The monstrous wolf lunged.

Nara screamed.

Kael moved faster than her eyes could follow. One moment he stood in front of her, the next he shifted mid-air in a swirl of shadows, his massive black wolf form slamming into the attacker with bone-shaking force.

The ground trembled.

Both wolves rolled into the trees, snarling and snapping. Nara stumbled backward, heart racing, breath shaking. The forest exploded with movement as more red-eyed wolves crept out from between the trees, surrounding her in a loose circle.

She counted eight... no, ten.

Too many.

One stepped forward-a female wolf, taller than any she had ever seen. Her fur was white like snow, her eyes glowing an unnatural red.

The wolf tilted her head as if studying Nara.

Then her voice echoed in Nara's mind.

"Too thin. Too weak. Are you sure this is the girl?"

Nara gasped. Mind-link. These weren't rogues. Rogues didn't mind-link.

Another wolf answered, its voice rough and aged.

"The last heir is always the weakest at first. But I smell it. Her blood calls."

Her blood?

Her heir?

Nara shook her head violently. "N-No. You're mistaken. I'm no one."

The white wolf smiled in the way wolves do-baring sharp teeth.

"Oh, little one. You are the reason we're here."

The forest shook as Kael and the giant wolf crashed into a boulder, Kael ripping chunks of stone with his claws as he twisted to pin the beast. His snarl echoed through the woods, full of rage and something else-fear.

For her.

The beast rolled, throwing Kael off. Kael hit a tree, breaking it in half.

"Alpha!" Nara cried without thinking.

He didn't look at her. He leapt back into the fight, even fiercer than before.

But the red-eyed wolves didn't focus on him.

They walked toward Nara.

One step.

Another.

Nara backed away, her hands shaking so badly she could barely breathe. Her legs felt like water. Her chest still burned from the rejection bond that refused to break.

She couldn't outrun ten wolves.

She couldn't fight one.

Think, Nara. Think!

Move!

Survive!

But her mind was blank.

The white wolf stopped just a meter away.

"We have waited eighteen years," she said softly.

"Since the night your mother died."

Nara froze.

"My... my mother?"

"Oh, you don't know," the white wolf purred.

"Good. It makes this easier."

Nara took another step back and stumbled over a fallen branch. She fell hard. Pain shot up her elbow, but she pushed herself back, scrambling in the dirt, trying to find her voice.

"Please... I don't know what you want. I swear, I don't-"

"We want your power."

"My... power?" She blinked. "I don't have any power."

The wolves laughed-cruel, echoing laughter inside her mind.

"You are the last child of the Shadowblood line."

Nara shook her head again. "No. I'm just an omega. I'm not-"

"You carry the blood that can break the Alpha's curse."

Her breath stopped.

Kael's curse.

Kael...

Kael slammed his opponent into the ground again, shadows curling around him like living blades. The beast roared and kicked him off. The earth cracked beneath their weight.

The oldest red-eyed wolf stepped closer to Nara.

"Your mother hid you for a reason."

"Your father died protecting you."

"And now, you will fulfill what your blood demands."

"I don't understand!" Nara shouted, tears running down her cheeks. "I don't know what you're talking about!"

The old wolf leaned closer.

Nara felt its cold breath against her face.

"You will."

Suddenly, Kael's snarl split the forest.

He barreled through the trees, leaving the giant wolf injured and gasping behind him. Shadows wrapped around his fur like armor, his eyes glowing silver.

He threw himself between Nara and the red-eyed wolves, body low, fangs bared.

His voice thundered in her mind, sharp and commanding:

"NARA. BEHIND ME."

She crawled behind him without question. The moment she touched his fur, something inside her chest eased-the burning pain of the rejection bond softened for one heartbeat.

Just one.

Kael growled, the sound so deep it vibrated through the ground.

The white wolf stepped forward.

"Alpha Kael," she purred.

"Still protecting what you cannot keep."

Kael bared his teeth.

"Touch her and I will slaughter every one of you."

The white wolf blinked slowly.

"You already tried rejecting her. Why do you still care?"

Kael stiffened.

Nara felt his tension through the bond-raw, confused, angry.

He didn't answer.

So the white wolf smiled.

"Because the bond won't break?"

"Or because you're starting to wonder why fate tied you to the last Shadowblood?"

Kael growled, low and warning.

The white wolf ignored it and looked at Nara again.

"Come with us, child. If you do, he lives."

Nara felt Kael's muscles tighten.

"If you stay," the wolf whispered,

"he dies."

