Chapter 8 TRICKY CHOICE.

Lyra stood at the edge of the forest, her heart racing with excitement. She had been waiting for this day for weeks - the annual pack reunion. She had heard stories about the reunions, how the entire pack would come together to celebrate their heritage and bond as a family.

She held her pup, Asher, close to her chest, feeling a sense of pride and love. He was the light of her life, and she couldn't wait to show him off to the rest of the pack.

As she walked through the forest, she could hear the sound of laughter and chatter growing louder. She quickened her pace, her eyes scanning the crowd for familiar faces.

She spotted Racheal, her mate, standing by a large oak tree, chatting with some of the other pack members. Lyra's face broke into a smile as she rushed over to hug him.

"Hey, beautiful," Racheal said, pulling her into a kiss. He reached out and tickled Asher's belly, making the pup giggle.

The pack members cheered and whistled, and Lyra felt her face heat up with embarrassment.

As they pulled away, Lyra looked up at Racheal, her eyes shining with happiness. "I'm so glad we're here together," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Racheal smiled, his eyes cr crling at the corners. "Me too, baby," he said, pulling her close.

As they stood there, Lyra noticed a group of pack members gathered around a large fire pit. They were all staring at something in the center of the pit, their faces etched with concern.

Curious, Lyra and Racheal walked over to investigate. As they approached, Lyra saw that the pack members were gathered around a large, intricately carved wooden box.

"What is that?" Lyra asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The pack member standing next to her, an older man with a kind face, leaned in. "It's an ancient artifact," he said, his voice low. "It's been passed down through generations of our pack. It's said to hold the secrets of our ancestors."

Lyra's eyes widened as she stared at the box. She had never seen anything like it before.

Suddenly, a loud howl echoed through the forest, causing the pack members to fall silent. Lyra's heart skipped a beat as she saw Kalen, Ryder's brother, standing at the edge of the clearing, his eyes scanning the crowd.

Racheal eyes followed Lyra's gaze, and his expression darkened. "Stay close to me," he whispered, his hand on the small of her back.

Kalen strode into the clearing, his eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on Lyra. A slow smile spread across his face, and Lyra felt a shiver run down her spine.

"Well, well, well," Kalen said, his voice dripping with malice. "Look what we have here. The little whore and her pup."

Lyra's eyes flashed with anger, and she took a step forward, but Racheal held her back.

"Leave her alone, Kalen," Rachea growled, his voice low and menacing.

But Kalen just laughed, the sound echoing through the forest. "Oh, I'm just getting started," he said, his eyes locked onto Asher.

Lyra's heart was racing, her mind reeling with fear as Kalen reached out and grabbed Asher from her arms.

"No!" she screamed, trying to grab Asher back, but Kalen held him out of reach.

Racheals eyes flashed with fury, and he launched himself at Kalen, his body shifting into a powerful wolf.

The two brothers clashed, their bodies crashing together in a flurry of fur and claws.

Lyra was frozen in shock, her eyes fixed on the fighting wolves. She knew she had to do something, but she was paralyzed with fear.

Suddenly, a pack member grabbed her arm, pulling her away from the fight. "Come on, Lyra, we have to get you to safety!" he shouted, dragging her away from the chaos.

As they ran, Lyra heard the sound of snarling and growling, the two wolves tearing into each other.

She knew she had to get back to Racheals, to help him.

But as she turned to run back, she was met with a sight that made her blood run cold.

Kalen was standing over Rachel's body, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.

"You should have stayed out of this, Lyra," he sneered, his eyes flashing with anger.

And with that, everything went dark.

As Lyra came to, she was met with a sight that made her heart stop.

Asher was gone, and Kalen was holding him in his arms, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

"Looks like you have a choice to make, Lyra," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "Your pup, or your mate."

Lyra's eyes widened in horror as she realized the impossible choice she had to make

As I lay there, frozen in shock, Kalen's words echoed in my mind. "Your pup, or your mate." It was an impossible choice. I couldn't bear the thought of losing either of them.

Kalen's grin grew wider as he saw the indecision on my face. He knew he had me trapped.

"You have one minute to decide," he sneered, his eyes flashing with malice.

I looked at Asher, my precious pup, and my heart ached. I looked at Racheal my mate, and my soul cried out.

And then, I remembered the words of my mother, an Alpha before me. "A true leader always puts the needs of others before their own."

I made my decision.

"Kalen, stop!" I shouted, my voice firm and commanding.

Kalen's grin faltered, and he looked at me in surprise.

"I'll go with you," I said, my voice steady. "Just leave Asher and Racheal alone."

Kalen's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he would refuse. But then, a wicked grin spread across his face.

"Very well," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "You have made your choice. Now, come with me."

As I stood up, Kalen handed Asher to one of his pack members. I took one last look at Racheal slifeless body, my heart shattering into a million pieces.

And then, I followed Kalen into the unknown, my pup crying out for me as I disappeared into the darkness......