Episode 8_Jelousy and Obsession
995 Words
For the first time in years, Lila woke up without thinking about Alpha Kael.
The realization surprised her.
For so long, her days had revolved around him.
What he thought.
What he wanted.
Whether he would look at her.
Whether he would speak to her.
Now, when she opened her eyes, someone else occupied her thoughts.
Morris.
The memory of his silver eyes instantly made her chest warm.
Lila groaned softly and buried her face in her pillow.
"This is ridiculous."
Her wolf immediately responded.
"Mate."
Lila sat upright.
"Stop saying that."
"Mate."
Her wolf sounded very pleased with itself.
Lila rolled her eyes.
This was going to be a problem.
---
Across the territory, Morris stood inside the royal guest wing.
He had been trying to focus on important matters all morning.
Reports.
Territorial disputes.
Security concerns.
None of it worked.
His thoughts kept returning to Lila.
The little girl who used to run beside rivers and collect flowers.
The young woman who spent years suffering because of a lie.
The mate he had searched for across kingdoms.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Enter."
Beta Rowan stepped inside.
"Your Majesty, the council is waiting."
Morris sighed.
"They can wait another five minutes."
Rowan stared.
The Alpha King never delayed meetings.
Ever.
Then realization dawned.
"Oh."
Morris narrowed his eyes.
"Oh what?"
"Nothing."
The Beta looked entirely too amused.
Morris threw a document at him.
Rowan dodged it easily.
"Definitely your mate."
---
Meanwhile, trouble was already finding Lila.
She was gathering herbs near the forest edge when several female wolves blocked her path.
Lila recognized them immediately.
They had always followed Kael around.
Especially Selena.
The daughter of a powerful elder.
Selena crossed her arms.
"So it's true."
Lila frowned.
"What is?"
"You've been spending time with the Alpha King."
Lila instantly understood.
Rumors.
Wonderful.
"It's none of your business."
Selena laughed.
"You think because Morris looks at you a few times, you've become important?"
Lila remained silent.
She had no interest in arguing.
Unfortunately, Selena wasn't finished.
"First Kael. Now Morris."
The insult was obvious.
"Maybe you enjoy chasing powerful men."
Lila's expression hardened.
A few months ago those words would have reduced her to tears.
Not anymore.
She stepped closer.
"Be careful."
Selena blinked.
"What?"
Lila met her gaze calmly.
"I spent years letting people disrespect me."
A faint silver glow flickered in her eyes.
"But those years are over."
The other wolves immediately stepped backward.
Instinct.
Fear.
Submission.
None of them understood why.
Neither did Lila.
But Selena definitely noticed.
And she hated it.
---
Later that afternoon, the entire pack gathered at the training grounds.
A ceremonial combat exhibition had been organized to welcome the Alpha King.
Warriors filled the arena.
Elders watched from elevated seats.
Excitement buzzed through the crowd.
Lila sat quietly near the back.
She had hoped nobody would notice her.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans.
The moment Morris entered the arena, his gaze immediately found her.
Out of hundreds of wolves.
His eyes found hers.
Every.
Single.
Time.
The crowd noticed.
Whispers immediately spread.
Lila wanted the ground to swallow her whole.
Then things became worse.
Much worse.
Morris smiled.
Not a royal smile.
Not a polite smile.
A real one.
Directed entirely at her.
The whispers doubled instantly.
Lila wanted to disappear.
---
From the opposite side of the arena, Kael saw everything.
Every glance.
Every smile.
Every look Morris gave her.
His patience finally snapped.
Before anyone could stop him, Kael stepped into the combat ring.
The crowd immediately fell silent.
A challenge.
Alpha challenges were serious.
Dangerous.
Kael's dark gaze locked onto Morris.
"Fight me."
The words shocked everyone.
Morris raised an eyebrow.
"For what reason?"
Kael's jaw tightened.
"Do you need one?"
Everyone knew this wasn't about combat.
This was personal.
Very personal.
Morris slowly stood.
His silver eyes were calm.
Too calm.
That only irritated Kael further.
The Alpha King entered the ring.
The atmosphere became electric.
Lila's heart dropped.
This was bad.
Very bad.
Kael and Morris stood facing each other.
Two of the most powerful wolves alive.
Neither looked willing to back down.
Then Kael spoke quietly enough that only Morris could hear.
"You stay away from her."
Silence.
Then Morris laughed.
Actually laughed.
Kael hated it immediately.
"You rejected her."
Morris's voice was calm.
"You humiliated her."
His eyes darkened.
"You don't get to make demands now."
Kael clenched his fists.
The truth hurt.
Because Morris was right.
The fight began seconds later.
The clash shook the arena.
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
Both Alphas moved with terrifying speed.
Power exploded with every strike.
Dust filled the air.
The ground cracked beneath their feet.
Neither gained an advantage.
Neither yielded.
But Lila noticed something important.
Morris wasn't fighting to win.
He was fighting to make a point.
And Kael understood it perfectly.
The fight ended only when the elders intervened.
Both men stepped apart.
The tension remained.
Unresolved.
Dangerous.
Personal.
---
That night, Lila stood alone near the river.
The cool breeze helped calm her thoughts.
At least, that was the plan.
Unfortunately, Morris appeared again.
As if fate enjoyed testing her patience.
He stopped beside her.
Neither spoke immediately.
The silence felt comfortable.
Then Morris finally broke it.
"You were worried."
Lila looked away.
"Of course I was."
His lips curved slightly.
"You care."
Heat rushed to her cheeks.
"Don't make assumptions."
Morris chuckled softly.
The sound made her heart betray her.
Again.
A few moments passed.
Then Morris became serious.
"Lila."
Something in his tone made her look at him.
His silver eyes held an emotion she couldn't ignore.
"I won't let anyone hurt you again."
The sincerity stole her breath.
No promises.
No games.
No conditions.
Just protection.
Just certainty.
Lila stared at him.
And for the first time...
She wanted to believe someone could actually keep that promise.
Far away, hidden among the trees—
Kael watched them together.
And jealousy consumed him whole.
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