Ayla's POV

Kiara nods and I freeze, my stomach twisting into knots.

It's impossible. My father died a long time ago and my mother... she was just... she wasn't... she couldn't have been a Sayer. None of this... any of this... it doesn't make sense.

I press my palm against my temples, trying to steady the storm of thoughts racing through my mind. My mother... Leah... the ring... my dreams-it all had to be a coincidence.

"Look, Kiara. This can't be real, I think you're getting it all wrong."

I face Kael, who's now up and leaning against the door. He doesn't say anything; he just stares at me.

"This can't be real. It's insane." I pace around the room with quickened steps.

I halt and face Kiara, whose gaze burns through me-fierce and unyielding. She's serious.

"This... this is insane." I throw my hands up in exasperation, my fingers clawing at the air as if grabbing hold of reality could make it stop.

They both don't speak a word.

"Okay, listen." I pause and take a deep inhale and exhale. "You're telling me that my mother is a Sayer, and she's the reason you are cursed?"

Kael's jaw flexes before he nods once.

"You feel it, Ayla," Kiara mutters. "You're almost twenty-one, your powers are beginning to manifest."

Her voice sharpens. "Speak to me."

My heart jumps. I look around, but her lips don't move.

Then louder inside my head: "Speak to me."

Pain tears through my skull as I stagger backwards, clutching my head.

"What are you doing to me?!" I scream. "Please-stop!"

The voices halt and I calm down.

"How... how did you do that?" My breath is restless against my voice.

"I'll show you to your room," Kiara only says.

***

The next day, I get up early and have my breakfast.

Kiara's voice still echoed in my head, plus so many things that happened the previous day. It's all new and I'm still finding it hard to process, even when half-part of me still doesn't believe.

I moved around the quarters for a while, touring my new environment before heading to the sparring room. I needed to relieve the growing tension inside me.

"Sebastian, is that you?" I call out, briefly grabbing the attention of others around us.

Sebastian runs towards me and lifts my body into the air.

"Why are you here?" he questions after placing me down- still surprised.

"I got picked..."

"We're five here, so how?"

"I don't know, I'm just here-I guess." I shrug.

"Well, that's fine. Now that you're here..."

He sandwiches my cheeks in his palm as his lips find mine.

"I miss you," he whispers.

"Seb, we can't continue this..."

I slip out of his hold, stepping back. I can't afford distractions right now-especially not ones that come in mixed signals.

I might be a Sayer, and tomorrow I turn twenty-one. My full wolf powers will awaken, and somewhere along all that, I'm supposed to find my mate. It's all overwhelming.

"Ayla, you know I really like you," he insists, giving me the puppy-eyed look he always used when he wants something. Sadly, it won't be working today.

"We could make this serious, we're in a new place now."

"I'm sorry, Seb, I just... can't," I tell him.

Sebastian is a really cool person, but he only wants us together in private. He's scared people will talk when they find out we're together, and I know the only reason he wants to be serious right now is because we're in a different place, no one here knows the things I've done-yet.

He turns and walks away and within seconds, he has his hands around a random girl's waist, and she's all up in his space, her hands wandering boldly up his inner thigh. Typical.

"Heard you're the best at Nightwhisper. Wanna spar?" A voice calls out, grabbing my attention from Sebastian.

I turn my head towards the stranger's voice. He wasn't exactly my type, but he's okay. My mind drifted to Kael for a while when I thought about my type.

He's not my type either. Liar.

"Are you scared to take me on?" He teases, lips curving into a cocky smile.

My brows lift slowly.

"Get into the ring." My sentence is more like a command than a request. I tilt my head towards the ring.

The moment we stepped into the ring, the whole crowd began gathering us. After going at each other for a while, I've cornered Cian-whose name I've gathered from the crowd-and he seems out of moves.

"Careful, Cian," someone yells. "Heard she goes mental and murders people in the ring!"

Laughter erupts around me.

My chest tightens and tears blurred my vision. It was a mistake. One unintentional mistake that I've been punished for ever since.

