Bound by Fate, Freed by Choice

Chapter 2

Lyla's POV

The wind whipped through my hair as I ran, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The moony trees blurred past me, their shadows like dark fingers reaching out to pull me back. I didn't know where I was going, only that I had to leave.

Maybe Kaiden was right. Maybe I really am weak. The thought clawed through me as I sprinted through the trees, my wolf pushing me farther from Darkmoon, the pack I once tried so hard to belong to—only to be tossed aside like I was nothing. They never saw me as one of them, and tonight, Kaiden made that painfully clear.

His rejection played over and over in my mind, the sting of his words, the public humiliation searing into my memory. It wasn't because I may have a crush on him that my heart felt broken; I barely even knew him.

It was the shame, the way he had thrown my weaknesses in my face, making me feel small in front of everyone. But even deeper, under the humiliation and anger, was a hollow ache—a longing for the one person who'd always been there for me.

Maya. She was the only family I had left since our parents were killed in that rogue attack years ago. Maya had practically raised me, protecting me, making sure I was safe and loved. She had been my rock, my entire world. But then, she married Kaiden and vanished just two days after their wedding.

They claimed she had left on her own, that she'd betrayed the pack, but I knew my sister. She would never have abandoned me.

I had begged for justice, for answers, but as the hated omega in a pack of ruthless wolves, no one listened. And now, with Kaiden's rejection, I felt more powerless than ever.

I stumbled into a clearing, shifting back into human form, and my knees gave out as I fell to the ground. I was alone, truly alone now. Hot tears spilled over, and I let out a shuddering sob, pressing my hands into the earth as the pain tore through me. The night was silent, save for my gasping breaths, and I stayed there, broken and crying.

A sudden rustling broke through my cries, and I wiped my tears, heart hammering as I looked around. Three rogue wolves emerged from the trees, their eyes gleaming with cruel intent as they surrounded me.

"Well, look at this," one of them sneered, stepping forward. "A little lost pup all alone."

Fear gripped me, and I struggled to keep my voice steady. "I'm just passing through," I whispered, trying to hide my shaking hands. "I don't want any trouble."

They laughed, circling closer. My heart raced, and my entire body trembled as one of them lunged at me, his claws flashing in the moonlight. Just before he reached me, a powerful, bone-chilling growl shattered the air, deep and commanding. I barely had time to register it before darkness swept over me.

When I finally opened my eyes, I was lying in an unfamiliar bed. The room around me was dim, filled with the scent of cedar and something warm and comforting. I groaned, trying to sit up, but a sharp pain in my head forced me back down. I sucked in a breath, hissing as the ache throbbed behind my eyes.

"Take it easy," a low, deep voice advised, the sound reverberating through the room. The voice was rich and smooth, each word dripping with authority, sending a shiver down my spine. I looked up, and my gaze met piercing eyes watching me intently.

The man standing at the edge of the bed was tall, with a powerful presence that filled the room. His gaze was sharp, unyielding, and there was a hint of something fierce and dangerous in his eyes. He was undeniably handsome, in a way that made it hard to look away, but there was a guarded look on his face that made my stomach twist.

I swallowed, feeling an odd pull toward him, like a connection I couldn't explain but couldn't ignore. "W-where am I?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Blackwood Pack territory," he replied, his tone both calm and commanding. "And I'm Alpha Rowan. Now, care to explain why I found you unconscious on my land?"

The burden of his presence pressed down on me, and his intense gaze made it hard to think. His deep voice seemed to vibrate through me, stirring something unfamiliar and unsteady. I took a shaky breath, struggling to find words under his watchful eyes.

His expression didn't soften as he waited, his stance unwavering. And as I lay there, pinned under the intensity of his gaze, I realized this man wasn't one to show mercy easily—or trust a stranger on his land without answers.

I opened my mouth to speak, but the words felt trapped. His gaze was sharp and intense, locking onto me without a blink, making me feel exposed. This man was unbelievably handsome, even with that hard, firm expression on his face.

For a second, I wondered what he'd look like if he smiled, and the thought made my pulse race. His strong arms were crossed over his chest as he tilted his head, studying me with an unsettling curiosity.

"I'm listening," he said, his voice softer this time, though it held an undeniable command.

I swallowed, feeling my throat tighten. "I... my name is Lyla Silverclaw..." My voice was barely more than a whisper, but his reaction was instant.

"Silverclaw?" he interrupted, surprise flashing in his eyes. The shock hit me like a wave, and I couldn't hold his gaze any longer. I lowered my eyes, nodding slowly. He must know what happened to my pack.

"You were from Silverclaw?" he asked, his voice softer but lined with something like curiosity or disbelief. He was aware of what happened, of the pack that no longer existed, only lingering like a ghost of the past.

"Yes... but my sister and I... we were taken in by the previous Alpha of Darkmoon, who now handed the pack over to his son," I managed to explain, though my voice cracked slightly.

Bitterness clawed its way up my throat as the memories I tried to bury began to resurface. That familiar ache started to settle in my chest, and I struggled to keep my voice steady.

The pain was raw, almost too much to bear, yet I forced myself to continue. "My sister... she disappeared five years ago. Just two days after she married Darkmoon's Alpha."

"Kaiden," he murmured, the name rolling off his lips as if he knew him personally. I looked up, meeting his gaze with surprise.

"You know him?" I asked, my voice barely hiding the pain and curiosity.

He nodded slowly, a hint of something dark in his eyes. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he moved closer, his every step deliberate and full of purpose. His scent wrapped around me, filling the air between us, stirring something within me that made my heart pound harder than I wanted to admit.

He paused just a breath away, his gaze never leaving mine, and his voice dropped to a murmur. "Get some sleep now, Lyla."

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me rooted in place, my heart pounding and my mind spinning with a thousand questions.