THE ALPHA'S REJECTED MATE

CHAPTER 6

Shadows of Doubt

“Kieran, let us talk. Alone. Aeron's voice was urgent and low. His sharp gaze strayed to the pack members who were hanging around the training area. Kieran felt the weight of what was ahead and tightened his jaw. He gestured for Aeron to follow him into the trees without saying anything.

Kieran turned as soon as they were out of earshot. “Aeron, what is it? You appear to have seen a ghost.

Aeron paused; his forehead wrinkled. “It's about Elara's Moonguard mark.”

Kieran squinted his eyes. “How about it? You claimed it wasn't risky.

With a harsh tone, Aeron interrupted, “I said it wasn't dangerous yet.” However, I've been doing some studying. and I discovered pieces of an ancient prophecy. Kieran, the mark is more than simply a sign. It spells doom.

“Doom?” Kieran clenched his fists at his sides. “For what purpose?”

“For adversaries. strong ones. They will come for her if they find out about her. For us. Aeron's eyes scanned the darkness as though something could appear, and his voice faded to a whisper.

With a short gasp, Kieran ran a hand over his hair. “You're implying that she could endanger the entire pack?”

Aeron gave a nod. “You must make a decision. Either find a means to keep her away from us or risk the pack to protect her.

Kieran felt the words strike him like a kick to the stomach. “You want me to leave her behind?”

“I want you to adopt an Alpha mindset. It's not just about you or her. It concerns all of us. Aeron's tone was stern and his gaze was cold.

Kieran's mind was racing. Elara was no longer the only person he needed to keep safe. But first and foremost was his devotion to his pack.

At last, Kieran remarked in a low but steely voice, “You don't understand.” Elara is more than a burden. She is a component of something greater. I sense it.

Aeron retorted, “Bigger doesn't always mean better.” “It can sometimes mean more deadly.”

Kieran turned aside, confused. He might lose everything defending her. However, letting her go could potentially ruin him in a different way.

“He's putting all of us at risk for her!” Cassandra's piercing, venomous voice reverberated across the council hall. A few members of the pack exchanged uncomfortable looks but remained silent.

A shy yet inquisitive young wolf raised his voice. “Cassandra, why do you believe she's dangerous? She hasn't hurt us in any way.

With malicious glints in her eyes, Cassandra grinned. “Not just yet. However, the mark she bears? It's doomed. Death and ruin are the only things that the Moonguard mark has ever brought. You are all familiar with the tales.

With a voice full of uncertainty, another wolf added his voice. “We have never actually seen the mark. Legend has always surrounded it.

“And truth is the source of legends,” Cassandra yelled. “Kieran's feelings for her have blinded him.” He is endangering all of us.

Throughout the room, there were murmurs of agreement. A couple wolves looked at each other anxiously, clearly losing faith in their Alpha.

With caution, an older wolf remarked, “We have trusted Kieran thus far.” “He has never misled us.”

A cunning smirk curved Cassandra's lips. When their judgment is impaired, even the most successful leaders falter. Elara's presence will only spell disaster if we do nothing.

Like a toxic cloud, the words lingered in the atmosphere. Cassandra's attitude indicated that she understood doubt would flourish after it had been sown.

With her heart racing, Elara stopped outside the council chamber. When she heard voices inside, she abruptly stopped her search for Kieran.

Cassandra said in a quiet but distinct voice, “Her parents knew the truth.” “They were aware of her destiny and suffered the consequences of keeping it a secret.”

“You're claiming that they……The elder's voice halted.

With an almost joyous tone, Cassandra concluded, “They were killed for it.” And Kieran will suffer the same fate if he keeps her here. All of us will.

Elara's blood became icy. Did she cause her parents' deaths? Her head was full of questions, but her shock was soon overtaken by rage. Her eyes were flaming as she pushed the door open.

“What are you saying?” With anger laced in her voice, she demanded.

Cassandra's smile remained unwavering. Are we eavesdropping? How unladylike of you.

“Answer me. Do you know anything about my parents? Elara clasped her hands at her sides. Her voice rose as she stepped forward. “Be honest with me!”

Cassandra's eyes shone with sly laughter. “Honest? In all honesty, you are a liability. A threat to all of us. And if you are intelligent, you will depart before someone else decides for you.

Even as Elara's breath caught, she resisted giving up. “You'll tell me if you have any information on my parents. Right now.

With her voice hardly audible above a whisper, Cassandra drew closer. “Be careful, young girl. You might not like what you find if you poke the wrong bear.

Cassandra raced past Elara before she could react, leaving a tense trail behind her. The elder quickly left as well, avoiding Elara's eyes.

Elara stood by herself in the room, thinking. She had found no answers but a glimpse of a secret. Furthermore, Cassandra's tone wasn't merely threatening. It was a pledge.

She had to locate Kieran. Right now.

With her chest heaving, Elara rushed inside Kieran's chambers. Startled, he raised his head. “Elara? What's the matter?

It's Cassandra. She has some information about my parents. She doesn't want me to know about it.

Kieran stood, his face growing serious. “What was it she said?”

She claimed that I was the reason they were killed. due to the mark. Although Elara's voice trembled, she forced herself to ignore the emotion. “Kieran, what does she know? What do you not want me to know?

Kieran's mouth clenched. “Elara, it's not that easy. There are certain things that I'm still attempting to understand.

“Understand?” Elara's voice raised. “You're keeping secrets, but you're supposed to be protecting me?”

Kieran took a step toward her and met her gaze. “I'm keeping you safe. However, there are some realities that are more harmful than lies.

With tears welling up in her eyes, she muttered, “I deserve to know.” “I need to know why I caused my parents' deaths.”

With the burden of the situation bearing down on him, Kieran let out a groan. “Elara, I'll find out everything. But you must have faith in me.

A howl rang out into the darkness before she could answer. They both froze.

With a nervous voice, Kieran remarked, “That's the alarm.” “The pack is being attacked.”

He took hold of her arm and dragged her to the door. “Remain near. We will complete this later.

However, Elara's eyes widened in terror as they went outside. The air was heavy with the smell of blood, as shadows sped through the trees. She stumbled as her mark seared with a scorching pain.

“Kieran,” she exclaimed, holding on to her arm. “They are here to take me.”

His face grew stern. “They will then need to pass through me first.”