, the only sound being the crackling of fires and the distant howls of our pack's sentries. I paced, restless, my mind consumed by Lyra's safety.

"Alpha," a warrior approached, his eyes gleaming in the firelight. "Our scouts report Rolly Pack's defenses are stronger than expected. We'll need a solid strategy to breach their perimeter."

I nodded, my jaw clenched. "You'll take point with our best warriors. You'll create a diversion, draw their guards away from the main compound, while I go in and save Lyra.".

He nodded, his expression grim. "And what about Lyra, Alpha? Do we have any intel on her location within the compound?"

I hesitated, my heart heavy with concern. "No, but I'll find her. I can scent her."

As our pack began to prepare for battle, I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Tomorrow, I'd face Kaid and reclaim Lyra.

I paced in the forest clearing, my anxiety growing with each passing moment. Where was the backup?

Morning came, but no sign of our backups. We waited for a while, but they weren't just coming.

"Gear up, let's go," I charged.

"But Alpha is our backup..." A warrior complained

"We are going with or without backup." I yelled

He replied with a simple "yes, Alpha" and withdrew.

We charged into battle. My Warriors engaged the defenses while I sneaked in to find Lyra.

Rolly Pack's defenses were stronger than expected.

As we clashed, snarls and growls filled the air. Teeth snapped, and claws slashed. I fought my way through the chaos.

A Revlon Pack warrior lunged at me, jaws wide. I dodged, countering with a swipe of my claws. He fell, but another took his place.

My warriors fought beside me, their movements fluid and deadly. We held their ground, but we were outnumbered.

A blow struck me from behind, sending me stumbling. I recovered, spinning to face my attacker.

"Fall back!" I yelled as Revlon Pack's reinforcements arrived.

We retreated, our wounded dragged alongside.

"Drive them back!" Kaid's voice echos.

Revlon Pack warriors pressed their advantage, pushing us deeper into the forest. Our lines wavered, and I knew we couldn't hold

"Regroup! "Rendezvous at the clearing!" I ordered As we fled,

We stumbled into the clearing, battered and bruised. One's leg was injured, and another's ear was torn.

"Report," I demanded.

"We lost 8 Alpha," a warrior said, writhing in pain.

Suddenly, Jax emerged from the trees.

"Jax!" I called out, striding toward him. "Where's the backup? ".

Jax's expression was grim. "Alpha, I'm sorry. The backup won't be coming."

My heart sank. "What do you mean?" I demanded, my voice rising.

Jax hesitated before speaking. "The alpha refused to send anyone."

I froze, confusion etched on my face. "What? alpha?" I asked, my tone sharp.

Jax's eyes darted around the clearing before settling on mine. "Alpha Cormac," he stammered.

My mind reeled. "Cormac?" I repeated, incredulous.

"What do you mean?" I said, my voice low and menacing.

Jax's eyes dropped, avoiding mine. "I mean... Alpha Cormac is your replacement, Riven."

Jax trembled. "When you left to find Lyra, the pack's elders gathered. They deemed you...unfit to lead, citing your obsession with Lyra as a liability. Voker was chosen as your successor."

My world crashed around me; I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. My pack had turned against me.

A warrior stepped forward, his expression dark. "We need to rethink our plan, Riven." He placed his hand on my shoulder.

"When we became warriors, we swore an oath to serve and protect the Alpha at all times, and Voker now is our Alpha." Jax started

"What are you doing?" I grinned in fury.

"And I will be your new beta."

"Jax?" I muttered in disbelief.

He signaled the warriors, and they surrounded me. I was helpless.

How suddenly the warriors I was commanding just a few minutes ago now surrounded me, waiting to attack.

I couldn't contain my rage. I dashed forward and grabbed Jax by the neck.

I felt a heavy blow to the back of my head, and I went crashing to the floor, everything swirling around me.

"Kill him, Alpha's orders," Jax commanded.