~NYRA~
"Nyra! Nyra!"
I woke to a sharp tug through the mind link.
"Yes," I answered groggily.
"Wake up, Nyra. There's an intruder."
Aaron's voice sharpened my senses, every nerve sparking awake.
"An intruder?"
"Yes. Come down soon." The link cut off.
I scrambled out of bed, rushing to the bathroom. Hot water stung against my skin, my shoulder wound—once raw—was gone, leaving only a faint scar. Good thing no one knew.
Yanking on a black tank top and track pants, I raced downstairs, heart thudding.
Aaron and Knox were waiting, tense.
"What happened?" I demanded, joining them.
"A man attacked our patrols at night," Knox said as we headed toward the grounds.
"Why didn't they kill him?"
"He's human," Aaron muttered with disdain.
Human. My pulse spiked.
"Then why the trial? Uncle can just command him," I pressed.
"That's the problem." Knox's tone was grave. "Alpha command didn't work on him."
"What?" My steps faltered.
That was…impossible. Humans bent instantly under Alpha's will. Always.
Does that mean —
No. Don't overthink, Nyra.
"What happens now?"
"The council members are here. They'll decide."
I swallowed hard. Council.
"Why did the council get involved?" Aaron asked, voicing the question sitting like a stone in my chest.
"That human carried silver and matches. He attacked our men deliberately. They suspect he knew what we are."
Aaron frowned. "We don't kill humans… but if command doesn't work, then—"
"Execution," Knox finished.
The word felt like ice in my veins. Not that I fear blood, but something doesn't feel right.
We entered the training grounds. My gaze swept over the gathered crowd—elders, council, warriors—and then froze.
I sensed him before I saw him.
My mate.
Bound in chains at the center of the grounds.
No. No, no, no. This couldn't be him. Not here.
"Nyra?" Aaron called softly.
I tore my eyes away, following them up the stage where Uncle, Aunt and council members presided, deep in discussion.
We took our places behind them. But the pull burned through me, in every vein, fierce and undeniable.
'We need to save him!' Nina, my wolf, snapped in my mind.
'Let's wait for their decision,' I muttered.
'He's our mate. They can't kill him!'
I ignored her. She wouldn't understand. Even I couldn't.
Why did he come here? Why did he attack? Why didn't my command erase his memory?
'He's our mate.'
'Is that why he's immune to my command?' I asked.
'Answer me, Nina'
Fucking great. Now she's ignoring me.
Alpha Allen stood, his voice cutting through the crowd. "Why did you carry silver knives? Who sent you?"
"No one sent me," the human spat.
"Why attack our men? Who told you about silver?"
"Speak or you'll be dead," Uncle's Alpha voice thundered.
The man's glare burned. "You monsters kill without mercy. But I won't let that happen. I'll end you."
"Human." Uncle Daniel sneered. "Let's just kill him."
"But he's human," Aunt argued weakly.
"A human who is immune to my command!" Uncle roared back.
Alpha Allen exhaled, weary. "There's no other choice. Finish him and file the report."
"No!" Nina's growl reverberated inside me.
"Save him now!"
"Nina, please—"
But the warrior stepped forward, sword raised.
My wolf surged. "Now! Save mate! You can't sit here!"
Pain split through my skull as I tried to hold her back.
"Nyra," Knox whispered beside me, concern in his eyes.
I clenched my head.
'Please, Nina, don't. Everyone will know—'
'I don't care!'
The shift tore through me. My body cracked, bones snapping as Nina forced her way out.
Knox stumbled back as my wolf growled at him.
Then, without hesitation, she leapt over the elders and landed in the dirt, the crowd scattering in terror.
Her paws pounded against the earth until she stood before him—our mate—snarling at the warrior.
He faltered, dropping the sword and backing away.
"He's mine! My mate!" Nina's Alpha command boomed through the mind link, echoing across every wolf in the pack.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Confusion. Shock. Horror.
Knox's face paled. "Impossible," he whispered.
Aaron's eyes darted between me and the human, wide with disbelief.
'What have you done, Nina?' I whispered.
'The right thing,' she replied, unapologetic.
"Nyra!" My uncle's voice roared with fury.