Unjust invasion

Lilian’s POV

The air was thick with some sort of tension as we all walked back from the wolfsbane territories, Kaiden’s hand firmly gripped mine as we did.


My thoughts churned as I desperately tried to make sense of everything that had just happened. The sight of the bodies, the mysterious werewolf's words—it all felt like a nightmare, one I couldn’t wake up from.



And strangely, it felt as if I had met him before. The mysterious werewolf.



When we finally returned to the pack house, Kaiden’s demeanor had shifted from concern to something darker—I watched the way determination mixed with a simmering anger in his eyes. I could feel it in the way his jaw clenched and unclenched repeatedly, his eyes narrowed to slits as he gave orders to the guards.


But beneath it all, I could sense his fear, though he would never admit it. He was afraid, not just for the pack, but for me as well, I could see it.


“Kaiden,” I began, as we entered his office, the door closed behind us with a soft click.

“I know you’re angry, and I know you’re worried about the pack, but… you need to not stress over it too much. I know very well that we can’t just wait for them to strike again.” I said.



He turned to me, his expression softened slightly as he took a deep breath.


"We’re not going to wait,” he said, his voice was low but resolute. “I’ve already ordered the patrols to increase their rounds. We’re doubling the guards at every entry point, and I’ll be calling for a meeting with the other Alphas to see if any of them have experienced similar attacks.”



I nodded, appreciating his decisive action, but something about the situation still didn’t sit right with me. “Do you really think it’s another pack?” I asked, voicing the thought that had been nagging at me since we found the bodies. “What if it’s someone within our own ranks? Someone we wouldn’t suspect?”



Kaiden’s eyes darkened at the suggestion.
“I’ve thought about that too,” he admitted.


“But until we have more information, I can’t start accusing our own. It would cause panic, distrust. We need to handle this carefully, without turning the pack against itself.”



I walked over to the window, looking out at the forest, the shadows of the trees stretching long as the sun began to set.



“Whoever did this… they knew exactly what they were doing,” I murmured. “The precision, the wolfsbane… it’s almost like they wanted us to know how easily they could strike, without getting caught.”



Kaiden came up behind me, his presence a comforting weight. “That’s what worries me the most,” he said quietly. “This wasn’t just a random act of violence. It was calculated, deliberate. And it was meant to send a message.”


“A message to you,” I added, turning to face him. “They’re trying to shake your control, make you doubt yourself as Alpha.”


He met my gaze, his eyes intense.
"They might try, but they won’t succeed,” he said, his voice laced with conviction.


“I’ve faced challenges before, Lilian. I’ve fought enemies on the battlefield, dealt with betrayal within the pack. Whoever is behind this… they won’t win. I won’t let them.”



I believed him, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to this, something we were missing.



“What if they’re after more than just control of the pack?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “What if they’re after you, Kaiden? What if they want to take you out of the picture entirely?”


His expression hardened, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—fear, perhaps, or realization. “If that’s their goal, then they’ll have to do better than this,” he said, his tone almost defiant. “But I can’t let that distract me. My priority is protecting the pack—and you.”



I wanted to argue, to tell him that he needed to protect himself as well, but I knew it would be pointless. Kaiden was stubborn, fiercely protective, and he wouldn’t back down from his responsibilities, no matter the risk.



Instead, I placed a hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palm. “Just promise me you’ll be careful,” I said, my voice soft but firm. “I can’t lose you, Kaiden. Not when we’ve just started building something together.”


He covered my hand with his own, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “I promise,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “But you need to promise me something too.”


“What is it?” I asked, tilting my head to meet his gaze.


“If things get dangerous—if there’s any sign that you’re in immediate danger—you’ll get out. No arguments, no heroics. You’ll leave the pack house, find somewhere safe, and wait for me to come to you. Do you understand?”



I wanted to protest, to tell him that I wouldn’t run, that I’d stay and fight alongside him. But the look in his eyes, the raw fear that he was trying so hard to mask, made me nod in agreement.



“I understand,” I said softly.
Kaiden pulled me into his arms, holding me close, and for a moment, the weight of the world seemed to lift. But I knew it wouldn’t last. The threat was still out there, lurking in the shadows, and I had a feeling that the worst was yet to come.



Later that night, as I lay in bed beside Kaiden, I found sleep elusive. My mind kept replaying the events of the day, the words of the mysterious werewolf echoing in my head.


'Your pack isn’t as secure as you think, Alpha. And this is just the beginning.'
What did that mean? What was coming next? And why did I feel like I was standing on the edge of a precipice, with no idea what lay below?


I turned to Kaiden, his face peaceful in sleep, and a pang of fear gripped my heart. What if something happened to him? What if I lost him before we even had a chance to truly be together?


The thought was unbearable, but I pushed it aside. I couldn’t afford to dwell on what-ifs. I had to be strong, for Kaiden, for the pack, and for myself. But deep down, I knew that whatever was coming, it would test us all in ways we couldn’t yet imagine.



And as I finally drifted off to sleep, I resolved that no matter what, I would stand by Kaiden’s side. I would fight for our future, for the pack, and for the love that had blossomed between us. Because in the end, that was all that truly mattered.