THE WHITE WOLF HE REJECTED

Chapter 2: Behind the Alpha

Lyra's POV

The moment I left the training grounds, I headed straight for the forest. The tree branches blocked out the afternoon sun until the light barely reached the forest floor. The air was calmer here, thick with the scent of moss and old bark. The way everywhere was quiet and calm, it steadied me. Most pack members avoided these woods, we were convinced that rogues lurked behind every tree, they were not entirely wrong but I knew these paths better than anyone, every root and every corner.

I knelt beside a fallen log and cleared a pile of leaves with my hands revealing a small leather pouch hidden beneath. My fingers had gone numb from the cold by the time I pried it free but the familiar weight of it in my palm was worth it. Inside the log were neatly folded maps, coded notes and charcoal sketches of the Alpha Regent territory, everything I'd gathered over the past six months piece by piece. I spread one of the maps across the ground.

“The supply caraven” I whispered tracing the route with my finger,

“If they're moving through Raven pass tomorrow night Kael's warriors can intercept them before sunrise”

I felt a twig snap behind me, I felt someone walking towards my direction, I reached for the small dagger hidden beneath my cloak before my mind even caught up to my hand.

“Calm down, it's me”

I relaxed when Beta Damon stepped into view, his broad shoulders and head bending to pass beneath a low branch.

“You really need to stop sneaking up on people and when I say people I mean me, emphasis on me”

A faint smile appeared on his lips, “You'd make a terrible spy if I couldn't”

I rolled my eyes and handed him the map. Watching his expression shift from casual to focused the moment he saw what was on it.

“The Regent changed the route”

Damon studied it carefully his brow furrowing as he traced the new markings with one finger,

“How did you get this?”

“I asked around”

He looked up, not convinced, “You disappeared for two days”

“I was busy”

“You crossed into the enemy territory again didn't you?”

I stayed silent, that alone was an answer. He closed his face with his hands,

“Lyra… If Kael knew what you were risking…”

“He can't know”

“Why?”

“Because he'll stop me”

Damon sighed heavily, “You can't keep doing this alone”

“I have to” I folded the remaining maps and put the remaining documents into the pouch, “If Kael loses this war our pack dies”

Everywhere became silent again, neither of us argued because we both knew it was true. The curse had already taken too much from Silver Crest. Another failed battle would destroy what little remained for good and we both understood there would be no second chance to save it.

Damon finally nodded, “I'll make sure this reaches Kael”

“Not from me”

He frowned, “You're giving him victory after victory yet you refuse to let him know”

“It isn't about recognition”

“It should be” I forced a smile, “I just want him to win”

Damon stared at me for a while before he quietly walked away. I watched until he disappeared between the trees, the sound of his footsteps faded in the forest and then did I release the breath I'd been holding.

Sometimes,loving someone means helping them from the shadows even if they never knew, even if it means standing at the edge of every win and cheering without stepping into the light of it.

By sunset, the entire pack buzzed with excitement, torches lined the courtyard and the smell of roasting meat drifted through the crowd as pack members gathered to celebrate. Kael's warriors had successfully intercepted the Regent supply care and not a single warrior.

The stolen weapons, foods and silvers were now safely in Silver Crest and the victory spread through the pack like wildfire, passed from mouth to mouth until it became bigger with every retelling.

I stood near the back of the celebration unnoticed as always watching the firelight flicker across faces, everyone was happy they all breathed with relief.

“Our future Alpha is unstoppable!”

“The Regent doesn't stand a chance!”

“I heard Selena predicted the caravan’s route” I was shocked hearing that.

Another woman laughed, “Of course she did, she's always helping Alpha Kael”

I felt pain in my chest, that wasn't true she hadn't even known about the caravan until that afternoon.

Across the courtyard Kael smiled proudly as pack members crowded around to congratulate him, singing his praises and hailing his name. Selena stood beside him, accepting every compliment with graceful humility as though the attention embarrassed her.

“Oh, I only did what anyone would have done,” she said sweetly.

“You've been incredible” one Elder praised

“The Alpha is fortunate to have someone as devoted as you”

Selena lowered her gaze shyly, “I'm only supporting the man I believe in”

She never told them the truth, she let every lie settle like stone. I turned away before anger could show on my face.

“Lyra” Sekena caught up to me outside the crowd

“There you are”

“Were you looking for me?” she smiled brightly.

“I wanted to thank you” I blinked

“For what?”

“For always being such a wonderful friend”

Her smile felt different and awkward, “You knew about the caravan” I said quietly

Her expression didn't change, “I heard everyone thanking you”

“Oh” she laughed softly, “that”

“You didn't correct them”

“Does it matter?”

“It wasn't your information”

“”It helped Kael, didn't it?”

“That's not the point”

She stepped closer until only inches separated us, “Listen to me carefully Lyra, if Kael believes I'm the one standing beside him then let him”

I stared at her in disbelief, “You don't mean that”

“I do”

“The truth isn't always useful”

Before I could give her a response she walked away, her steps unhurried leaving me alone beneath the fading evening sky. For the first time since we'd become friends, I wondered if I had ever truly known Selena Frost or the only version of her she'd allowed me to see.

As darkness settled fully over Silver Crest and the celebration nurse dimmed into distant laughter, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling growing inside me. Something was changing, quietly all at once and I feared it wasn't just my friendship with Selena. Far beyond the pack borders hidden in the shadows of the forest a hooded figure watched the celebration from a distant hill, still and patient as the night around them.

“The White Wolf” the stranger murmured, voice barely a whisper, “She's closer than they realize”

I had no idea that someone had already begun searching for me.