The Blood Alpha's Warning

Chapter 11: The Blood Alpha's Warning

The morning air was heavy with tension. The scent of blood still lingered faintly in the hallways, a grim reminder of last night's attack. Guards were everywhere now — stationed at every door and window, their sharp eyes scanning the shadows for threats.

I stood by the window in the Alpha's study, staring outside. The world seemed calm — birds chirped in the trees, and the sun cast a golden glow over the pack grounds — but I knew better. That peace was an illusion.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Kade's voice broke the silence.

I turned to face him. He stood by the desk, his arm freshly bandaged from the cuts he'd gotten during the fight. Despite the injuries, he still carried that unshakable strength — like nothing could break him.

"I'm fine," I said quietly, but the truth was... I wasn't.

I couldn't stop thinking about what the rogue had said — about the Blood Alpha. Whoever he was, he knew who I was. And worse... he wanted me dead.

"You're not fine," Kade said, stepping closer. His voice softened. "I know you're scared."

I swallowed hard. "Why me?" My voice cracked. "I don't understand why this is happening."

Kade's expression hardened. "We'll figure it out," he promised. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

His words brought comfort, but deep down, I knew this wasn't over.

Later that day, Alpha Marcus called for a pack meeting. The entire pack gathered in the clearing outside the main house. Warriors stood at the edges, their eyes scanning the crowd for signs of danger.

Alpha Marcus stood on a raised platform, his face grim.

"We were attacked last night," he announced. "Rogues broke into our territory — not once, but twice. They came with a purpose, and they left us with a warning."

A low murmur swept through the crowd.

"Their target," the Alpha continued, "was Aria."

All eyes turned to me. I shrank back, my heart racing.

"I know you're all wondering why," Alpha Marcus said. "We are still searching for answers... but there's one thing we do know. The rogues are working for someone — a powerful Alpha known as the Blood Alpha."

The murmurs turned into anxious whispers. I could see the fear in their eyes.

"Who is he?" someone called out.

Alpha Marcus's jaw tightened. "He's ruthless," he said grimly. "A rogue leader who's been building an army for years. Packs have fallen to him before... and now he's set his sights on us."

A heavy silence fell over the crowd.

"He won't take us down," the Alpha growled. "We are stronger than him, and we will protect our own." His gaze swept across his people. "Anyone who threatens this pack will pay for it in blood."

The crowd erupted in cheers, but I felt no relief.

The Blood Alpha...

That name echoed in my mind like a dark curse.

That evening, I sat with Kade on the back porch of the pack house. The sky had turned deep orange as the sun dipped below the horizon.

"I don't understand," I muttered. "If this Blood Alpha is so powerful... why me? What could he possibly want from me?"

Kade leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "It has to be connected to what the rogue said before he died... about you being the 'Lost One.'"

"But I'm not special," I insisted. "I'm just... me."

"You're more than you think," Kade said quietly. "Maybe there's something about your past you don't remember... or something you haven't discovered yet."

I shook my head. "I grew up like anyone else. My parents weren't warriors or leaders. They were just normal pack members."

Kade sighed. "Maybe the answers are buried deeper than that."

Before I could respond, a sharp howl echoed from the woods.

Kade shot to his feet, his body tensing like a spring about to snap. "Stay here," he ordered, then rushed down the steps.

I watched anxiously as several warriors appeared from the trees, dragging a figure between them.

A rogue.

He was filthy, his clothes torn and his face bruised. Despite his injuries, the rogue grinned as the guards forced him to his knees before Alpha Marcus.

"I bring a message," the rogue rasped. His voice was hoarse, like he'd been screaming for hours.

"What message?" Alpha Marcus demanded.

The rogue's bloodstained smile widened. "From the Blood Alpha."

He reached into his tattered coat and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. One of the guards snatched it and handed it to the Alpha.

Alpha Marcus unfolded the paper and read it silently. His expression darkened.

"What does it say?" Kade asked.

Without a word, Alpha Marcus handed him the note. Kade's eyes scanned the paper... and his face paled.

"What is it?" I asked.

Kade didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked at me — his gaze sharp and serious.

"It says..." He swallowed hard. "It says, The Lost One belongs to me. Hand her over... or I'll burn your pack to the ground."

The air seemed to turn colder.

"He's coming," the rogue chuckled darkly. "And when he does... you'll all die."

Kade's hand shot out, grabbing the rogue by the collar. "You tell your Alpha that if he comes anywhere near this pack..." His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "He won't leave alive."

The rogue's smile faltered.

"Get him out of here," Alpha Marcus ordered, and the guards dragged the rogue away.

I stood frozen, my mind spinning.

"This isn't just about you," Kade said quietly. "The Blood Alpha isn't just threatening you... he's threatening all of us."

"What are we going to do?" I whispered.

"We're going to fight," Kade promised. "And we're going to win."

I wanted to believe him... but deep down, I knew this fight was only just beginning.

The next few days passed in a blur of preparation and unease. Every member of the pack worked tirelessly, reinforcing the borders, setting up patrols, and making sure we were ready for the inevitable fight that was coming. The Blood Alpha wasn't just a rogue leader—he was an army, a force we had never faced before. The fear in the air was palpable, but there was also an undeniable sense of resolve. We were ready to protect our home, no matter the cost.

