Marked By The Enemy Alpha

CHAPTER 20~ Cracks in the Peace

The peace Ayla had found in Black Hollow was beginning to feel real.

And that scared her.

Not because she disliked it.

Because she had lost peace before.

She knew how quickly happiness could be taken away.

Still, life continued.

The days settled into a comfortable routine.

Wake up.

Train with Luca.

Help around the village.

Train some more.

Sleep.

Repeat.

It wasn't exciting.

But it was stable.

And after everything she'd endured, stability felt like a gift.

This particular morning was no different.

The sun had barely risen when Ayla arrived at the clearing.

Luca was already there.

"You're late."

Ayla looked around.

"I got here before you."

"Details."

She rolled her eyes.

"You make less sense every day."

"And yet you keep showing up."

Unfortunately, he had a point.

Ayla hated that.

The training began shortly afterward.

Wooden staffs collided.

Footsteps kicked up dirt.

The familiar rhythm settled between them.

Unlike when she first arrived in Black Hollow, Ayla no longer struggled to keep up.

Luca noticed it too.

"Your footwork improved."

Ayla smirked.

"Are you admitting I'm getting better?"

"No."

"You literally just did."

"I said your footwork improved."

"That's the same thing."

"It isn't."

Ayla laughed.

The sound surprised both of them.

Before Luca could make a comment about it—as he always did—another voice interrupted.

"That was a good strike!"

Ayla turned.

A group of villagers had gathered nearby.

Mostly children.

A few adults.

They watched the training with obvious interest.

One of the boys pointed excitedly.

"Do that move again!"

Luca groaned.

"Why do they never cheer for me?"

"Because you're old."

"I'm twenty-four."

"Ancient."

The children burst into laughter.

Luca looked personally offended.

Ayla found herself smiling.

Again.

Recently that seemed to happen more often.

The villagers continued watching.

One older man nodded approvingly.

"You're improving quickly, Ayla."

Another agreed.

"Moonveil was right to support you."

Ayla felt slightly embarrassed.

She wasn't used to compliments.

Especially not from so many people.

One woman smiled warmly.

"You've become part of Black Hollow."

The words caught her off guard.

Part of Black Hollow.

For a moment, she didn't know what to say.

Then she quietly replied,

"Thank you."

The woman smiled.

And somehow that simple exchange warmed Ayla's chest.

Then everything changed.

"Of course they love her."

The voice cut through the clearing.

Cold.

Sharp.

Unpleasant.

Everyone turned.

Kyla stood near the edge of the training ground.

Arms crossed.

Expression unreadable.

The laughter immediately died.

Ayla's smile disappeared.

Luca sighed.

Already knowing where this was headed.

"Kyla."

She ignored him.

Her eyes remained fixed on Ayla.

"Everywhere I go lately, people only talk about one person."

Ayla immediately felt uncomfortable.

"Kyla—"

"No."

This time the woman looked at Luca.

"You stay out of it."

Luca's jaw tightened.

Ayla noticed.

So did Kyla.

And that only seemed to make things worse.

The villagers exchanged nervous glances.

Several quietly stepped back.

Nobody wanted to be caught in the middle of an argument.

Unfortunately, it was already happening.

Kyla laughed bitterly.

"Moonveil praises her."

No one spoke.

"The council accepts her."

Still silence.

"The villagers adore her."

Ayla frowned.

"What's your point?"

Kyla's eyes flashed.

"My point?"

She took a step forward.

"My point is that you've been here for a few months and suddenly everyone acts like you're some kind of hero."

Ayla stiffened.

"I never asked for that."

"No?"

Kyla raised an eyebrow.

"Could've fooled me."

Luca immediately stepped forward.

"That's enough."

Kyla turned toward him.

"Why?"

Her voice cracked slightly.

And suddenly Ayla realized something.

This wasn't really about her.

Not completely.

This had been building for a long time.

Kyla looked hurt.

Not angry.

Hurt.

"You spend every day with her."

Luca blinked.

"Kyla—"

"You train together."

Her voice trembled.

"You disappear together."

"Kyla."

"You defend her every time."

The clearing fell silent.

Ayla suddenly wished she were anywhere else.

The villagers looked equally uncomfortable.

This was no longer about training.

Or Moonveil.

Or even Ayla.

This was personal.

Very personal.

Luca ran a hand through his hair.

"You're making this into something it isn't."

Kyla laughed.

A broken sound.

"Am I?"

Nobody answered.

For a moment, genuine sadness appeared in her eyes.

Then it vanished behind anger.

She looked at Ayla again.

"And you."

Ayla frowned.

"What about me?"

"You act like you don't notice."

"I don't."

"That's a lie."

Ayla felt her temper rising.

She had spent months avoiding conflict with Kyla.

Months.

She never encouraged Luca.

Never crossed boundaries.

Never gave anyone a reason to gossip.

Yet somehow she was still the problem.

"I'm not responsible for your insecurities."

The moment the words left her mouth, Ayla regretted them.

The clearing went completely silent.

Kyla froze.

The hurt in her eyes deepened.

Then anger replaced it.

Pure anger.

Before anyone could react, she stepped forward and grabbed Ayla's arm.

"Take that back."

Ayla immediately pulled free.

"Let go."

"Take it back."

"No."

The tension exploded.

Both women stared at each other.

Neither willing to back down.

For one dangerous second, it looked like a fight might actually happen.

Then Luca stepped between them.

"Enough!"

His voice echoed through the clearing.

The authority in it startled everyone.

Even Kyla.

Even Ayla.

For several moments, nobody moved.

Luca looked furious.

Not at one person.

At both of them.

"This ends now."

Kyla looked away first.

Ayla followed a second later.

The fight was over.

But the damage remained.

Kyla took a step back.

Then another.

Before leaving, she stopped.

Her gaze landed on Ayla one final time.

And when she spoke, her voice was quieter.

Colder.

More dangerous than before.

"Everyone here trusts you now."

Ayla said nothing.

Kyla continued.

"But don't forget something."

The entire clearing seemed to hold its breath.

"You brought Shadow Fang's attention to Black Hollow."

The words struck harder than any weapon.

Kyla turned and walked away.

Leaving silence behind her.

Ayla stood motionless.

Because as much as she hated hearing it...

A small part of her wondered if Kyla was right.

And that thought followed her long after the clearing emptied.