Marked by the enemy

Lira’s POV The night my brother died, the forest didn’t sound the same. No wind. No movement. Even the wolves were quiet. It was like the world already knew something had been taken from it—and there was no way to get it back. I stood at the edge of the border long after the others had returned, my boots rooted into the damp earth, my fingers clenched so tightly at my sides that my nails bit into my palms. “Lira.” I didn’t turn; did I move an inch? Nope. Tears were welling up in my eyes. My father’s voice carried behind me, firm and controlled, like always, as nothing had changed. “He’s gone,” he said. The words were simple. Too simple.- for him I guess. Like they didn’t carry the weight they should have. My heart heaved, feeling like they would fall out any moment soon. My chest tightened, but I forced myself to breathe through it. “How?” I asked quietly. A pause. Then, “Kael Draven.” The name settled into my bones like poison-as if a venomous reptile took a bite out of me. “The Alpha of Shadowclaw,” my father continued. “He led the attack himself and killed your brother to his last breath.” I closed my stare and imagined how he would have stabbed him continuously. And just like that, something inside me shifted. Not shattered, not broken. Something colder.Harder. “Did you see it?” I asked to be sure even though I knew he was right. Another pause. “Yes.” My father said. That was all it took, that was all I needed to hear. I nodded once. Then I slowly turned away from the border, from the place where my brother had taken his last breath. And I didn’t look back. I sobbed silently to no one hearing. The remaining survivors and I left the unforgettable grounds. *********** Three years later, nothing had changed. Not really. The grief didn’t fade. The hatred was still visible. It didn’t soften, it just… settled. Like something permanent lodged inside my chest. Something someone won’t dare try to change or convince me out of it. I moved through the training grounds with precision, my blade slicing cleanly through the air as I drove it forward. Again and again and again. “Still going?” I turned a deaf ear to the voice My opponent stepped closer, circling me slowly. “You’re going to burn yourself out at this rate.” “Good,” I said flatly. Steel clashed as he lunged. I blocked, twisted, and knocked him off balance in one swift movement, pressing the edge of my blade against his throat before he could recover. Everywhere became silent. Then— “Alright,” he muttered, raising his hands slightly. “I get it.” I stepped back, bringing my weapon a bit lower Around us, a few of the other warriors watched, but no one spoke. They never did. Not to me, not anymore. I wiped the sweat from my brow and turned away. Training wasn’t about skill anymore. It was control, Influence over the anger. Control over the thoughts. Control over the one name that refused to leave my head. Kael Draven. I hadn’t caught a glimpse of him, not once. But I knew his face, understood his prominence. Knew the way people spoke about him in hushed voices, like saying his name too loudly might summon him. A ruthless, unforgiving, and killer creature. I tightened my grip on my blade with the help of my anger boiling in me. Good. Because one day—I would look him in the eyes. And I would make him feel even a morsel of what he took from me. “Lira.” I footed into the main hall, my expression already set into something neutral. My father stood near the middle, speaking with a few elders. The moment he noticed me, the discussions stopped. “Come here,” he said. I obliged, I always did. “There’s been movement near the eastern border,” he continued. “Shadowclaw scouts.” As I heard those words, my jaw tightened slightly. “Then we deal with them,” I said nonchalantly A faint smile touched his lips as I bit my lips so powerfully and gave a wicked smile. “That’s my daughter.” He trusted me to deliver. Something about the way he said it felt… off. But I didn’t question it, I never questioned him. “Take a small team,” he added. “Observe first. Don’t engage unless necessary.” I nodded. And just like that—The mission was set. The forest felt different that day, too quiet. No movement. I moved ahead of the group, my senses sharp, every step careful and controlled. “Anything?” one of the warriors behind me whispered. I shook my head slightly. But something wasn’t right. I could feel it. Like the air itself was waiting. Then—it hit me. A sudden, sharp pull.So strong it forced a gasp from my lungs. I struggled slightly almost to the ground my hand flying to my chest. What…? The feeling spread fast. Hot heat collided around me. Pressure- a scent, smelled like sandalwood, warm, smooth, and earthy. Something tightening deep inside me, like an invisible thread snapping into place. My heart slammed against my ribs like it was going to break out. “Lira?” someone called. But I couldn’t answer. Because I felt it again.Powerful this time. Drawing me forward.Toward something? No. Toward someone- affirmative. My feet moved before my mind could catch up. Step by step. Then I stopped and saw him. Across the dark shadows, standing still, and who was that watching me? Kael Draven. For a moment, the world went silent.No sound, no movement. Everywhere paused for a moment Just the two of us and the bond. It banged into me fully this time, my ribs clinched, I sucked in but my throat closed like a fist. My mate The word echoed in my mind like a curse.No. No. No. My vision sharpened, came back to my senses, rage flooding through me so fast it burned and could burst my eye. Out of everyone in this world—It had to be him. My knuckles blanched around my dagger holding it firmly. “You,” I said, my voice low. His expression didn’t change. But I saw it— That same recognition in his eyes. He felt it too. His eye met mine, wide. No words. That was Good too. Because I didn’t hesitate. I moved quickly. Closing the distance between us in seconds, my blade aimed straight for his chest. But he was faster. His hand caught my wrist mid-strike, stopping the blade just inches from him. “Stop,” he said. The calm in his voice only made it worse. His voice didn’t rise. Didn’t crack. It stayed smooth, almost gentle—like nothing was wrong, like none of this mattered. And that was the problem. Every word landed too evenly, too controlled, slipping into the silence without resistance. No anger. No hesitation. Just quiet. “Don’t touch me!” I snapped, twisting sharply and driving my knee toward him. He dodged, releasing me just enough for me to spin and strike again. This time aiming for his throat. Again—he blocked it. He was good indeed. But never returned. He wasn’t attacking either. He was holding back which I didn't want. And that-that made my anger snap.“Fight me!” I shouted with all the strength I had in me. A muscle jumped along his jawline, gone in a second.“I won’t hurt you.” he said. The words felt like an insult to me, seeing as a strengthless wolf and I bet he's wrong. “Oh, please, you already did,” I shot back without hesitation. Something flickered in his eyes. Too fast to read. But I didn't show an ounce of concern. My blade swung into action again, and my breath burned harder putting my whole body behind it. Each strike faster, harder, fueled by three years of anger, grief, and hatred for him. But every time—He stopped me, controlled me, directed me. Never once striking back. Why? I wondered, Why wasn’t he fighting me?“Why aren’t you defending yourself?” I demanded, breathing hard. “I am,” he said calmly.“That’s not defending,” I snapped. “That’s—” I cut myself off as voices broke through the clearing. “Lira!” “Alpha!” Warriors. From both sides, Weapons drawn. Uncertainty exploded instantly. One wrong move—And blood would follow. I stood there, chest rising and falling, my blade still raised. Kael didn’t move. Didn’t step away, didn’t break eye contact. The bond between us pulsed again. It became stronger and more urgent, which I hated dreadfully. “Step back,” one of my pack members warned. “Release her,” one of his growled.No one moved. Because everyone could feel it. Something was wrong. Something had changed. I swallowed hard, my grip tightening. This wasn’t supposed to happen-None of this was supposed to happen. Out of everyone—Not him.Not the man who killed my brother. My chest went hollow and then too tight like my lungs forgot how much space they had. And for the first time in years— I hung back.