DARK OBSESSION WITH THE ALPHA KING.

Chapter four

Alex's strides were long, his anger a palpable force as he stalked towards the pack's meeting grounds. Cia and Maya kept pace, the tension building with every step.

Roxi stood tall, her eyes flashing gold as she faced Alex. Her supporters flanked her, their postures aggressive.

'You think you're worthy, Alex?' Roxi sneered. 'Leading with her?'

Alex's smile was cold. 'I'll show you worthy.'

The pack circled, a living, breathing entity. Alex and Roxi faced off, the air thick with challenge.

Maya's voice cut through. 'Fight decides. Winner leads.'

Cia's heart pounded. This was madness.

[5/1, 6:34 PM] Business assistant: Roxi lunged, her claws out, but Alex was faster. He dodged, his own claws raking her shoulder. The pack growled, sensing blood.

Cia's eyes locked onto Alex's, a silent plea for him to stop. But he was alpha, driven by instinct.

The fight raged, a whirlwind of fur and fury. Roxi landed a blow, Alex stumbled, but he came back swinging. His jaws closed around her throat, a clear submission.

The pack howled, acknowledging Alex's dominance. Roxi lay still, defeated.

Alex shifted back, his chest heaving. 'Any other challenges?' he growled .

Roxi lunged, her claws out, but Alex was faster. He dodged, his own claws raking her shoulder. The pack growled, sensing blood.

Cia's eyes locked onto Alex's, a silent plea for him to stop. But he was alpha, driven by instinct.

The fight raged, a whirlwind of fur and fury. Roxi landed a blow, Alex stumbled, but he came back swinging.

His jaws closed around Roxi's throat, pinning her. The pack went silent.

'I lead,' Alex growled, his eyes wolf-green.

Roxi submitted, her anger smoldering. Cia rushed to Alex, checking his wounds.

Alex's chest heaved as Cia's hands probed his wounds, her touch sending sparks through his exhausted frame. He locked eyes with her, a silent understanding passing between them.

Maya approached, her expression unreadable. 'The pack's restless, Alex. We need to address Roxi's fate.'

Roxi glared up at him, her submission grudging. 'You won't kill me,' she spat. 'Pack law.'

Alex's smile was cold. 'Pack law says I don't have to.'

The pack's silence was oppressive, all eyes on Alex as he considered Roxi's fate. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and deadly.

'Exile. You have a week to leave pack lands.'

Roxi's face twisted, but she nodded, knowing she'd pushed her luck too far. Cia's grip on Alex's arm tightened, a mix of relief and worry on her face.

Maya stepped forward, her voice crisp. 'Adrien's back from scouting. He's waiting.'

Alex's eyes narrowed, a thread of tension in his voice. 'What did he find?'

Maya's expression turned serious, a flicker of concern crossing her face. 'He didn't say, but he's been acting weird since he got back. Kept talking about "the debt" and "it coming due".'

Cia's eyes met Alex's, a shared unease passing between them. 'You think it ties to Roxi's challenge?' she asked, her voice low.

Alex's jaw clenched. 'Adrien's got old ties. If he's worried, it's bad.'

The air thickened with tension. Suddenly, Adrien stepped into view, his eyes locked on Cia.

Adrien's gaze lingered on Cia before flicking to Alex, a hint of apology in his eyes. 'Got a problem,' he said, his voice low. 'Roxi wasn't acting alone. Someone's pulling strings.'

Alex's eyes narrowed. 'Who?'

Adrien hesitated, glancing at Cia again. 'The Rogues. They're sniffing around, asking about her.'

Cia's breath caught. 'The ones who...'

Adrien nodded grimly. 'The ones who killed your parents.'

The air turned heavy, Cia's past crashing back. Alex's expression turned murderous, his voice a growl.

'They want war, they got it.'

Adrien handed Alex a piece of worn leather, etched with a symbol. 'Found this near the border. It's their mark.'

Cia's eyes widened, her voice barely audible. 'The Crescent Fang...'

Maya's sharp intake of breath cut through. 'That's a declaration. They're hunting.'

The pack tensed, instincts screaming. Cia's fate tangled with Alex's, danger closing in.

Alex's grip on the leather tightened, his eyes blazing gold. 'They want a hunt? We'll give them one.'

Cia's determination flared, her fear suppressed. 'I'm in.'