Before I can focus back on the fight, Cian's fists collide with my stomach, knocking the air out of me before tackling me to the ground, pinning my body with his legs.

His knee grinds against my core deliberately, and a smug, disgusting smile spreads across his face. I don't hesitate-I slam my elbow into his jaw with all the strength I have. He reels backwards, dark crimson spilling from his mouth. Gasps spread amongst the crowd.

Cian wipes his lips with his thumb and when he sees the color, his demeanor changes and he growls-bearing his sharp fangs at me as he charges towards me-

"Enough!" Alpha Kael roars. 

Cian pauses immediately and I can see him fuming and pulsating with both hands fisted to his sides. Next time he'll know not to mess with me.

***

That night, I locked myself in my room and the moment the door shuts, everything I've been holding in breaks. Hot tears spill down my cheeks, my body trembling as Alex's face flashes in my mind. The way she called my name and her genuine smile whenever she sights me. The way she didn't care what anyone said about me.

And the way she died in my arms.

"I didn't mean to," I whisper, voice cracking. "I didn't mean to hurt you... Alex, I swear."

In the midst of my pain, my wolf stirs suddenly-she's alert and eager. A pulse of pleasure rushes through me, forcing me upright.

What now?

I sigh and glance at the clock. Midnight.

My birthday. I'm twenty-one and now a fully-grown wolf.

My wolf stirs again, alerting me to the pull. Something-someone-is pulling me outside.

My instincts take over, dragging me through dark hallways until I reach a part of the quarters I hadn't toured. A shimmering pool stretches before me, moonlight glistening on its surface. Something moves in the water, and panic shoots through me.

I turn to run-only to slam into a hard chest. In the next second, I'm pinned against the cold wall. A massive, dripping figure cages me in, heat and something tempting radiating off him.

My wolf purrs so loud it vibrates through me. Lust clouds everything.

"Running away already, Mate?"

That voice-the deepness and roughness vibrated through my spine, causing me to shiver for a second.

Mate? Already? How?

I try to get a look at his face, but it's very dark inside here, like the goddess was listening to me... the dark clouds shift away from the moon, softly casting light into the area and giving me a proper view of his face.

Alpha Kael.

His jet black hair drips water onto my skin and his eyes glow a bright red color, showing his rank as an Alpha... but it's the look in them that freezes me.

Desire.

Raw, unrestrained, and directed at me.

Ayla's POV

"I'm sorry... I-I shouldn't be here."

I swivel on my heels, intending to flee, but a large hand clamps around my wrist, bringing me to a halt mid-step.

Alpha Kael pulls me closer, my body slamming into his solid, rock-hard frame.

Heat surges through me and my wolf purrs and stirs within me, releasing a sharp wave of desire rushing all through my body.

No, not now. I plead silently to the wolf within me. That's when it hits me. The pull I've been feeling, that irresistible tug in my chest and gut-it's coming from him. Alpha Kael.

"I know you feel it too," he murmurs, his deep voice vibrating through my core. One hand presses against my waist, keeping me tethered to him, while the other grazes my temple in a gesture that feels tender and possessive.

Tender? Why would I think this man is tender? There's nothing tender about him.

If he thinks I'm going to surrender to this bond, he's absolutely mistaken. I would never-ever-be with a man like him.

"I don't know what you're talking about." 

I deny the existence of the magnetic force between us even when my pulse is hammering and my heart is beating so fast-betraying my lies.

Kael doesn't argue. He only smiles, a slow, knowing smile before releasing me from his grasp.

"The goddess must be testing me right now,"

he says under his breath, his tone laced with amusement.

Before I can respond, he turns, strides to the edge of the pool, and dives in. The splash wets me instantly leaving my clothes glued to my body and revealing my underwear. 

Kael turns and this time, his eyes doesn't meet mine but they roam my body hungrily-but all I could focus on is how his toned muscles glistened under the bright moon.

He takes one more glance at me, and I swear I see a coy smile form on his lips.

goddess, please... this is a mistake. He possibly can't be my mate.

