THE ALPHA'S EXILE

EPISODE 4: THE UNEXPECTED ALLIANCE

The torchlight bobbed, casting upset shadows across the damp stone walls. The air reeked of mildew, sweat, and something metallic—blood, fresh and stale.

Kieran was locked in place, his muscles tensed but under control, as his former Beta progressed, their bodies only separated by dented iron bars.

"You shouldn't have come back," Darian growled, voice rough. There was something underlying his words—guilt, warning, even regret.

Kieran's jaw tightened. "Funny. I was going to say the same to you."

He stared back at him, fingers gripping the bars tightly. He looked different—thin, harder as if the years had not treated him any better than they had the rest. There was a new scar cutting down the side of his face, a harsh reminder that honor came at a cost.

"They won't let you breathe," Darian growled. "Lucian—he's just the public face of it. "The council"

"I don't need your advice," Kieran broke in. He was not just tired of everything; his patience was thin. "You left me here. So why in the devil would I listen to a word you have to tell me?"

Darian took a deep breath, shaking his head. "You're so sure of yourself," he said, "but you're not." His voice gentled. "I did what I had to do. It had nothing to do with you. It was for her."

Kieran’s breath hitched. His entire body went rigid.

".Elara?"

Darian hesitated. Then, he nodded.

Kieran’s hands curled into fists. A hundred thoughts crashed through his mind, but he forced himself to stay still, to keep his face unreadable.

"You’re lying," he said coldly.

Darian's face was impossible to read. "Believe what you want," he told him. "But if you ever want the truth, you'll have to leave here first." His voice became a whisper. "And I know how."

Kieran didn't blink, but deep down, something turned over.

The guy who'd betrayed him—who'd assisted in taking everything from him was trying to help him escape?

Kieran didn't trust quickly. Not since what had happened. But Darian's words crept under his skin like a splinter.

"Know how to bail me out?" He talked with an incredulous tone.

Darian released a short breath. "Lucian and the council think they've won, but they don't know the entire thing. There are vulnerabilities in their control—if you're willing to listen."

Kieran's eyes narrowed. "Why should I trust you?"

Darian's hands tightened on the bars. "Because I owe you that much. And because, whether you like it or not, you have no choice."

Kieran hated being right.

The silver chains had worn him down, but not enough that he could be held in subjugation forever. His body would heal. His strength would come back. But time was not his friend.

Lucian would not wait. The council would not let a former Alpha live for long.

Kieran needed a break. A way out.

Darian crept closer. "The guards change shifts in four hours. The one on duty—Eric—owes me a favour. He'll look the other way, but only once."

Kieran chuckled. "And then what? You expect me to just walk out of here?"

Darian's lips curled into a smirk-grimace. "No. You're going to burn your way out."

A bitter laugh escaped Kieran before he could stop it. He should have known better. Darian never did anything quietly.

"An explosion?"

Darian nodded. "Enough to cause a panic, not enough to blow the whole fortress to kingdom come. It'll give you just enough time to make a quick exit." He stopped, then went on, "But you won't be the only one exiting."

Kieran's body tensed. "Who else?"

Darian's face darkened. "The council has prisoners held here. There is one prisoner you need to see."

Tension filled the air.

Kieran didn't flinch. "Who is it?"

There was a silence, and then Darian used a whisper. "Elara."

Kieran's breath went sharp.

Not possible.

But if Darian was telling him the truth. Then everything—the betrayal, exile, even what he'd always believed about Elara's supposed death—was all part of something much grander than himself.

His fingers tightened on the bars. His mind ran rampant, but his expression did not alter.

"You're lying," he spat, voice cold.

Darian's smile fled. "I wish I was."

Kieran's heart thumped. If it were true. Everything had been a fabrication.

He fought to stay still, to keep his mind to himself. He would not give Darian the satisfaction of realizing how much the news shook him.

"Why tell me now?" Kieran demanded. "Why not let me die?"

Darian let out a motionless sound. "Because believe it or not, I do regret what I did." He breathed. "And because you're the only one strong enough to complete this."

Kieran stared at him, seeking deception. Darian had been his Beta—his most trusted man. Until the day he betrayed him.

Now, here he was, offering him an out, offering him riddles, hoping he would believe again.

But Kieran had learned his lesson.

Trust was a weapon. And he would never be unarmed again.

"Say I trust you," Kieran said measuredly. "Say we make it out of here. What then?"

Darian moved in close, his tone biting. "Then we take back everything Lucian stole."

The words settled deep in Kieran’s chest. The fire of vengeance burned there, steady and unyielding.

His pack. His title. His mate.

Lucian had stolen them all.

And now?

It was time to return the favor.

A sudden noise from the hallway made them both go silent.

Footsteps.

Kieran’s sharp hearing picked up two distinct sets. The guards.

Darian shifted back into the shadows. "Don’t react. Let them think you’re weak."

Kieran had his head down, his breathing steady and calm. He could sense the silver poisoning his blood, dulling his senses—but rage kept him alert.

The door to the cell groaned as the first guard peered inside. "Still alive, mutt?"

Kieran didn't say anything.

The second guard chuckled. "Not for long." He showed Kieran a small vial, stirring the black liquid inside. "Lucian says hello."

The scent hit Kieran like a slap.

Wolfsbane.

Darian's voice could barely be heard over the shadows. "Don't drink it."

Like hell, he would.

But he needed a plan and he needed it in a hurry.

The first guard opened the vial, advancing on Kieran. "Open wide."

Kieran raised his head just high enough to allow the torchlight to catch his smirk. "You want me to drink it?" His voice was gruff but firm. "Then make me."

The guard snarled, grabbing Kieran's jaw.

The instant his fingers made contact with skin, Kieran struck.

His forehead struck the guard's nose. A disgusting c***k. Blood sprayed. The man collapsed back, screaming.

The second guard attacked with a silver rod—

Kieran turned, kicking his knee out from under him. The guard crashed down.

Darian was already moving. A snick of sound as his cell door opened.

"Move!" he spat.

Kieran retrieved the vial from the fallen guard and smashed it on the stone floor.

Booming boots marched down the corridor.

More were coming.

"We need out," Kieran growled.

Darian threw the key at him. "Then let's make

one."

It flew through the air and was intercepted by Kieran.

The cuffs opened.

Power surged through him.

His wolf had not been free in years.

And it craved blood.