Maya intervened, her voice firm. 'Alex, she's not pack. It's not her fight.'

Alex's gaze swung to Cia, a silent question. Cia's jaw set. 'I have a debt to settle.'

Adrien stepped closer, his voice low. 'You're not going in alone, Cia. I'll watch your back.'

The Crescent Fang's symbol seemed to burn in Alex's hand, a promise of bloodshed. 'Gather the pack,' he growled.

The pack mobilized swiftly, a blur of fur and motion as they geared up for battle. Cia stood at Alex's side, her determination wiping out fear.

Maya handed her a sleek dagger. 'You might need this.'

Cia's fingers closed around the hilt, a spark of resolve igniting. 'I'm ready.'

Adrien appeared beside her, his eyes intense. 'Stick close.'

The pack moved as one, a deadly wave rolling toward the Rogues' last known location. Alex led, Cia and Adrien flanking him.

As they closed in, the air reeked of decay and blood. A clearing opened, and Cia's gut twisted. Her parents' killers waited.

The Rogues stood frozen, their leader, a towering figure with cold eyes, stepping forward. 'Cia,' he sneered, his gaze raking her. 'The Crescent Fang's been waiting.'

Cia's grip on the dagger tightened, her voice steady. 'You killed them.'

The leader, Vorek, smiled, his canines sharp. 'We did. And now we'll finish the job.'

Alex's growl rumbled, a warning. Vorek's eyes flicked to him, a challenge sparking.

'You think you can protect her, Alpha?' Vorek laughed. 'We'll take you down, take the pack, and take Cia.'

The air charged, pack and Rogues poised to explode. Cia's heart pounded, her focus narrowing.

Vorek lunged, his claws swiping at Cia. Alex intercepted, their clash echoing through the clearing. The pack and Rogues surged, a whirlwind of fur and fury.

Cia dodged a blow, her dagger flashing. Adrien fought beside her, his movements precise. Maya took down a Rogue, her teeth ripping.

Vorek pinned Alex, his jaws closing in. Cia screamed, her power surging. A wild howl broke free, and Alex's form blurred.

He broke free, his jaws crushing Vorek's throat. The Rogues faltered, then fled. The pack stilled, panting.

Cia rushed Alex, checking his wounds. He pulled her close, his eyes wolf-green.

Alex's arms wrapped tight around Cia, his warmth chasing away the chill of battle. The pack began to shift, exhausted, some wounded.

Maya approached, her eyes scanning the group. 'We need to move. More Rogues might come.'

Adrien nodded, supporting a wounded packmate. 'Got a safehouse nearby.'

Cia pulled back, her gaze locked on Alex's. 'What about Vorek's pack?'

Alex's jaw set. 'They won't trouble us again.'

The pack limped toward safety, the adrenaline crash hitting hard. Cia stayed glued to Alex's side, her emotions raw.

As they reached the safehouse, Adrien's expression turned grim. 'We got a problem.'

Alex's eyes narrowed. 'What?'

Adrien hesitated, glancing at Cia. 'Vorek wasn't the only one who knew about Cia.'

Cia's heart skipped. 'What do you mean?'

Alex's face hardened. 'Someone on the inside told them.'

Maya's eyes widened. 'A traitor?'

Adrien nodded, his voice low. 'Has to be. And they're still here.'

The revelation hung heavy, the pack exchanging wary glances. Cia's mind spun – who could betray them?

Alex's voice cut through the tension. 'We need to lock this down. Maya, get the pack secured. Adrien, with me.'

Cia stepped forward. 'I'm in.'

Alex's gaze locked on hers, a silent warning. 'You stay close.'

The search began, the safehouse's shadows hiding secrets. Adrien checked rooms, his movements silent. Alex pulled Cia into a tense hallway.

'Stay behind me,' he growled, his eyes wolf-green.

A creak echoed. Alex pushed Cia against the wall, his body shielding. A figure emerged – Roxi.

Roxi's eyes locked on Cia, a mix of defiance and desperation in her gaze. 'I didn't mean to,' she whispered, her voice barely audible. 'I didn't know they'd go after you.'

Alex's posture tensed, his voice a growl. 'You worked with the Rogues.'

Roxi's nod was tiny. 'I needed allies to take you down. They said they'd help. I didn't know...'

Cia's anger flared, her voice cold. 'You almost got us killed.'

