The Alpha’s Cursed Bride

The fortress buzzed with an unusual tension the next morning. The pack moved with a quiet urgency, their conversations hushed and their gazes sharp. Alison stood at the edge of the courtyard, watching as a group of wolves loaded weapons and supplies onto a cart. The faint scent of rain lingered in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest beyond the walls.

"Big day," Lyra said, walking up beside her. She had a faint smirk on her lips, though her eyes betrayed her unease.

"What's going on?" Alison asked, crossing her arms.

"The scouts weren't the only ones," Lyra said, her voice dropping. "More hunters are moving closer. Kane thinks it's only a matter of time before they find us."

"So what's the plan?" Alison asked, though a part of her already dreaded the answer.

Lyra tilted her head toward the cart. "We're setting up traps, reinforcing the perimeter. But it won't hold them off forever."

Alison frowned, the knot in her stomach tightening. "And what about me? What am I supposed to do?"

Lyra gave her a sideways glance. "You're staying here. For now."

"For now?" Alison repeated, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "I'm not just going to sit around while everyone else fights."

"Not your call," Lyra said with a shrug. "Kane wants you safe. That means staying out of the way."

Alison bit back a retort, her fists clenching at her sides. She was tired of being treated like a fragile burden, like someone who couldn't hold her own. But before she could argue further, the sound of raised voices caught her attention.

Kane stood near the gates, his posture rigid as he faced off with Darius. The tension between them was palpable, their voices low but heated.

"You're making a mistake," Darius said, his tone sharp. "Sending a team out there only makes us more vulnerable."

"And doing nothing leaves us sitting ducks," Kane shot back. "We can't wait for them to strike first."

"You're putting everyone at risk," Darius argued, his golden eyes flashing. "Including her."

Kane's jaw tightened, and his gaze flicked briefly to Alison, who stood frozen in place. "She's the reason we're doing this. If we don't stop the hunters now, they'll find her. And when they do, they'll kill all of us to get to her."

Alison's chest tightened. She stepped forward, her voice breaking the tense silence. "If this is about me, then let me help."

Both men turned to her, their expressions starkly different—Kane's cold and assessing, Darius's laced with frustration.

"No," Kane said firmly. "You're not ready."

"You don't know that," Alison snapped. "You haven't given me a chance."

"This isn't a debate," Kane said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You stay here."

Alison clenched her fists, her anger boiling over. "You can't keep locking me away every time things get dangerous. I deserve to fight for myself."

"And I'm trying to keep you alive," Kane said, his voice rising. "That mark on your shoulder isn't just a symbol. It's a target. Every second you're out there, you're putting the entire pack at risk."

Alison flinched, but her defiance didn't waver. "Then teach me how to stop being a risk."

Kane's eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, Lyra stepped between them. "Enough," she said, her tone sharp. "We don't have time for this."

Kane exhaled sharply, his gaze lingering on Alison before he turned back to Darius. "Get the team ready. We move in an hour."

Darius hesitated, his jaw tightening before he nodded and walked away. Kane glanced at Lyra. "Make sure she stays here."

Lyra nodded, her expression unreadable. Kane didn't spare Alison another look as he strode off, his presence commanding even in silence.

The hour dragged on, every second stretching into an eternity. Alison paced the courtyard, her frustration mounting with each step. She hated feeling useless, hated being sidelined while everyone else prepared for battle. The weight of the mark on her shoulder felt heavier than ever.

"Planning to wear a hole in the ground?" Lyra's voice broke through her thoughts.

Alison turned to see Lyra leaning casually against the wall, her arms crossed. "If you're here to babysit me, don't bother."

"Not babysitting," Lyra said with a shrug. "Just making sure you don't do anything stupid."

Alison glared at her. "What if I want to?"

Lyra smirked faintly, though there was no humor in it. "Then you'd better be ready to face Kane's wrath. Trust me, it's not worth it."

"I can't just sit here," Alison said, her voice tight. "Not when I know they're out there, risking their lives for me."

Lyra studied her for a moment, her smirk fading. "You think sitting here is easy? Watching people you care about walk into danger while you do nothing? It's not. But sometimes it's the only thing you can do."

Alison looked away, her fists clenching at her sides. "It doesn't feel like enough."

"It never does," Lyra said softly. "But Kane's right about one thing—you're not ready. And if you go out there now, you'll just get yourself killed. Or worse."

The weight of Lyra's words settled heavily on Alison's shoulders. She hated the helplessness, the constant feeling of being a liability. But deep down, she knew Lyra was right.

"I just… I wish I could do more," Alison admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You will," Lyra said, her tone surprisingly gentle. "But not today."

As the team prepared to leave, Alison watched from the edge of the courtyard. Kane led the group, his expression hard and unreadable. He didn't look back as they passed through the gates and disappeared into the forest.

Alison stood there long after they were gone, her chest tight with a mix of fear and frustration. She didn't know what awaited them out there, but one thing was clear.

The hunters were getting closer. And time was running out.