In Between Two Alphas: Love for War

CHAPTER THREE

“You may have convinced Caius, but don’t think for a second that I’m fooled,” the woman said, her voice a deadly whisper. “I’ll find out who you really are.”

Lila held her breath as the woman turned and walked out, leaving a tense silence behind. She knew she couldn’t keep her identity a secret for long. Not here.

But what choice did she have?

As Caius closed the door behind them, Lila’s thoughts raced. She was safe for now, but how long before the truth about who she really was came to light? And when it did, what would the Bloodfang Pack do to her?

The last thing she wanted was to bring more danger into her life. But it seemed like the threat was only just beginning.

---

Lila—or *Raven*, as she now had to call herself—paced the small room, her mind racing. The woman’s words echoed in her head. She had known that keeping her past a secret wouldn’t be easy, but she hadn’t expected suspicion to fall on her so soon. Every minute she spent here felt like walking a thin line between survival and disaster.

*Who was that woman?* Lila wondered, recalling the cold, piercing gaze that had locked onto her like a predator sizing up its prey. She wasn’t sure how long she could keep this act up, especially when she barely had the strength to stand, let alone face anyone in the Bloodfang Pack.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Caius walked in. He was holding a bundle of fresh clothes and some herbal ointments.

“You’re lucky to be alive, you know,” he said, setting the items down on the table beside her. “Alpha Lucian isn’t exactly welcoming to outsiders.”

“Who was she?” Lila asked, unable to keep the edge out of her voice. “The woman who came in here?”

Caius raised an eyebrow. “That was Anna. She’s one of our best warriors and... let’s just say she’s the Alpha’s closest advisor.”

*So she’s close to Lucian,* Lila thought, a knot tightening in her chest. It would be even harder to slip through the cracks if she was under constant scrutiny from someone so close to the pack’s leader.

Caius must have sensed her unease because his gaze softened. “Don’t worry about Anna. She’s protective of the pack, but once Lucian meets you and hears how you ended up here, things will calm down.”

“Meet the Alpha?” Lila repeated, her heart pounding. She had heard of Alpha Lucian’s reputation—cold, ruthless, and unyielding in his leadership. He ruled with strength and intimidation, and his pack followed him without question. If he didn’t trust her, it could mean her death.

Caius nodded. “He’ll want to meet you soon. For now, rest. I’ll speak to him and try to buy you some time.”

Lila sat down on the edge of the bed, her mind racing. She knew she couldn’t avoid meeting Lucian forever. And when the time came, she’d have to be ready—ready to lie, ready to survive. But as she glanced at the door Caius had just left through, a flicker of doubt crept in. What if Lucian didn’t believe her? What if he saw through her new identity?

She clenched her fists, steeling herself. *I won’t let them destroy me again.* She had been left for dead once—betrayed by her best friend and her mate. She wouldn’t let anyone here take her down. Not now, not after surviving this long.

---

Later that night, after Caius had left her alone for hours, Lila decided she couldn’t wait any longer. Sitting around, waiting for the Alpha to summon her, wasn’t an option. She needed to act, to figure out what kind of pack she was dealing with.

The Bloodfang Pack's territory was unfamiliar, but she had to learn how to navigate it if she was going to stay. Wrapping herself in the fresh clothes Caius had brought, Lila took a deep breath and slipped out of the room.

The corridors were dimly lit, the faint glow of moonlight filtering through cracks in the wooden walls. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, and somewhere in the distance, she could hear the low growl of wolves.

*Stay calm, act natural,* she reminded herself, creeping down the hallway. She wasn’t sure where she was headed, but anything was better than sitting and waiting for her fate to be decided by someone else.

She turned a corner, trying to keep her footsteps light, when she suddenly collided with a tall figure. Her heart leapt into her throat as she looked up, her breath catching in her chest.

Standing before her was a man unlike any she had ever seen. His presence radiated raw power and authority. His sharp jawline, piercing green eyes, and the unmistakable aura of dominance around him told her instantly who this was.

Alpha Lucian.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” Lucian said, his voice a low growl, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

Lila’s mind raced for an excuse, but words failed her. Standing before the Alpha, she felt small, vulnerable. The energy around him was suffocating, almost crushing her under its weight.

“I... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound convincing. “I didn’t mean to—”

“Air?” Lucian’s voice was cold, but there was an edge of curiosity in his tone. His gaze bore into her, and for a moment, Lila felt like he could see right through her lies, right into the dark corners of her soul.

He stepped closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. Lila held her breath, trying not to flinch under the weight of his presence.

“What’s your name again?” Lucian asked, his tone deceptively calm.

“Raven,” she replied quickly, the name slipping out before she could hesitate. Her new identity felt fragile, like a thin veil barely masking the truth beneath.

“Understood,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Lucian leaned in slightly, his face mere inches from hers. His eyes were cold but calculating, as though he were weighing her every word, every movement.

“I’ll be watching you,” he said softly, his voice laced with an unmistakable warning.

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Lila standing in the shadows, her heart still racing in her chest.

---

As she made her way back to her room, her mind raced with thoughts of the encounter. Lucian was far more intimidating than she had expected, but there was something else, too. She hadn’t missed the flash of curiosity in his eyes—the way he had studied her, almost as if trying to place her.

*Did he suspect something?* Lila wasn’t sure, but one thing was clear: she couldn’t afford to make any mistakes.

When she finally reached her room, she sank onto the bed, her body trembling from the tension.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, sharp and deliberate. Lila froze. She wasn’t expecting anyone.