Chapter 5: Trust Tested

The Alpha's piercing eyes stayed locked on mine, their golden hue burning with skepticism. "Explain again," he growled, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine.

I clenched the edge of the chair I sat on, my nails digging into the wood. "I heard them plotting against you in the eastern wing. They want you gone—dead, Alpha. I—"

"You keep saying that," he interrupted, leaning forward. His presence was overwhelming, filling the room. "But your word isn't enough. How do I know you didn't stage this to gain my trust?"

The accusation cut deep, though his doubt wasn't unwarranted. I was an outsider, a rogue they'd taken in reluctantly. I knew trust was earned, not given. But his unwavering suspicion stung nonetheless.

"Why would I risk my life exposing this if I were lying?" I shot back, my voice sharper than I intended.

His gaze hardened, but before he could respond, the door burst open. His Beta, Kara, strode in with a smug expression, her fiery red hair cascading over her shoulders.

"The pack meeting is about to start," she announced, sparing me a glance that dripped with disdain. "You wouldn't want to keep them waiting, Alpha."

The tension between us hung heavy as he rose. "We're not finished," he said, his tone carrying a promise of scrutiny.

The gathering was a chaotic mix of growls and murmurs. The pack stood in tight clusters, their eyes shifting uneasily. I stayed at the edge, avoiding Kara's glare. The air buzzed with unease, and I felt the weight of their collective judgment pressing down on me.

"A spy," someone whispered, their tone venomous. "Who else could have found the passage?"

The words struck like a blow. I turned sharply, catching the speaker's gaze. A young wolf sneered, emboldened by the murmurs of agreement around him.

"I'm no spy," I said firmly, but the accusation had already taken root.

The Alpha's commanding voice cut through the noise. "Enough. We have more pressing matters to discuss."

His authority silenced the room, but the doubt in their eyes lingered, smoldering like embers.

After the meeting, I sought solitude, but Kara cornered me in the corridor. Her lips curled in a mocking smile. "You really are something, Siena. A rogue stirring up trouble and expecting us to trust you?"

"I've done nothing wrong," I replied, meeting her gaze head-on.

"Haven't you?" she sneered, stepping closer. "You think we don't see through your act? You're nothing but a parasite, latching onto the Alpha."

Her words struck a nerve. My fists clenched at my sides. "If you have a problem, Kara, say it outright. Or are you too much of a coward?"

Her eyes flashed with fury. "Coward?" she hissed, shoving me back against the wall. "You don't belong here."

I pushed her off, my wolf surging forward. "And what will you do about it?" I challenged, my voice a low growl.

The fight was swift and brutal. Her claws slashed toward me, but I dodged, countering with a sharp blow that sent her staggering. The narrow corridor amplified every snarl and impact as we clashed, neither willing to back down.

Just as I gained the upper hand, a deafening roar froze us both. The Alpha's imposing figure loomed at the end of the hallway, his golden eyes blazing with anger.

"Enough!" he thundered, his voice reverberating through the space.

Kara stepped back, her defiance replaced by guilt. I straightened, wiping blood from my lip, but his gaze pinned me in place.

"My office. Now," he commanded.

The room felt smaller with him towering over me. "You can't keep fighting my pack," he said, his tone cold. "It only fuels their distrust."

"She attacked me," I argued. "I'm defending myself, not stirring trouble."

His eyes narrowed. "And yet trouble follows you everywhere."

The words stung, but I refused to show it. "If you think I'm the problem, prove it. I'll find the real traitor myself."

For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze searching mine. Then he nodded sharply. "You have until dawn."

With the clock ticking, I retraced my steps to the hidden passage. My instincts guided me to a pile of discarded crates. Beneath them, a faint metallic glint caught my eye. Pulling the crates aside, I uncovered a dagger bearing the Blackwood Pack's emblem.

The realization hit me like a freight train. The sabotage wasn't random—it was calculated. Someone wanted to frame me while sowing discord within the pack.

Armed with this evidence, I returned to the Alpha. He examined the dagger, his expression unreadable.

"This changes things," he murmured, his voice softer than I expected.

Before I could respond, the door burst open, revealing the Alpha, bloodied and limping. My heart lurched at the sight.

"Ambush," he rasped, collapsing into the chair. Without hesitation, I grabbed a cloth and began tending to his wounds. His usual stoic demeanor cracked, revealing a vulnerability that made my chest ache.

Our eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, the world fell away. He leaned closer, his breath warm against my cheek. My heart thundered as he whispered, "Siena…"

But before he could say more, Kara burst in, her face pale. "Alpha," she said, her voice trembling. "The Blackwood Pack is at our borders."

The fragile moment shattered as the weight of impending war descended upon us.