CHAPTER 4

"She is troubled.”

When I saw her standing in the center of the training yard, her eyes burning like fire, my first thought was that trouble had never appeared so alluring.

I was now wondering what the hell I was doing as I stood at her door for the second consecutive night. My Alpha side, who insisted on control and reason, knew better. She had a certain quality, though.

Her scent was overwhelming, akin to wildflowers following a rain. My wolf became agitated and began to pace inside of me like a beast in a cage.

I waited while gently knocking. I opened the door after hearing no response.

"Maya?"

The bed was unaltered, the room deserted. My heart pounded the strange feeling at once grating and frightful.

Following her scent took little time.

I found her squatting low, with her back to me, close to the pack's boundary. The moonlight silvered her, and her hair fell over her shoulders, constricting my chest.

"What the hell are you doing out here?" I didn't want to sound harsh when I spoke.

She whirled in surprise. I briefly caught a glimpse of vulnerability in her eyes, but she quickly covered it with her typical attitude.

"Enjoying the night air," She responded calmly as she turned to face me.

"By yourself? At the border?” I stepped forward, a mixture of rage and something more burning inside. “Do you have a death wish?"

She brushed past me and shrugged. "I can look after myself."

She had to turn to face me after I grabbed her arm. “Whether you like it or not, you've joined this pack. Therefore, you don't conduct such antics.”

A wolf flickered just beyond the surface of her narrowed gaze. "I never asked to join your pack."

I lowered my voice and whispered, "No. But, you are mine to keep safe, which is significant.”

For an instant, there was a lot of tension between us, and neither was prepared to give up.

"Why did you care so much?" With a raised voice, she demanded. "Remember that I am merely a rogue"

With my fingers gripping her arm more tightly, I yelled, "Stop saying that." "You're not just nothing."

Her breath caught, and I became aware of how close we are. Quickly, her chest rose and fell, and her lips parted as though she wanted to utter something but could not.

Her voice was unconvinced, but she muttered, "Let me go."

But I could not, not with Maya's eyes drawing me into a place I couldn't leave and her scent impairing my judgment.

"Do you realize how much you aggravate me?" With a harsh voice, I whispered.

She smiled without amusement, her lips quivering. Good. At least, we're even.”

It shouldn't have done it.

Every sensible idea begged me to leave her alone and to turn away. But the need was too great, the pull too strong.

I put my hand around her waist and drew her in.I”If you say the word, I'll stop.”

She said nothing. Instead, she breathed shallowly and raised those storm-like eyes to me.

That was all the permission I needed.

For an instant, the world vanished as my lips smashed into hers. There were just the two of us, two wolves in a storm that neither of us could manage.

Her hands gripped my shirt and drew me closer as if she couldn't get enough. It was a wild, unrefined kiss that was just as hazardous as I had imagined.

Her breathing became labored as she withdrew. "This does not change anything."

I gave her a gloomy laugh while removing a lock of hair from her face. "Oh, little wolf, it changes everything."

The moment passed quickly.

The sound of rustling in the bushes brought us back to the present.

She asked, her voice just above a whisper, "Did you hear that?"

I sharpened my senses and nodded. There was danger in the air now, and it was different.

Before I could respond, the trees reverberated with a low growl.

“Stay behind me," I said, moving ahead of her.

I gave her a look that cut off her argument when she yelled, "I can handle myself."

The snarl intensified before they appeared.

Three wolves, with an unearthly light shining in their eyes.

I tensed my jaw and said, "Shadow rogues."

Maya tensed up behind me. "What do they want?"

I said, assuming a defensive posture, "They're not here for tea."

When the wolves lunged, everything was a flurry of claws and hair.

I was used to fighting, but these rouges were different they were stronger, faster, and more eerily coordinated.

After breaching my defenses, one made a direct course for Maya.

"No!"

Without thinking, I slammed against the wolf before it could get to her. We were both thrown to the ground by the hit.

"Darius!" I felt something primitive when I heard her voice in fright.

I sank my claws into the rogue's flesh and tore into it. Despite its shriek and retreat, I continued. I couldn't stop.

It wasn't until the last wolves ran away that I noticed Maya was beside me, holding my arm.

With a faltering voice, she inquired, "Are you okay?"

Even though my body hurt, I nodded. "How about you?"

Despite her wide eyes showing her terror, she said, "I'm fine."

I extended my hand and lightly touched her cheek. "Now you're safe."

It was a brief moment.

The night was pierced by a howl in the distance, a challenge, a warning.

The identical query mirrored in Maya's eyes as they greeted mine.

"What the hell is happening?" she questioned.

"I don't know."I said, my mind racing. "But I'm going to find out."

The howl was closer this time, and the distinct smell of blood followed.

"Darius..." Maya's voice wavered.

I looked at her, my mouth clenched. “Remain close to me no matter what happens."

Her palm moved into mine, and even though she remained silent, the gesture was very telling.

We were in this together now, whether we liked it or not.

The shadows moved again, the howling growing louder. The figure from the shadows was a man, not a wolf.

A familiar anger blazed in his eyes, and a ruthless sneer curled his lips.

"Well, well, Alpha," he remarked poisonously. "It's been a long time."

I tensed, my wolf growling in acknowledgment.

I snarled, my blood freezing, "Lysander."