The Wolf's Web of Betrayal

Chapter5

The night air was thick with tension as Val and Alex locked eyes across the bar and the animosity between them was palpable.

Val's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. Recognition flashed across his eyes as he gazed at Alex’s hand on Lara's waist. He said nothing and left the bar. Jack and Jake left the bar in pursuit.

Alex watched Val disappear into the night, his mind racing with thoughts.

Shaking off his thoughts, Alex turned to Lara, who was watching him with concern. "Hey, you okay?" he asked, forcing a smile.

Lara nodded, her eyes still wide with worry. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Alex's smile softened, and he reached out to brush a strand of hair behind Lara's ear. "Where did you come from?” Lara asked her face perplexed

Thorne and Scott quietly went to the bar to order from Finn

Alex watched them go and he came up with a lie. “I was heading here to get a drink when I heard the commotion”

She nodded and opened her mouth to form more words when Aria interrupted them. She went to answer her and Alex watched as Lara hugged her friend and cleaned her bruises. Finn joined them as they cleaned up the broken glasses and chairs.

He suspected that she would ask him about Val and he didn't know how to venture into that topic.

As Finn closed up. He and Lara said their goodbyes and headed into the cool night air. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The way Finn fought was impressive and intimidating. Was he a werewolf too ?

Thorne and Scott had gone to set up a meeting with Oliver. He needed his brother to know about the rogue werewolves.

He opted to call a cab. Lara said she wanted to walk and he was glad. This was another opportunity to spend time with her.

As they walked home, Lara spoke softly “Thank you for coming tonight “ he nodded at her and he noticed that she shivered from the cold air he removed his denim jacket and wore it around her shoulders. “Won't you be cold?” she asked, concerned.

His smile almost faltered. How could he tell her that he was a werewolf? “No, I have good genes, I would be fine,” he smiled. She smiled back and he couldn't shake the feeling that Lara had gone through a lot. “So those guys do they normally come to the bar and cause issues”

She grew quiet, her fingers clenched, she bit her lips and looked away from him. He listened to her heart beat as she spoke “No they don't”

She was nervous, she lied. Alex sighed internally he didn't want to scare her by confronting her. “So does this happen a lot, I mean fights at the bar?”

The night air grew thick with an eerie presence. Lara hadn't answered his question; she had turned away from him. His senses went on high alert, and he instinctively reached for Lara's hand. He got their scent. There were a lot of them.

Suddenly, a group of shadowy figures emerged from the darkness. Alex's heart racing, he recognized the same rogue werewolves that attacked them.

Lara's eyes went wide as she glanced around them. He could tell that she recognised them too and there was a lot more than just a simple recognition.

The werewolves snarled, their eyes glowing in the dark. Alex hated that he was alone. He had to control his shift, or risk losing himself to his wolf. He didn't want Lara knowing his true nature just yet but how could he fight the 6 men without shifting

As the werewolves closed in, Alex felt his body begin to shift. He gritted his teeth, fighting against the transformation. He told Lara to run but she stood there frozen. He looked up at the sky, it wasn't a full moon tonight. Well he would have to find an alternative

Lara stood frozen beside him, her eyes wide with fear. Alex could sense her nervousness, her pulse racing like a rabbit's. He wanted to reassure her, but he couldn't afford to take his eyes off the werewolves.

The largest werewolf, a hulking mass of fur and muscle, took a step forward. "You think you can take us on, human?" he sneered. His eyes on Lara

Alex smiled, a cold, calculated smile. "I don't need to be a werewolf to take you down."

Before the guy could reveal he was a werewolf with a swift motion, he punched him . He heightened his strength and reflexes, his body humming with adrenaline. The werewolves charged, their claws snapping wildly.

Alex dodged and weaved, his movements lightning-fast. He punched and kicked, his blows landing with precision. The werewolves were strong, but Alex was stronger, his training and experience giving him the edge.

Lara watched in awe and fear, her eyes fixed on Alex. He could sense her fear giving way to wonder, her mind racing with questions. A moment later her hands were at the sides of her head. Her face contorted in pain

The fight was intense, the sound of snarling and punching filling the air. Alex fought with every ounce of strength he had, his body screaming in protest.

But he refused to back down. He refused to lose. He refused to shift

With a final, mighty blow, Alex sent the last werewolf crashing to the ground. He stood panting, his chest heaving with exertion.

After the last werewolf fell, Alex turned to Lara, his heart still racing. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice shaking with concern.

Lara nodded, her eyes wide with fear. "Y-yes. I think so." She stood up from her crouching position “I just felt an intense headache for a second and now it gone”

Alex pulled her into a tight hug, holding her close as he tried to calm his own racing heart.

The werewolves lay defeated at Alex's feet, their bodies motionless. He felt a surge of satisfaction, his anger and frustration finally sated.

But as he continually hugged the girl in his arms, he felt her fear still lurking. Fear of him, of what he was capable of.

Alex's smile faltered, his heart sinking. He knew he had to tell her the truth, to reveal his secret.

