Triple Alpha's Threat

Ch. 9 - Dark Stranger

Kiera POV

After a night of restless running, hunger gnawed at my stomach as I stumbled upon a quaint inn in a small town. Its weathered cobblestone exterior exuded charm, and as I entered, the nostalgic scent of aged wood and the faint aroma of a crackling fireplace welcomed me.

I collapsed onto a creaky bed, finally allowing exhaustion to overtake me. Hours later, I reluctantly powered on my phone, only to find over fifty missed calls from Jackson. Anger surged within me at the thought of hearing his excuses or seeing his face again. Memories of our shared past, from childhood friends to Alpha and Luna, tormented my mind.

How could I have been so blind? I believed him for so long, feeling like a naive idiot. Then, the realization that I would never feel his arms around me again weighed heavily on my chest. I had never loved anyone like Jackson, and the thought of a life beyond him was unimaginable. It was always Jackson and Kiera; then we became Alpha and Luna.

As I contemplated turning off my phone to shut out the pain, a call came in from Devon. I hesitated but answered, bracing myself for the confrontation.

"Where the hell are you?" Devon's voice mirrored my own anger.

"You're not my Alpha. Watch your tone," I snapped, barely restraining Athena, my wolf, from taking over in a surge of rage.

"Kiera, it's dangerous out there. You promised you wouldn't leave."

"You expected me to stay? You're as pathetic as he is."

"What happened? What are you talking about?" Devon's growl crackled through the phone.

"You knew about her, didn't you? Jackson's fated mate. The one he marked and impregnated." My voice trembled with betrayal and disgust.

"I didn't know. That fucking bastard!" Devon's anger sounded genuine, but trust was a luxury I couldn't afford anymore.

"I don't believe you."

"Kiera, I swear I had no idea he marked her already."

"Already? But you knew he never rejected her?" The realization made my stomach churn.

"I did, but he swore he was going to reject her. He said he needed more time."

"You didn't think I needed to know that?"

"Kiera, there are bigger problems right now."

I laughed bitterly. My life falling into shambles wasn't the priority, not when I was a Luna. I couldn't afford to be selfish or prideful. My life belonged to my people, people who no longer wanted me.

"I don't care about your pack's problems, Devon. I'm done with all of it."

"Don't be foolish, Kiera. He won't let you go. Return home, and once the peace treaty is signed, I'll find a way to help. He's too powerful right now."

"Return home? You're joking? I won't ever go back there."

"Kiera, he will find you."

My hand instinctively covered the mark on my neck, a beacon to mates. I had lingered in one place too long, but I couldn't run forever. Devon was right; I needed to return home to settle this.

"Tell your Alpha to expect me tomorrow and that I demand a rejection. I won't be a second Luna! He'll be lucky if I can keep Athena from killing him for what he did."

"He won't reject you. Not now, at least. Tomorrow, I have a meeting set with the Dark Wolves' leader. Their Alpha is coming to negotiate a peace treaty. Once that's signed, we'll find a way to force Jackson to release you. I promise you, I have your back on this. We just need a few more days to secure the South."