Spilled blood

Fateful encounter

Deeper into the heart of the woods, surrounded by towering trees and the whispers of nature, a man sat perched in his cozy cabin, his tranquility abruptly shattered. He shifted his gaze toward the window, anticipation flaring within him as he awaited the arrival of a woman. A glass of amber whisky rested lazily in one hand, the other buried deep in his pocket. His striking green eyes glittered with curiosity and intrigue, while his finger rhythmically tapped the glass, mimicking the soft ticking of an old clock, a melody that filled the otherwise serene atmosphere.

This man cherished his solitude in the cabin, far removed from the chaotic rush of life. Earlier that day, he had successfully closed a significant deal with a partner company, a feat that deserved celebration. He craved to enjoy his whisky, savoring the rich flavors while letting the smooth sounds of jazz encircle him, enveloping him in comfort. Yet, today was different—today, someone had disturbed his peace.

Meanwhile, Keira had unwittingly set off a palpable wave of fear among a group of men when she unleashed her formidable aura. The reaction was immediate; they had reached out through their mindlink, screaming for assistance. Fortunately for them, Nathaniel was nearby, and having gauged the situation, he had decided to bring Keira to this secluded cabin. However, the man inside wasn’t simply waiting for her arrival; he was fascinated by the prospect of a rogue seeking an audience with an Alpha. It piqued his interest even more when Nathaniel shared that her aura felt stronger than his own—an intriguing anomaly, given that she seemed intent on masking that very power.

Keira’s intentions appeared nearly pure, but to the untrained eye, it looked as though she was concealing her strength, possibly hoping to approach the Alpha with ulterior motives. Yet, this man, above all others, did not feel the slightest hint of threat. He wasn't an ordinary Alpha; he was an Alpha in spirit and demeanor, a King without the official title. Furthermore, there was a restriction cast upon his territory—a safeguard courtesy of a witch he had once saved. Any outsider entering the confines of his domain would find themselves rendered powerless. What Nathaniel had overlooked in his report, however, was that Keira had already stepped into the territory as she released her aura.

As the man spotted the woman approaching through the trees, he settled deeper into his armchair, a plush seat that had molded to him over countless evenings, and prepared himself for her entrance.

The moment Keira passed through the threshold, their eyes collided, and in that instant, the world outside faded into obscurity. It was as if time itself ceased to exist, and their connection transcended the physical realm. Had it not been for Nathaniel’s awkward cough, they might have remained locked in that gaze indefinitely.

Blake, unwilling to break the silence, gestured for Keira to take a seat on the couch across from him, his eyes still riveted on hers. Keira sank onto the plush cushions, crossing her legs in a defensive posture while her heartbeat quickened, an unusual rhythm that stirred a hint of discomfort within her.

"Hello," he began, his voice smooth, yet commanding. "I am Blake Lightwood, Alpha of the Crimson Clan. I assume you're the one seeking me out... though your reasons remain shrouded in mystery."

"I am looking for someone—"

"I beg your pardon for the interruption," he interjected with a bemused smile. "But it’s customary to commence with a proper introduction, my lady."

...

"Keira."

A brief silence stretched between them.

"Is that all?" Blake prodded, his playful tone a stark contrast to the tension in the room.

"Yes."

"Quite the minimalist, aren’t we?" he teased, his smirk widening slightly.

"At least one of us is."

"A tad on the touchy side as well," he noted, noticing the way Keira clenched her fists, a sign of her simmering anger. Despite her mounting frustration, Blake wore an arrogant smile—a crooked grin that only deepened her desire to wipe it away.

Nathaniel, caught in the awkward middle, shifted nervously, confusion etched across his features as he floundered between the two intense personalities.

"I’m merely here to warn you not to stay my path," Keira stated, her tone resolute.

"That depends on what 'your path' entails, love. I believe you were about to elaborate on your search before I so rudely interrupted. Perhaps you’d care to continue?" he urged, his interest piqued.

