Chapter 5 The ruthless Alpha

The clash of steel echoed through the training grounds, the sharp ring of blades cutting through the crisp morning air. Valrik Lycanthorin moved like a shadow, his sword a blur as it struck Jarek's blade with brutal precision. Sweat glistened on his bare chest, catching the pale light of dawn, but his breathing remained steady, his movements effortless.

Across from him, Jarek grunted, his arms trembling as he parried another strike. "Damn it, Valrik," Jarek growled, his voice strained. "Do you ever hold back?" Valrik's lips curled into a smirk. With a flick of his wrist, he twisted his blade, sending Jarek stumbling backward. "Wouldn't be much of a challenge if I did." A low, disgruntled huff echoed in Valrik's mind. *You call this training? I'd rather listen to Celeste Kane drone on about your bloodline.* Valrik barked a laugh, tossing his sword to Jarek. "You sound jealous, Draeven." *Jealous?* Draeven's voice was dripping with mock disgust. *Of that leeching viper? I'd rather chew my own tail.* Jarek wiped the sweat from his brow, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. "Speaking of Celeste, she's been circling you like a starving hyena. You should put a leash on her before she thinks she's Queen of the Pack." Draeven gagged audibly in Valrik's mind. *The horror. Imagine being mated to that power-hungry succubus.* Valrik's smirk widened. "Relax, she knows where we stand." *Oh, sure,* Draeven shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

*That's why she parades around, sinking her claws into you like you're already bound.* Before Valrik could retort, a scout burst into the training grounds, his face pale and his breath ragged. "Alpha! The rogues-they're attacking again!" Valrik's smirk vanished. The air around him crackled as his elemental energy surged to life. Lightning sparked in his palm, fire licked at his fingertips, and ice slithered along his forearm. Without a word, he was gone, a blur of motion as he raced toward the border. --- The scene at the border was chaos. Rogues-wild, feral, and mindless-tore through the forest, their eyes glowing with a savage hunger. Blood stained the ground, the metallic tang sharp in the air. The cries of wounded pack members mingled with the snarls of the rogues, creating a cacophony of violence. A rogue lunged at Valrik, its jaws snapping. Big mistake. Valrik mid-shifted, his body morphing into a monstrous hybrid of man and beast. Silver fur rippled over his skin, his claws lengthening into deadly blades, his teeth sharpening into daggers.

Draeven's growl reverberated through his chest, a sound that made the rogue hesitate for a split second-long enough for Valrik to strike. His clawed hand shot out, crushing the rogue's windpipe. The creature crumpled to the ground, lifeless. Another rogue charged from the left. Valrik didn't even turn. With a flick of his wrist, a gust of wind sent the attacker flying into a tree.

The crack of bones echoed through the forest. One by one, the rogues fell. Ice encased their limbs, fire consumed their flesh, and lightning split the sky like the wrath of the gods. Within minutes, the battlefield was silent, the only sound the ragged breathing of the surviving pack members. Valrik stood amidst the carnage, his silver fur unmarred by blood. His chest rose and fell steadily, his glowing eyes scanning the scene. Jarek stepped over a mangled corpse, his boots crunching on the frost-covered ground. "Show-off." Valrik ignored him.

His gaze darkened as Draeven's voice echoed in his mind. *She's near.* Valrik froze. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, a primal rhythm that drowned out everything else. *Our mate is close, Valrik. I can feel her.* For the first time in years, something like fear twisted in Valrik's chest.

He turned inward, snarling at his wolf. "Don't start, Draeven." Draeven growled, pacing restlessly in Valrik's mind. *I won't forgive you if she rejects us. If she sees the way you whore around-* "Enough!" Valrik snapped aloud, his voice sharp enough to make Jarek raise a brow. "Arguing with your wolf again?" Jarek asked, his tone laced with amusement. Draeven ignored him, his growl reverberating through Valrik's thoughts.

She is our salvation, Valrik. If we don't find her before your twenty-fifth year, we die. You know this.* Valrik clenched his jaw, his fists tightening at his sides. "There won't be anything to forgive, Draeven," he said coldly. "Because if she rejects us, we'll both die anyway." Draeven fell silent, the weight of the prophecy pressing down on them both. --- By the time Valrik returned to the packhouse, the adrenaline had worn off, but the irritation remained.

The moment he stepped inside, Celeste Kane was waiting for him. She leaned against the wall, her red hair cascading over her shoulders, her sultry eyes locking onto his. "Busy night, Alpha?" she purred, running a finger down his chest. Draeven gagged audibly. *Kill me now.* Valrik smirked, though his eyes remained cold. "Jealous, Celeste?" "Hardly," she said, stepping closer. Her lips curved into a sly smile. "But I do wonder... when will you stop fighting what's right in front of you?" Draeven growled.

*This is why we can't have nice things.* Valrik ignored him, grabbing Celeste by the waist and pulling her flush against him. Her breath hitched, but her smirk never wavered. Jarek walked past at that exact moment, rolling his eyes. "You're a damn whore, Valrik."

Draeven perked up. *Finally, someone sees it!* Valrik grinned, though it didn't reach his eyes. "And you're a damn cat, Draeven." *At least cats have standards,* Draeven hissed as Valrik led Celeste into his chambers.

He didn't need to hear Draeven's disgust to know that tonight, his wolf would be fuming in silence.