Chapter 4 The Conflict Within

"Lois," Kade's soft but forceful voice interrupted her reflections. Focus. You understand what to do.

As the normal sting of her power rose under her skin, Lois clenched her hands. Though she had always been able to channel it in small bursts, in this time of extreme danger it was clawing at her, wild and unrestrained. Her power increased, poised to flee.

Kade, his body tense and eyes scanning the approaching wolves, moved to stand by her. His fingers briefly touched her arm as he said, "We don't have much time." Lois, you have to control it. Otherwise, they will control you.

Though she agreed, her breathing quickened and she swallowed the anxiety about to strangle her. She had to fight. She had to survive. For herself and the Alpha Kings.

The wolves ran. Lois's body reacted before her mind could follow. Hoping the power within her would react, she raised her hands in a fast, flowing motion. Energy burst forth, tearing through the air with a force that broke the ground beneath her feet.

Lois's might did not stop; the wolves were forced back, their bodies crashing against trees. It kept rolling like a wave and pushing until Kade was pushed away by the raw force of her attack, before she understood it.

"Not!" Lois screamed in panic. Kade

He struggled to his feet, wiping blood from his lip and glared at her, his eyes full of warning. You must maintain control. Not in that way.

Scattered over the clearing were dead wolves, their cries a horrible echo of what had just transpired. Lois stood in the middle of it all, breathless and heart still racing. The still surging strength inside her, wild and free, made her body feel as if it were on fire.

Kade's sharp, strong voice broke the quiet. Lois, back off.

Turning to face him, she found him standing with his jaw hard and wiping the blood from his brow. He was concerned, not angry. She had nearly killed him. That truly scared her.

"I'm sorry," she replied gently, her voice cracking. She could not see him. Not following what she had achieved.

Kade's expression remained serious but his look softened. "You're not ready for this," he said quietly, his hand lingering close to her shoulder but not touching her. You can't keep doing this. Lois, you are not just a weapon. But without restraint, such power will destroy everything.

Trying to ignore the rising worry, she shook her head. "I didn't mean to,"

Kade said, "I know." His look grew more severe as he looked at the deceased wolves. Your goal is irrelevant, though. What matters is that you almost lost control. Once again.

Lois swallowed. He was right, she claimed. She was afraid of what the force inside her could do if left uncontrolled as it was beyond her control. She had to learn how to manage it, but could she?

A cool wind swept over the region, causing Lois to shiver. She looked up to see Kade gazing at somewhere distant. Though there was nothing there, she followed his line of sight.

Then it came. A vision, a glimpse of Tyler's face, his smirk cutting through the fog of her awareness.

Tyler's voice echoed in her head: You're mine, Lois. You always were.

Lois gasped, her knees buckling somewhat beneath the strain of it all. Tyler was still searching for her. He wasn't going to stop until she was in his control.

Kade tightened his grip on her arm to steady her. Lois, Tyler will always be there. Neither will his soldiers. You are more at risk than you believe.

The night was growing darker, and the weight of what lied ahead pressed on Lois's chest like a leaden stone. Still reeling from the battle, her body shook with the effects of her unrestrained power. The immense dread was starting to fade, leaving an anger that twisted in her belly.

Lois, her voice hoarse with emotion, said, "I can't keep running." She looked at Kade, her eyes searching his for something she wasn't sure she wanted to find. I have to fight. But what if I become like him? What if I become precisely like Tyler?

His look softened with compassion as Kade deliberately and slowly approached her. You are not him, he said gently. Your strength, nevertheless, is dangerous. Should you let it, it may destroy you. You have to know how to guide and control it. That's the only way to survive.

Lois shook her head, hands at her sides clenched. Her voice breaking, she said, "I don't know whether I can." I don't know whether I can stand it. What would happen should I lose control? What if I become the monster I fear?

Kade's expression was unreadable even if his voice remained constant. Lois, you have to decide. You want to lead the Alpha Kings? You will have to prove yourself worthy of the power inside you. Still, it won't be easy. It will call for everything you have and more.

She gasped. Tyler's betrayal had always been the beginning, she had always known. But now, with this new information, she felt caught between two worlds. Her destiny. Her worry. Could she actually take Kade's offer? Would she let the darkness consume her instead?

Once more Kade moved closer, his voice dropping to a faint whisper. You get to choose. The choice is yours. But remember, you cannot do this alone.

