Chapter 7 – The Alpha’s Secret

The morning air was cool, but tension crackled in the atmosphere as Selena walked through the pack's territory. She was beginning to notice the way the others watched her—not just with wariness, but with something more dangerous. Suspicion.

After what Lyra had told her the night before, the pack's resentment toward her made even more sense. She wasn't just an outsider. She was an intruder.

But why?

She didn't get much time to dwell on it.

Tobias, Kieran's Beta, appeared at the entrance of her cabin just as the sun broke through the trees. His expression was unreadable, but there was an unmistakable command in his posture.

"The Alpha wants you at the training grounds. Now."

Selena barely had time to protest before he turned and walked off, clearly expecting her to follow.

The Alpha's Challenge

The training grounds were vast, an open space surrounded by towering trees. The morning fog still clung to the grass, but that didn't soften the tension in the air.

Kieran was waiting for her. Arms crossed, stance steady. His golden eyes glowed slightly under the early sunlight.

"You're late," he remarked.

Selena scowled. "I wasn't aware I was on a schedule."

"You are now."

Before she could argue, Tobias tossed her a wooden staff. The weight of it sent a sharp jolt through her arms, but she caught it just in time.

"What's this for?" she asked, eyeing the weapon warily.

Kieran smirked. "Let's see if you can keep up."

Before she could react, he moved.

His first strike came fast—too fast. She barely blocked in time, the impact rattling her bones.

"Too slow," he murmured, his stance shifting effortlessly into another attack.

Selena gritted her teeth, adjusting her grip. She dodged the next strike, countering with her own. But Kieran was faster. Stronger. He sidestepped her attack with ease, knocking her off balance.

She hit the ground hard, breath escaping her lungs.

Kieran loomed over her, his golden gaze sharp. "Get up."

Selena's jaw tightened.

She could walk away. She could tell him this was ridiculous. But something inside her refused to back down.

She pushed herself up, gripping the staff tighter.

Kieran nodded approvingly. "Again."

And so they fought.

Or rather, he fought, and she struggled to keep up. He knocked her down more times than she cared to count, but each time, she got back up. Each time, she adjusted, learned, adapted.

By the time he finally stepped back, her body was trembling with exhaustion.

Kieran studied her for a moment before nodding. "You're stubborn."

Selena wiped the sweat from her brow. "You're just noticing?"

A smirk played at the edges of his lips, but before he could respond, Tobias approached, his expression grim.

"The Elders are asking for you," he told Kieran.

The smirk vanished. Kieran's expression hardened.

Without another word, he turned and left.

Selena watched him go, her heartbeat slowing.

Something was happening in this pack.

And she was going to find out what.

The Alpha's Burden

That night, Selena found herself near the pack's council hall. She told herself she wasn't spying, but deep down, she knew better.

She could hear their voices through the thick wooden walls.

"She's a risk," one voice said.

"She's under my protection," Kieran's voice cut through the air—low and deadly.

"Your father wouldn't have allowed this," another argued.

Silence. Then Kieran spoke again, quieter this time.

"I am not my father."

Selena's stomach twisted.

A chair scraped against the floor. Someone sighed heavily.

"This will come back to haunt you, Kieran. Mark my words."

The conversation ended abruptly, and before Selena could slip away, the door creaked open.

Kieran stepped out.

His gaze flicked in her direction.

She pressed herself against the shadows, barely daring to breathe.

For a long moment, he didn't move. Then, without a word, he turned and walked away.

Selena let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Kieran was hiding something.

And whatever it was, it had everything to do with her.