Since I've stepped foot into this territory, it's been hell for me, and now this-

"Undressing me with your eyes is rude," Kael calls out lazily, snapping me out of my reverie.

"Likewise." I drawled, rolling my eyes at him before stepping out hurriedly. goddess knows what will happen if I stay here one minute longer. 

Kael's POV

"I never knew you to be the shy type-Riian. If you want her, talk to her." My voice is flat and void of any emotion as I speak.

Riian's jaw tenses.

"But Alpha, she's a Sayer... it's forbidden," he says.

There it is again. The ancient law that has kept wolves and Sayers apart for centuries.

I should agree with him and remind him of the consequences of what is going to happen if he ever crosses that line.

"Forbidden doesn't mean you stop wanting something."

I don't know where the words came from. But I say it.

The look Riian gives me is sharp and confusing, like he's wondering why the leader of a wolf pack would utter such a statement.

If only he knew the dilemma the goddess put around me.

My mind drifts to Ayla for a moment. The way she trained alone this morning, her eyes burned with something unlike what I've seen.

I held myself back last night at the pool-barely. I know it's just the mate bond that's making me feel this way. But-she's so different.

Other mates I've had accepted the bond in less than a day-but her, she hasn't accepted it, and it's eating me alive. I keep trying so hard, every second and minute I spend with her around, to hold in the urge to feel her skin against mine-but she's not for me.

"Kael."

"Kael."

Elder Moren's voice snaps me back. 

He approaches me slowly, leaning heavily on his worn walking stick. 

Elder Moren never leaves his abode unless something was very wrong. Riian understands this and excuses us both. 

He settles on the bench beside me and pats the empty space, urging me to sit.

"The new girl-She's dangerous, and I see calamity tied around her but..."

I already know Ayla is dangerous, but calamity... that's a new one.

"I'm listening, Elder," I say, straightening.

"There's a solution. You must sever the bond between you."

I should have done it already. But every time I imagine cutting that bond, something clenches painfully in my chest. There's something else about her I can't explain yet... something I need to understand.

"She's my mate, Elder. I can't sever a bond without hurting her."

I'm surprised by my own hypocrisy. A week ago, I considered sacrificing her to break my curse. Now I'm hesitating to even harm her.

"She's a Sayer, Kael!" Elder Moren snaps.

"It is forbidden! A wolf and a Sayer can never be together!"

I've never seen him this angry.

I need answers.

Ayla summoned the Messenger.

She's not just any Sayer. 

"If it's so forbidden, then why did the goddess bind us?" I counter.

Elder Moren sighs before his tone softens.

"She tests all leaders. Strength alone doesn't make a king, Kael. Wisdom. Restraint. Obedience to ancient law-those matter too." He fixes me with a grave look.

"You cannot bond with that girl. She will bring calamity upon you and the pack."

My jaw tightens.

"I'll do what I must. But I'm still the Alpha. My word is final."

"I'm not bonding with her," I continue. "I only need her blood to break the curse. After that... I'll send her away."

But as soon as the words leave my mouth-

I smell her.

Ayla.

Her scent spikes... then disappears instantly.

She heard us.

Shit.

She wasn't supposed to hear that, but I force myself to act like nothing happened.

"Kael, sending her away won't solve anything," Elder Moren says coldly. "You must end her. Sayers were never meant for this world."

The words hit harder than I expect.

End her?

My mate?

For the first time in years, I feel a real connection to someone even though it's not a connection I want but can't help it. The ancient laws say she has to die.

Kael's POV

"Thank you for the words of wisdom, Elder. I'll see you soon," I murmured before rising to my feet.

No one disobeyed the Elders. Their words had shaped the pack for generations. Even previous Alphas of this pack never defied them.

Yet today,  an elder's words felt like chains tightened around my throat.

A few days ago, my only focus was breaking the curse that had poisoned me for a decade and was threatening to destroy me. I had a plan-clean, simple, and unquestionable.

But now?

I'm bonded to someone from that very lineage that haunts me, and it's eating my bones like acid.

Kiara's warning echoed in my mind. "Ayla will acquire her full powers soon."

