Wrapped in My Enemy’s Arms

Chapter Nineteen

Ayla’s POV.

Two days of brutal training and Kael’s avoidance had passed in a blur. He hadn’t spoken to me or even looked my way and somehow… that hurt more than the training.

I snuck out of the pack grounds for the third time to attempt my shifting.

The last time I almost shifted, Kael had used his alpha aura to suppress it down, forcing my wolf deep into my mind. Now, I had to break through that mental gate.

The gate guard looked away just long enough for me to scale the stone wall, my fingers gripping the cold surface as I hauled myself over before vanishing into the woods.

I sprinted straight into the trees, under the silver glow of the full moon. Adrenaline surged through me, sharpening my senses until my feet felt light on the earth.

My wolf had been silent the first two nights of this attempt. I thought I could do it without her but I realized I needed her and we had to work together if I wanted to achieve my goal. Then we struck a bargain— I would reconcile with Lydia, and in return, she would give me everything.

Now. I tell my wolf.

Sharp claws tore out of my fingers as fur prickled beneath my skin. A gasp tore from my throat as my bones shifted, cracking and twisting until I collapsed, my knee slamming straight into the cold soil before a hot sharp pain rushed from my spine straight into my head, clouding my senses. The sound in my head was sickening.

“Again..” I urged her.

“Try again” I choked.

You’re forcing it, my wolf’s voice came strained. Something is blocking me. She responds.

“I don’t care,” I rasped. Pain clawed through me, blinding and relentless. Eating through every muscle and bone until my vision blurred and the world tilted sideways.

“Please..” I begged through sobs.

After several trials and failing, I tried to get on my feet but my body wobbled.

I slumped down against the tree hard as hot tears slipped free from my eyes.

I need my mate, he’d help me. My wolf says.

No. I return to conversing with her in my mind.

We don’t need him, he already thinks I’m weak. I told her. I wouldn’t prove him right.

I wiped my face roughly, smearing dirt and tears across my skin as I pushed myself up again, using the tree for support.

A faint rustle sounded somewhere behind me, freezing me in my stance. I turn my head around, searching for something while praying there’s nothing. Then a dreadful feeling washed over me, quickening my pulse, so I turned— too late.

Something slammed into me, my back cracked against the tree as air exploded from my lungs.

“Arghhh!”

Pain shot through my already sore bones as I scrambled to find my footing, only to be met by a scent that made my blood run cold.

Cian.

His tawny fur shimmered under the moon as he prowled towards me. My clothes were shredded, damp with the warmth of my own blood. I tried to stand again, but his wolf lunged, pinning me to the dirt with his heavy paw. Sharp claws raked across my cheeks slowly, carving splits into them.

I screamed for my wolf but she was far too exhausted from how I pushed her. Cian shifted back, standing over me raw and naked . He knelt, his fingers tracing the wounds he’d just opened.

“It hurts,” I whispered.

“You can’t even shift,” he sneered. “Even your wolf is as pathetic as you are.”

The humiliation tasted more bitter than the blood in my mouth. I sighted more wolves circling around me.

What if they erased me, no one knew I snuck out. I looked around again. Not a single one of them would help.

I was surrounded by people— wolves who wanted me dead.

I’m not going to be taken out like this.

I mustered what little strength I had left in me and drove my elbow into his jaw. He turns his face back at me slowly, baring sharp fangs at me.

“Stupid b***h” He raises his hand up to strike me but I rolled just in time, his strike missing me before I forced my knee upward, hitting him hard enough to make him grunt.

He cursed.

“Too bad you’d be a waste of beauty…”

“Boss… an-–an alpha is approaching.” One of the wolves who had shifted back into human form stammered.

The air changed, charged with a powerful aura. Even in my half-conscious state, I felt it. It was him.

“Shit.” Cian slams his fist into the floor.

“It’s not over,” he says with one final kick into my ribs that took me out.

I opened my eyes to a familiar scent, I was wrapped in strong but warm arms.

“She’s awake.” A tiny feminine voice says.

“Lydia,” I coughed out, blood leaking from my nose.

“Don’t speak Ayla, you’re badly hurt.” She says.

“I’m sor… sorry,”

“Oh goddess, save your strength. You can apologize later.” I couldn’t see Lydia’s face but I for sure knew she rolled her eyes after that statement.

Kael arms tightened around me, like he was holding himself from saying something.

A soft groan escapes my lips and Kael instantly notices this because he loosened his grip instantly.

“f**k,” he muttered, “I’m sorry.”

I tilted my head slightly, my vision barely holding as I caught a glimpse of him. His jaw was clenched, with dark eyes— Dangerously so.

I stared at the moon above, listening to the crickets chirp below as I laid in Kael’s arms. For a man I wanted nothing to do with, fate always brought us together.

“She hasn’t stopped bleeding,” I could hardly hear Lydia any longer, my vision was beginning to blur and my limbs grew heavy to move again...

“Welcome to Eidolon Realm,” the sound jolted me awake. Kael and Lydia were no longer here with me. Then it occurred to me I hadn’t paid my debt yet.

“I’m sorry” I whispered. Panic rising in my chest. “I should have paid I— “

A single tear slipped down my cheek.

“Mother?”