Chapter 5 The Alpha's Choice

Elsewhere, in the historic council building, the elders started to assemble. The pack's symbol had been chiseled onto the stone walls; flickering torchlight created shadows every direction. Invitations here were only given to the most significant. Among them, Lyra was already seated at the opposite end of the table, waiting.

Elder Maeron arrived last; his piercing eyes appeared to penetrate the secret plan.

"Lyra, you called us here?" he asked directly.

Lyra smiled quietly. "Being the Alpha's fated mate, I have a responsibility to see to the pack's stability."

The other elderly stared at one other uncomfortably. "You talk as though you are already standing beside the Alpha."

"I speak because Kael is hiding something and our Alpha is not carrying out his obligation," she said, voice sharper now. Alternatively more correctly, one.

The elders grew restless. "What do you mean?"

A human. A girl. Inside the Alpha's own stone tower. There were no declarations; there was little to see. Their scent, though, is already moving outside the boundaries of the woods.

Maeron slammed the table. "That's a strong claim." Have you proof?

Confident, Lyra lifted her chin. "No one can enter Kael's room anymore." Even Rowan is restricted. Kael has never been this strict, save if he is covering a link.

One senior mumbled quietly, "A bond? You mean... a soulmate?"

Lyra responded firmly, "Yes." And should it be true, our Alpha will be bonded to a human."

The silence dropped. Long. Tough. Maeron finally mumbled, "If that's true... Kael has shattered our leader's pure bloodline."

Lyra turned her intense gaze to Maeron, then to the other seniors. "We need to act." Before the whole group becomes lost. Or, even worse: loses its leader.

One of Lyra's supporters outside the hall slipped away carrying a letter to be silently distributed among the group.

Our Alpha has chosen a human. And rejected the blood of the wolf."

The old village bell rang from the middle of the village. Staring toward the council chamber far in the distance, Kael was in front of his window.

The bell had an unusual sound. It was a summon for the Alpha's trial. Aria stood behind him, her body shaking.

"This... it's because of me, right?"

Kael rotated slowly. "No. They are afraid of something beyond their control, therefore this occurs.

"I want to leave."

"No." Kael's eyes became sharper. "You stay here." This is my battleground.

The hall of the council was packed. The elders formed a circle; their faces were stern and cold. Kael was standing alone in the middle.

Maeron started the meeting. "Kael, Alpha of the western pack." We called you here as a leader needing to be held responsible rather than as friends.

Kael remained quiet. The elders spoke one at a time.

You never disclosed your partner.

"The rumors about a human get louder."

"The pack can no longer conceal the bond's aroma."

Then Lyra stood, her voice quiet yet sharp. "If our Alpha has fallen for a human, how can we protect our bloodline? Will we bow to human weakness just because of a bond?"

Kael elevated his chin. "I did not fall. I selected. I decided to defend my soulmate despite the blood."

Whispers and sighs reverberated across the room.

Maeron's voice burst out, "With that statement, you confess... that the human is really your soulmate?"

"Yes," one word. Solid.

Cold anger sparked Lyra's gaze. "Then... we will have your trial three days from now. Under the "blood law".

"And should you lose... you would have to give up your role as Alpha. Or your life."

Kael went out of the room following the session. Gathering clouds darkened the heavens.

Rowan approached him. "You're crazy."

"Maybe. But I won't let them touch her."

The evening was very dark. Clouds obstructed the moon. Aria lay awake in Kael's room. She stood by the window looking out at the silent but foreboding forest.

Kael had not come back after the morning session. Though Rowan brought food, he soon departed. Aria found things difficult. Too silent. Too empty.

Then there was a hiss from the outside window. Leaves murmured. Light footprints as though someone was making an effort to be quiet.

Aria stepped back gradually. The door, nevertheless, creaked open by itself. Someone had chosen the lock. She stayed breathless. A woman's silhouette entered gently. silver hair. Eyes that are keen. A cruel smile.

"Finally, we meet without guards."

Trembling, Aria backed off. "What do you want ...?"

"To bring back the balance of the pack. To get rid of the poison from the Alpha's blood."

Lyra leaped forward in an instant, claws changing, ready to strike. Just as she nearly touched Aria, however, a powerful blow came from the side. Kael showed up. Their falls to the floor reverberated throughout the room.

"Lyra, I warned you!"

"You embarrass yourself! All for that dirty human!"

Holding back his fury, Kael smacked the floor beside Lyra's head. "Touch her once more and I will not await a trial. I am ending this right here.

Lyra smirked with bitterness; blood trickled from a gash on her shoulder. "You've lost, Kael. Even before entering the courtroom. You picked love over blood.

For now, Kael imprisoned Lyra. But Aria had quickly become the focus for the whole pack. Kael couldn't protect her forever unless he won.

Kael took Aria away from the stone tower after that night of attacks. The safest, most covert site for an old subterranean chamber formerly used by past Alphas is.

Aria stood before him in the quiet. "Kael..."

Her voice shook not out of terror but from scars further than Lyra's claws. Kael glanced at her tiredly. Lyra's attack left a scar on his left arm, which was heavily bandaged.

"What thoughts are running now?"

Fighting back tears, Aria inhaled profoundly. Break the link. Remove all of it. Before you lose everything from me."

Kael narrowed his eyes. "Don't say foolish things."

"This is not stupid! Sensible! You are the Alpha. You are their chief. I am nobody!"

Kael drew closer. "You are my soulmate."

"And because of that, I have to go. Before they murder you for defending me. Death is preferable to being the cause of your death.

Kael gently but strongly seized her shoulder. "Don't ever say that again. You are the only cause I am still Alpha, hence I fight. I am just a monster wearing a leader's skin." Without you.

Crying, Aria fell into his arms, "Then let me go. So they won't find me." Conceal me. Hide me till it is finished."

Kael lapsed silent. Under his honor and power was a terror he had kept hidden-losing the only person who made him feel alive. And Rowan, breathing in, peered from the doorway afar. Before the day of the court, he realized a decision needed to be made.

Body tense, Kael stood with his back to Aria. "You know what is the most heartless thing about all this?"

"What?" Aria whispered.

"I hate your blood." Eyes sharp, Kael turned. "I despise that you are the daughter of the man who burned half our village ten years ago."

Aria inclined her head, lip biting. "I know. That is why I spoke, let me go.

"But my body won't listen." Kael hit the stone wall next to him. "Every time I mean to harm you, my body moves to defend you instead."

He laughed cruelly. "This link is like a curse. And I am stuck with my foe."

Aria's tears cascaded, yet she remained unwavering. "Then ... hate me. Let me live, though." Just not for me, don't ruin yourself."

Kael shut his eyes. "Do you believe I didn't try to kill you on the first night we met?"

Aria stayed quiet.

"But when my skin contacted yours..." He opened his eyes, in utter shock. "All memories of your father disappeared. You were all left. Your inhale. your heart rate That frightened me more than any war."