Lois felt the decision's weight pressing on her. She had always been a fighter, but this was unique. The power inside her was more than just something she could control with a blade or a sharp voice. It was a force, a storm. Should she not careful, it would tear everything apart.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do," she said quietly, her voice raw with fear.

Kade gazed deliberately and unwaveringly into her eyes. You will shortly find out. First, you have to decide: will you use the power to fight for what is good or will it destroy you?

Low in the sky, the moon cast a slight silver glimmer over the camp. Lois and Kade sat side by side in a nice quiet, only hearing the fire crackling. Always watchful, Kade stared the horizon; Lois stared into the flames, her thoughts far away.

Kade broke the silence with, "I never imagined this existence." His voice was almost introspective now. Alpha... leading the Kings It's never what you picture it to be.

Lois turned to him, feeling the weight of his comments. Her voice soft and hesitant, she asked, "What is it like?" The question gnawed at her even if she wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer.

Kade looked at her, his eyes flitting over her features and back to the fire. By myself. The weight of responsibility, knowing that every decision I make shapes the lives of others. One might think that power would bring peace. But it doesn't. It just creates more problems.

Lois nodded slowly, knowing more than he could picture. Her entire existence had merely been turned upside down; she was struggling to accept a power she never sought.

Kade, his voice grave, added, "There is always someone trying to take it from you." Lois, I fought for what I have. Lois, I fought for everything I have. Now I watch you, Lois, battling the same struggle.

Though hers was still in its infancy, she moved awkwardly, feeling a strange connection between them, a friendship formed by shared experiences. Her voice shaking a little, she asked, "Is that why you keep pushing me?" Then you find me in you?

Kade met her gaze, and for the first time, Lois saw the vulnerability in his eyes-the kind of raw honesty he usually hid beneath his Alpha mask. "Yes," he softly admitted. You mirror too much of me. I get the fear. The uncertainty. It eats at you inside out.

Lois swallowed hard, the weight of his remarks cutting deep into her chest. Though something inside her resisted, she wanted to push him away and shut him out. His honesty and expertise made her want to trust him.

Then he turned to her, his voice quieter. Lois, you are not by yourself in this. But you must face it. You have to decide whether to embrace the power within you or let it consume you.

Lois gasped. His comments hit a reality she was unready to face. She was no longer just fighting to survive. She was fighting for control.

Kade's look softened; he reached out and gently caressed her arm without thinking. Lois froze, the sensation like electricity running through her. Though dangerous, his touch was warm and soothing. Her heart can skip in her chest.

Lois said, her voice nearly undetectable, "I don't want to lose myself."

Kade remarked, his voice thick with unspoken emotion, "I know." You will not, however. Not if I can help it.

Lois could sense a shift in the breeze; something was coming. Given the strained atmosphere, the night nevertheless hummed oddly. Though she realised it was unrealistic, her gut told her to leave. They had no time to flee.

Already up, Kade ran fast and purposefully. Standing next to him, Lois's heart raced and her mind raced to keep up with the adrenaline coursing through her body. Once again, the power inside her stirred as though it sensed impending threat.

Kade softly but strongly said, "Tyler's men are here." They won't stop. Not until they have destroyed all we have built.

Lois, trembling hands, nodded. There was no time for her to second-guess herself. Once, Tyler had already stolen her all. She was not going to let him do it once more.

She said, the words slipping from her mouth before she could stop them, "I'm not running." Though everything inside her screamed to go, she was surprised at how constant her voice sounded. She could feel it swelling inside her, the same energy that had nearly consumed her before.

Kade's eyes grew gentler, but his jaw was determined. Our next battle is

Turning to the darkness, her eyes scoured the trees for the first sign of activity. There was genuine danger. Every nerve, every muscle told her. Tyler's forces were closing in, and there was no escape from this.

Lois could feel the increasing power inside her, about to burst. She had no idea if she could control it or whether it would control her. Still, Lois made a decision when the first rogue wolves appeared from the trees.

The force within her exploded wild and unfettered in reaction to the oncoming threat. The energy popping around her caused her hands to shake as she lifted her palms.

"Lois," Kade remarked, breaking her concentration. Keep in control.

But it was already too late. Her strength surged forth like a tidal wave smashing into everyone in its path. The wolves were thrown back as well as Kade. He collapsed, the might of her attack knocking him off his feet.

Kade! Frantically, Lois yelled. Once again she had accomplished it. She had lost control.