Tensions and Desires

Chapter Three

The morning broke cold and quiet, the forest wrapped in a thick mist that clung to the earth like a ghostly shroud. Kael emerged from his cabin, his dark eyes scanning the camp. The wolves of his pack moved with purpose, some preparing for patrols while others tended to the needs of their community. It was a scene of order and discipline, but Kael’s mind was far from the routine.

Lior.

His name alone was enough to set Kael’s blood alight. The omega’s defiance, his smirk, the way his golden hair shimmered under the moonlight—all of it lingered in Kael’s thoughts like a persistent flame. The memory of their encounter the night before gnawed at him. Kael had warned him to leave, yet deep down, he knew Lior wouldn’t go so easily.

“Kael.”

The voice of Doran broke through his reverie. Kael turned to find his second-in-command approaching, his expression a mix of concern and irritation.

“We need to talk,” Doran said, gesturing for Kael to follow him toward the edge of the camp.

Kael fell into step beside him. “What is it?”

“Rhys spotted your omega again last night,” Doran said bluntly.

Kael’s jaw tightened. “He’s not my omega.”

Doran arched an eyebrow. “Then why is he still here? If he’s from a rival pack, he’s a threat. And if he’s not, he’s still a distraction we don’t need.”

Kael didn’t respond immediately. His instincts warred within him, the alpha in him demanding action while another part—a quieter, more dangerous part—longed to see Lior again.

“I’ll handle it,” Kael said finally, his voice firm.

Doran stopped walking and turned to face him. “You’d better. The pack is starting to notice. They’re looking to you for guidance, Kael. Don’t let this omega undermine your authority.”

Kael nodded, though the weight of Doran’s words settled heavily on his shoulders. “I’ll deal with him today.”

Doran gave a curt nod, then walked away, leaving Kael alone with his thoughts.

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Lior perched on a fallen log deep in the forest, his sharp eyes scanning the landscape. The morning mist lent the woods an ethereal quality, but he was on edge. Rhys’s warning from the night before echoed in his mind, but it hadn’t deterred him. If anything, it had only solidified his determination to face Kael again.

He hadn’t expected the alpha to have such a hold on him. There was something magnetic about Kael, something that called to Lior in a way he couldn’t explain. It wasn’t just attraction; it was a pull, a force that made him feel alive and on edge all at once.

The sound of footsteps broke through his thoughts. Lior tensed, his instincts sharpening as he turned toward the noise. When Kael emerged from the mist, Lior’s breath caught.

The alpha moved with the grace of a predator, his dark hair damp from the morning dew and his piercing eyes locked onto Lior. He was imposing, his presence filling the small clearing like a storm cloud. But Lior refused to be intimidated.

“You’re persistent,” Kael said, his voice low and edged with irritation.

Lior stood, crossing his arms over his chest. “And you’re predictable. I knew you’d come looking for me.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed. “I came to warn you. This is your last chance to leave. If my pack finds you again, they won’t be as forgiving.”

Lior smirked, stepping closer. “Forgiving? Is that what you call stalking me through the woods and threatening me?”

Kael growled softly, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. “You’re testing my patience, omega.”

“Good,” Lior said, his voice soft but laced with defiance. “Maybe it’s time someone did.”

The air between them crackled with tension. Kael’s wolf surged within him, demanding he assert his dominance, but he hesitated. Lior’s boldness was infuriating, yet it stirred something in him he couldn’t ignore. He’d never met anyone who challenged him like this, who looked him in the eye without fear.

“Why are you here?” Kael demanded, his voice rough. “Tell me the truth.”

Lior’s smirk faded, and for a moment, vulnerability flickered in his blue eyes. “Maybe I don’t have anywhere else to go. Did you think of that, Alpha?”

Kael’s chest tightened. He hadn’t expected such an honest answer, and it threw him off balance. He studied Lior, searching for deceit, but all he saw was defiance layered over something fragile.

“You have a pack,” Kael said. “Why aren’t you with them?”

Lior looked away, his jaw tightening. “My pack is none of your concern.”

Kael stepped closer, his towering presence forcing Lior to meet his gaze. “It is if you’re in my territory. I need to know if you’re a threat.”

Lior’s eyes flashed with anger. “I’m not a threat. Unless you make me one.”

Kael growled again, his frustration mounting. This omega was impossible, a contradiction of strength and vulnerability that made him impossible to ignore. Kael’s wolf paced restlessly within him, torn between wanting to dominate Lior and wanting to protect him.

“Leave,” Kael said, though his voice lacked its usual authority. “Before I change my mind.”

Lior hesitated, his gaze lingering on Kael’s for a moment too long. Then he turned and walked away, his golden hair disappearing into the mist. Kael watched him go, his fists clenched at his sides.

This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

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