The Lost Queen

Chapter Thirteen

Daya's P.O.V.

The moment I saw him, the world around me seemed to stop.

Alpha Ryan stood at the edge of the woods, a smirk curling on his lips as if he had already won. My fingers tightened around Kaden's hand, my breath caught in my throat. Every muscle in my body locked up, paralyzed by the overwhelming wave of terror that slammed into me. His dark brown eyes burned into mine, amusement flickering in their depths. He wore his usual black leather jacket over a white shirt, his faded black jeans blending into the night. He looked the same—like a nightmare resurrected.

But he wasn't supposed to be here. He was supposed to be dead.

I swallowed hard, praying my kidnappers weren't lurking in the shadows behind him.

"Daya, are you alright?" Kaden's voice pulled me back to reality. His warmth beside me was my anchor, but my mind was already spiraling, dragged back into the hell Ryan had once trapped me in.

I could still feel the bruises he left on my skin, the way he stole my voice, my will, my dignity. He had torn me apart piece by piece, treating me like I was nothing more than dirt beneath his feet.

Fear morphed into something else—something raw and scorching.

Rage.

My hands curled into fists at my sides, nails digging into my palms as I forced my trembling body to stay still.

A low, deadly growl erupted from Kaden, his fury shaking me out of my trance. I turned to see the pack pouring out of the house, warriors taking their places. The Royals stepped out of the limo, their expressions unreadable, but I knew they were assessing the threat.

Then, the sound that sent ice through my veins rang through the night—a howl.

Not just any howl.

The howl of war.

"Warriors, to your positions! Women and children, to the safe house—NOW!" Kaden's command thundered over the clearing. Instantly, warriors lined up beside him, their bodies tense, some already shifting into their wolves. The energy in the air thickened, pulsing with the anticipation of battle.

The peaceful hum of the night had been replaced by the thunder of paws racing toward us from the tree line.

My mother appeared at my side, gripping my wrist and tugging me toward the car. My father stood beside her, his body angled protectively between me and the approaching danger.

"What is happening?" my mother demanded, her voice sharp with worry.

"Alpha Ryan," Kaden growled, his eyes darkening with unrestrained hatred. "Get her out of here."

I barely had time to react before Kaden turned back to his warriors, his voice ringing with unshakable authority.

"We show no mercy. They stepped on our land. They threatened your Luna. They must die!"

The pack let out deafening cheers, their howls of agreement filling the night.

"Yeah! Let's beat some ass!" James shouted, and a few warriors chuckled, though the humor was brief. The moment shattered when the enemy pack emerged from the darkness.

Ryan.

He stood no more than ten feet away, wolves flanking him like shadows. But we had more.

Ryan's smug voice carried over the field. "Leaving so soon, my Queen? The real fun has just started. And look—the Royals are here too. Guess I'll be killing two birds with one stone... or maybe six."