Chapter 5 A DANGEROUS BEGINNING

The ritual was supposed to mark a turning point-a delicate, vulnerable time when the Silvermoon Pack and the Blackfang Pack would combine, bound together by our Alphas' treaty. A peaceful time. That's what I told myself, anyhow, as I stood close to the altar and stared at Demon, who was sitting next to his other pack leaders. His eyes were piercing, unforgiving, and far more terrible in person than I could have ever imagined.

Anticipation and anxiety were pervasive in the air. It seemed wrong, the rustle of the wind through the trees, the faint murmur of voices, the clink of silver cutlery on porcelain. I could feel the pressure of my own role bearing down on me, and the stakes were tremendous. I was expected to be the submissive partner, keeping the peace, smiling when it was appropriate, and avoiding conflict at all costs. However, my thoughts continued to wander and race with unanswerable questions. Could Demon actually be stopped this way? Do I have to side with him? Or should I keep working to destroy him from the inside out?

As the Blackfang warriors mixed with their Silvermoon counterparts, the togetherness we were supposed to celebrate dangling in the air like a thin thread, I stood there, compelled to grin. Everything seemed planned and orchestrated, and I detested how effortlessly everything came together. It was too flawless.

"Lyra." My thoughts were interrupted by a voice, and I looked around to see the Silvermoon Alpha, a familiar figure, coming toward me. I could sense the tension between us even though we had never talked much. His name was Alaric. Like him, I was a wolf entangled in a web of lies. My skin crawled more than Demon's, however, for some reason.

He inquired, "Are you enjoying the ceremony?" with a thin, courteous grin, but there was something unsettling about the look in his eyes.

"Trying to," I said, attempting to seem informal despite my racing heart. "It's a lot to take in."

Leaning gently as if to divulge a secret, Alaric pondered, "Peace." "Isn't it a delicate thing? Sometimes all may be undone with only one mistake or poor action.

I wanted to answer, to confront him, but the earth shook under me before I could get the words out. A deep growl that was so raw and primordial that it sent shivers down my spine reverberated through the atmosphere.

The renegade wolf, its black, matted hair and eyes blazing with a fierce, savage brightness, sprang from the tree line before anybody could react. It was a horror beast, its teeth bared as it charged recklessly at the wedding.

Someone yelled, "Rogue!" but it was too late. The closest Silvermoon fighter was struck by the wolf's lunge. There was anarchy.

The air was filled with screams as the renegade relentlessly tore through the group of wolves. Fueled by anger and bloodlust, it was more than simply an attack-it was a full-scale assault. Warriors scurried to protect themselves as I watched, but the renegade moved too swiftly and too fiercely.

"Remain back, Lyra!" Alaric yelled and dragged me along with him, his fingers surprisingly tight around my arm. "Now enter the building!"

However, I had no intention of leaving. This was no time to hide or flee. I was no weakling damsel. My body was responding before my head could properly process it, and my heart was pounding.

I jerked out of Alaric's hold and threw myself into the confusion. A familiar scalding feeling swept across my body. For the first time since I had been to Blackfang, I felt my own strength completely awaken as my instincts took control. My inner wolf awoke and started scratching at the surface, ready to battle.

I didn't think twice. I ran in the direction of the outlaw, my steps crisp and flowing. I jumped as the rogue struck a Silvermoon fighter nearby with its enormous paw, knocking him to the ground. With a power that even startled me, I struck the rogue and knocked it to the ground. We were both taken aback by the contact, but I got back up fast and used the rogue's brief confusion to put it in a headlock.

It was more powerful than I thought. I narrowly escaped as its teeth snapped only inches from my face. My wolf was there, pulling me onward and strengthening me even as my heart pounded in my chest. I refused to allow this outlaw to ruin all of our hard-earned gains.

I pounded the rogue's head into the ground and pushed it back with my own snarl. My body echoed with the painful shatter of its skull. It fought under me, but it was exhausting. I kept it held by pressing my knee into its chest, but I could feel its power ebbing.

"Enough!" I sensed the demon's presence before I ever saw him, his black eyes flashing with rage, as his voice bellowed over the battlefield. With his black fur rippling with strength, he rushed forward and dragged the rogue away from me. His fists tightened around the rogue's neck in a ruthless manner.

Demon immediately snapped its neck. The sound of the rogue's demise served as a sobering reminder of the cruel world we lived in.

When the battle was over, there was a heavy, oppressive quiet. The wounded and injured group turned to Demon for direction as they awaited his next order.

My fists were still clenched from the battle as I stood there, out of breath. But a sudden feeling of pride awoke inside me. I had completed the task. I had retaliated. But at what price?

Demon turned to look at me, his eyes narrowing as he saw my unkempt appearance and bloodied posture. He remarked, "You handled yourself well," in a quiet, almost approving tone. "But avoid being too cozy. Not everyone will be as simple to vanquish as that rogue, and there are wolves out there that would see us fail."

I nodded and swallowed hard, but I had to take his words seriously since they were a warning.

"What took place?" Alaric joined us, his eyes still cautious, and questioned sharply.

Demon's face darkened as he said, "The rogue came from the east." "Even though we've been following them for weeks, we never anticipated their daring attack. This is not a haphazard strike. They were dispatched by someone. Someone who harbors resentment.

Unease rippled through the assembled wolves. My mind racing, I looked about. There had been no accident with the renegade. The assault was premeditated. This mayhem was the result of someone's deliberate planning.

I saw a gleam of silver in the trees as I looked around the clearing, and it made my blood run cold. A shadow-covered person was observing us from afar.

I had no idea who it was, but I could definitely sense someone watching me.

Demon's countenance darkened as he followed my gaze. "A risky game is being played by someone."

Alaric's jaw tightened as he took a step closer. "We must move quickly. If this assault is just the start-

"It won't be the last," Demon concluded for him in a menacingly low voice. "Get ready. We've received a warning.

My thoughts were racing as Demon turned to give orders to his troops. My only goal in coming here was to ruin him, to rip his pack apart from the inside out. Now, though? I had to contend with a new foe, but I had no idea who it was. The true danger was still out there, hiding in the shadows; the rogue was just the first step.

Even worse, I had a terrible sense that whatever came next would make me reevaluate all of my preconceived notions about loyalty.

I got another sight of the shrouded man as I turned to follow Demon. This time, however, it wasn't only a passing shadow; rather, it was approaching and emerging from the woods.

Then I heard the distinct sound of a cold, deep chuckle.

The game was just getting started.