Roxi's gaze dropped, her shoulders sloping. 'I know. I'm sorry.'

Adrien appeared, his expression unreadable. 'We got a problem. The Rogues didn't act alone. There's another player.'

Alex's eyes narrowed. 'Who?'

Roxi's eyes widened, her gaze darting between them. 'I... I heard them mention a name. Kael.'

The name dropped like a stone, the group's tension palpable. Cia's brow furrowed. 'Kael? Who's that?'

Adrien's expression turned grim. 'Kael's a ghost. Rumors say he's been manipulating the Rogues for years, using them to stir chaos.'

Maya appeared, her voice tight. 'He's real. And if he's involved, this goes deeper than revenge.'

Alex's jaw set. 'Time to dig up the past. Cia, you okay?'

Cia nodded, her mind racing.

Alex led Cia to a secluded corner, his eyes intense. 'Kael's connected to your parents. You need to tell me everything you know.'

Cia's thoughts swirled, memories flooding back. 'My parents... they were researching something big. They kept it secret, but...'

Adrien cut in, his voice low. 'The Crescent Fang symbol. It's linked to an old prophecy, one about a power that could tip the balance.'

Maya's eyes widened. 'The Rogues think Cia's the key.'

The pieces clicked. Cia's voice shook. 'Kael wants the power.'

Alex's grip on her hand tightened. 'We'll stop him .'

The air thickened with resolve. Alex's phone buzzed – an alert from the pack's tech expert. 'Got something,' he said, eyes on the screen.

Adrien leaned in. 'What is it?'

'A message. Kael wants a meet. Alone.' Alex's gaze locked on Cia. 'Says he'll trade info on your parents for you.'

Cia's pulse spiked. 'It's a trap.'

Alex's smile was cold. 'Perfect. We'll spring it.'

Maya stepped forward. 'I'll scout the meet. Adrien, watch Cia.'

The pack mobilized, their plan forming. Cia felt the weight of her past, and her future, hanging in the balance.

The anticipation was killing her. 'Make sure you guys are ready,' Cia said, her voice firm.

Alex's eyes crinkled at the corners. 'Don't worry, we've got this.'

Cia's phone buzzed – Alex's message. 'In position.'

She took a breath, slipping into the night. The meet was a go.

Kael waited, his smile unnerving. 'Cia. Alone, as promised.'

Cia's dagger was hidden, her voice steady. 'Where's the info?'

Kael chuckled, handing her a folder. 'Your parents' research. They were close.'

Cia opened it, her heart racing. Notes, maps... a symbol matched the one she'd seen.

Alex burst in, pack at his heels. 'Cia, now!'

Kael's eyes flashed. 'Too late.'

The room exploded in chaos – Rogues, gunfire, Adrien's shouts. Cia sprinted, Alex covering her back.

Out the door, they tore through the night. 'Trap!' Maya yelled.

A bullet whipped past Cia's ear. Alex yanked her down, his body shielding. 'Stay down!'

Silence fell, heavy. Alex's eyes blazed. 'Get her out. Now .'

Adrien hauled Cia up, they sprinted through alleys, the pack's howls fading. They hit a safehouse, slamming the door shut.

Maya checked wounds, her hands swift. 'We need to move. Kael's got resources.'

Alex's face was granite. 'He wants Cia. We'll use that.'

Cia's breath caught. 'You mean...'

Alex's eyes locked on hers. 'We'll draw him out. End this.'

Adrien nodded, a plan forming. 'I'll spread this information. Make him think Cia's hiding with the Elders.'

Maya's smile was wicked. 'I'll make sure it sticks.'

The pack mobilized, a storm brewing. Cia felt the shift – from hunted to hunter.

The plan was set, the pack's tension palpable as they prepared for battle. Cia's determination fueled her, her focus on Kael.

Alex's voice was low, his eyes wolf-green. 'You stay with Adrien.'

Cia's jaw set. 'I'm fighting.'

Adrien handed her a gun, his gaze serious. 'You've got one shot. Make it count.'

The pack moved, a wave of fury. Kael's trap was ready – Rogues, guns, the works.

As they clashed, Cia's world narrowed. A muzzle flashed, Alex spun her away. 'Get down!'

Adrien's shout, Maya's growl. Cia's heart pounded, her finger on the trigger.

A figure loomed – Kael. 'You should've stayed hidden .'