BOUND BY LOVE AND BETRAYAL

CHAPTER 3 THE ALPHA'S PROPOSAL

The cabin was oppressively tense. With blood streaming from his clothing, Caleb stood in the doorway, staring at Elara with desperate eyes.

"If you don't come, they'll kill her," Caleb warned in a raspy voice that was full of despair.

Elara gripped the edge of the doorframe with trembling palms. Her heart raced with mixed feelings when she saw Caleb standing in front of her, alive and bruised. There was a hum of uneasiness in the cabin, but the whispers outside had stopped.

“How are you alive?” she whispered, her voice barely steady.

“They spared me,” Caleb said, his jaw tightening. “For this. To bring you to them. It’s Lyra, Elara. She doesn’t have much time.”

Kieran stepped forward, his frame tense, his voice sharp. “This is a trap. You know it, Elara. They’re using him to get to you.”

Caleb’s gaze flicked to Kieran, his lip curling. “I didn’t come here for you, Alpha. This is between me and Elara.”

“Enough!” Elara’s voice sliced through the tension. She turned to Caleb, her eyes blazing. “If this is real, if Lyra is with them, then why would they send you? Why not come for me themselves?”

Caleb’s face twisted with frustration. “Because they want you to come willingly. To make a choice. They think it’ll break you.”

Kieran let out a low growl. “And it would. They’re playing mind games, Elara. You walk into their den, and you won’t walk out.”

Elara’s head spun, her heart aching for Lyra, her instincts warring with the logic of Kieran’s words.

Caleb took a step closer, his voice softer now. “Elara, you know me. You know I would never lie to you about this. She’s crying for you. Begging for you.”

“Stop,” Elara said, her voice cracking.

“Then let me help you.” Kieran’s voice was firm, cutting through Caleb’s plea. “But it has to be on my terms.”

Elara turned to him, her anger sparking. “Your terms? You think now is the time to bargain?”

Kieran’s expression was unyielding. “You can’t protect Ari alone. And if you go after Lyra without me, you’re as good as dead. If you want my help, there’s a price.”

Her fists clenched. “What price?”

He stepped closer, his presence towering, his voice low. “A contract marriage. You and I, bonded by law and blood. It’s the only way I can protect you—and the twins.”

The room went silent, the weight of his words crashing over her.

“Marriage?” she repeated, incredulous. “Are you insane?”

“It’s not a choice,” Kieran said, his eyes locked on hers. “The Silverfangs won’t stop until they’ve destroyed everything connected to me, including you. As my mate, you’ll have the full protection of the pack. They won’t touch you or the children.”

“Protection?” Elara’s laugh was sharp, bitter. “You mean control. You think you can tie me to you and I’ll forget everything you’ve done? Everything you’ve cost me?”

“I’m offering you a way to survive,” Kieran said, his tone dark. “And a way to get Lyra back. Do you think you can do it without me?”

Caleb stepped forward, his voice rising. “You can’t seriously be considering this, Elara! He’s the reason you’re in this mess!"

“Stay out of it!” Kieran snarled, his wolf flaring beneath the surface.

“Stop it, both of you!” Elara shouted, her voice echoing in the cabin. Her chest heaved as she turned to Kieran. “You think a piece of paper will make me trust you? After everything?"

With a softer tone, Kieran stated, "It's not about trust." It has to do with surviving. Yours. Ari's. Lyra's. Regardless of your opinion of me, you know I'm correct.

She felt as though the room was encroaching on her. Her mind raced and her heart wrenched as she gazed at Ari, whose big, scared eyes were clutching to her leg.

Caleb shook his head, his voice trembling with anger. “Elara, don’t do this. He’ll destroy you. You know he will."

“Enough,” she whispered, more to herself than to them.

Kieran’s eyes didn’t waver. “Choose, Elara. Because if you don’t, they’ll make the choice for you.”

Elara’s hands trembled as she looked at him, then at Caleb. She felt trapped, the weight of the decision crushing her.

And then the whispers returned.

“Choose the wolf...”

“Choose the bloodline...”

“Choose the child...”

As the voices became louder and more demanding and threatening, Elara's knees gave way. It didn't help that she put her hands to her ears.

"Elara!" She was grounded as Kieran's voice broke through the cacophony.

Her eyes were flaming as she looked up. "All right," she responded, her voice firm in spite of her internal distress. "I'll carry it out. I'll wed you. But I'll murder you myself if you betray me once again.

A mixture of relaxation and dread replaced the previous tension in the room. With an inscrutable gaze, Kieran nodded. "We depart at the break of day."

Caleb wasn't finished, though. His voice was icy as he continued, "You're making a mistake." "And don't say I didn't warn you when he betrays you."

Elara remained silent. With a sad heart, she turned away, bracing herself for the fight.

However, when the murmurs subsided, a low, ominous growl replaced them in the cabin.

With a gasp, Ari gestured to the room's corner. “Mama, the shadow moved!”

Elara spun, her wolf senses flaring. The corner was empty, but the growl continued, deeper now, resonating through the floorboards.

Kieran stepped forward, his body tense. “We’re not alone.”

The roar intensified before the door suddenly sprang open. With his damaged visage contorted into a ruthless smile, the Silverfang leader stood there.

"All right," he responded, his tone brimming with ill will. "Isn't this comfortable?"

And before Elara could react, he stepped inside, his eyes locked on Ari.