Kayla's POV
The wooden frame of the door shattered when I slammed it shut behind me.
An arranged union? Once more?
I wasn't a pawn. I wasn't a tool for peace that could be transmitted from Alpha to Alpha. I balled my fists.
How could they harm me like this? Once more?
The door was knocked on.
I didn't respond. Still, it opened. Arthur entered, his expression tense. "We must speak."
"No," I yelled. "We don't."
He shut the door behind himself. "You're upset. I understand.
I turned to him and said, "You don't get anything." "I'm not a helpless girl who will just smile and nod while elderly men make decisions about my future."
He clenched his jaw. "Control is not the issue here. It all comes down to survival.
It's funny. When they wish to exert power over a woman, they invariably say that.
Arthur moved in closer. "Listen to me, Kayla"
"Why ought I to?" I lost my temper. "You turned me down. I was humiliated by you. And you're my protector suddenly?
He winced. "That isn't the case."
Pushing by him, I made my way outside to the training grounds. Pairs of warriors were sparring. I had to strike something. Anything.
There was Cael.
He was a tall, quick, and skilled combatant who served on the council. He threw me a wooden rod when he saw me.
He smirked and said, "You look like you're ready to explode."
I smiled darkly at the personnel after catching him. "Yes, I am."
He entered the ring and said, "Then show me."
We went around one another. I hit first, swinging quickly and low. He blocked. I dodged his retaliatory blow. The sound of wood on wood reverberated as we went swiftly.
"Good form," Cael remarked. "You've had training."
I whispered, "Too many reasons to survive."
I sensed that Arthur was watching us. Observing. Blazing.
With his arms folded and a look of envy on his face, he stood at the edge of the grounds. Excellent. Let him observe.
I whirled around and grabbed Cael. He staggered and moaned.
Arthur took a step forward. "That's sufficient."
I didn't look at him when I said, "No one asked you."
Cael extended his hand. "She won fairly."
Arthur entered the ring. "This is not assisting."
"Perhaps," I shot back. "Arthur, I'm not just any soon-to-be bride. Now I am a warrior. Embrace it.
His black eyes, filled with something I couldn't identify, met mine.
Ownership? Feeling guilty? Feeling sorry?
I didn't give a damn.
I turned around and left.
The engagement ceremony took place in the Council courtyard that evening.
Wearing silver robes, I stood beside Arthur on a podium. From below, dozens of warriors, elders, and pack leaders observed us.
I didn't grin.
Beside me, Arthur appeared rigid.
The High Elder spoke louder. "We bring Riverash and Lamia together tonight with strength, not just in blood, but in fire!"
The audience applauded.
I felt bored. Furious. I'm sick of being treated like a pet.
All of a sudden, I had an odd feeling. I feel cold.
My wolf shifted.
Risk.
Then—thwip!
A whistling sound.
I made a thoughtless move, lowering my voice as something sailed by my ear.
An arrow.
It cracked the stone as it struck the pillar behind me.
The courtyard was filled with gasps.
Guards hurried up. People let out a shout.
Arthur took hold of me and dragged me along with him. "Remain motionless!"
I looked up at the dark-tipped arrow. I said, "Poisoned."
Arthur snarled. "Where did it originate?!"
Across the yard, Beta Theo gestured. "There! "North tower!"
Warriors chased after the unseen assailant. However, I was already aware—
I had been targeted for kill.
I, not Arthur.
Arthur's tone was piercing. Bring her inside. Right now!
The High Elder paced the Council rooms. "At a public ceremony, who would dare attack?"
I was still breathing heavily when I sat on a bench.
"I know who it was," a voice then remarked.
Everyone pivoted.
Cael was the one. He gestured toward a woman in the rear, her long black hair perfectly curled beneath her warrior cloak, her lips tall and crimson.
Liliana.
Arthur's principal advisor.
She folded her arms and smiled. "You dare."
Cael remarked, "You were in the tower earlier." "Your angle was ideal."
She yelled, "I was scouting for patrol."
Arthur moved to the side. "Is this true, Liliana?"
She gave me a narrowed look. "I'd never turn on my Alpha. But her? We don't have her. She poses a risk.
Arthur's voice trailed off. "She is my partner."
Liliana growled, "You didn't give a damn about that before."
There was silence.
I looked at Arthur. He didn't dispute it, but his jaw tightened.
The Elders exchanged glances.
The High Elder declared, "We will look into it." "No one leaves this compound until then."
I got up slowly. She desires my death. She detests my presence.
Liliana acknowledged it. Simply smiled. Arthur found me later that evening.
Behind the Council Hall, by the lake, I was outside. Like a gleaming eye, the moon mirrored in the sea.
He sat on the grass next to me. "I was unaware of the attack," he said.
"I think you're right," I answered. "However, she succeeded."
He massaged his face. Ever since I became Alpha, Liliana has been by my side. I had faith in her.
I said, "She doesn't trust me."
He gave me a look. "Do you?"
I said nothing. Arthur looked across at me. "Are you curious as to why I turned you down?"
"No," I replied. "I am already aware. I didn't measure up.
"That isn't it," he stated abrasively. "I felt afraid."
I blinked. "What are you afraid of?"
"How deeply I felt," he uttered. "You were all I wasn't prepared for. And after witnessing the Elders' treatment of you... I believed that by letting you go, I could keep you safe.
I said, "That's a horrible excuse."
"I understand," he said. However, when you left... I was unable to function. My wolf became unruly. I lost my temper. I nearly killed my beta.
I looked at him. "It was due to you."
He gave a sour laugh. Indeed. I did. There was silence between us.
I whispered, "I don't want to be your prisoner."
"You aren't," he stated. "The only person free here is you."
I looked over at him. Arthur, don't try to subdue me. You will not succeed.
His look locked with mine. "Perhaps all I want is to stand by your side."
The calm was short-lived.
At midnight, the alarms went off.
Screams and howls. Fire.
There was mayhem outside when I ran. Warriors yelled. There were people in black cloaks fighting the Council guards.
Rogues.
The men of Zane. They would come after us.
Arthur's wolf was enormous and angry when he transformed in midair. He crashed into the assailants.
My blood heated up.
My wolf shifted.
Without thinking, I moved, causing my fur to burst from my skin and my bones to crack.
However, things had changed.
I was radiant. From my body streamed a silver glow.
Everything slowed around me.
I threw myself into the air and hit two rogues simultaneously. My claws glistened.
From behind me, Cael exclaimed, "She's glowing!"
Mid-battle, Arthur's wolf looked at me in disbelief.
An Elder was leapt upon by a rogue.
I moved more quickly than I had ever done.
I hit, and my claws' silver light blazed through the rogue like fire.
He let out a yell.
Panting, I touched down.
There was silence on the battlefield.
The outlaws withdrew. Everyone looked at me. With a trembling voice, the High Elder took a step forward.
"She is more than just a partner."
Everyone pivoted.
He collapsed on the ground.
"She is the final Luna." I went cold. The final Luna?
Even so, what did that mean?
Arthur looked at me as if I weren't there. But in the back of your mind... My wolf was aware already.
This conflict wasn't just about me.
The secret to stopping it was me.