The Mark of the Alpha
Ayla stared at Rowan, her heart pounding. His smug grin made her want to claw his face, but it was the weight of his words that left her frozen.
“What did you say?” she asked, her voice dangerously low.
Rowan crossed his arms, clearly enjoying the attention. “I said, your powers are incomplete. The mark of the Alpha can’t be activated without a ritual. And guess what? That ritual involves your fated mate.”
The courtyard fell silent as everyone processed his words. Ayla’s hands curled into fists, her nails biting into her palms.
“What does that have to do with me?” she demanded.
Rowan’s smirk widened. “The Alpha’s plan, of course. He’s going to use you—and your bond—to solidify his control over the pack. He’s been planning it for years, waiting for the right time to take advantage of your… unique bloodline.”
“You’re lying,” Ayla snapped, though doubt churned in her stomach.
Rowan shrugged. “Am I? Ask the Alpha yourself. See if he denies it.”
Ayla’s eyes darted to the Alpha, who stood rigid, his expression dark and unreadable. But his silence spoke volumes.
“So it’s true,” Ayla said, her voice trembling with anger. “You were going to use me as a tool for your power.”
The Alpha’s gaze sharpened. “You don’t understand the bigger picture, girl. This pack needs strength, unity. Your abilities are a gift, and I intended to use them for the good of all.”
“For your good,” Ayla spat. “Not mine. You don’t care about this pack—you care about control.”
The crowd murmured, uneasy. Ayla could feel the cracks forming in the pack’s loyalty, but she needed to shatter them completely.
“I’m done being your pawn,” she said, stepping forward. “If you want my power so badly, you’re going to have to fight me for it.”
Gasps erupted around her, and the Alpha’s eyes narrowed. “You dare challenge me?”
“I dare,” Ayla said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. “You don’t deserve to lead this pack. And if no one else will stand up to you, I will.”
The Alpha let out a low growl. “You’ll regret this.”
As the challenge was set, the pack gathered in a wide clearing, the tension so thick it was suffocating. Ayla stood in the center, her head held high despite the nerves threatening to consume her. She had never imagined herself here, but now there was no turning back.
Zion approached her, his expression torn. “Ayla, are you sure about this? The Alpha won’t hold back. He’ll do whatever it takes to win.”
“I don’t have a choice,” Ayla said, meeting his gaze. “If I back down now, he’ll keep coming after me. After all of us.”
Zion hesitated, then reached for her hand. “If you need me, I’ll be here. No matter what happens, I’m on your side.”
Ayla felt a pang of gratitude, but it was mixed with a heaviness she couldn’t ignore. “Thank you,” she said softly.
As Zion stepped back, Cian approached, his green eyes filled with concern. “Ayla, I can fight for you. You don’t have to do this alone.”
“Yes, I do,” Ayla said firmly. “This is my fight, Cian. But thank you—for everything.”
Cian nodded, though the tension in his shoulders didn’t ease. “Just… be careful. You’re more important than you realize.”
The Alpha stepped into the clearing, his presence as commanding as ever. The crowd fell silent as the two squared off, the weight of the challenge pressing down on everyone.
“This ends here,” the Alpha said, his voice cold. “You’ve caused enough chaos, Ayla. It’s time to put you in your place.”
Ayla didn’t flinch. “My place isn’t under you.”
With that, the fight began. The Alpha lunged, his speed impressive despite his age. Ayla dodged, her movements fluid as she anticipated his strikes. She could feel the power coursing through her, sharper and stronger than ever before.
The crowd watched in stunned silence as Ayla held her own, delivering blows that shook the ground and dodging attacks with precision. But the Alpha wasn’t going down easily. His strength was immense, and each strike he landed left Ayla gasping for air.
“You can’t win,” he growled, his claws grazing her side.
“I’m not giving up,” Ayla snarled, delivering a powerful kick that sent him stumbling back.
Just as she prepared for another strike, a deafening howl cut through the air. Everyone froze, turning toward the forest as a familiar figure emerged from the shadows.
The Rogue King.
He walked into the clearing with a calm, deliberate stride, his silver hair gleaming in the moonlight.
“Stop,” he said, his voice carrying over the stunned crowd. “This fight is meaningless. Ayla doesn’t belong to you, Alpha. She belongs to me.”
The Alpha growled, his body tense. “You have no right to interfere.”
The Rogue King smirked. “On the contrary, I have every right. Ayla’s power isn’t yours to claim. It was never yours.”
Ayla’s chest tightened as the Rogue King’s gaze locked onto her. “Ayla, you know where you truly belong. Come with me, and I’ll make sure your power isn’t wasted on these fools.”
The crowd murmured, confusion and fear rippling through the wolves.
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Ayla said, her voice steady despite the chaos around her.
The Rogue King raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? Because if you refuse me, this pack won’t survive the night.”