But in the quiet moments, when I was alone, fear crept back in. I could hear the rogue's words repeating in my head: The Lost One belongs to me. What did he mean by that? Why was I so important to this Blood Alpha? I had lived my life like any other pack member—ordinary, unremarkable. Yet now, my entire world was turned upside down. The weight of it all was suffocating.

Kade had been by my side, as always, keeping me grounded. His presence was a constant source of comfort, though I could see the worry in his eyes. He was concerned about me, about the pack, but mostly about what the Blood Alpha would do to get to me. He didn't say it aloud, but I could feel the unspoken burden he carried—he would do anything to protect me, even if it meant sacrificing himself.

It was late afternoon when Alpha Marcus gathered us all again. The entire pack stood in the clearing, the last rays of sunlight casting long shadows over the group. My heart raced as I stood beside Kade, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder. The air was heavy with anticipation. Every member of the pack seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for the Alpha's next move.

"We have received word that the Blood Alpha is nearing our territory," Alpha Marcus announced, his voice strong but tinged with urgency. "We don't know exactly when he will strike, but we must be prepared for anything."

A hushed silence fell over the crowd. I could feel the eyes of the pack on me, some filled with pity, others with concern. I wasn't just a target—I was the reason they were all at risk. The Blood Alpha wanted me, and if he couldn't have me, he would destroy everything in his path.

"We will fight to protect our home," Alpha Marcus continued. "We will not let this rogue Alpha tear us apart. But I need you all to be ready. This fight will be like no other. We will stand together, united, or we will fall."

The words echoed in the air, a solemn promise to fight for the pack, but also a warning of the danger ahead. I could feel the weight of it, like a boulder pressing down on my chest. The Blood Alpha wasn't just after me—he wanted to destroy everything I held dear.

That night, Kade took me aside, away from the bustling preparations. We walked in silence through the woods, the moon casting a silver glow over the path. I could hear the sounds of the pack moving around us, preparing for the battle, but here, it was just us—alone, in the quiet.

"I don't want you to be scared," Kade said finally, his voice low and soft. "We'll be okay. We've survived before, and we'll survive this too."

"I'm scared," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what to do, Kade. I don't understand why the Blood Alpha wants me. What am I supposed to do with all of this?"

Kade stopped walking and turned to face me, his expression gentle yet filled with an intensity I hadn't seen before. "You don't have to figure it all out right now," he said. "You just need to stay strong, and we'll figure it out together. You're not alone in this. Not now, not ever."

His words wrapped around me like a lifeline, pulling me back from the edge of panic. I nodded, trying to steady my breath. "But what if we're not enough? What if we can't stop him?"

Kade took my hands in his, his grip warm and firm. "We will stop him," he said, his voice unwavering. "And if the Blood Alpha thinks he can break us... he's wrong. We are stronger than he thinks. We're a family, Aria. And we will fight for each other. For you."

Tears welled in my eyes, and I blinked them away quickly. "Thank you," I whispered. "For always being there."

"I'll always be here," Kade said, pulling me into his arms. His embrace was strong, protective, and for a moment, I allowed myself to believe that everything would be okay.

But deep down, I knew this battle wasn't going to be easy. The Blood Alpha was coming, and no matter how much I wanted to believe that we could win, the reality of what was at stake was too overwhelming.

The days passed in a blur, the tension in the air growing thicker with each passing hour. The warriors trained relentlessly, honing their skills, while the rest of the pack worked together to fortify the defenses. I stayed close to Kade, trying to remain strong for him, but inside, my mind was a storm of fear and confusion.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the rogue's face—his cold eyes filled with hatred as he spoke of the Blood Alpha. Every time I heard a howl in the distance, my heart would skip a beat, fearing that the attack was coming at that very moment.

And then, one night, it happened.

A deep, eerie howl echoed through the forest. It was unlike anything I'd ever heard before—low and guttural, sending chills down my spine. My heart raced, and I felt the air around me grow thick with dread.

"He's here," Kade muttered, his eyes narrowing as he looked toward the woods.

I clutched his arm, my breath coming in shallow gasps. "What do we do?" I whispered, panic rising in my chest.

"We fight," Kade said, his voice steady. "We protect the pack. No matter what."

And with that, we rushed to the clearing, ready to face the coming storm.

As we gathered with the rest of the pack, Alpha Marcus stood at the forefront, his posture commanding. His eyes scanned the forest, the weight of leadership heavy on his shoulders. "This is it," he said, his voice clear and strong. "We are facing the Blood Alpha. But we will not let fear dictate our actions. We will fight, and we will protect our own."

The warriors raised their weapons in unison, the sound of metal against metal ringing through the air. I stood beside Kade, my heart pounding as I waited for the battle to begin. The pack was ready. But so was the enemy.

A shadow moved in the distance, and then another howl echoed through the trees. This one was closer—much closer. The Blood Alpha's forces were upon us.

"This is it," Kade said, his grip tightening on my hand. "Stay close to me."

And as the first rogue stepped out from the trees, I realized that the fight for our survival was about to begin.