Love Unbreakable
Comeback Of The Adored Heiress
Bound By Love: Marrying My Disabled Husband
Return, My Love: Wooing the Neglected Ex-Wife
Unspoken Hearts: My Neglected Mute Wife's Escape
Moonlit Desires: The CEO's Daring Proposal
Love After Divorce
Tears Of The Moon: A Dance With Lycan Royalty
Who Dares Claim The Heart Of My Wonderful Queen?
A Second Chance With My Billionaire Love
I ran with the moonlight, my paws barely touching the ground as I blurred through the trees. There was a thrill of hunting in my veins, yet a nagging concern tugged relentlessly at my brain. I let it go, focusing instead on the quick beat of hooves in front of me.
The musky scent of deer filled my nostrils, growing with each bound. I could hear the rest of the pack spread out behind me, their excited yips urging me onward. As alpha-in-training, it was my job to lead the hunt and make the kill.
I burst into a small clearing- leaves crunching beneath my paws. The buck stood frozen for a split second, its eyes wide with terror. I tensed, ready to spring, when a pained yelp cut through the night air.
My heart clenched as I recognized my father's voice. In that moment of hesitation, the deer bolted. I whirled around, torn between pursuit and concern.
"Go, Lyra!" My father's gruff command still echoed in my head. "Don't lose the prey!"
But I could hear the strain in his mental voice, sense his pain and frustration. With a last glance at the fleeing deer, I made my choice.
I ran back through the trees, following my father's scent. I found him sprawled in a bed of ferns, his massive silver form trembling as he tried to rise.
"Father!" I changed forms as I reached his side, dropping to my knee beside him. "What happened? Are you hurt?"
He snarled, shaking his grizzled head. "It's naught. My damned leg gave out again. Go, the pack needs you to finish the hunt."
I laid a hand on his heaving flank. "The pack needs its alpha whole and strong. Let me help you back to the den."
His green eyes-so like my own-flashed with a mixture of pride and irritation. "I'm not some invalid pup to be coddled, Lyra. I can make it back on my own."
Before I could protest further, the remainder of the hunting party burst into view. Zane Thornheart was in the lead, his russet fur bristling with excitement. He skidded to a halt, confusion replacing the triumph in his golden eyes as he took in the scene.
"What's going on?" he demanded, shifting forms. "Why did you abandon the hunt, Lyra?"
I bristled at his tone but kept my voice calm. "There was an incident. The alpha needs assistance back to the den."
Zane's lip curled. "So you let our prey escape for this? Some future leader you'll make if you can't even complete a simple hunt."
A low rumble rolled in my chest. "Watch your tone, Zane. I made a judgment call as acting alpha. You would have me simply ignore the wellbeing of our pack leader?
"Enough!" My father's bark cut through our brewing argument. He struggled to his feet, favoring his right hind leg. "This solves nothing. Zane, take half the hunters and see if you can pick up the trail again. Lyra, you and the rest will accompany me back to the den."
Zane's eyes gleamed with scarcely restrained satisfaction. "Of course, Alpha Garrick. I won't let the pack go hungry tonight."
As he loped off with his selected hunters, I couldn't help but feel that I'd just handed my rival a victory. But a glance at my father's pained expression dispersed all regret. I'd done the right thing, even if no one else could see it.
The journey back to our lands was somber and slow. I could feel the weight of disappointed stares from the remaining pack members. Their hunger and frustration pressed against my mind, a constant reminder of my perceived failure.