Chapter 5 The Alpha's Rage

As soon as Lily's scent was completely restored, a change occurred in the pack lands that even affected the Alpha King.

The golden eyes of Alpha King Raphael narrowed as he suddenly rose from his chair, deep inside the imposing walls of the royal pack house, miles away.

As his mate's unmistakable, enticing scent filled his nostrils, his wolf rumbled fiercely inside of him, a snarl curling his lips. Lily. Something had felt off for weeks.

Where his mate should have been, there was a void. After searching, questioning, and even doubting himself, he felt her once more.

He balled his fists. It smelt the same, but different. more powerful. Sharper. And there was more. A power spike.

An Omega should not have that power. He felt his blood burn at the realisation. He must find her, his wolf snarled.

Right now. However, there was an issue.

She was out of his immediate grasp and well beyond the boundaries of the pack.

She had another wolf with her. Raphael's jaw tensed as he took deep, deliberate breaths. Beneath the false mate-bond with Amelia, his bond with Lily had been weak.

But his relationship with Amelia felt wrong now that it was back. It is almost a lie. His chest rumbled with a bitter growl.

Was he being tricked? He was reminded of the first time he had claimed Amelia. Had not it felt correct?

If Lily was really his destined mate, he should never have been attracted to her scent or the mate bond that he had.

But now everything about it felt... strange. Simmering beneath his skin was rage. Fate had been tampered with.

He would find out the truth now that Lily was back. regardless of the price. Ethan, who was his beta, fell into step with him as he bounded out of his chambers.

"Your Majesty?" Aware of his Alpha's growing rage, Ethan asked warily. Raphael growled in a low, authoritative voice. "Call Amelia." Ethan paused.

"Amelia? However- Raphael's golden eyes darkened as he snapped, "Now." Ethan dared not ask him any more questions.

Raphael took another deep breath as he rushed away, taking in the now-unmistakable scent of his true mate. She was still living.

She had strength. And she had been kept away from him by someone. Blood would be shed by whoever was at fault.

Lily Starts Her Training Lily stood in the centre of the clearing, her heart thumping in her chest like a drum. Something strong seemed to be charged into the air.

Something that belongs to her. Slowly, Kieran walked around her, his eyes shining in the moonlight. "Lily, you underestimate your strength. However, if you do not know how to use it, raw power is useless.

With her fingers twitching at her sides, she inhaled steadily. "Then instruct me." Kieran grinned. "That is the strategy."

He suddenly threw himself at her. He was on her before Lily could even react, his speed blinding.

However, she sensed the attack coming from within before his hand even touched her. Her body acted instinctively. Kieran's fingers barely touched her shoulder before she ducked and spun away.

He was not finished, though. Without warning, he turned and charged at her once more, this time more quickly.

His fist sprang forward, but Lily did something unexpected rather than duck. She grabbed his wrist.

Kieran's eyes widened a little in shock, but Lily threw him before he could get over it. Twisting in midair, he landed on his feet with grace.

However, his eyes had a new expression. Laughter.Pride.Additionally, there was something else that she was unable to pinpoint. He muttered as he straightened his jacket, "Well, well."

"You pick things up quickly." Still digesting what had happened, Lily let out a breath. Where she had grasped him, her fingers tingled.

It was the sheer force she had felt under her hold, not the pain. That was not supposed to be feasible. Being told she was weak, frail, and undeserving, she had lived her entire life at the bottom of the pack hierarchy. Now, though? She was not so sure now.

Kieran looked at her, then smiled. "Once more." So they trained. Kieran continued to attack, his blows getting sharper, quicker, and more unpredictable each time.

But Lily retaliated, ducked, and even hit back. She could feel her inner strength changing, growing, and adapting. She hardly noticed the weariness as the hours went by. She was not merely interested in learning.

She desired to become proficient in it. And she thought she could, for the first time in her life. However, then- She felt a chill go through her body. There was an impending event. Or, more accurately, someone. Kieran frowned as he saw the sudden tension in her.

"What is it?" Lily's breathing was erratic and her lips were parted. She sensed him, but she was at a loss for words. The connection. The link. And it was drawing nearer.

Her heart was racing. Raphael would arrive. Amelia's Secrets Come to Light Amelia's hands were shaking as she stood before Raphael back at the royal pack house.

He was more angry than she had ever seen him. His whole body exuded barely-controllable anger, and his golden eyes pierced her. "Explain to me why your scent no longer corresponds with our mate bond," he said icily.

Amelia felt a knot in her stomach. No. This cannot be taking place. She made a flimsy smile. "W-what are you discussing? I am Raphael, your mate. You picked me.

Raphael's mouth clenched. "Did I?" Amelia's throat tightened with breath. He was aware. She had been worshipped, adored, and loved for weeks in the role she had stolen.

Now, however, her delusion was crumbling in front of her. Raphael moved in, his presence oppressive.

How did you do it? Amelia felt her heart race. If he discovered the truth-if he discovered that she and her mother had used dark magic to create a false bond and had stolen Lily's scent- Everything would be lost for her.

"No!" she exclaimed, frantically snatching his arm. "You cherish me! We were destined to be together! Raphael jerked away from her, disgust shining on his face.

"Amelia, I want the truth." Her eyes filled with tears. "I-" The room echoed with a sharp snarl. The wolf of Raphael was emerging. Fear clutched Amelia's chest as she staggered back.

With his voice no longer human, Raphael snarled, "I will ask you one last time." "What have you done to my real partner?" The heart stopped in Amelia. Lily. He was aware.

She was practically dead now. Lily's Decision With her heart hammering her ribs, Lily stood at the edge of the clearing. She knew he was close without having to see him.

She sensed him. She wanted to run, to get away before Raphael discovered her. However, another component? A different part wanted to remain. to confront him.

to force him to acknowledge his actions. What he had lost. The moonlight created unsettling shadows on the ground as the wind roared through the trees.

Then- A silhouette emerged from the shadows. tall. strong. emanating unadulterated power. Something dangerous burned in the golden eyes that met hers.

Lily gasped for air. She was located by Raphael. Furthermore, nothing would ever be the same.