"I don’t repeat myself."

"A lesson for future interactions. Look at us—just a few minutes in, and we’re already familiarizing ourselves!" he concluded cheerily.

Keira shut her eyes briefly and inclined her head, taking a deep inhalation through her mouth, and then letting it out slowly.

'An indirect rejection?' Blake pondered. 'Nothing too surprising, she is a rogue.'

But the allure of mates was strong, and Blake wouldn’t relinquish his hold so swiftly. He was resolved to pursue her—there were methods to achieve his goals. After all, he carried a reputation as an absolute gentleman, which he intended to uphold. But he wouldn't mind using ungently manners to keep her should the need arise.

"You mentioned searching for someone. Might I know their name, and what reasons compel you to find them?" he inquired, watching her reaction with keen interest. He infused his words with a hint of his aura and authority as an Alpha, expecting a quiver of submission. But Keira remained unperturbed, her resolve unshaken.

"Andreas Maxwell. He has recently joined your pack," she replied, mirroring his previous approach with her own aura—a defensive, challenging move that made a chill slide down his spine. His hand paused mid-motion, the glass never quite reaching his lips. Yet, a subtle smirk crossed his face, recognizing the silent duel of power they were engaging in.

The tension escalated, tightening like a noose around Nathaniel, whose sweaty forehead bore testament to the internal struggle between submissiveness and allegiance. He remained torn, caught between two powerful entities. It was only when Nathaniel’s strained breath filled the air that Blake dismissed his loyal Beta, hoping to ease the unbearable discomfort.

"Andreas Maxwell... a former rogue I personally welcomed into my pack after he saved one of my members." Blake’s tone shifted, turning serious. "What business do you have with him?"

"That is none of your concern."

"But it is my concern. I promised Andreas asylum as a reward for his bravery. Why do you think I would allow an outsider to interfere with one of my men?"

"I’m coming for him. I don’t require your permission. I’ll handle anyone who dares to stand in my way," she replied defiantly. "I’m here to warn you out of respect for my late grandparents who were once a part of your pack. But this is as far as my curtesy goes. Whether you chose to heed my warning or dismiss it is entirely you choice, but before doing something you will come to regret, I suggest you think carefully first. Is that man really worth risking the safety of your pack for?"

Blake raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on his face. "And do you truly believe you pose a significant enough threat for me to take this seriously"

"Just about," she replied, an edge of confidence lacing her words.

Keira sat up, and Blake's eyes followed her own.

"I have said everything I had to say. You have two days to decide your stance. But if that man is not brought to me by that time, then I am coming after him. And I won't spare anyone who stands in my way."

Keira turned on her heel and walked away, her silence heavy in the air. Blake called out after her, his voice echoing in the stillness, "And where should we bring him to, exactly?" His words hung in the atmosphere, met only by a faint, disembodied echo that seemed to mock his urgency. "Just bring him to the borders when you decide," was the only response he received before Keira vanished from sight, leaving him with a thousand unanswered questions.

Blake took a deep breath, shaking off the tension that had settled in his chest. He activated the mindlink, an invaluable tool that allowed him to communicate instantly with his trusted team. The familiar energy tingled at his fingertips as he relayed his orders with precision.

'Nathaniel, I need you to keep a close watch on the woman. She’s not to be underestimated.'

'Yes, Alpha.'

'Kyle, dig into her background. I want to know everything—who she is, what her story is, and why she’s here.'

Kyle acknowledged the task with a determined look, already thinking of the databases he could sift through.

'And Louise, you need to investigate Andreas. I want to know the roots of the feud that exists between him and Keira.'

'Yes, Alpha.'

Finally, he paused, his brow furrowing in concentration. 'And someone needs to remind me where I’ve heard the name Keira before. It’s on the tip of my tongue, and I can’t shake the feeling it’s significant.'

With that, Blake dismissed the mindlink, aware that a storm of intrigue was brewing just beyond the horizon, one that they needed to understand before it unraveled.