CHAPTER 6: Forced Alliance
769 Words
The vicious pounding on the door was a lightning strike shattering the air. The life of the Pack violently intruded into the space between Alexander and Lyra, mere seconds before their lips could meet.
Lyra’s eyes snapped open. Fury, hatred, desire... all swirled into a hurricane in her mind. The pain on Alexander's face vanished instantly, replaced by the cold, chiseled Alpha mask. Lyra knew the cost of that control firsthand.
"I told you I would keep this Pack standing," Alexander hissed, his voice laced with rage; a rage not just because Lyra was spared his kiss. This rage was the fury of losing his ability to touch her.
Alexander released Lyra's jaw and wrenched the door open. Standing opposite him was a young Beta, stained with blood and frantic with panic.
"Alpha! The Eastern Tower of the Warding Wall is down! The Shadow Claws are breaching the Pack border. We must retreat!" the Beta gasped.
As Alexander’s eyes darkened, a chilling wave of triumph washed over Lyra. My vengeance is beginning.
"There will be no retreat," Alexander roared. His eyes found Lyra. Lyra was still standing in the powerful scent of Alexander that saturated the room, forcibly thrust into the role of his co-commander. "Bring the map. Now."
Five minutes later, Lyra stood directly beside Alexander, leaning over a dusty, leather map spread across the Head Beta's desk. The brutal reality of the war had made her a component of his revenge. Red arrows on the map indicated the Shadow Claws’ points of penetration. Lyra’s silver eyes focused on the critical points.
"The Eastern Tower's position is too vital for a retreat," Alexander stated, his thick finger pressing hard onto a spot on the map. "Why are they doing this now? They always pressed the western border before."
"Because they know you, Alexander," Lyra said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You’ve used the same tactics for seven years. The only thing they weren't expecting was a new power inside your Pack."
Alexander was so close to Lyra that she could hear his wolf snarling. "Whatever the source of that power, you will use it for me."
"For you?" Lyra scoffed. "Work for me, Alexander. I’m not commanding you; I’m just making you acknowledge that you need me to survive."
Alexander suddenly reached out and seized Lyra's arm with a crushing grip. Lyra's blood boiled, yet she didn't pull away. "Did you learn this much insolence in seven years, Lyra?"
"No. I found the strength to defy you when I learned to survive alone."
"Tell me how you control your Curse," Alexander hissed, his gaze snapping from the map to Lyra's eyes. They were so close Alexander's breath fanned over Lyra's lips. "If you withhold this from me, I will be forced to keep you locked in this room."
Lyra’s heart hammered against her ribs. Locked in? You and I, in this small room? Lyra remembered the Beta’s whisper: He slept alone for seven years. Lyra’s wall of hatred wavered. Was he forced to lie, or was it to protect me?
"You have your secrets, and I have mine," Lyra said, tilting her chin up. Alexander's powerful claw was cutting off circulation to her wrist. The silver tattoo on Lyra’s neck faintly glowed in response to her anger.
Then, Alexander’s expression shifted again. This time it wasn't shock; it was a sign of high alarm.
"Damn it!" Alexander stared at a point on the map, his hand dropping from Lyra's wrist. "The Shadow Claws' main target isn't this. This is a diversion!"
Alexander abruptly lunged for the door. Just as he was about to leave, he paused and turned to Lyra. Lyra was under the misapprehension that the door would be left ajar.
"You are not leaving this place," Alexander commanded, his voice sharp and absolute. "I order you to remain in the Head Beta's quarters until the battle is over. And if you open that door, I will punish you, Moon Whisper."
As Alexander slammed the door shut, Lyra considered the Beta's words from the infirmary: He slept alone for seven years. Alexander was protecting her here. But at the same time, he was protecting her from her own hate and desire. Lyra looked at the bed in the center of the room, saturated with Alexander's scent, and her revenge plot was shaken by an overwhelming urge rising from her heart.
I came to break you, Alpha. But what if you are already broken?
- Writer
