Chapter 8: The Forsaking's Return

Nyla’s POV

Ahead, the massive, defended gates of the Dark Moon Pack loomed. These walls had a strange strength that didn't feel like a prison, in contrast to Silver Dawn's frigid and inflexible walls.

As Caleb guided me through, I balled my fists. Wolves paused to observe, their eyes curious but not disdainful. Don't sneer. No insults in whispers.

It wasn't like me at all.

A dark-leathered warrior with strong shoulders walked forward and bowed his head. "Caleb Beta." I was shocked when he turned to face me and bowed a little. "Nyla, welcome to Dark Moon."

I tensed up. "Do you recognize my name?"

He gave a nod. Word spreads quickly. An Alpha destroyed by a warrior? We don't hear anything like that very often.

I stiffened. Warrior. Not a traitor. Omega is not weak.

I was about to reply when Caleb pushed my arm. "Come on. We are expected by the Alpha.

I went through the village after him. Silver Dawn was not like the pack. Wolves joked and trained together. Young Omegas were working with warriors, not under them, as I observed.

I whispered, "Your pack... doesn't treat ranks like Silver Dawn does."

Caleb gave me a knowing look. Strength is more than just blood here. What you prove is what matters.

I didn't know how to react.

A woman with a stack of firewood walked by. Instinctively, I reached out. "Do you need assistance—?"

She smiled and shook her head. "I possess it. But I'm grateful. Then she looked me in the eyes without hesitation. "Your presence here is appreciated."

I followed her look.

Don't be afraid. No caution.

They didn't think I was nothing at all.

Caleb smiled. "Astonished?"

I ignored my feelings. "It's... different."

"Get accustomed to it," he advised. "You are no longer in Silver Dawn."

However, my doubts persisted as we arrived at the Alpha's opulent residence.

Would this be any different? Or was I simply entering a new cage?

Behind a huge oak desk, the Alpha of Dark Moon sat with an air of authority. His dark hair was streaked with silver, and he was older than I thought—late forties. His piercing blue eyes closely examined me.

Killian is completely the opposite.

His fingers were steepled as he leaned back. "Nyla, you're not what I expected."

I maintained my position. "What did you anticipate?"

"A woman who is broken."

I didn't flinch even though my chest clenched. "I'm not damaged."

The Alpha smiled. "All right. I don’t need broken wolves. I require warriors.

I blinked.

Warrior.

Once more, that word.

Caleb took a step forward. "You've seen her abilities, Alpha. In front of Killian's whole pack, she defeated him.

The Alpha's eyes remained fixed. "That's why I'm thinking about this."

I scowled. "What are you thinking about?"

He let out a slow breath and got up. "I require a beta."

My breath caught.

Beta.

second-in-command.

The role in Silver Dawn that I was never permitted to hold.

The role I ought to have held.

I looked between Caleb and him. "Why would you give me that?"

The Alpha's head cocked. "Because I see possibilities." Because you seem like a fire to me. His eyes narrowed. Additionally, I am certain that Killian will come get you. I want you on my side when he does.

A shiver went through my body.

Killian.

His shadow still followed me.

I balled my hands into fists. “And what do you get out of this?”

The Alpha chuckled. “Loyalty. Strength. A warrior with something to prove.” His voice trailed off as he moved closer. "Don't you want retribution?"

I took a deep breath.

Yes, I did.

I detested doing so.

I couldn't deny it, though.

“Take your time to think,” the Alpha said. “But not too long. The conflict has already started.”

A war?

Before I could ask, Caleb touched my arm. "Come on. Later, we will discuss.

My thoughts were racing as I turned.

A beta. A conflict.

And the decision I never imagined having.

Killian.

I should no longer be familiar with that name. I ought to have abandoned him and the pack that spit on my life. However, I was aware. Like a festering wound, my past followed, clawed, and bled into the future instead of simply letting go.

I could picture the atmosphere changing even though I wasn't present when the visitor arrived at Silver Dawn. The tension rippled through the pack like a slow-moving storm, and the weight of a new predator stepping upon hallowed turf.

As the man approached, his huge boots stomping on the mud, the guards at the gate tensed. He smelled strange, wild, untamed, with the nature odor of a rogue.

However, this was no ordinary rogue.

At the top of the stairs, Killian stood with a swagger that I had never seen him display before.

Unease.

“Who the hell are you?” Killian’s voice was sharp, controlled, but I knew him too well. There was tension beneath the surface, like a wolf poised to attack.

The stranger smirked, his eyes—golden, like fire—gleamed with something terrible. “Little brother, you don’t recognize me?”

Killian's whole body froze. The warriors on his side were shifting uneasily as the air grew thicker.

Killian said, hardly raising his voice above a whisper, "No." "You've passed away."

