The Alpha’s Cursed Bride

The return to the fortress was steeped in silence, the weight of what had transpired in the forest pressing heavily on Alison's shoulders. The cool night air did little to ease the tension radiating from the pack as they moved through the trees. Kane led the way, his steps purposeful, while Alison trailed behind Lyra and Darius, her mind racing.

The memory of the hunter's wide eyes as he fell replayed in her mind over and over. She'd struck first, but the raw terror on his face lingered. She wanted to believe he would've killed her if given the chance, but the doubt gnawed at her.

"You did what you had to," Lyra said suddenly, as if reading her thoughts.

Alison glanced up, startled. "What?"

"The hunter," Lyra said, not turning to look at her. "He wouldn't have hesitated. You shouldn't either."

Alison's grip tightened on the hilt of the dagger still at her side. "It didn't feel like I had a choice."

"You didn't," Lyra replied, her voice firm. "If you'd frozen, you'd be dead. End of story."

Alison didn't respond. She wasn't sure if Lyra's words were meant to comfort or warn her. Either way, they didn't make the knot in her chest loosen.

When they reached the courtyard, Kane stopped and turned to face the group. His icy gaze swept over them, lingering briefly on Alison before moving on.

"They'll know their scouts didn't return," he said, his tone calm but commanding. "We don't have much time before they send more."

Lyra stepped forward. "What's the plan?"

"We prepare," Kane said simply. "Fortify the defenses, double the patrols. We don't let them catch us off guard."

"And what about her?" Darius asked, nodding toward Alison.

Kane's expression hardened. "She stays under watch. No one outside the pack gets near her."

Alison bristled at his words. "I'm standing right here, you know."

Kane ignored her, his attention shifting back to the group. "Dismissed. Get to work."

The wolves dispersed, their movements quick and efficient. Alison lingered, watching as Kane turned and started toward the hall. She hesitated for a moment before following him, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

"You can't just act like I'm not part of this," she said, catching up to him. "I deserve to know what's going on."

Kane stopped, his expression unreadable as he turned to face her. "What do you think you deserve, Alison? You've been here a week. You've barely started training, and you don't understand what's at stake."

"Then explain it to me!" Alison snapped, her voice rising. "Stop treating me like I'm some fragile thing you need to lock away."

Kane's jaw tightened, but his voice remained calm. "You're not fragile. But you're not ready either. If you go out there unprepared, you'll get yourself killed. And I'm not going to let that happen."

Alison glared at him, her chest heaving. "You don't get to decide that."

"I do," Kane said, stepping closer. His eyes bore into hers, the intensity of his gaze making her breath catch. "Because whether you like it or not, your life isn't just yours anymore. It's tied to every single person here."

His words hit like a punch to the gut, and Alison looked away, unable to hold his gaze. "I didn't ask for this."

"No one does," Kane said, his tone softening. "But that doesn't change what it is."

Alison bit her lip, the fight draining out of her. She hated that he was right. She hated that her choices felt so limited. But more than anything, she hated the fear gnawing at her, the constant sense that she was running out of time.

"Get some rest," Kane said after a moment. "You'll need it."

He turned and walked away, leaving Alison standing alone in the empty hall. She leaned against the wall, her head resting against the cool stone as she closed her eyes.

The nightmares came that night. Alison tossed and turned on the narrow cot, her breath coming in short gasps as images of the hunter filled her mind. The forest was dark, the air thick with the scent of blood. She saw his face again, his eyes wide with fear as she struck. But this time, when he fell, it wasn't his blood staining her hands.

It was hers.

She woke with a start, her heart pounding. The room was pitch black, the only sound her ragged breathing. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady herself, but the images refused to fade.

What's happening to me? she wondered, her hands trembling.

A faint knock at the door made her jump. She sat up, her pulse quickening. "Who is it?"

"It's Darius," came the low reply.

Alison hesitated before getting up and opening the door. Darius stood there, his expression unreadable. "Can't sleep either?" he asked.

She shook her head. "Nightmares."

Darius nodded, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. "They'll pass. Eventually."

Alison leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. "What do you want?"

"To talk," Darius said, his tone unusually soft. "About what happened out there."

Alison stiffened, her grip tightening on her arms. "I don't want to talk about it."

"You should," Darius said, his golden eyes meeting hers. "Because if you don't, it'll eat you alive."

She looked away, her jaw tightening. "What do you know about it?"

"More than you think," Darius said. "I've killed before. I know what it feels like—the guilt, the doubt. But you need to remember something."

"What's that?" Alison asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"They would've killed you without a second thought," Darius said, his tone hardening. "You did what you had to. And if you keep hesitating, it'll cost you more than a few sleepless nights."

Alison swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on her. She wanted to argue, to tell him he was wrong. But deep down, she knew he wasn't.

"Get some rest," Darius said, turning toward the door. "Tomorrow's another fight."

As he left, Alison sat back down on the cot, her mind racing. She didn't know if she could live with what she'd done—or what she might have to do next. But one thing was clear.

The fight was far from over.