Bound To The Tyrant Alpha

Chapter 4: A Public Enemy

The rain had stopped.

Moonlight spilled across the forest, turning every leaf silver.

Lyra stood frozen.

Alpha Torin blocked the narrow path leading to the river, his black cloak swaying in the cool breeze.

Behind him, the forest was silent, as though every creature was waiting to see what would happen next.

"You planned this," Lyra said, tightening her grip on the dagger she'd stolen from the fortress.

Torin's expression remained unreadable.

"I know how you think."

"I'd rather die than stay in your prison."

"It isn't a prison."

She laughed bitterly.

"You've locked me in your room."

"I locked you somewhere I could protect you."

"I don't need your protection."

"No," he replied quietly. "You need it more than you realize."

Before Lyra could answer, distant howls echoed through the trees.

One.

Then three.

Then dozens.

Torin's eyes narrowed.

"They've found us."

Within moments, Shadow fang warriors burst into the clearing, led by Beta Darius.

"My Alpha!"

Darius stopped abruptly when he saw Lyra standing only a few feet away from Torin.

"We've been searching everywhere."

Another warrior stepped forward.

"The council has issued its decision."

Torin's face hardened.

"What decision?"

The warrior lowered his head.

"They demand the rebel's execution... at sunrise."

Lyra's heart skipped a beat.

Several soldiers immediately surrounded her.

One sneered.

"She's cursed."

"She'll bring ruin to our pack."

"Kill her now."

Growls spread through the crowd.

Torin stepped in front of Lyra.

"No one touches her."

Silence fell.

An elder who had followed the soldiers glared at Torin.

"You would defy the council for a prisoner?"

"I am your Alpha."

"You are an Alpha blinded by the mate bond."

The accusation hung in the air.

Torin's jaw tightened.

"If you wish to question my authority..."

He took one deliberate step forward.

"...challenge me."

No one moved.

No one dared.

The elder looked away first.

Torin turned toward his warriors.

"Take her back to the fortress."

Lyra frowned.

"You expect me to walk beside you willingly?"

"No."

Before she could react, Torin lifted her effortlessly into his arms.

"What are you doing?" she shouted, struggling.

"You said you'd rather die than walk beside me."

"I never said you could carry me!"

The surrounding warriors exchanged stunned glances.

Their ruthless Alpha feared across every pack was carrying his greatest enemy as though she weighed nothing.

Lyra pounded a fist against his chest.

"Put me down!"

"You'll only run again."

"I hate you."

"I know."

"I mean it."

"I know."

His calm responses only made her angrier.

By the time they reached the fortress gates, whispers had already spread through the pack.

"The Alpha carried her."

"She's really his mate."

"This will destroy us."

~~~

Inside the council chamber...

The elders were waiting.

Their faces were grim.

The oldest among them rose slowly.

"Alpha Torin, this cannot continue."

"The Moonclaw girl must die."

"Our warriors are losing faith."

"Your judgment is clouded."

Torin stood at the head of the table.

"It is not."

"It is."

An elder slammed his fist onto the stone table.

"If you refuse to execute her..."

He looked directly into Torin's eyes.

"...we will."

For the first time that night, Torin's wolf stirred with unmistakable fury.

His golden eyes flashed.

A powerful Alpha aura filled the room, forcing several elders to bow their heads instinctively.

"My mate lives," he said, his voice dangerously calm.

"No matter who stands against me."

The room fell deathly silent.

Outside the chamber, hidden behind the heavy wooden doors, Lyra had heard every word.

She should have been relieved.

Instead, confusion twisted inside her.

Why would the man she despised risk his own authority to protect her?

And why did a small part of her feel safer whenever he was near?

She hated the answer.

Almost as much as she hated the bond.

Far away, deep within the ruins of the Moonclaw territory, a hooded figure watched the full moon from the top of a cliff.

A cruel smile spread across his face.

"So..."

He folded his hands behind his back.

"The prophecy has finally begun."

His glowing crimson eyes lifted toward the sky.

"Bring me the Alpha..."

A sinister grin widened.

"...and his mate."