Betrayed By Her Fated Mate

Chapter 2: Fireflies Pack

Kaida’s POV







I stood frozen, shock and disbelief rooting me to the spot.





“Missing? What are you talking about? These are my parents’ bodies, Andrew. Don’t tell me you’re messing this up,” I snapped.





Before I could process his words, a stranger from the pack approached us. “I think the Darkwood Pack is planting spies among us. I saw them heading back to their territory,” he said.





I froze.





“Darkwood?” Rose echoed, confusion mirroring my own.





A woman behind us overheard and scoffed loudly, “So Kaida’s mate-to-be is targeting the Shadow Pack? We’re finished. Imagine being mated to your enemy.”





Her words exposed our conversation, and heat rose to my cheeks. I turned sharply, addressing the crowd. “Be sure of your words. Our only enemy is the Fireflies. I won’t tolerate disrespect from my own pack. I am still royalty here. My parents are gone, but I will not just lead, I will be the Alpha female, the Luna of this pack. If you oppose that, it means you never respected my father. Consider this your only warning before I banish traitors.”





The hall fell silent. I locked eyes with the woman who had spoken and smirked, sending a clear message. “I will find my parents’ bodies. After that, we will hold a proper burial. Until then, this ceremony is adjourned. Return to your duties.”





I turned and left, tears blurring my vision as soon as I was out of sight. Without hesitation, I ran toward the Darkwood Pack’s territory. Less than twenty-five minutes later, I arrived at their palace. The guards seemed unprepared for me and let me pass easily.





“Kaida? Are you alright? What happened?” Beta Ryan asked concern etched on his face.





“Where’s Ryker?” I asked, and he pointed to a chamber nearby. I hurried there and pushed the door open. “Ryker!” I called, rushing into his arms.





“Kaida, are you okay? What’s wrong?” His worry was genuine.





“My world is falling apart,” I sobbed, my makeup streaked with tears.





“I’ll fix it, my love. This is just a phase,” he assured me, but I shook my head.





“My parents’ bodies are missing. I don’t understand how I can’t even bury them properly. Do you know what happened?”





His expression shifted from concern to anger.





I took a deep breath. “I suspect the Fireflies. This is getting out of hand. What else could they want?”





“They want your pack. That’s all I can think of. They want you gone so they can take over.”





“Not while I’m alive. Shadow Pack is all I have left. I’d rather die than watch them destroy everything my father built. If they could do this after taking my parents, I suspect them. Promise me you’ll never abandon me and stand by me through this storm.”





He smiled softly. “I’d be a fool to hurt you now. Stay strong and trust me.”





After our talk, I went to his room to rest, too shaken to return to my pack.





Suddenly, Rose mind-linked me. “Our pack is under attack again, Kaida!”





Then Beta Andrew mind-linked me too.





Frozen, I jumped up and rushed to Ryker’s chamber, catching him just as he ended a call. “I just spoke with Andrew. You’re safe tonight,” he said, but I was already unraveling.





“Ryker, the Fireflies are attacking again,” I gasped.





He froze. “Why didn’t Andrew tell me during the call?”





“It’s not important now. Come on, we have to save our people,” I said, pulling him up.





“Right!” he said, following me.





We jumped into his car and sped toward Shadow Pack.





Crossing the border, chaos greeted me like a nightmare. Pack members fought desperately for their lives. Cubs scattered, tiny paws pounding to escape death. The cruelty was unbearable. This m******e stole my parents from me!





Fear gripped me, but I forced myself to stay strong. Drawing my sword, I joined the battle. Ryker’s reassuring glance steadied me as we fought our way to the palace gate, where I realized the true target.





They had taken my parents. Now, they wanted me.





“Kaida, run!” Rose screamed, but I refused.





“This is my father’s legacy. I will not run. I will fight!” I shouted, clashing swords with a Fireflies warrior and watching him fall like a felled tree. I smirked.





In the palace’s heart, I saw Rose struggling, choking. I rushed to help only to be surrounded by over twenty Fireflies warriors. I froze.





What?





“I barely trained. How do I fight this many at once?” I thought desperately.





“After we cut off your head and conquer your pack, we’ll feast on your tender body,” one sneered.





My stomach dropped.





Everything was on the line. “Moon goddess, please help me!” I cried, searching for Ryker only to see him reaching for his phone.





“What? She’s in danger? Don’t let her die. Do everything to keep her safe,” I heard him shout. I wondered who he truly feared losing, his mother was late, so I was supposed to be the most important woman in his life.





“Ryker!” I screamed. He turned, saw my plight, then turned away to leave like it was nothing.





My heart dropped to the floor and shattered into the tiniest pieces. “No way he’s leaving,” I whispered. “Ryker! Please, I need you now more than ever!” Who else could matter more? I had already lost so much, I couldn’t bear to lose my life with betrayal etched deep in my soul.





“I’m sorry, I have to go, or she’ll die. You’ll be fine, I promise,” he said, leaving as if fleeing from me with so much urgency.





I looked around, trying to convince myself this nightmare wasn’t real. But it was. He was abandoning me, knowing my strength was limited. He chose to save another woman over me.





Tears streamed down my face. For the first time, I had to fight alone. The men closed in, and with a broken heart, I clashed steel against steel. No one but myself could be trusted now. “Everyone will betray you.” My father’s words sounded in my ears.





Everyone fought for their lives. Rose, who cared for me, was trapped and struggling too. “Moon Goddess, this can’t be happening,” hot tears fell as I struck down enemy after enemy, haunted by my father’s death. “Noooo!” I howled in pain, desperate to shift into my wolf form, but it was too weak, and these warriors could harm it.





I focused on dodging more blows when I suddenly heard my name.





“Kaida, look here!” Andrew’s voice called out. Hope flared inside me for the first time since the battle began.





Losing focus, I turned toward him and felt a brutal strike to my left shoulder, near my neck.





I collapsed, and then another blow hit my head.





Flat on the floor, I felt them closing in. I struggled to get up to reach Andrew but failed and fell again.





“Kaida!!!” Rose screamed in terror. I fought to keep my eyes open, but they slowly closed and then suddenly, everything went black.