Chapter 5 - Chapter 5. Aubrey's Worst Nightmare.

My heart skips a beat. "Is that... my dead mother?"Aubrey sensed Ryker's inner beast stirring, eager to unleash itself. "No, You're lying Alexander wouldn't... " Aubrey spat, her voice trembling.Ryker smile grew wider, but Ryker's next words made her blood run cold:"Deny it all you want Aubrey, But I have proof - police files, a witness who saw Alexander that night, and Your family death certificate... signed by Alexander Blackwood himself."Aubrey's vision blurred, her mind reeling with horror.She felt like she was drowning in darkness.Suddenly, a memory flashed - Alexander's kindness to Lily, his gentle touch on her skin...Could Ryker be lying?But what if he wasn't?"Show me," she demanded, voice barely audible.Ryker nodded, producing a faded document from his pocket.Aubrey snatched it, her eyes scanning the paper.Her heart stopped.The signature was unmistakable: Alexander Blackwood.Aubrey's world went black.When her vision returned, Ryker stood closer, "Now, will you help me destroy him, Aubrey?" Aubrey's eyes locked onto Ryker's, her voice low and deadly."Yes," she hissed. "I'll help you to destroy him... but if you're lying Ryker, you'll die first."Ryker smiled, his eyes gleaming with triumph."Perfect. My source says Alexander will be alone at Blackwood Estate." Aubrey's heart twisted. "What's your plan, Ryker?"Ryker leaned in, his voice low and menacing."We'll sneak in through the east wing, catch him off guard."Aubrey nodded, her mind racing with strategy."Do we have a gun?"Ryker smile, "Better. Silver bullets - his kind weakness."Ryker handed her a loaded gun."Heavy isn't it, almost like the guilt you'll feel if you don't pull the trigger."Aubrey snatched it, her grip tight. "Guilt was already gone, replaced with rage.""Let's go kill Alexander Blackwood."Ryker grinned, leading her out into the darkness.They crept towards Blackwood Estate looming silhouette.Suddenly Ryker stopped, whispering, "We're not alone."Aubrey's grip on her gun tightened, her eyes scanning shadows.Then she saw them - Alexander's pack, lurking behind the trees and Alexander himself, standing on the porch his eyes fixed on hers - a spark of shock and guilt flashing like lightning.His cleansed face twisted in confusion, then fury, when he took in the gun clenched in her hand.Ryker's whisper breathed against her ear, "Shoot him, Aubrey... finish this."But her finger paused on the trigger when Alexander's eyes seemed to bore into her soul."Mother of my child," his low voice carried across the lawn, trembling with emotion.Aubrey's heart wrenched at the title, and Ryker's grip on her arm tightened."Lily..." Alexander added, voice cracking, is she yours to use against me too?"Aubrey felt her resolve shatter like ice.Ryker sneered. "Yes. She leverages. Pull the trigger, Aubrey."But her eyes locked on Alexander's, seeing only love and desperation there.Suddenly she spun the gun to Ryker's temple."Drop everything, Ryker. Alexander's is mine."Ryker's eyes widened, then narrowed. "You're making a deadly mistake Aubrey."His body tensed to lunge but Alexander's low growl stopped him."Another step Ryker, and I'll rip your throat out."Ryker backed off slowly with his gaze locked onto Aubrey."Blackwood owes me," Ryker spat, then turned and vanished.Alexander's gaze never left Aubrey's face when he took slow steps closer."What did he tell you?" his voice low and cautious."Ryker's poison reached you, didn't it?"His fang barely hidden, he growled softly, "Did he make you believe I killed your family?"His claws extended slightly when anguish crossed his face. "Tell me you don't think it's true."His body trembled when he waited for her answer.A low wolfish whine escaped his lips when he took another step closer to her.His hot breath washed over her skin when he growled softly "Aubrey, my mate."His lips barely touched her ear "Do you still claim me as yours?"Her heart racing, he sensed it - his eyes flashed brighter yellow, whispering "You still feel it... our bond."His teeth grazed her neck gently, sending shivers when he whispered "Forever marked as mine... still?"His claws wrapped gently around her waist pulling close when he whispered, "Answer me, my lunar wolf queen.""My king... " slipped out barely audible.His lips claimed hers in fierce triumph.The passion ignited, and his wolf howled softly in her mind when their lips parted for air."Forever bound - blood oath." Moonlight cast an eerie shadow on Blackwood Estate walls.He offered his wrist to her lips.Blood mingled as she drank, bonding magic swirling. His arms tightened, pulling closer.When she pulled back her lips stained with his blood, he sealed them with a fierce kiss - "Forever wolf bound... married in blood."Then whispered, "Ryker will die tonight."Aubrey's eyes gleamed a yellow gold sign of approval.'Ryker's deceit ends tonight, my queen. Shall we hunt him together?""I want to see his fear... then you kill him, my king.""Your wrath is captivating. Ryker will tremble before dying."He handed her a small device."Tracking implant he doesn't know he wears - courtesy of my pack's tech."Aubrey took it, her eyes gleaming brighter."Lead me to his lair."But Alexander's grip on her arm stopped her."Not alone, my queen. But I'll give you a head start... five minutes alone with him."Aubrey smiled softly, her eyes never leaving his."Enough time for him to beg."He released her arm, "Go. Ryker awaits his judgment."The device beeped, guiding her through dark woods behind enemy lines - Ryker's mansion gates loomed ahead.Her gun loaded with silver bullets weighed heavy in her pocket.Suddenly, Ryker's voice echoed from shadows. "Aubrey... Blackwood's pet now?"She spun around with a gun drawn. "His queen Ryker, and your executioner."Ryker sneered, emerging from the darkness with guards behind him."Guards, kill her - slowly."But they froze, their eyes fixed on something behind her.She turned - Alexander's eyes blazed yellow in the distance, but another figure stepped forward beside her.