THE ALPHA'S BROKEN PROMISE

Chapter 3: The Choice She Never Expected

"They're already inside the pack..."

The guard's body hit the ground.

His lifeless eyes stared into the night.

For a heartbeat, no one moved.

Then—

"Enemy attack!"

The cry ripped through Mooncrest like thunder.

The sacred grounds erupted into chaos.

Children screamed.

Women ran toward the underground shelters.

Warriors shifted into massive wolves, their furious howls shaking the mountains.

"Protect the Alpha!"

"Defend the elders!"

"Seal the eastern gate!"

Kael's command echoed above the panic.

"No one leaves the pack!"

His silver eyes found Lyra instantly.

Two elite warriors stepped in front of her.

"Guard her with your lives."

The mysterious stranger laughed softly.

"So now you want to protect her?"

Kael ignored him.

His wolf was restless, pacing inside him.

Something wasn't right.

This attack had been planned.

Someone knew exactly when the Awakening Ceremony would take place.

Someone knew Lyra would be here.

A terrifying howl split the night.

The western watchtower exploded into flames.

Hundreds of black-cloaked warriors poured through the broken gates like a tidal wave.

"They've breached the walls!"

"They're everywhere!"

Steel clashed against steel.

The scent of blood filled the air.

Lyra stood frozen.

Only minutes ago, she had believed tonight would be the happiest night of her life.

Now everything she had ever known was burning before her eyes.

The stranger stepped beside her.

"You have to come with me."

She took a step back.

"I don't even know your name."

He smiled.

"My name is Darius."

"I am Alpha of the Nightfang Kingdom."

The words struck the nearby elders like lightning.

"The Nightfang Kingdom?"

"Impossible..."

"They vanished decades ago."

Darius' smile faded.

"We didn't vanish."

"We were hunted."

Before Lyra could ask another question—

A deafening roar echoed through the battlefield.

Kael.

His body twisted violently as bones cracked beneath his skin.

Within seconds, a gigantic silver wolf stood where the Alpha had been.

His eyes burned with fury.

He leaped into the enemy ranks.

One swipe of his claws sent three attackers crashing through the air.

Blood stained the snow.

The Mooncrest warriors erupted with renewed courage.

"Alpha!"

"Alpha!"

"Alpha!"

Kael fought like a beast possessed.

Yet something kept distracting him.

Lyra.

Every few seconds, his eyes searched for her.

He had rejected her.

So why couldn't he stop worrying?

His wolf growled inside him.

Protect her.

Kael frowned.

"No."

She is ours.

"I rejected her."

You rejected her... I didn't.

For the first time in his life...

Kael realized something terrifying.

His wolf had never accepted the rejection.

A sharp pain shot through his chest.

The mate bond...

It was still there.

Weak.

Broken.

But alive.

His eyes widened.

"That's impossible..."

Darius watched Kael carefully.

A knowing smile crossed his face.

"So you've finally realized it."

Kael growled.

"What have you done?"

"I?"

Darius laughed.

"I've done nothing."

"The Moon Goddess refused your rejection."

Silence.

Even the wind seemed to stop.

The elders stared at one another in horror.

The Head Elder whispered,

"Only one bloodline can survive a rejected mate bond..."

Kael turned sharply.

"What bloodline?"

The elder opened his mouth—

A blade burst through his chest.

Blood sprayed across the ancient altar.

Lyra screamed.

The old man looked down at the sword protruding from his heart.

Behind him stood a hooded assassin.

The assassin slowly pulled back the hood.

A woman.

Beautiful.

Cold.

Her emerald eyes settled on Lyra with undisguised hatred.

"So..."

"You're still alive."

Kael's expression darkened.

"Selene..."

The entire clearing fell silent.

Selene smiled as the elder collapsed at her feet.

"I suppose it's time everyone learned the truth."

She pointed the bloodstained sword at Lyra.

"She isn't the true daughter of the Blackwood family."

Lyra felt the ground disappear beneath her.

"What...?"

Selene's smile widened.

"Your parents lied to you."

"They stole you."

The world spun.

Every memory of her childhood flashed through Lyra's mind.

Her mother.

Her father.

Their love.

Their sacrifices.

Could all of it have been a lie?

Darius stepped in front of her.

His golden eyes hardened.

"You've said enough."

Selene laughed.

"Oh, I've barely begun."

She looked directly at Lyra.

"Ask yourself one question..."

"If you were truly a Blackwood..."

"Why did the Moon Goddess make an Alpha bow to you?"

Lyra couldn't answer.

Because, for the first time in her life...

She wasn't sure who she really was.