MATED TO THE BEAST ALPHA BROTHERS-Chapter 11: Seed of discord.

The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows over the ancient altar. Haelyn sat between Archer and Rowena, her hands trembling as the high priestess paced before them, her ceremonial robes flowing like liquid moonlight. The air was thick with tension, broken only by the high priestess's grave words.

"You are not just any wolf, Haelyn," the high priestess began, her voice resonating with power. "You are descended from the legendary Spirit Wolves, guardians of balance and peace among our kind."

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Haelyn's breath caught. "Spirit Wolves? But I've never...."

"You've never been told the truth," the high priestess interrupted sharply. "Your mother was a Spirit Wolf, a true beacon of light. She was... until Arthur killed her."

Archer shot to his feet, his fists clenched. "Arthur killed her? Why?"

"To take control," the high priestess said, her gaze locking onto Haelyn. "Arthur feared the power of the Spirit Wolves. He knew that as long as they lived, his ambitions would be thwarted. Killing your mother was his first step toward dominance. He thought the bloodline ended with her."

Haelyn's voice trembled as she asked, "And me?"

"You are the rightful heir, Haelyn," the high priestess said solemnly. "Not just to their estate, but to the powers your lineage carries. Powers Arthur and Helen will stop at nothing to destroy."

The weight of the revelation crushed Haelyn, her knees buckling as Archer caught her. "This... this is why they've always hated me," she whispered.

Rowena stepped forward, her voice tinged with urgency. "What does this mean for her now?"

The high priestess's expression darkened. "It means she is in greater danger than ever before. But there is more."

The group stilled as the priestess's voice dropped to a whisper. "She carries new life. The child within her is connected to this power. And Arthur will know this soon enough."

In the estate's sitting room, Lyra stormed in, her face pale but her voice frantic. "Helen! Layla!"

Helen turned from her chair, irritation flashing across her features. "Lyra, what now?"

Lyra gasped for breath. "Haelyn... she's pregnant."

Layla's head snapped up. "What?"

"She's carrying Archer's child," Lyra confirmed. "I overheard it at the high priestess's altar."

Helen's face twisted with fury before Arthur strode into the room, his presence commanding. "What's this about Haelyn?"

Layla hesitated, but Lyra spilled the truth. "She's pregnant, Arthur. With Archer's child."

Arthur's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Well, well. The little girl's playing a bigger game than we thought."

Helen frowned. "What are you planning, Arthur?"

Arthur chuckled darkly. "Leverage. That child will be mine to mold. With the child under my control, Archer's pack and everything he values will fall into my hands."

Layla smirked. "That's genius. But how do we keep Haelyn unaware of our plans?"

Arthur's eyes gleamed with cold determination. "We'll watch her every move. She won't take a step without me knowing. And when the time comes... we'll take what we need."

Back at the altar the priestess and her servants had already left with a mysterious air hanging back from their departure. Archer paced restlessly, his frustration boiling over. "This curse... we're running out of time, aren't we?"

Haelyn looked at him, confusion clouding her eyes. "What are you talking about?"

Rowena sighed. "It's Archer's curse. It's tied to his lineage, his pack. If it isn't broken soon..."

"It could destroy everything," Archer finished, his voice heavy. He turned to Haelyn, his gaze intense. "You're the key, Haelyn. Only you can break it."

Haelyn's hand instinctively rested on her stomach, fear flashing across her face. "But I'm pregnant. What if... what if I can't do it?"

Archer stepped closer, his voice softening. "You won't be alone. We'll figure this out together."

Before anyone could respond, a low growl echoed from the woods. Everyone froze, their eyes scanning the shadows.

"They're here," Artemis muttered, his body tensing.

"Who?" Haelyn asked, panic rising in her chest.

Archer's jaw tightened. "Arthur. He knows."

A chilling howl piercing the night, followed by the faint glow of torches approaching through the trees. Archer stepped protectively in front of Haelyn, his wolf rising to the surface as the danger drew closer.

"Enough with the silence, Archer. Where is she?" Arthur's voice thundered through the clearing as he stormed in, flanked by Helen, Layla, and Malcolm.

Archer stepped forward, his shoulders broad and his eyes cold. "What are you doing here, Arthur?"

