Lena's Choice: Caught Between Two Alphas

Chapter 2: Caught Between Worlds

Lena's heart pounded as she raced through the dark wooded area. Branches whipped her face, however she did not slow down. Damien was in trouble. She had to assist him.

Behind her, she heard Marcus calling her name. She disregarded him, pushing herself faster.

Suddenly, she burst into a clearing. The scene earlier made her gasp.

Damien stood inside the center, surrounded by snarling wolves. His clothes have been torn, blood dripping from a gash on his arm. But his eyes... His eyes blazed with a fierce dedication that took Lena's breath away.

Without questioning, Lena rushed forward. "Stop!" she cried out.

Everyone froze. Damien's eyes widened as he saw her. "Lena? What are you doing right here?"

Before she may want to solve it, Marcus seemed at the edge of the clearing. His face turned into a mixture of anger and subject. "Lena, get lower back. It's no longer safe."

Lena stood her ground. "I won't permit each person to get hurt. There must be another way."

As she spoke, an abnormal feeling washed over her. It turned into a warm glow, spreading from her heart to her fingertips. The wolves around Damien whined, backing away.

Damien stared at her in awe. "How did you try this?"

Lena shook her head, stressed. "I... I don't know."

Marcus improved, his face severe. "It's beginning," he murmured.

"What's beginning?" Lena asked, unexpectedly afraid.

But earlier than Marcus may want to answer, a pointy pain shot through Lena's head. She cried out, stumbling.

Damien moved to trap her, however, Marcus got there first. As Marcus's arms wrapped around her, Lena felt that peculiar energy once more. But this time, it was harmful.

Through the haze of pain, Lena saw Damien pull away. The sight of him leaving made her heart pain. "Wait," she said.

Damien paused, searching again at her. His dark eyes have been packed with an emotion Lena couldn't name. Then, without a word, he disappeared into the wooded area.

As the ache subsided, Lena found out she'd made a terrible mistake. But which choice is wrong? Staying with Marcus? Or letting Damien move?

Days surpassed in a blur. Lena felt trapped in Marcus's cabin, torn between her promise to him and her inexplicable feelings for Damien.

She sat by the window, looking at the wooded area. Hoping for a glimpse of darkish eyes and huge shoulders.

Marcus entered the room, his face grim. "The Elders are right here," he stated. "They need to peer at us."

Lena's stomach churned with anxiousness as she accompanied Marcus to the principal corridor. Five old wolves sat in a semicircle, their eyes sharp as they watched her technique.

The oldest, a white-haired woman, spoke first. "Marcus, the time for preparation is over. You must produce an heir. Now."

Marcus nodded solemnly. "I apprehend, Elder Sarah. Lena and I-"

"No," Elder Sarah interrupted. "Not Lena."

Lena's head snapped up. "What?"

Elder Sarah's eyes narrowed. "Your fragrance has been modified, child. You are not suitable to bear the future Alpha."

Lena felt her cheeks burn with shame and confusion. Her scent had changed. How? Why?

Marcus advanced, his voice tight. "With all due recognition, Elders, I made a promise to Lena. I intend to preserve it."

Another Elder, a gruff-looking man, growled. "The pack.'s future is more essential than your promises, Marcus."

As the argument heated up, Lena felt beaten. She subsidized away, needing air.

Outside, she ran into someone solid. Looking up, she discovered herself staring into Damien's dark eyes.

"Damien," she breathed. "What are you doing right here?"

His hand reached up, nearly touching her cheek earlier than losing away. "I had to see you," he stated softly. "Lena, there is something you want to understand."

But before he could preserve, Marcus's voice boomed from inside. "Where is she?"

Damien's eyes hardened. He stepped back, melting into the shadows just as Marcus burst out of the doors.

"Lena," Marcus stated, remedy clean in his voice. "Are you okay? I changed into worry while you disappeared."

Lena nodded, not able to talk. Her mind became reeling. What had Damien desired to tell her?

Marcus took her hand gently. "Come on. We need to talk."

As she observed him back inside, Lena could not shake the feeling that the whole lot turned into approximately to exchange.

Lena sat across from Marcus, her fingers clutching a heated mug of tea. The Elders had left, however their phrases hung heavy in the air.

Marcus sighed, strolling a hand through his hair. "Lena, I'm sorry about what happened. The Elders... They don't recognize me."

Lena looked up at him. "Understand what, Marcus? What's sincerely happening?"

For a second, Marcus looked torn. Then he leaned forward, his blue eyes excessive. "There's a prophecy, Lena. About a lady who might come to us in our time of need. A lady who could bridge two packs and produce peace."

Lena's breath caught. "And you watched... That is me?"

Marcus nodded. "I do. That's why I agreed to help you. Why did I offer to make you my mate."

Lena's thoughts raced. A prophecy? Her? It seemed not possible.

Suddenly, a howl cut up the air. Marcus tensed, transferring to the window.

"It's Damien," he growled. "He's challenging me."

Without questioning, Lena jumped to her feet. "No! You cannot combat him."

Marcus turned to her, his eyes narrowing. "Why do you care so much about Damien?"

Lena opened her mouth, then closed it. She didn't have an answer. At least, not one she was equipped to confess.

Marcus's face softened. He stepped closer, his hand attaining out to touch her cheek. "Lena, I know that is all overwhelming. But I care about you. I need to defend you."

As his fingers brushed her pores and skin, Lena felt that now-familiar jolt. But this time, instead of ache, she felt... Warm temperature. Safety.

She appeared up into Marcus's blue eyes, seeing the kindness there. Maybe this will become right. Maybe this became where she belonged.

Lena leaned in, her eyes fluttering closed.

But just before their lips met, any other howl echoed through the nighttime. Damien's howl.

Lena's eyes snapped open. She stumbled back, her heart racing.

"I... I'm sorry," she stammered. "I can not try this."

Ignoring Marcus's calls, Lena ran out of the cabin. She failed to understand where she was going. She just knew she had to get away.

As she ran, tears streamed down her face. Why did she experience this pull in the direction of Damien? Why could not she simply be happy with Marcus?

Suddenly, she burst into a small clearing. And there, status within the moonlight was Damien.

He grew to become, his dark eyes widening as he saw her. "Lena?"

Lena's breath caught in her throat. Without thinking, she rushed forward, throwing herself into his palms.

Damien caught her, retaining her near. His warmth enveloped her, chasing away the relaxation of the night.

"Damien," Lena whispered, looking up at him. "I do not apprehend what is taking place to me."

Damien's hand got up to cup her cheek. His touch despatched shivers down her spine.

"I suppose I do," he stated softly. Then, slowly, he leaned down.

As their lips met, Lena felt like her international life exploded. Everything fell into the vicinity. This was proper. This became where she belonged.

But as they broke aside, the truth got here crashing back. Marcus. The prophecy. The packs.

What had she accomplished? And what is she going to do now?