CLAIMED BY THE ENEMY

Chapter 4: "Betrayal Unveiled"

The war room was heavy with tension. The scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, mixing with the sharp tang of blood and sweat from the soldiers stationed nearby. Ryker stood by the grand table at the center of the room, his eyes sharp as he scanned the map laid out before him. His Beta, Axel, paced back and forth beside him, a dark frown etched across his face.

I sat at the far end, watching both men closely, feeling the weight of the bond between Ryker and me. It had been growing more unbearable with every passing day. The pull between us, the pressure, the responsibility—it was overwhelming. I could feel Ryker’s anger simmering beneath the surface, and Axel's tension was impossible to ignore.

“What’s the status of the northern border?” Ryker’s voice broke through the silence, hard and direct.

Axel paused, looking down at the map before responding. “We’ve had increased movements from the hunter factions. They’re closing in on our territory faster than we anticipated.”

“And the rogue faction?” Ryker’s voice was colder now, his gaze flicking to me before returning to Axel.

Axel shifted his weight. “They’re quiet. Too quiet, if you ask me. We’re not out of the woods yet.”

Ryker’s jaw tightened. “I’ll handle the rebellion. We need to focus on the hunters and this damned prophecy.”

I bit my lip, holding back a sharp retort. The prophecy. It had been a constant whisper, growing louder with every twist of fate that dragged me deeper into this mess.

“You’re not listening to me, Ryker.” Axel’s voice cut through the air, low and sharp. “You’re too distracted by her.” He gestured to me with a flick of his hand, the contempt barely hidden in his tone.

My heart clenched, but I forced my expression to remain neutral.

Ryker’s gaze snapped to Axel, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Axel’s mouth twisted into a sneer. “It means she’s a liability. She’s a hunter, Ryker. You’re putting your entire pack at risk by keeping her here.”

I could feel the burn of Axel’s words, the sting of truth mixed with venom. My loyalty to the hunters had been my life—until it wasn’t.

Ryker’s voice dropped to a growl. “You know nothing about her, Axel. She’s not just some hunter anymore.”

Axel’s eyes darkened, his lips curling into a mocking smile. “Right. She’s your fated mate, isn’t she? Tell me, Ryker, how much do you really know about her? Or are you too blinded by the bond to see the truth?”

I rose to my feet, my fists clenched at my sides. “Enough, Axel.” My voice was sharper than I intended, but I couldn’t hold back. “If you have something to say, say it. But don’t pretend to care about anything other than your own power.”

Axel’s smile faltered, replaced by a look of pure malice. “Care about power?” He laughed bitterly. “You think I care about power? I care about survival. And the truth is, we can’t survive with her here.”

“Enough!” Ryker snapped, his tone sending a chill through the room. He stepped toward Axel, his fists tightening at his sides. “You will show respect when you speak of my mate, Axel. I won’t tolerate this.”

Axel’s eyes darkened, his gaze shifting between Ryker and me. I felt a flicker of unease, but I didn’t know why. Something was off. The air was thick with tension, and for the first time, I realized how thin the threads of loyalty were between us.

Axel took a step back, his posture rigid. “You’re a fool, Ryker. She’s a weapon, not a mate.” He turned away, his voice lower now, but still venomous. “And one day, you’ll realize that. When it’s too late.”

Before I could respond, the room was filled with a sudden, deafening crash. The walls shook, and the lights flickered out, plunging us into darkness. I heard the sound of heavy footsteps pounding across the floor, the clatter of weapons being drawn, and Ryker’s sharp orders.

“Stay close,” Ryker’s voice was low, his tone urgent. He reached for me, his hand brushing against mine, and the bond flared painfully between us. My heart raced, but I had no time to focus on the sensation. I had to focus on what was happening.

Axel’s voice rang out in the chaos. “Get to the door! Move!”

The room erupted into chaos. Screams. Shouts. The sound of metal clashing against metal. And then, a voice—Axel’s voice—came from the shadows.

“You should have chosen me, Nina.” His words were low, filled with venom. “But you chose him. Now you’ll pay the price.”

I spun around, my heart hammering in my chest. “What are you talking about?”

Axel’s grin was wicked, and for the first time, I saw something terrifying in his eyes. “I’ve been working with the rebellion all along, Nina. You didn’t think I would let this go, did you?”

I froze, the weight of his words crashing down on me. Betrayal. Axel had been feeding information to the rebellion, working with them to tear Ryker’s pack apart. My mind raced, trying to process what he was saying.

“You—” I took a step back, my chest tightening. “You were behind all of it. The attacks on the pack. The ambushes. You—”

Axel stepped closer, his hand reaching for his weapon. “I’m not going to kill you, Nina. Not yet. But I will make you choose. Stay with Ryker, and you die with him. Or leave, and you live. The choice is yours.”

I could barely breathe, the decision weighing on me like a lead anchor pulling me down. I glanced at Ryker, whose eyes were dark with fury and regret, but his hands were tied. He couldn’t act without putting me in danger. The bond between us pulsed painfully, like a warning.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could make a sound, the room was rocked by another explosion. This one felt more intense, more violent. The walls trembled, and I was thrown back against the floor, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs.

I heard Ryker yell my name, his voice distant, but the sound was swallowed by the chaos around us. I scrambled to my feet, my heart racing, but I couldn’t see him through the smoke and debris.

Axel’s voice rang through the haze. “You have to choose, Nina. Now.”

The ground beneath me shook again, and I stumbled, barely catching myself. I was surrounded by confusion, by enemies hidden in the shadows, and Axel was closing in, a smug grin on his face. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t move fast enough.

I had no choice but to act.

Suddenly, I heard Ryker’s voice, raw and desperate. “Nina!”

I spun toward him, but the room was too thick with smoke. I couldn’t see him. I couldn’t—

A hand grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the door.

“No!” I gasped, struggling against the grip, but it was too strong. “Ryker!”

“Choose,” Axel’s voice echoed in the distance, as I was dragged away. “Choose, or you’ll lose him forever.”

And then—”