Nara shook her head. "No. No, I'm not going with you."

The white wolf sighed.

"Then we take you by force."

She signaled the others.

All ten wolves lunged at once.

Kael met them head-on.

The forest erupted with violence-snarls, cracking branches, claws tearing into earth. Kael fought like he was born in darkness itself. For every wolf that attacked, he threw two back. Shadows whipped around him, slicing through the air, knocking enemies off their feet.

But there were too many.

And he was fighting alone.

Nara watched, helpless, heart pounding so hard she thought it might burst from her chest. He was stronger than any wolf she'd ever seen, but even he couldn't fight ten wolves and protect her at the same time.

One wolf slipped past Kael.

Then another.

"NO!" Nara cried, scrambling backward.

The wolves pounced.

Suddenly-a pulse of heat exploded from Nara's chest.

The air bent.

The ground trembled.

The wolves froze mid-jump, suspended for a fraction of a second.

Kael turned sharply, eyes wide.

She had done that.

Nara gasped, grabbing her chest. Something inside her burned-bright and wild. A strange mist circled her hands, disappearing as fast as it came.

The red-eyed wolves crashed to the ground, dazed.

Kael stared at her as if seeing her for the first time.

"Nara... what did you do?"

"I-I don't know!" she whimpered, terrified. "I didn't mean to! I just-"

Before she could finish, pain stabbed her head. Her vision blurred. The world tilted.

Kael caught her before she fell.

His hands-warm, strong-held her shoulders. His eyes pierced hers.

"You released magic."

"M-Magic?" She shook her head weakly. "Wolves don't have magic."

"Shadowbloods do."

Her blood ran cold.

"You need to shift," Kael said urgently, looking at the wolves rising again. "Now."

"I-I can't," she cried. "I've never shifted-"

"You can."

His voice lowered, firm, as if his will alone could force truth into her bones.

"You must."

But the red-eyed wolves were regaining their footing.

The white wolf snarled, furious.

"Enough games. Take her!"

They charged as one.

Kael pushed Nara behind him again.

"NARA, RUN!"

She tried.

But her legs buckled. Her vision swam.

Kael roared, shifting again, throwing himself into the pack of wolves. Blood sprayed. Bodies flew. Shadows wrapped around him like living armor-but even he couldn't defend her and fight ten wolves.

A claw slashed across his side.

He stumbled.

"No!" Nara cried, reaching for him.

The old red-eyed wolf appeared behind her and grabbed her arm in its jaws.

Kael saw.

The sound he made wasn't a growl-it was a promise of death.

He charged, but he was too far.

The wolf yanked Nara backward.

She fell, screaming.

Kael leapt toward her-

But the white wolf jumped between them, ramming into him with full force.

Kael crashed into the ground, pinned under her weight.

"KAEL!" Nara screamed.

He struggled, shadows ripping from his body, but the white wolf was stronger than she looked. The other wolves swarmed him, holding him down.

The old wolf dragged Nara across the forest floor. Tears blurred her vision. She clawed at the dirt, trying to stop herself from being pulled away.

"Please!" she sobbed. "Let me go!"

Kael's voice exploded in her mind-

"NARA!"

She heard his bones crack as he fought to rise.

She heard his pain.

She felt their bond pulling, burning, screaming.

And then-

The old wolf spoke in her ear, voice chilling.

"We'll finish the ritual tonight."

Kael roared her name again.

Nara felt darkness gathering around the wolves, swirling like smoke, swallowing her vision.

The bond wrenched in her chest, sharp and agonizing.

Kael's silver eyes met hers-full of fury, fear, and something deeper-

Then she disappeared into the darkness.

Nara sat on the cold ground of the clearing long after the warriors had dragged away the rogue's body. Her hands still trembled. Her clothes were torn, her breath uneven, and her heartbeat felt like a frantic drum inside her chest.

She could still feel the heat of Kael's touch on her wrist...

And the pain in her chest from his rejection echoing like a bruise on her very soul.

Mate... Mine...

The bond inside her whimpered like a wounded creature. It didn't understand why he had pushed her away.

But her mind understood perfectly.

She was nothing.

He was everything.

This was how the world worked.

Soft footfalls approached, and Nara tensed.

It wasn't Kael. His presence was like a storm-heavy, dark, impossible to ignore. Whoever approached now felt lighter, almost familiar.

"Nara?" A gentle voice whispered.

She turned.

