Wounding he's brother

The morning sun streamed harshly through the small window of Healer Agnes's house, casting golden streaks across the wooden floor. Kieran sat slumped in a chair, his arms crossed, his head tilted slightly as he dozed off. He hadn't meant to stay the whole night, but Fenrir had refused to leave.

The girl still lay unconscious on the cot, her face pale but peaceful. Her steady breathing reassured him, though he didn't understand why he cared. He had seen countless wounded warriors in battle, yet something about her kept him rooted to this spot. Maybe it was Fenrir's reaction. Maybe it was something deeper.

The door creaked open, and Garrick stepped in, his presence filling the small room. "Alpha," he called, his voice firm but low.

Kieran's eyes fluttered open. His gaze was sharp despite his exhaustion.

"There's a pack meeting this morning," Garrick continued, "and Old Luna Elara is asking where you are."

Kieran sighed, rubbing his temples. "I know why they want me there, Garrick. They'll only find ways to anger me, so I'm not going back—come what may."

His gaze shifted back to the girl. He exhaled sharply, confused by his own actions. Why had he stayed here all night? He was an Alpha. He had duties. But something in his gut told him this girl was important.

Maybe because Fenrir insisted on staying.

Fenrir rumbled in agreement. She's different. I can feel it.

Before Garrick could argue, Agnes emerged from her chambers, her keen eyes scanning the girl's injuries. The elderly healer moved with practiced efficiency, inspecting the bandages.

"Alpha," she murmured, bowing slightly before returning to her work. "Her head injury suggests an impact, possibly from a fall or a direct hit."

Kieran's jaw tightened. "How long will she be unconscious?"

Agnes shook her head. "I cannot say. But there is something unusual about her."

Kieran arched a brow. "Unusual how?"

"She's healing faster than a normal human should," Agnes said, her tone puzzled. "Not as fast as a werewolf, but still… remarkable."

Kieran frowned. A human who healed unnaturally fast? It was another mystery to add to the list.

Before he could dwell on it further, the door opened again, and Lucas strode in, holding a tightly rolled scroll.

"Another letter," Lucas announced, his tone laced with irritation. "The elders are getting impatient."

Kieran took the scroll and glanced at it before tossing it onto a nearby table. "Those old wolves," he muttered, standing up.

Lucas smirked. "Your horse is outside."

Kieran took one last look at the unconscious girl. His fingers twitched as if resisting the urge to touch her. He turned to Agnes. "I'll be back to check on her."

Without waiting for a reply, he stepped out, mounting his horse as Lucas and Garrick followed. With a sharp command, they rode toward the Pack House.

Council Room

Inside the grand stone-walled council chamber, the elders sat in a semi-circle, their faces lined with wisdom and scrutiny. At the head of the table, Old Alpha Cedric sat in silent authority, his sharp eyes assessing the tension in the room.

Elder Magnus huffed, crossing his arms. "This is the second letter we've sent, yet the Alpha still refuses to respond."

Lyle, Kieran's younger brother, leaned back in his chair, smirking. "That's because he's been busy," he said, feigning innocence. "The Blood Moon rogues attacked the eastern border last night, and Alpha Kieran led the fight."

The council nodded in approval, murmuring amongst themselves.

"But," Lyle continued, his voice taking on a more mischievous edge, "I also received word that after the battle, he carried a girl—an unconscious human—to Healer Agnes's home."

The council fell into stunned silence. Even Old Alpha Cedric's brows lifted in surprise.

"Is this true?" the old Alpha asked, his voice calm but weighted with authority.

Before Lyle could reply, a deep voice echoed through the chamber.

"Yes."

Kieran entered, his powerful presence silencing the room. The elders immediately stood as he strode toward the head of the table, his expression unreadable. He took his seat and leaned back, his piercing gaze sweeping over the gathered wolves.

Another elder, a stout man named Elder Bram, cleared his throat. "Have you found your mate, Alpha?"

Kieran exhaled slowly, considering his words. "Likely," he admitted. "Fenrir reacted strangely to the girl, but she's still unconscious. I'll know more once she wakes up."

Murmurs rippled through the room.

Elder Magnus folded his hands. "We were about to consult the pack witch to hold a mate-selection ceremony for you. To ensure the survival of the pack—"

Kieran cut him off with a wave of his hand. "That won't be necessary," he said coolly. "I have already found someone. Whether she is my mate or not, I will decide for myself."

Elder Magnus hesitated, then sighed in resignation. "Very well, Alpha. We shall wait for your confirmation."

Kieran's patience thinned. "Enough of this. What other matters require my attention?"

The meeting shifted to discussing rogue threats, border patrols, and the recent aggression from the Blood Moon Pack. After an hour of deliberation, the council dismissed.

Old Alpha Cedric approached Kieran, clasping his shoulder. "If she truly is your mate, you will finally be complete, my son." His voice held warmth.

Kieran remained expressionless. He wasn't sure how he felt about that.

As Cedric left, Lyle approached, a cocky smirk playing on his lips. He stood too close, his dark eyes gleaming with mischief.

"So, big brother," Lyle drawled, "how is your new mate? Is she beautiful? Curvy?" His grin widened maliciously. "At least give me details so I can plan how to—"

Before he could finish, Kieran moved faster than thought.

Fenrir surged forward in a blind rage, claws unsheathing as he struck. Lyle barely had time to react before Kieran's claws tore into his shoulder, sending him stumbling back, blood soaking through his robes.

The council room fell into stunned silence.

Kieran's eyes glowed a deep crimson as he bared his teeth. His voice was a deadly whisper. "Stay. Away. From her."

Lyle's breath hitched as he clutched his bleeding shoulder, fear flickering across his face. "I-I was just joking, brother—"

Fenrir wasn't satisfied. He wanted to rip him apart. He doesn't deserve to breathe the same air as us, the wolf snarled in Kieran's mind.

Kieran tightened his grip on control. "I can't kill him without reason. Stand down."

With effort, Fenrir retracted his claws, though the anger didn't subside.

Kieran smirked, his gaze dropping to Lyle's bleeding arm. "Seems you got what you deserved," he said coldly.

Lyle clenched his jaw, shooting a glare at Kieran before turning on his heel and storming out of the council room.

Fenrir rumbled in satisfaction. I hate that bastard. Sometimes I just want to kill him.

Kieran exhaled, his eyes returning to normal. "His time will come. But not yet."

As the last of the council members left, Kieran remained seated, his mind shifting back to the unconscious girl at the healer's house.