MATED TO THE LONE WOLF

Chapter 4:part one

The iron-tinged scent of death lingered in the courtyard long after the rogue’s body was dragged away by the pack’s executioners. The sudden violence had left the Blackwood pack in a state of hyper-vigilance. In the high-ceilinged dining hall, the usual boisterous clatter of breakfast was replaced by low, urgent murmurs.Lizzie sat at a long wooden table tucked into a quiet corner of the hall. She was picking at a plate of roasted venison and wild greens. Talia sat across from her, methodically cleaning a silver hunting dagger with a piece of oil-cloth. The steady, rhythmic scritch-scratch of the metal was the only comforting sound in the room."You're not eating," Talia observed without looking up from her blade. "You'll need your strength. The Alpha hasn't explicitly ordered it yet, but you're going to the training grounds today."Lizzie lowered her fork, her fingers tightening around the edge of the table. "I am an omega, Talia. My birth pack didn't train us to fight. We were taught to hide, to tend the gardens, and to run if the perimeter fell. I don't know how to hold a weapon, let alone face a Blood Moon warrior."Talia stopped rubbing the blade. She looked up, her amber eyes locking onto Lizzie with fierce intensity. "In the Blackwood pack, everyone fights. Pups, elders, omegas—it doesn't matter. When the wall breaches, the enemy doesn't check your rank before they throat-rip you. If you are going to stand beside Ramond as his mate, you need to learn how to draw blood."Before Lizzie could reply, the heavy double doors of the hall swung open. Ramond walked in, flanked by Marcus. The Alpha looked exhausted, his hair slightly damp from an early morning border run, but his posture was as unyielding as iron. The moment his eyes scanned the room and found Lizzie, the hard lines of his face softened. The invisible thread of the mate bond pulsed between them, sending a wave of reassurance into Lizzie's chest.He walked straight to her table, ignoring the respectful bows of the passing pack members. He rested a large, calloused hand on the back of Lizzie's chair. The heat radiating from his palm was intoxicating."How are you feeling?" Ramond asked, his deep voice carrying a private gentleness meant only for her."I'm fine," Lizzie said softly, looking up into his piercing blue eyes. "But the pack... they are looking at me like I'm a ticking time bomb."Ramond’s jaw tightened, and he glanced around the room, causing several staring warriors to quickly look down at their plates. "They look at you because you are the Alpha's mate, and they are preparing for what comes next. I’ve spoken with Marcus and the elders. The Blood Moon Alpha, Silas, is a sadist, but he isn't stupid. He won't march his army into our valley blindly. He will try to bleed our outer patrols first."He looked back down at her, his expression turning serious. "Talia is right. You need to know how to defend yourself. Not because I won't protect you, but because I need to know you can survive if I am separated from you on the battlefield."Lizzie swallowed the lump of fear in her throat and nodded. "Show me what to do.