Lira-her only friend-stepped through the trees, her brown eyes wide with worry. Her braid was messy, her apron stained from the kitchen. It looked like she had run the whole way here.

"What happened?" Lira gasped, kneeling beside her. "I felt the ground shake, and then-everyone started talking about rogues and Alpha Kael-Nara, are you hurt?"

Nara tried to speak but her voice cracked. Shame burned at her throat.

Lira's face softened. She reached out, brushing dirt from Nara's cheek the same way she had done since they were children hiding from bullies.

"You're shaking."

"I-I'm fine," Nara whispered.

It was a lie.

She was far from fine.

Lira looked around nervously. "Kael was here. I smelled him. Did he hurt you? Did he threaten you?"

Nara's lips parted. A strange ache filled her chest.

"He..." She swallowed. "He rejected me."

Lira froze.

The forest went silent.

Then-

"What?" Lira's voice cracked like a twig. "Rejected you? As what?"

Nara looked down at her dirt-stained hands. "As... his mate."

Lira's scream was loud enough to scatter a flock of birds overhead.

"What do you mean he rejected you as his mate? You're-Nara, you're his-"

"Don't say it out loud," Nara whispered, panicked. "Please."

If anyone heard... If the pack found out...

Weak, useless Nara became the mate of the most powerful Alpha in the region?

They would tear her apart before Kael even had the chance.

Lira pressed her hands to her mouth. "This is... this is huge. The Goddess doesn't make mistakes. Kael must have felt the pull. The bond. How could he reject you?"

Nara hugged her knees. "Because I'm me."

Lira opened her mouth to argue, but a sudden chill washed over them both.

Nara stiffened.

Lira's nostrils flared.

Someone else had entered the clearing.

A shadow moved between the trees, and then Kael stepped into the light-massive, broad-shouldered, and radiating raw power. His presence made the air heavy. Even the forest seemed to bow around him.

Lira scrambled to her feet and instinctively stood in front of Nara.

Kael's eyes glowed faintly. "Move."

"That's my friend," Lira snapped, surprising them both. "If you want something from her, you'll have to go through me."

Kael didn't growl.

He didn't shout.

He simply raised one eyebrow.

Lira's courage evaporated. She stepped aside quickly, mumbling. "I was just leaving anyway."

When she disappeared into the trees, Kael's gaze fixed sharply on Nara.

She felt pinned to the earth.

His voice came out low. Controlled. Dangerous.

"We need to talk."

Nara rose slowly. Her knees felt weak, but she forced herself upright. She didn't want him seeing how easily she broke. He had already seen too much.

"You don't owe me anything," Nara whispered before he could speak. "You made yourself clear."

His jaw tightened slightly, but he didn't comment.

Instead, he stepped closer.

Too close.

"You will not leave the pack borders," Kael said. It wasn't a suggestion. It was an order. "Not alone. Not without permission. Not ever."

Nara's heart dropped. "Why? Because you don't want people to know the Moon Goddess tied you to a weakling?"

He actually flinched-but only for a moment.

"There was a rogue today," he said coldly. "And it wasn't alone."

Nara blinked. "There were more?"

Kael nodded once. "Three sets of tracks. Only one attacked. That means the others were watching."

Her blood ran cold.

"Watching... me?"

Kael's eyes darkened. "Possibly."

Nara's breath caught in her throat. "But why? I'm no one."

"That's exactly what I'm trying to figure out."

He turned away, pacing like a caged beast. Something about his movements felt... restless. Agitated. Like he didn't have full control.

Then he stopped and stared at her again.

"Someone is hunting you, Nara."

The clearing tilted slightly.

Hunting her?

For what reason?

She wasn't important. She wasn't powerful. She wasn't even a proper wolf. She couldn't shift, couldn't fight, couldn't-

"I think you're mistaken," she whispered. "Nobody wants anything to do with me."

Kael's eyes flashed. "The rogue said your name."

Her stomach dropped violently. "What?"

Kael stepped closer. "Before it attacked you, it said your name. Nara. Clear as day."

Nara stumbled back.

"No. No, that's impossible. Rogues don't-don't talk like that. They don't identify pack members. They're-"

"Mindless?" Kael finished. "Savage? Yes. Normally."

He leaned in.

"But that one wasn't normal."

Her heart thudded against her ribs.

His scent-pine, storm, something darker-wrapped around her, making her head spin. She hated that her wolf reacted to him even after everything.

"I don't understand," she whispered.

He clenched his jaw. "Neither do I."

For a moment, they stood in a heavy silence. Then Kael dragged a hand through his hair, clearly irritated-either at the situation or himself.

