Chapter 5 TWISTED BONDS

LISA'S POV

Dawn came too soon. I hadn't slept, haunted by the nurse's death and that flash of blonde hair. Was it Sophia? Someone else? I couldn't accuse the Beta's fiancée without proof.

Ryan waited at the training grounds, wearing only loose pants despite the morning chill. My wolf appreciated the view more than I wanted to admit.

"You look exhausted," he said.

"Someone murdered the nurse last night. Right in front of me."

His expression darkened. "What? Why didn't you call for help?"

"It happened too fast." I explained about the wolfsbane, the murder, the blonde hair. "I think... I think it might have been Sophia."

Ryan's jaw clenched. "That's a serious accusation."

"I'm not accusing. I'm just saying what I saw."

"Sophia was with me last night," he said quietly.

The words hit like a slap. Of course she was. They were engaged.

"All night?" I asked, hating how bitter I sounded.

"No," he admitted. "She left around midnight. Said she needed air."

We stared at each other, the implication hanging between us.

"Ryan, if she's involved—"

"We need proof," he cut me off. "Real proof. Not just a glimpse of hair."

"Fine. Then let's train. I have a brother to fight tonight."

He nodded, all business now. "Daniel was always stronger than others his age. If he's been living rough for ten years, he'll be even stronger now. You need to be smart, not just fierce."

"Thanks for the confidence boost."

"I'm trying to keep you alive," he snapped. Then softer, "I can't lose you again."

"You already did. Three years ago."

"Lisa—"

"Just train me," I said. "Please."

For the next three hours, he pushed me harder than anyone ever had. We fought hand-to-hand, no wolf strength allowed. He taught me to use my smaller size as an advantage, to be faster, sneakier.

"You're holding back," he said after pinning me for the fifth time.

"I'm trying not to hurt you," I panted.

He laughed. "Hurt me? You can't even touch me."

That did it. My wolf surged forward, lending me strength. I twisted out of his grip, swept his legs, and suddenly I was on top of him, my hand at his throat.

"Touched you," I breathed.

His eyes went gold. "Yes, you did."

The air between us shifted. His hand came up to cup my face, and I found myself leaning into it.

"Lisa," he whispered.

"Don't," I said, but didn't move away.

"I need to tell you something. About three years ago."

"Ryan, please—"

"Your father threatened to banish me," he said in a rush. "If I fought for you, if I challenged the elders' decision, he'd strip my family of their Beta rank. Nathan would lose everything. I had to choose between you and my family's honor."

I sat back, still straddling him. "My father did that?"

"He thought he was protecting you. The elders were planning something worse if I refused to let you go. There were rumors about your wolf, about what you might become."

"What rumors?"

Before he could answer, a slow clap echoed across the training grounds. Sophia stood there, perfectly dressed despite the early hour.

"How touching," she said. "The tragic lovers, reunited at last."

I scrambled off Ryan, face burning.

"Sophia," Ryan stood slowly. "How long have you been there?"

"Long enough." Her smile was sharp. "The elders are looking for you, darling. Something about security for tonight's challenge."

"I should go," I said quickly.

"Yes, you should," Sophia agreed. "You'll need your strength to face your brother. Such a shame about that nurse. These are dangerous times."

Something in her tone made me freeze. She knew. She knew I suspected her.

Ryan looked between us, tension crackling. "I'll see you tonight, Lisa."

As I walked away, I heard Sophia's voice carry on the wind.

"You still love her."

"Sophia—"

"Don't deny it. But it doesn't matter. The contract with Silver Creek is signed. You're mine, Ryan. And if she gets in the way, well... accidents happen."

I ran then, not wanting to hear more. My wolf raged, wanting to turn back and challenge her. But I needed proof. And I needed to survive tonight first.

The day passed in a blur. Nathan brought me food I couldn't eat. Emma called twice, but I didn't answer. My father sent word that he needed to see me, but I ignored that too.

As the sun set, the pack gathered in the challenge circle. Daniel was already there, still wearing that dark cloak. Up close, I could see scars on his face, his hands. Ten years of fighting for survival.

"Hello, sister," he said almost gently. "Last chance to withdraw."

"No."

"Then let's make this interesting." He pulled off his cloak. Gasps rippled through the crowd. His body was covered in rogue marks, tattoos that told the story of his kills. "If I win, I take the Alpha position and you leave. Forever."

"And if I win?"

"I'll tell you who's really poisoning our father. And why the rogues are really here."

"Deal."

Elder Catherine stepped forward. "The challenge begins now. No shifting. No weapons. Fight until submission or death."

Daniel moved first, faster than I expected. His fist caught my ribs, sending me sprawling. The crowd winced.

"Too slow, little sister."

I rolled to my feet, Ryan's training echoing in my mind. Use your size. Be unpredictable.

Daniel charged. This time I was ready. I ducked under his arm, striking his kidney. He grunted but didn't slow, spinning to grab my throat.

I let him, then used his momentum against him, throwing him over my shoulder. He hit the ground hard but was up immediately.

"Better," he admitted.

We circled each other. I noticed his left side was slightly slower. An old injury.

"Why did you really come back?" I asked, buying time.

"The rogues are planning something. Something big. I came to warn you, but finding out about Dad's lies changed things."

"Warn me about what?"

He didn't answer, attacking again. This time I targeted his weak side. My elbow connected with his ribs. He stumbled.

"There's a prophecy," he gasped. "About a silver wolf who can unite packs and rogues. End the wars between us."

My blood ran cold. I was a silver wolf.

"That's why the elders feared you," he continued, circling me. "Why Dad sent me away when I tried to protect you. I was too aggressive, they said. But I was just trying to keep you safe from those who would use you."

"You're lying."

"Am I?" He pulled something from his pocket. A journal. Our mother's journal. "Read it yourself. If you survive."

He tossed it aside and attacked with renewed fury. We traded blows, both bleeding now. The crowd was silent, tense.

I saw my opening when he overextended on a punch. Ryan's voice in my head: "When they overcommit, make them pay."

I grabbed Daniel's arm, used his weight against him, and drove my knee into his weak side. He went down hard. I followed, pinning him with a chokehold Ryan had taught me that morning.

"Yield," I commanded.

He struggled, but I held firm. His face turned red.

"Yield!"

"I yield," he gasped.

I released him immediately. The crowd erupted. I'd won.

Daniel lay on his back, laughing breathlessly. "You've gotten stronger, little sister."

"Tell me who's poisoning Dad."

He sat up slowly, his voice dropping so only I could hear. "Follow the money. Who gains the most from chaos in our pack?"

Before I could ask more, a scream pierced the night.

"Fire! The pack house is on fire!"

We all turned to see flames engulfing the main building. And there, silhouetted against the orange glow, stood a figure on the roof.

My father. He was on the roof, and the flames were rising toward him.

"Dad!" I ran toward the building, Daniel right behind me. But as we reached the entrance, an explosion rocked the ground.

The doorway collapsed, trapping us outside while my father remained trapped above.

Through the flames, I saw him look directly at me. His lips moved, forming words I couldn't hear.

Then the roof collapsed, and my father disappeared into the inferno.