The man's grin grew as he stepped forward once more. "Did you truly believe that I would be killed by a pack like this? That while you played Alpha, I would rot in some forgotten grave? He laughed ominously. "Oh, Killian. Power is something you've never understood.

The whispers filtered through the assembled group. The elders exchanged shocked and incredulous looks as a few of them gasped.

It isn't possible.

Killian's brother was lost.

Alpha, the Forsaken.

Damon.

Killian spit out, "I don't have a brother," yet his clenched fists belied this.

Damon cocked his head, amusement shining in his eyes. Are you still living in denial? That is so cute. He approached the stairs and paused a short distance away from Killian. "Anyway. It wasn't a family reunion that brought me here.

Killian's mouth clenched. “Then why the hell are you here?”

A slow smile crept across Damon’s face, one that sent chills down the bones of everyone who witnessed it.

“I came for her.”

Killian’s eyes hardened, his wolf surging to the surface in a burst of wrath. "Who?"

Damon never faltered in his grin. "Nyla."

A startled quiet descended across the pack.

For a moment, even Killian appeared startled, his muscles stiffening like iron. However, he hesitated barely a moment before a snarl formed on his lips.

"She is not your property."

Damon laughed, a deep, rumbling sound. It's funny. She is also not your property.

The air trembled with Killian's growl, but Damon seemed unmoved. He stepped forward again and spoke in an almost ruthless tone.

With a scathing, menacing tone, Damon snarled, "Give her to me, Killian." "I'll spare your pack, too."

I sensed it.

Something had changed in the air even miles away, causing my heart to race with a whisper in my bones.

I had a visitor on the way.

I was holding the hilt of the sword Caleb had given me as I stood at the edge of the Dark Moon Pack's training area. Today, the weight felt different. Heavier. As if the entire world had fallen on my shoulders.

"Nyla!"

A Silver Dawn warrior ran at me, his face white, his breath labored, and I turned.

He screamed and dropped to his knees, saying, "Killian sent me." "You need to return."

I crossed my arms and scoffed. "I don't have any obligations."

The warrior gave a fierce shake of his head. "You're not getting it. You are in danger. His eyes were wide with what seemed like desperation as he stared up at me. "Damon is present."

I went cold.

I felt a chill creep down my back. "Damon?"

He gave a desperate nod. The Alpha Who Was Forsaken. Killian's sibling. He demanded that you come to Silver Dawn.

My breath caught.

The stories about him were nothing short of nightmares. A rogue so formidable, entire packs had fallen beneath his wrath. A ghost that killed without warning, without mercy.

And now… he wanted me.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “What does he want?”

The warrior's expression twisted uneasily. "You."

My ears throbbed with my heartbeat.

Caleb took a step forward, his face grim. “Why?”

The warrior hesitated, then murmured, “I don’t know. But he informed Killian that if he didn’t hand you over… he would destroy Silver Dawn.”

Silence.

I gripped the sword more tightly.

I had fantasized of seeing Silver Dawn burn for so long. Of witnessing my agonized pack disintegrate into dust.

However, something didn't feel right.

I gave Caleb a look. "If Damon is a rogue Alpha and as formidable as they claim, he won't stop at Silver Dawn. He will come here next if he wants me.

Caleb's mouth clenched. “Then we prepare.”

The warrior shook his head. “You don’t understand! Killian is no longer the same person. Nyla, he's fighting to keep you safe.

I let out a sour chuckle. That's a lot of money. The same man who humiliated me in front of his group, beat me, and rejected me now wants to defend me? I gave a headshake. "The only reason he's doing it is to avoid losing."

The warrior paused. "Perhaps. But Nyla, I saw his eyes. He is afraid.

I squinted. "Damon?"

The warrior took a deep breath. "No. Of losing you.

I pushed it down even though something in my chest wrenched. Weakness was not an option. No room for feelings that ought to have perished the day Killian turned me down.

Caleb moved in front of us. "At this time, Damon is not our problem. We concentrate on fortifying Dark Moon's defenses.

I nodded and let out a slow exhale. "All right."

However, something about this felt off.

I turned back to the Silver Dawn fighter. “Tell Killian this,” I whispered, my voice cutting as a dagger. “I am no longer his to protect. If Damon wants me, he can come find me himself.”

The warrior shuddered, but he nodded and went back toward Silver Dawn.

Caleb let out a sigh. "Are you certain that was a smart move?"

The moment weighed heavily on my bones as I looked him in the eye. "No," I said. “But if Damon thinks I’ll run, he’s wrong.”

Despite the tempest building inside of me, I tightened my hands and kept my heartbeat steady.

Because The Forsaken Alpha would have to confront me if he desired me.

And I was no longer the helpless little slave girl.