Helen smirked, her arms folded. "We could ask you the same. Why are you hiding Haelyn from her family?"

"She doesn't need to be anywhere near you," Archer said sharply. "Not after everything you've done."

Arthur's lips twisted into a calculated smile. "Haelyn is my daughter, and she belongs with me. Hand her over."

"She's not going anywhere with you," Archer shot back, his voice low and dangerous.

Arthur's eyes flickered with something dark. "You think you can keep her safe from me? From what's coming?" He stepped closer, his tone softening into mock sincerity. "You have no idea the kind of danger you're putting her in. Give her to me, and I'll make sure she's... well taken care of."

Archer squared his shoulders, his wolf stirring beneath his skin. "You'll have to go through me first."

Layla rolled her eyes. "You're making this harder than it needs to be, Archer. Just let her go."

Before Archer could reply, Lyra appeared from the shadows, her face a mask of feigned concern. "Archer, you might want to reconsider," she said, her voice dripping with faux sweetness.

"What do you want, Lyra?" Archer asked, his patience clearly thinning.

Lyra tilted her head, her gaze flicking briefly to Helen before landing back on Archer. "I just thought you should know... that baby Haelyn's carrying? Are you so sure it's yours?"

The clearing fell into stunned silence, the weight of her words hanging thick in the air.

Archer's jaw tightened, but his voice was steady. "What are you saying?"

Lyra gave a sly smile. "Oh, nothing specific. Just... you might want to ask Haelyn a few questions before you stake your claim. Who knows? She might've been keeping secrets."

The tension snapped like a whip as Archer's eyes glinted with a dangerous mix of fury and doubt. Behind him, Haelyn's voice echoed faintly in his mind, but now the seed of uncertainty had been planted.

Arthur took a step closer, his tone deceptively calm. "You see, Archer? She belongs with me. I'll sort this out... my way."

Archer's wolf threatened to break free as Haelyn's fate hung in the balance, his trust and control suddenly on the brink of shattering.

"Say something, Haelyn," Archer's voice was low and sharp, his piercing gaze locked on her bowed head.

Haelyn didn't respond, her lips trembling as she refused to meet his eyes.

Lyra let out a soft chuckle, the lazy, mischievous smirk still plastered on her face. "Cat got your tongue, Haelyn? Or maybe... the truth is just too much for you to admit?"

Archer turned back to Lyra, his expression unreadable but his voice like ice. "You've said enough, Lyra. If you think you can drive a wedge between us, you'll have to do better than that."

"Oh, I'm not driving the wedge, Archer," Lyra teased, stepping closer. "I'm just pointing out the cracks already there."

"Enough!" Archer barked, the force of his command silencing everyone. He crouched down, sweeping Haelyn into his arms in one swift motion.

"Archer..." Haelyn whispered, but her voice faltered.

"Don't," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Arthur's voice boomed behind him, dripping with anger. "You think you can just walk away? This isn't over, Archer! I'll have her, one way or another. You can't keep her from me forever!"

Archer didn't look back as he carried Haelyn away, his grip on her tightening protectively. "Try me, Arthur," he said coldly.

Layla crossed her arms, glaring at Haelyn's retreating form. "Why does he keep choosing her?" she hissed under her breath.

Lyra leaned in closer to Layla, her smirk fading into a look of annoyance. "He's blinded by her. But don't worry," she said softly, her eyes narrowing. "We'll make sure he sees her for what she really is. Just give it time."

Helen placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder, her voice low and soothing. "Let him go for now. This isn't the end."

Arthur's gaze was locked on Archer's back, his jaw clenched. "No, it isn't," he growled.

As Archer carried Haelyn deep into the woods, her trembling form pressed against him, his wolf stirred uneasily. His thoughts were a storm of suspicion and worry, Lyra's words echoing in his mind. Suddenly, Archer stopped, his head snapping up as a shadow moved in the trees ahead. His wolf growled, and the air grew heavy with tension.

"Who's there?" Archer demanded, his voice echoing in the silence.

A chilling laugh answered from the darkness, followed by the gleam of glowing eyes. "You can't protect her forever, Archer," a deep, menacing voice taunted. "She belongs to us now."