"You're staying under watch," he said. "Either I watch you. Or I assign someone."

"I don't need a babysitter," Nara whispered.

"I don't care what you think you need."

His voice cracked like thunder.

She flinched.

Kael froze.

He looked away-for the first time, almost guilty. His tone lowered.

"Nara... this isn't a game. This is not about the mate bond. This is about your life."

She swallowed painfully. "You don't even want me as a mate. Why do you care what happens to me?"

His eyes snapped to hers. A muscle twitched in his jaw.

"It doesn't matter what I want," he said quietly. "If you die... the bond tears me apart with you."

Nara's breath hitched.

So that was it.

This wasn't protection.

It was self-preservation.

The hurt stung sharp and fast.

"I see," she whispered.

He didn't deny it.

He stepped back, turning slightly away, putting distance between them like he always did.

"I will send someone to escort you back to the pack house."

"I can walk on my own."

"Nara-"

"I said I can walk," she repeated, stronger this time.

A small spark.

The first hint of a fire she didn't know she had.

Kael noticed. His expression shifted-curiosity, irritation, something else she couldn't name.

He exhaled deeply. "Fine. But keep your eyes open."

Nara turned, already walking away.

She expected him to leave.

He didn't.

Instead, he said quietly behind her-

"Your scent... it's changing."

She stopped dead.

"What?"

"When the rogue attacked you... your scent changed. Just for a moment. And it wasn't... normal."

A cold wind swept through the clearing.

"What do you mean?" Nara whispered, barely able to breathe.

Kael didn't move.

"It smelled like ancient magic," he said. "Something I haven't sensed in years."

Her entire body went numb.

Ancient magic?

Her?

Impossible.

"Whatever you are, Nara..." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "It's waking up."

Her heartbeat slammed in her ears.

She turned around-

But Kael was already gone. Disappeared into the shadows as if he had never been there at all.

Behind her, a twig snapped.

She froze.

Slowly... very slowly... she turned her head.

A pair of glowing eyes stared at her from the dark trees.

Not Kael's.

Not human.

Not familiar.

Just a low, rumbling growl-

right behind her.

And then the creature lunged.

Nara's body froze.

The creature lunged at her.

Instinct took over. She tried to run, but her legs refused to obey. Her chest burned, lungs screaming for air. The glowing eyes of the predator, red like molten fire, glinted from the shadows, moving faster than her mind could process.

A shadow slammed into the wolf mid-air.

The force knocked Nara to the ground. Dirt and leaves filled her mouth. Pain shot through her shoulder as she tried to push herself up.

"Get back!" a deep voice thundered.

Kael.

He landed between her and the wolf. Shadows wrapped around his form, thick, alive, swirling like black smoke that lunged at the creature. The red-eyed wolf yelped, recoiling from the force that threw it back.

"You shouldn't be here!" Kael shouted, fangs bared, eyes silver and glowing. "Why weren't you under protection? I said stay in the packhouse!"

Nara didn't answer. She could barely breathe. She didn't even understand how she had ended up in this situation. She only knew one thing:

She was helpless. Helpless and alone-except for him.

Kael lunged at the wolf, claws slicing the air. The beast snarled and leapt, dodging him with terrifying agility.

It was fast. Too fast.

Kael growled, hitting it with brute strength. The creature yelped and scrambled back. Nara could hear the impact echo in her bones. Blood? She didn't dare look.

Instead, she felt the bond thrumming in her chest, sharp and insistent. It pulled her attention to Kael. To the danger surrounding him. To the fire in him.

He's hurting. He's tired. He shouldn't be doing this alone.

Her hands twitched. She didn't know why, but she wanted to help. Something inside her screamed-I can do something. I have to do something.

Kael glanced at her. His silver eyes, bright and piercing, locked on hers.

"Nara!" His voice sliced through the fear, sharp and commanding. "Now!"

Her body responded before her mind could protest. She crouched, muscles shaking, and focused on the bond-the strange pull that refused to leave her chest. Her hands brushed against the dirt.

Then it happened.

A burst of energy, white and bright, shot from her palms. It slammed into the red-eyed wolf. The creature screeched, stumbling back, smoke curling from its fur. Its eyes went wide with shock.

Kael's jaw dropped.

"What-how-?" he muttered, lunging forward to protect her.

But Nara didn't step back. She didn't run.

The fire in her chest spread outward, radiating from her hands. Every red-eyed wolf within twenty feet staggered, forced to retreat. She didn't understand how she had done it. She only knew it had worked.

