Chapter 9
Third Person POV
The Fireclaw Pack was buzzing like a hive kicked open, the news spreading through every corner of the territory: Seylah was no longer going to marry Alpha Daemon and Alpha King Thorian was on their continent. Whispers spoke of his mysterious visit, but the rumors that followed were even more electrifying. Zaira, ever cunning and opportunistic, saw her moment and seized
it with both hands.
She strolled through the pack, her words soft but sharp as she planted seeds of doubt in the minds of anyone who would listen. “It’s no coincidence that Seylah broke off her engagement just as the Alpha King arrived,” she murmured to a cluster of pack warriors, her eyes wide with feigned concern. “You didn’t hear this from me, but they say she’s been meeting him in secret. Why else would she suddenly
Chapter 9
decide to leave Alpha Daemon?”
The rumors caught like wildfire, crackling through the pack until it reached Daemon himself. Zaira had timed it perfectly, knowing that his pride was already. wounded by Seylah’s sudden decision to end their engagement. He was alone in his study when his Beta, Jace, brought the
news to him.
“Alpha,” Jace said carefully, watching Daemon‘ s expression closely. “There‘ s talk going around… about Princess Seylah and Alpha King Thorian.”
Daemon’s eyes snapped up, his face. darkening. “What talk?” he growled.
Jace hesitated, sensing the brewing storm in his Alpha’s stance. “They’re saying she’s been seeing him in secret. That she broke off the engagement because… she chose him over you.”
The room seemed to grow colder. Daemon’s wolf stirred, snarling beneath
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his skin, and his hands curled into fists.
“Are you telling me that Seylah–my fiancée–has been sneaking around with that half–blood Alpha King?” His voice was low, dangerous.
Jace remained silent, wisely avoiding meeting his Alpha‘ s gaze. “It’s just what people are saying, Alpha.”
Daemon‘ s mind was a whirlwind of disbelief and fury. Seylah, with Thorian? The idea was absurd, unthinkable. She was too proud, too devoted to her duty to ever do something so reckless. But the whispers gnawed at his mind, feeding his
insecurities. She had ended the engagement so abruptly, without much of an explanation. Could it be true?
“Who started this?” he demanded, though deep down, he already knew.
Jace shifted uncomfortably. “Zaira mentioned it first… but, Alpha, you know how rumors are. They spread like
wildfire.”
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Zaira. Of course. Daemon’s eyes narrowed, his thoughts running wild. But this wasn’t just some harmless gossip. This was a direct hit to his pride, his status, and his claim as an Alpha. If Seylah had really chosen another, especially one as powerful and controversial as Thorian, it would make him look weak–like a fool.
Zaira found him shortly after, her expression painted with concern and just a hint of satisfaction. “Alpha Daemon,” she said softly, her voice full of sympathy.
“I heard the rumors too. I didn t want to
believe it, but…”
He turned to her, his eyes blazing. “Did you know about this?”
Zaira s eyes widened, and she shook her head, a perfect picture of innocence. “1 swear I didn’t. But… I’ve seen the way
she looks, distracted, as if her heart isn’t
here. And if Thorian has made his move…
well, who could resist?”
Daemon‘ s jaw tightened, his anger
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simmering. “She wouldn’t dare,” he
a
muttered, but doubt was creeping in, toxic whisper in his mind. He’d seen Seylah after her return from the royal castle. She had been different, more distant. He had thought it was just her being stubborn, rebelling against him and pulling away. But maybe it had been something more.
“She’s too proud to go to him,” he insisted, trying to convince himself as much as Zaira.
“Pride can crumble when someone offers you power,” Zaira murmured, stepping closer, her hand brushing his arm. “And Alpha King Thorian has plenty of that. Maybe she wanted to be with someone stronger, someone who could match her ambition.”
Daemon’s wolf growled, his blood boiling. “She was supposed to be mine,” he hissed. “Mine to protect, mine to lead.”
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Zaira’s eyes softened, her lips curving into a sympathetic smile. “Maybe it’s for the best, Alpha Daemon. If she’s willing to betray you now, imagine what she could have done as Luna. You deserve someone loyal, someone who knows where they belong.”
He looked at her, searching for some kind of clarity. Zaira had always been there, constant and unwavering. She‘ d stood by him through thick and thin, unlike Seylah, who had always seemed to be on the verge of leaving.
“I thought she’d come crawling back, he muttered, frustration etched in every line of his face. “Begging for me to take her back.”
Zaira smiled, sly and sweet. “Maybe she still will. But by then, it might be too late.”
Daemon‘ s eyes darkened. He wasn’t sure what stung more–the idea of Seylah with another Alpha or the realization that he might have lost her to someone more
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powerful. Either way, his pride was wounded, and his wolf wouldn’t stand for
- it.
“We’ll see about that,” he growled. His mind was made up; if Seylah thought she could shame him, embarrass him in front
of his pack, she was sorely mistaken. He’d show her that no one–no one- betrayed Alpha Daemon and got away with
- it.
Zaira s smile widened as she watched him
leave, her plan coming together perfectly. The seeds of doubt were planted, and she knew it wouldn’t be long before they sprouted into something far more
destructive.
As Daemon stormed off, his thoughts a tangled mess of anger and betrayal, he couldn’t see the web tightening around him. He could only see the shadows of his own pride and the looming threat of losing everything to a rival he could not control.
