Kayla's POV
Arthur looked at me with a ghostly look.
His look swept across my ripped garments, my face covered in blood, and the silver sparkle in my eyes. He clenched his jaw. He appeared to be in shock at what he was witnessing.
"You're still alive," he whispered. "How?"
I drew a trembling breath and folded my arms. "Disappointed?"
"No," he responded hastily as he moved in closer. "I believed you had passed away."
"I nearly was," I spoke in a chilly tone. "Thank you."
He recoiled as if I had given him a slap. "I didn't know," said Kayla.
I yelled, "Don't say my name like that." "You turned me down in front of everybody. You humiliated me and called me weak. Then disposed of me like garbage.
"You weren't sold by me!" he snarled.
I retorted, "You might as well have." After being drugged, I was tossed like cattle into a wagon. In renegade territory, left for dead. You failed to check. You showed no concern.
His look grew gloomy. "That isn't accurate."
"So tell me what it is." He remained silent for a while. Except for the wind in the trees, the forest was silent.
At last, he remarked, "I sensed something." "After I turned you down. My wolf began to shred me to pieces. I had trouble falling asleep. I was unable to think. I thought I was losing my mind.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned aside.
"Good," I whispered. "I nearly passed away. You were entitled to that feeling.
He took a step toward her. "You're unique. You've gained strength. I'm not sure I understand.
I scowled at him. "You're missing a lot of things. And I won't accompany you anywhere.
He gritted his teeth and declared, "We're mates."
"You tossed that out."
We looked at one another. Pain, confusion, and anger. Like a chain around my chest, the bond tugged at me. I detested it. I hated that his voice still influenced my heart despite everything.
I said, "I'm not weak anymore." "Therefore, don't assume you can order me."
Arthur's eyes were burning. "Then explain to me what in hell is happening."
I paused. Shall I tell him?
He remained Riverash's Alpha. However, he might be able to avert what was about to happen.
I declared, "There will be a war."
He furrowed his brows. "What are you discussing?"
Then I said, "Alpha Zane." He is more than just a renegade boss. He is assembling an army of traitors, exiles, and rogues. He desires to eliminate Riverash and Lamia.
Arthur gave a headshake. "That isn't feasible. Zane lacks the authority to do that.
"Not by myself," I replied. However, he has allies now. The Council is hated by packs. Pack members who hold to the prophecy.
He scowled. "Which prophecy?"
I paused. I wasn't prepared to go into detail about my ancestry. Not quite yet.
Instead, I uttered, "He wants power." And he will kill everybody who stands in his way. He attempted to kill me.
Though Arthur remained silent, I could sense uncertainty in his eyes.
"You don't trust me," I stated bluntly.
He remarked, "I'm not sure what to believe." A few weeks ago, you were an omega. You're now discussing prophecies and rogue armies. Do you hear that?
I looked away. "Have faith in your desires. However, it is real. Additionally, your pack will burn if you don't prepare.
At that moment, there was a loud rustling sound coming from the trees. Arthur's Beta, a towering man in a black outfit, appeared.
"Alpha!" he exclaimed, panting. "Immediate news!"
Arthur pivoted. "What is it?"
We just stopped scouts from entering Zane's area. They have weapons. Well-prepared. They have military training, so they are not just rogues.
Arthur's eyes got bigger.
"We caught one," the Beta went on. He said that Zane had more than 100 fighters and that more are signing up every day.
Arthur turned to face me slowly. "You were aware."
I gave a nod. "And this is only the start."
Arthur had to make a difficult choice that evening. He stated, "We must speak with the Council." "We cannot handle this alone if Zane intends to invade."
I said, "I'm not going there with you."
"You must," he answered. "They must be told the truth if we are to come up with a plan. From both of us.
I had no desire to go. The Elders on the Council were the same ones who abandoned me. However, I had to give it a shot if this was how I could defend the packs—how I could prevent another girl from being discarded like I was.
We set out at the crack of dawn. Arthur rode forward. I rode along in silence for the most part. Even though my wolf didn't trust him, she didn't stop me.
I nearly turned around when we got to the Council Hall.
At the boundary of neutral territory stood a tall, white structure. Outside, the big packs flew their flags. At each door were silver-armoured guards.
Arthur walked next to me. I kept my eyes off him.
Old and arrogant in their long robes, the Elders sat in a half circle inside. I sensed that they were watching me.
One of them scowled. "What brings her here?"
Arthur took a step forward. "Because she is aware of the threat posed by rogues."
I kept my chin up as I stood next to him. Alpha Zane is assembling a force. I've witnessed it. I managed to get away with it.
Elders whispered. One of them made his eyes narrow. "How did you get away?"
I said, "I fought." "I made it through."
The Elder didn't seem persuaded. "At the Gathering, you were the omega who was turned away. What makes everything you say credible?
Then Arthur spoke loudly and firmly. "Because she is not who you believe her to be."
There was silence in the room.
"I turned her down," he added. And I'm sorry about it. However, what followed almost broke me. I've never seen a wolf as strong as she is. And I think she's real.
I looked at him. I was surprised by the words. That was not what I expected him to say.
An additional Elder rose. "The packs are at risk." Last month, Lamia lost their Alpha. Riverash lacks equilibrium. We won't be able to endure being separated if Zane assaults now.
One of the others questioned, "So what do we do?"
The elder held up his hand.
He declared, "There is only one way." "A partnership." Arthur scowled. "We have one already. All packs are held together by the Council"
"Not just any alliance," the Elder cut in. "A blood tie."
"What are you saying?" Slowly, Arthur inquired.
The Elder gave us both a glance.
"You're getting married. Riverash's Arthur Dylan. Lamia resident Kayla Roger. The packs will be united by your union. And together, you will spearhead the attack on Zane.
My jaw fell open. "What?"
Arthur appeared equally astounded. "That cannot be forced!"
"This has nothing to do with sentiments," the Elder stated. It has to do with surviving. There is already a mate relationship. The past is irrelevant. The future does.
I took a step forward. "You turned me down. You claimed that I had no value.
That was disregarded by the Elder. "A new era is on the horizon. One of silver and blood. Kayla, you were intended for more. The moon has decided.
Arthur looked at me.
I returned the stare. My entire being cried out, "No." Not after all that he had done. After the anguish, no.
The Elder, however, said the last words.
"Alpha Arthur Dylan will marry Kayla Roger in the name of unity and by the Council's decision."
My heart thumped hard against my chest.
Arthur looked across at me.
I stepped back. Get married to the person who broke me?
The guy who tossed me aside?
The war had only barely started.
I was its queen now.