Outrunning The Alpha

Chapter 8

Lyra

​The observation room was high above the courtyard and it was dark, quiet, and cold. Tinted floor-to-ceiling glass overlooked the iron gates below, giving me a clear view of the entire Shadow Claw entrance without letting anyone see in.

​Vesper stood beside me, her arms crossed over her high-tech folder. "You can see everything from here."

​Down in the courtyard, the heavy iron gates ground open.

​A sleek, black-and-gold SUV rolled through the entrance; the Silver Fang crest painted boldly on both front doors. It parked right in the center of the slate driveway, showing complete disrespect for Shadow Claw land.

​The driver door opened, and Julian stepped out.

​My chest tightened, an old habit from months of walking behind him.

He looked as arrogant as ever, dressed in a custom white Silver Fang track jacket with gold trim, his blonde hair styled perfectly, his posture radiates total Alpha entitlement.

Why did i want to be with this guy in the first place, so arrogant. I blame the mate bond.

Behind him, three heavy-set Silver Fang guards climbed out, their arms crossed, trying to look intimidating.

​Julian scanned the Shadow Claw courtyard, his nose curling in slight disgust at the dark stone and simple timber walls. He didn't see Torin waiting on the high steps.

​Torin stood at the top of the stone stairs alone. No guards. No weapons. Just his broad shoulders, charcoal shirt, and an Alpha aura so dense it seemed to make the cool morning air stand still.

​"Alpha Julian," Torin’s voice echoed across the courtyard, deep, calm, and heavy as granite. "You are trespassing on my land."

​Julian put his hands in his jacket pockets and smirked, taking a few steps toward the stairs. "Alpha Torin. Trespassing is a big word. I'm here on official business for the Regional Athletic Board. We picked up a strange energy pulse on our sensors near Obsidian Ridge yesterday."

​"And?" Torin asked, not moving an inch.

​"And," Julian said, his voice dropping into a smug tone, "the mid-season qualifiers are three weeks away. Silver Fang owns the regional title. If you're hiding a rogue runner or using illegal gear to boost your pack's track times, I have the right to inspect your roster."

​Up behind the dark glass, my fingers dug into the window ledge.

​Vesper glanced at me. "Look at him. He's shaking in his boots, but he covers it with teeth."

​Down below, Torin let out a low, dark chuckle that made Julian’s three guards shift uncomfortably on their feet.

​"You think I need illegal tricks to crush Silver Fang on the track, Julian?" Torin asked softly, stepping down one stair. "Your pack barely won last season because you spent more time running press conferences than training."

​Julian’s smirk vanished, replaced by a flash of angry red in his eyes. "Watch your mouth, Torin. I came here for answers. Where is the runner?"

​"My roster is private until race day," Torin said coldly. "You have no warrant from the Board. You have no authority on Shadow Claw land. Turn your car around before I remove you myself."

​Julian took a sharp step forward, his Alpha energy flaring up, a hot, bright fire designed to intimidate weaker wolves. "I know someone was on that ridge! I found foot-strikes near the cliff edge! Whoever was out there left blue frost on the rocks. No human can do that, and none of your weak pack members have that kind of speed!"

​Julian stopped, his eyes narrowing as a sudden thought hit him. He laughed, a short, cruel sound.

​"Wait," Julian sneered, looking up at the Great Hall.

"Don't tell me... did you pick up that useless girl I dumped on the mountain? Lyra?"

​My heart hammered against my ribs, cold fire roaring back into my blood.

​"I left her out there because she couldn't even sprout claws," Julian mocked, shaking his head. "She was a stray with no wolf inside her. Did you pick up my trash, Torin? Are you using my old girl?"

​Up in the glass room, I didn't flinch. I watched his face; the arrogance, the total ignorance of what he had thrown away.

​Torin didn't answer right away. He walked down the remaining steps until he was standing just two feet from Julian. Torin towered over him, his dark shadow completely swallowing Julian’s golden posture.

​"You are the trash," Torin said, his voice so quiet and dangerous it made the air in the courtyard vibrate. "And when race day comes, Julian... you will realize how big of a trash you are."

​Julian’s smile faltered. He searched Torin’s face for a weakness, a lie, a hint of bluffing. But Torin’s dark eyes were a cold brick wall.

​"We'll see about that" Julian spat, though his voice lacked its earlier confidence. He took a step back toward his SUV, signaling his guards to back up.

"I'll see you on the track, Torin. Try not to embarrass yourself."

​Julian slammed his car door shut. The black-and-gold SUV spun its tires on the gravel, speeding out through the iron gates as they ground shut behind him.

​Down in the courtyard, Torin stood alone, watching the gates lock tight.

​Then, he turned around and looked directly up at the dark glass window of the high tower. He couldn't see me through the tint, but he knew exactly where I was standing.

​He gave me a single, slow nod.

​Beside me, Vesper let out a breath. "He has no idea."

​"No," I whispered, stepping back from the glass, my chest calm, my mind sharp as steel. "In three weeks, he's going to find out I'm his worst nightmare.”