He caressed the strands of her hair and then, he pushed her hair behind her ear, his touch gentle. "Let's get out of here," he whispered.

She nodded. He brought his phone and called Scott and in just a moment's distraction. The werewolves made a run for it and he couldn't chase after them and leave Lara alone.

He walked her home by the front of her duplex.

He told her “You can keep the jacket Lara it suits you”

“Thank you Alexander and good night” she disappeared behind her front door.

That evening, Alex met with his pack, his mind still reeling from the night's events.

"We need to take care of those rogue werewolves," Alex growled, his eyes blazing with anger.

His pack nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination.

"And what about Val?" one of them asked, his voice low and cautious.

Alex's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. "We'll take care of him too."

They went back to their rooms. Oliver stood up from his seat that was positioned at the front of the room to signify his supreme leader position. “You do a good job leading Alex” his tone commanding

“Thank you Supreme leader” Alex bowed

“Drop the formalities Alex” Oliver smiled

He chucked and admired his brother's posture. Being a leader suits him since their parents died. Oliver had led the werewolves well. Their parents would be proud of him.

“Just so you know, you can't lie to her forever. She has to know who she is to you. Most importantly who you are.” He walked towards his brother standing in front of him gazing at his eyes

Alex's smile was replaced with a frown.

“It is good that you can fight without having to shift what happens when you can’t” he patted his shoulders before walking out of the pack’s common room.

Alex’s heart sank at the thought.

*************

That night, Lara was working at the bar with her new co-worker, a quiet dark skinned boy. Who only acknowledged her once and went to attend to customers Aria was at home recovering. Finn had worked the morning shift with Emily Kael had replaced everything that broke. He hired more bouncers in Lara's opinion she would have preferred he fired the already existing ones.

“So tell me Lara” Emily's voice was high in pitch. “I hear you had dazzling, handsome and sexy men fight for you yesterday”

She should have been used to Emily's curiosity for gossip but she felt herself get angry at the question which was abnormal for her. She took in a deep breath and replied “They happened to help out Aria”

“Well it must have been so amazing to watch so many male men fight to protect you guys” she winked

“Maybe Kael should hire them to be bouncers. Maybe then the fights would stop and you can gawk at them as much as you want”

“What has gotten into you Lara. I was just joking. You can't blame me I wasn't here yesterday and you were”

“Sorry Emily. I am just stressed”

“It ok girl I got you” Emily gave her a friendly pat on the back before she went to attend to the customers.

Lara went out to catch some air. She felt suffocated taking a deep breath of the cool night air. She closed her eyes, feeling the stress of the day melt away.

A group of shadowy figures emerged from the darkness. The same rogue werewolves from the previous night.

Lara's hair stood up. Her senses caught them, her eyes snapped open. A pack of wolves emerged from the shadows, their eyes fixed on her.

Lara's heart racing, she backed away slowly, her hands shaking.

“Pretty little things. You are alone now aren't you.”

Lara cried internally, tears spilling down her cheeks this was the same creepy guy with the tattoo that loved to slap her butt cheeks

“The first time. Your buddy saved you. The second time a lot of men fought for you. I bet you satisfy all of them in bed. Well I have to f**k you so I can taste what they like about you so much.”

“Bring her to me” he ordered

The were wolves closed in, something inside her clicked. She remembered her self-defense classes, and a surge of adrenaline gave her the courage to act.

With a fierce cry, Lara dodged a wolf's snapping jaws, using the move her instructor had taught her. She landed a solid kick on another wolf's stomach, sending it yelping back. Val would be proud if he could see her now.

But there were too many of them. Just as Lara was starting to tire, a dark figure burst into the alley, sending wolves flying. It was Val.

Val's eyes locked onto the werewolves, his body tensing with anticipation. Lara's eyes widened in fear as she realized what was happening.

Without hesitation, Val's body began to shift. His claws and fangs extended, and he positioned himself between Lara and the werewolves.

The fight was intense, the sound of snarling and growling filling the air. Val fought valiantly, his movements swift and deadly.

As the last werewolf fell, Val turned to Lara, his chest heaving with exertion. His eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice low and rough.

Lara nodded, still trying to process what had just happened. She felt a shiver run down her spine as Val's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with a fierce protectiveness.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the only sound the heavy breathing of the defeated wolves. Then Val's face softened, and he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair behind Lara's ear.

Then, Lara's eyes narrowed, her voice trembling with anger. "You're a werewolf." She pushed his hands away.

Val's eyes flashed with regret, and he nodded slowly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

Lara's face paled, her eyes filling with tears. "Why didn't you trust me?"

Val's eyes locked onto hers, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was trying to protect you."

But Lara just shook her head, her eyes filled with hurt and betrayal. "You should have told me.”

“We have known ourselves since we were children Valentine”

“I am sorry Lara I truly am”

“Give me some space please.” She walked back leaving him with the pack of beaten werewolves.

Val was momentarily distracted. Lara had gone in and hadn't seen what occurred

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