CHAPTER EIGHT: A SHADOW FROM THE PAST

The sharp scent of smoke stung my nostrils as I raced towards the chaos at the pack's Easter borders. My eyes scanned the treeline searching for Alexander. The memory of the Black Wolf still lingered in my mind,his words echoing like a warning I didn't fully understand.

When I reached the frontline,the scene was worse than I had expected. Wolves fought tooth and claw,their snarls mixing with pained yelps. Some pack mates lay injured on the frost covered earth.

My wolf stirred restlessly under my skin. I clenched my fists,torn between fear and an unfamiliar fiery determination. I couldn't stand back and watch my pack fall apart. No matter how much they despised me.

I moved forward but immediately froze in place. From the shadows of the forest,the black wolf appeared ,his massive form radiating power and menace. His crimson eyes locked onto mine,pinning me in place.

“Lea,”he growled, his voice echoing in my mind. “I’ve waited long enough”.

I was immediately in a fighting stance,my heart thundering fiercely in my chest.He shifted effortlessly,his transformation fluid and terrifyingly fast. Where the wolf has stood before,a man now loomed,tall and muscular,with jet black hair and piercing crimson eyes that glinted. Eyes that have the same colour as mine.His presence demanded attention ,his aura was almost as suffocating as Alexander's and I shivered slightly.

The pack stopped fighting,all eyes turning towards him. Even Alpha Rowan seemed to hesitate in front of this new threat.

The rogue leader smirked,his gaze never leaving mine,” I didn't expect my little sister's pack to put up such a pathetic defence”. He said mockingly.

Sister?. My heart raced as my confusion grew. “Who are you?” I demanded looking at him suspiciously as I straightened.

The rogue leader tilted his head,studying me with a mixture of amusement and something darker. “You don't know me,do you?.” He chuckled,the sound low. “ I’m Kael. But you should have known that already. After all, we share the same blood.”

My eyes widened in shock and disbelief. “That's impossible.” I said, shaking my head. “I was adopted.”

His smile widened,”Adopted,yes. But not a stray. You are part of something far greater than this pathetic excuse of a pack.” His tone darkened “ And it's time for you to remember who you really are.”

Alexander's voice suddenly cut through the tension,and I sighed in relief. “Kael” he said, stepping into the clearing,his golden eyes gleaming with restricted fury. “You've gone too far”.

Kael turned towards Alexander,his smirk turning cold “Ah,the cursed king.” He said mockingly “Still playing protector I see. But this is not your concern Alexander. It's family business.”

“Family?.” I repeated,my voice breaking.”What are you even talking about.”

Kael's expression softened,but his crimson eyes remained sharp. “You and I are from the line of Crimson Alpha's. The first wolves, blessed by the moon Goddess. But that power comes with a price Lea. And they have kept it from you.”

He pointed at Alpha Rowan and the pack leaders.”These cowards feared your potential,so they buried the truth. They hid you away, suppressed your wolf ,and made you believe you were less than nothing”.

My jaw nearly hits the floor at these revelations.All these years,they have made me believe I am worthless. That I am nothing but a wolfless stray.

The pack erupted into murmurs,And Alpha Rowan stepped forward,his face dark with anger. “This is nonsense,” he growled. “She's a threat to the pack. Nothing more.”

Kael laughed,the sound lacking humour. “A threat?. You are right about that. But not in the way you think. And I am pretty sure you know.”

My mind raced. Could he be telling the truth?. I looked towards Alexander,my eyes pleading for clarity.

Alexander's expression remained unreadable. “You don't have to believe him.” He said quietly. “But you can't ignore the power inside you,Lea. It's real. And it's yours to claim.”

Kael stepped closer to me,his presence overwhelming. “Come with me Lea,” he said,his voice soft but commanding. I’ll show you the truth they've been hiding. I'll help you become who you're meant to be.

Ethan's voice cut me off before I could reply. “Don't listen to him!.”

I turned in surprise as Ethan stepped forward. His face is a mixture of desperation and fury. “You don't belong with them. You belong here,with me.”

“Belong?.” I spat as anger flared in me. “You betrayed me Ethan. You and Sophie tried to destroy me.”

“I made mistakes.” His voice softened “But I never stopped loving you.”

“What!.” I heard Sophie screamed as she stepped forward in fury,her eyes blazing with malice. But one look from Kael and Alexander silenced her. She slunked off to a corner sulking,and I couldn't help but do a happy dance in my head.

“Pathetic.” Kael snorted and crossed his arms. He 

turned towards Ethan. “You’d let her rot in a dungeon,and you think you can win her back with pretty words?. You don't deserve her.”

Ethan growled,” And you think you do?.” 

Alexander stepped between them,his voice dangerous. “Enough”. He commanded.

The tension between the three men was electric. Each of them staking their claim in different ways. My head spun with conflicting emotions. Anger, confusion,and the tiniest flicker of longing I couldn't ignore.

Keal extended his hands toward me,his eyes full of promises,” This pack will never accept you,Lea. Come with me,and I will show you a place where you belong”.

Ethan took a step closer,his voice pleading. “Stay here. I can make things right again. I’ll fight for you.”

Alexander remained silent. His golden gaze locked on mine. The weight of unspoken words is heavy between us.

My chest tightened,and my breath was shallow as I looked between the three men. Each path promised something different. Powe, love or clarity.

Kael's voice echoed in my mind again,low and haunting. The choice is yours,but the time to decide is running out.