Chapter 5 ATTRACTION

Trina's POV

The pale dawn light filtered into my room, stirring me from restless dreams. I had twisted and turned upon the bed all night, thoughts churning ceaselessly. The revelations about Alpha Daelan left me unsettled, like silt disturbed at a river's bottom. Was I now entangled in dangerous schemes beyond my power? A mere leaf swept along in the raging currents of wolves vying for power?

With a weary sigh, I rose and dressed unhurriedly, smoothing the wrinkles from my simple gown. The mysteries surrounding Alpha Daelan pervaded my mind like cloying smoke. I yearned for fresh air to clear my tangled thoughts.

A brisk knock interrupted my brooding. I opened the heavy oak door to reveal Logan, beta wolf of Nightfall. His friendly smile brought some ease, relaxing the tension coiled within my shoulders.

"Good morning, Trina. I've brought the morning meal." He entered bearing a wooden tray laden with bread, cheese, cured meats and autumn-kissed fruit. My empty stomach growled at the spread. Logan chuckled knowingly as he set the platter atop a side table.

"Come, you must eat. Need to keep your strength up around here, pup."

I tore hungrily into the nutty brown bread while Logan settled comfortably into a carved chair. His relaxed candor seemed ever at odds with the imposing brutality associated with Nightfall wolves. I saw an opening to glean insight into the still mysterious alpha and ventured to speak my curiosity aloud.

"Pardon my forward questions, but I confess knowing little of Lycan society. Might you enlighten me as to who Alpha Daelan truly is? Why does he lead such a reclusive pack guarded from the world?"

Logan stroked his trim beard thoughtfully, gray eyes turning distant. "A complex history indeed lies behind our lord. This pack has existed withdrawn from other wolf domains for over a thousand years, keeping the old magicks alive through ancient rites and bloodline purity."

I paused in wiping my crumb-dusted fingers, arrested by his words. The First Wolves were beings of legend, possessing immense power and the gift to command even Alphas. Logan's solemn nod at my unspoken question confirmed the truth.

"Aye. We are direct descendants of the eldest Lycan forebears. And Daelan stands as current scion of an unbroken bloodline reaching back to Volkán himself, first among all wolf-kind."

My pulse quickened as understanding broke across my mind wave upon wave. Descended in purest form from the progenitor of all werewolves? The implications left me reeling, memories of grandmother tales stirring to life once more.

Sensing my wonder, Logan continued gravely. "With such exalted lineage comes burdensome responsibility. Being last of the pure Lycans, our lord alone still wields remnants of gifts long diluted amongst the clans - namely the ancestral shift-power and dominion compelling rival alphas to bended knee."

My breath caught sharply. "You mean to say Daelan may force other alphas' fealty against their will?"

"None can resist his supreme dominance should he exert it fully. By all ancient laws the Nightfall Alpha could rule a united wolf nation. But..." Here Logan trailed off heavily before continuing. "He shuns such leadership over the tamed clans, deeming them unworthy of old magicks kept sacred by his kind."

I sat back slowly, struggling to grasp how an immortal being of such mythic prowess could take sudden interest in a stray youth like myself. Unease returned like an ill-fitting garment as fragmentary puzzle pieces shifted in my mind's eye - Victor's convenient timing, Kyle's long feud, and now fate steering my footsteps straight into obsessive sights I little understood.

I licked nervous lips before voicing unease. "What possible designs might your Alpha have on me? Why show lenience toward a lowly trespasser as myself?"

Logan lifted a staying hand. "Peace, Trina. You were brought here so Daelan could clearly weigh your measure beyond the clouded perceptions of lesser wolves. He reads the profound potential in you. Your beauty and courage shine like twin moons against the night sky. Do not sell yourself short, kitten."

I exhaled slowly, equal parts reassured and bewildered by this tyrant lord's intense fascination for an unremarkable stray. Logan stood then, brushing crumbs from his breeches.

"Come along now. Daelan decrees you train in self-defense with the warriors today. We must not keep him waiting."

I followed the beta wolf outside into crisp mountain air, my wandering steps slowing as I fully beheld splendors carved into the ancient valley stronghold. Chiseled log buildings nestled harmoniously amongst craggy peaks and rushing streams. Further on a sun-dappled field hosted lean warriors running vicious sparring drills with primal focus. Raw power harnessed for deadly speed and accuracy.

My skin tingled strangely then as awareness pricked the nape of my neck. I lifted my head to lock stares with Daelan standing remote across the field, authoritative arms crossed over a chest rippling with restrained violence. Yet his burning eyes seared into mine, ruthless in their intrigue and possessive hold no matter the distance separating us.

Pulse quickening under such scrutiny, I dropped my gaze and hurried after Logan. But the Alpha's branding attention lingered long after, sparking unfamiliar heat low and tight in my belly.

Logan guided me through basic blocks and strikes up close, while I struggled greatly to focus with Daelan brooding nearby. His raw primal energy inexorably called to my very spirit like a wolf recognizing its fated mate, though the intimidating Lycan kept his distance.

I grew increasingly flushed and irritated to be so affected by this virtual stranger's pull - this tyrant lord who held my very life-thread in his powerful hands. Thoughts of Victor flickered bittersweet before my mind's eye then as unwanted yearning spiked hotly beneath my skin. How dare my faithless heart turn so swiftly from beautiful dreams once nourished?

With relief I noted Logan finally ending the lesson. I fled into the cool sanctuary of shadowed pines bordering the training field, desperate to escape the Alpha's knowing eyes and my traitorous body's treacherous responses. My legs carried me without conscious thought to a gently curling stream winding through the woods. I stripped gratefully down to my thin shift, seeking to clear my muddled thoughts beneath the soothing water.