A WARRIOR'S HEART

CHAPTER FOUR

WILLOW'S POV.

Tyler’s eyes narrowed slightly, not in anger, but in that unreadable intensity he always carried. “I know you’re reluctant, but I need you to understand why this isn’t optional. Shadow Moon’s warriors are skilled, but you are its Delta. You lead. Your presence in Obsidian Crescent matters a lot. I need our warriors to impress him, Willow.”

I shook my head, trying to push down the rising tension. “I told you I would assign the best and Lyra will lead them. That’s more than enough.”

Tyler stopped walking, forcing me to stop as well. He turned, stepping closer. “Why are you so against going yourself?” he asked quietly, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Is there something else happening here that I don’t know, Willow?”

I crossed my arms, defensive. “I’ll answer that question when you tell me why you’re so intent on securing this alliance, an alliance that died years ago, Alpha Tyler.” I countered, meeting his eyes. “Shadow Moon is doing just fine on our own. Our borders are secure thanks to our very own warriors. We don’t need this.”

He studied me for a moment, and I could see the calculation behind his calm exterior beginning to crack into something far sharper—something close to desperation.

“This isn’t just about borders, Delta Willow,” he said, his tone low, urgent. “This is about opportunities and connections. Obsidian Crescent is no ordinary pack—they’re stronger, wealthier, more feared, and more respected than half the territories combined. Their trade routes alone could sustain Shadow Moon for decades, and their warriors… their warriors are unmatched. With Atlas back to lead them, they’ve risen even higher in the food chain, further out of our reach than ever before. And yet, against all odds, they’re extending a hand. To us.”

He leaned in slightly, his voice hardening even more. “Do you understand what that means? For years—before even Atlas or I became Alpha—the bond between our packs was shattered. No one thought we’d see this chance again. And now, Obsidian Crescent is offering more than we could have ever asked for. Access, protection, influence, security. Anyone would say they're giving away too much in this alliance. You and I know they don’t really need us, Willow. We need them. Without this alliance, Shadow Moon stays where we've been for years, always fighting to hold our ground against rogues and enemy packs. With it, we rise with them. This—” he paused, his gaze burning into mine, “—this is the kind of opportunity that comes once in a lifetime. If we let it slip, there will never be another.”

I swallowed, feeling the weight of his words settle in my chest. He wasn’t wrong. I knew the reality behind his determination. An opportunity like this didn’t come often, and once it passed, there’d be no room for second chances.

“I’m not saying you’re wrong,” I said softly, voice tight. “I just… I don’t like being in this position, alpha Tyler. I…” I stopped myself, unwilling to admit how much my own emotions were tangled up in this.

I let out a long breath, my mind racing between logic and instinct. I still wanted to refuse, to retreat, but the pull of responsibility—the weight of my pack—pressed down on me harder than any fear. Tyler was right. I had to secure this alliance for the pack.

Finally, I nodded, just slightly. “Fine. I’ll go.”

Tyler’s lips curved into a faint, approving smirk. “That’s my girl. That's all I ask, Delta. That’s all I ask.”

We stood there for a moment, the silence between us heavy with unspoken words. I wanted to stay calm, but I couldn’t stop the awareness that this mission—this alliance—was going to be trouble.

And my next steps, whether I liked it or not, would be the ones that shaped not just Shadow Moon, but me.

I finally found a quiet spot, away from the meeting hall and the lingering weight of Alpha Tyler’s words.

“What are we going to do?” Lilly’s quiet voice sounded in my head.

I sighed. “I don’t know. I guess we’ll figure it out when we get there.”

A presence behind me made me turn, and my eyes landed on Atlas.

He emerged from the shadows, completely unaware of the storm he stirred in me. His eyes scanned the clearing before settling on me.

My eyes narrowed. “Did you follow me?”

He arched his brow. “Why do I get the feeling you don’t like me very much?”

I stiffened, irritation bubbling immediately. I arched a brow, crossing my arms. “I don’t know you enough to like or dislike you, alpha Atlas,” I said, keeping my tone flat.

“Interesting answer,” he murmured, taking a step closer. “So, it’s indifference? Or are you just… polite?”

“Neither,” I said, my jaw tightening slightly. “I just… don’t trust easy answers. And I don’t give them either.”

He raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly. “Not even a little?”

“Not even,” I replied, letting a faint edge slip through. “Some people… they make an impression. Others… I keep at a distance.”

He took a small step closer, but there was no menace in him—just that unshakable presence that always set my nerves on edge. “And I’m…?”

“Still at a distance,” I said, voice hard and cold. “You’ll have to earn more than presence to change that. Right now, you don't exist.”

He tilted his head, studying me like he was trying to untangle something buried deep. “Fair enough. But I get the feeling you’re hiding something, Delta. Not from me… but from yourself.” He sounded completely unconcerned, unaware that every word was like a spark against my patience. “You sound irritated.”

I didn’t flinch. “Maybe I am. And there are good reasons for it.” I let the smallest flicker of frustration slip through—just enough for him to notice, but not enough to betray all of it.

He was quiet for a moment, then he spoke. “Why don’t you want to go on this mission, Delta? If you have something against my pack, I would like to know.”

His question took me slightly off guard even though I should have expected it. My fists tightened at my side as I held his gaze. “I owe a duty to this pack, Alpha Atlas. And I’ll always carry it out. That’s what matters. My personal business is my own.” Without another word, I turned around and walked away.

If this mission was what was expected of me as part of my duty to this pack, then that was exactly what I would do. As for my feelings and emotions, I would wield them like another weapon, for Shadow Moon's sake.