âAnd yet you came without an army,â she said, her voice dripping with mockery. âI am Kaida⦠the leader of this army⦠and we will teach you a lesson.â She stepped back and her army stepped up, wielding their weapons.
âPrepare to atâ¦â Before I was done with my command, they surged at us with the speed of light.
Instantly, the fighting got fierce, we were outnumbered. Wet were holding our own, it seemed but obviously weâre not going to prevail. Little, little from bruises, a cut on my forehead. started dripping blood.
âEnough!â This command from Kaida sliced through chaos, freeing us, âLeave them.â
Her army hesitated but obeyed. She stepped closer, her eyes. locking onto mine. âThis is your warning, Alpha. Donât come back unless youâre ready to lose more than your pride.â
I gritted my teeth in shame but nodded. âUnderstood.â
The walk back to the packhouse was heavy with defeat. My warriors were silent, their injuries a bad reminder of my failed gamble.
Aurora was waiting when we arrived, her arms crossed and her eyes blazing. âWhat the hell were you thinking?â she demanded.
I sighed, brushing past her. âNot now, Aurora.â
âOh, now is exactly the time,â she countered, following me into our room. âYou risked their lives for what? Your ego?â
âIt wasnât my ego!â I shouted, spinning to face her. âIt was for the packâs future.
âAnd you thought going behind everyoneâs back was the best way to secure that?â she shot back, her voice shaking with anger, I could tell she was sick worried for me, but I hated it.
I donât need pity. âMaybe if the council could make a decision, I wouldnât have to act on my own!â
She narrowed her eyes, her chest rising and falling with deep breaths. âYou put everyone in danger, Dane. Including yourself.â
The tension between us was like a live wire pulled out. She turned away, her hands digging into the edge of the dresser. âI canât lose you,â she whispered, her voice breaking.
Something inside me snapped. I closed the distance between us, my hands wrapping around her waist.
âYou wonât lose me,â I whispered, turning her to face me.
She would have argued again, and her lips parted; I quieted her