Kael stared at her, a mixture of awe and something else-something deeper-flickering across his face.

"You..." he whispered. His silver eyes glimmered in the moonlight. "You're... awakening."

Before she could ask what he meant, the white wolf-the one older, taller, more terrifying-stepped into view.

It had been hiding, observing. Waiting.

"You've done more than I expected," it purred. Its voice was soft but dangerous, echoing in her mind. "The Shadowblood awakens faster than anticipated."

Nara's stomach twisted.

"Shadowblood?" she whispered. "I don't... I don't understand."

Kael growled low in his throat. "Don't listen to it," he snapped. "It's lying."

The white wolf tilted its head. "I am not lying, Alpha Kael. The child you rejected is of the line that could either save you... or destroy you. And she doesn't even know it yet."

Nara's heart pounded. She tried to speak, tried to ask questions, but her throat went dry.

Kael's silver eyes softened, just slightly, as he stepped closer. "Nara," he said, voice low and urgent. "Listen to me carefully. You are not safe here. Not for one more second. If they catch you unprotected again..."

He didn't finish. The unspoken threat hung between them like a knife.

"I... I can't-" she started, fear clutching her throat.

"Yes, you can," Kael snapped. "And you will, because I will not let you die. Not today. Not ever."

Nara swallowed. His words... they weren't comforting. They were fierce, like steel cutting through fear. Somehow, she understood: she had no choice. He would not leave her behind.

But then the white wolf stepped forward, fully revealing itself under the moonlight.

Its fur gleamed white, but its eyes... oh, its eyes were red and burning, filled with hunger and knowledge that chilled her to the bone.

"You belong to us tonight," it hissed. "And there is no Alpha here who can save you."

Kael's stance hardened. Shadows wrapped around him like armor, every muscle coiled, every sense alert.

"Try me," he growled.

The white wolf snarled, and with a swift movement, it charged.

Kael met it head-on, claws flashing, shadows twisting like living blades around him.

Nara froze, chest tightening, fear suffocating her. She wanted to help, wanted to run, wanted to scream. But she had no strength. None.

Her body refused to move.

And then she felt it-the bond inside her chest, pulling, burning, demanding action.

Without knowing how, she crouched again. Her hands glowed with that strange energy. The bond screamed, and she let it surge outward.

The white wolf staggered back, hissing. Its companions, watching from the shadows, yelped and lunged, only to stumble as Nara's energy expanded.

Kael's jaw dropped again, eyes wide. "You... you're controlling it..."

Nara didn't answer. She had no words. She could only feel the power inside her, raw and untamed. It frightened her... and thrilled her... all at once.

The wolves stopped. They hesitated, exchanging quick, silent signals.

Then the white wolf stepped forward again, slower this time. Its voice was calm, almost amused.

"You cannot stop what is coming," it said. "You cannot hide the truth of your blood. The Shadowblood line has awakened. And tonight... the prophecy begins."

Nara froze.

"Prophecy?" she whispered.

Kael's face darkened. He stepped in front of her, protective as ever. "Ignore it. I don't care what they say. You are mine to protect. And I swear, no one will touch you while I breathe."

The white wolf smiled, teeth glinting. "Bold words, Alpha. But even you cannot stop destiny. Soon... you will have to choose. Will you claim her, or will she be taken from you forever?"

Nara felt her chest tighten. She didn't understand the words, didn't understand the magic, didn't understand what the prophecy could mean.

All she knew was this: she was not strong. She was not ready.

And yet... somehow, for the first time in her life, she had power.

Her energy pulsed again, brighter, stronger, answering the white wolf's challenge.

Kael's eyes softened as he noticed her trembling hands glowing with raw force.

"You're stronger than you know," he said quietly.

Nara blinked, tears in her eyes. "I... I don't even know what this is."

"You will," Kael said, voice low, dangerous, and commanding. "But first... we survive tonight."

The white wolf and its pack began to circle them, moving with calculated precision.

Kael's shadow wrapped around him tighter, growing longer, sharper. Every movement was a promise of death.

Nara felt her pulse quicken. Her energy pulsed in response, stronger than ever.

This was the moment her life changed forever.

She was no longer the weak Omega everyone had ignored. She was... something else. Something dangerous. Something hunted.

And she would not be able to run from it for much longer.

The wind shifted. The red-eyed wolves lunged.

Kael growled.

Nara screamed.

And together, they leapt into the fight.