The Wolf Within

Chapter Four

Kael paced along the ridge of the territory, the mist still clinging to the forest below. He could hear the faint rustle of the pack’s morning activity in the distance, but his mind was consumed by the encounter with Lior. The omega’s defiance, his vulnerability, and that lingering look—it was maddening.

"Why didn’t you stop him?" Kael’s wolf growled within him, the primal voice restless and demanding. “He’s ours.”

Kael clenched his fists. His wolf had been agitated since meeting Lior, and he couldn’t deny the pull he felt toward the omega. It wasn’t just physical attraction; it was something deeper, more instinctual. And yet, the responsibilities of an alpha weighed heavily on him.

Doran approached from behind, his steps deliberate and loud enough to announce his presence.

“You’ve been up here since dawn,” Doran said, crossing his arms. “Still thinking about him?”

Kael shot him a glare but didn’t respond.

Doran sighed. “Look, I’ve seen you handle challenges that would break most alphas. But this omega… he’s in your head. You’ve got to figure out what you’re going to do about him, or he’ll become a liability.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “I told him to leave.”

“And you think he’s just going to listen?” Doran’s voice held a note of skepticism. “From what I’ve seen, he’s not the type to follow orders, especially not yours.”

Kael turned his gaze back to the forest. “I’ll handle it.”

Doran stepped closer, his tone softening. “Kael, you’re not just an alpha. You’re our alpha. Whatever you do, it’ll ripple through the pack. Don’t let this omega unravel everything you’ve built.”

Kael didn’t respond, his thoughts too tangled to form words. Doran lingered for a moment before nodding and heading back toward the camp, leaving Kael alone with his turmoil.

Lior crouched by a stream deep in the forest, splashing cold water onto his face. The tension from his encounter with Kael lingered, an ache that wouldn’t fade. He’d expected the alpha to be like all the others he’d met: domineering, unyielding, predictable. But Kael was none of those things. He was complex, a storm of power and restraint that drew Lior in despite himself.

“What am I doing?” Lior muttered, his reflection rippling in the stream. He had no reason to stay, no logical excuse for remaining in Kael’s territory. And yet, his feet wouldn’t carry him away.

A faint rustle in the underbrush made him freeze. His senses sharpened as he scanned the trees, every muscle in his body tensed. When a figure stepped into view, his heart leapt into his throat.

It wasn’t Kael. It was Rhys.

The hunter’s gray eyes were as cold as steel, his posture rigid and threatening. “You’re still here,” Rhys said, his voice low and dangerous.

Lior straightened, refusing to show fear. “I’m not trespassing. This is neutral ground.”

Rhys stepped closer, his lip curling. “Neutral ground or not, you’re pushing your luck. Kael might have a soft spot for you, but the rest of us don’t.”

“A soft spot?” Lior’s heart raced at the implication, but he forced a smirk. “That’s an interesting choice of words.”

Rhys growled, closing the distance between them. “Don’t test me, omega. You’re not as clever as you think.”

Lior’s confidence wavered, but he held his ground. “If you’re here to fight, get it over with. Otherwise, leave me alone.”

Rhys’s eyes narrowed, his body taut like a coiled spring. But before he could act, another voice rang out.

“That’s enough.”

Kael stepped into the clearing, his presence commanding and undeniable. Rhys immediately stepped back, his gaze dropping in deference to his alpha. Lior’s heart pounded as Kael’s dark eyes locked onto his.

“Go back to the camp, Rhys,” Kael said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Rhys hesitated, his jaw clenching, but he obeyed. With one last glare at Lior, he turned and disappeared into the trees.

Kael’s gaze softened slightly as he stepped closer to Lior. “Are you all right?”

Lior’s pride flared. “I can handle myself.”

Kael studied him for a moment, then nodded. “I know you can. But you’re making it harder for both of us by staying here.”

Lior crossed his arms, his defiance returning. “Why does it matter to you? If I’m such a problem, why don’t you just force me out?”

Kael stepped closer, his towering presence making Lior’s breath catch. “Because I don’t want to force you,” Kael said, his voice low and intense. “I want you to choose.”

The words hung between them, heavy with unspoken meaning. Lior’s resolve wavered as he searched Kael’s face, looking for deception but finding none. For the first time, he saw the struggle in the alpha’s eyes, a battle between duty and desire that mirrored his own.

“I don’t belong anywhere,” Lior admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m not part of a pack. I don’t want to be tied down.”

Kael’s expression softened, but his voice remained firm. “Being part of a pack isn’t a chain, Lior. It’s a bond. A choice. And sometimes, it’s the only thing that keeps us from losing ourselves.”

Lior’s throat tightened, his walls threatening to crumble under Kael’s words. He wanted to believe him, but years of isolation and betrayal had left scars too deep to ignore.

“I don’t need saving,” Lior said, his voice trembling with emotion.

Kael reached out, his hand brushing lightly against Lior’s arm. “Maybe not. But that doesn’t mean you have to be alone.”

Lior’s breath hitched at the touch, his heart pounding in his chest. For the first time in years, he felt something other than fear or anger. He felt seen.

But the moment passed too quickly. Lior stepped back, breaking the connection. “I can’t,” he said, his voice cracking. “I just can’t.”

Kael’s hand fell to his side, his expression unreadable. He didn’t try to stop Lior as he turned and walked away, disappearing into the forest once more.

Kael stood alone in the clearing, the ache in his chest deeper than he’d expected. His wolf growled in frustration, but Kael silenced it. This wasn’t over. He could feel it in his bones.

Their paths were destined to cross again.

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