And last night, I sensed it-the subtle but unmistakable scent of a fully awakened wolf radiating off her skin.

She turned twenty-one today.

A sudden pain tore through my chest, sharp and suffocating. My vision wavered as a wave of raw emotion slammed into me-sadness.

Not mine, it was hers. Did Ayla accept the bond?

Why am I feeling her emotions... or is there something else wrong with me?

Since the moment I first saw her, she had cracked something open inside me-something I thought was long dead. My emotions, which I used to control with a single breath.

Maybe Elder Moren was right.

If I wanted to survive, I needed to sever the bond.

I exhaled and made my way down the corridor toward Ayla's room. The closer I got, the stronger the heaviness inside me grew-like walking straight into a storm of her pain.

I knocked once, twice, then halfway through the third time... The door creaked open just enough for her to peer out. Her eyes were swollen and red, her cheeks damp as if she'd been crying for hours. She tried to hide behind her hair, but I caught on quickly.

"What do you want from me now?" she muttered, voice hoarse.

"It's your birthday," I replied evenly. "And I thought I should monitor your condition now that you're twenty-one."

Her jaw clenched, but I continued, unbothered.

"I don't want a wolf who can't control herself wandering around my territory."

She scoffed, the sound brittle and short. Her eyes flashed with hurt before she slammed the door in my face. The impact rattled down the hallway-and through my chest.

"She's giving you a hard time, isn't she?" Kiara's voice drifted from behind me.

She wasn't close, but she knew I would hear her.

I didn't turn or say a word.

The problem was that her pain was now mine... and I had no idea what that meant for either of us.

Kiara remained behind me, silent, which made me annoyed. She's probably whipping up more prophetic messages for me and my mysterious mate.

The bond tugged at me again, but this time it wasn't sadness. It was hard, unrelenting, and filled with strong wolf energy.

A pulsing ache throbbed tight in my chest again, dragging me a step closer to her door. I forced my body to stay still, locking my muscles in place.

This wasn't me-it was the damn bond, manipulating me and pushing my instincts toward her direction.

"Kael," Kiara said softly, "you're pulling toward her. You know what that means."

"It means nothing," I snapped before I could stop myself.

Kiara's eyebrow lifted. "You're denying it."

"I'm stating a fact," I growled. "I'm an Alpha and the leader of this pack! I don't get pulled anywhere."

But even as I said it, the ache intensified-Ayla's emotions rippled through me, wanting me to tear down the door and make her accept the mate bond between us fully.

Kiara stepped closer. "Something's wrong with her."

"I didn't feel anything," I cut in sharply.

Kiara's lips curved into a knowing, irritating smile. "You feel her. You're just too stubborn to admit it." 

I didn't respond, because any word from my mouth would prove her right.

Then-

A flare of energy burst from behind Ayla's door, causing both Kiara and me to stagger backwards.

Ayla.

Kiara's eyes widened the second another wave of energy pulsed from behind the door. She rushed in front of me, panic written all over her face.

"I have to see what's happening with her," she said breathlessly. "This isn't a normal awakening."

She turned toward the door and pounded her fist against it.

"Ayla, it's Kiara. I need you to open the door so I can help you!"

Nothing.

Kiara struck the door harder. "Ayla, Ay-"

"Stand aside," I ordered.

Kiara stepped back instantly.

I moved several steps away from the door, braced myself, then slammed into it. The wood splintered, and the door burst open.

The sight of Ayla in my presence knocked the air out of me. She lay on the floor, her body convulsing violently, her fingers clawing at the ground as if she were fighting something inside her. Her breath was ragged and her eyes unfocused.

"She's turning," Kiara whispered, horrified. "Kael... she's turning too early. She needs you. She needs you now."

"Do something!" Kiara yelled.

My jaws tightened, pain shooting up to my temples. I didn't want to care or touch her-and I didn't want the bond pulling my every instinct toward her like a puppet.

But my feet moved before my mind caught up. I dropped to my knees beside her and gathered her shaking arms into my own. The moment my hands touched her, her trembling grew harsher-like her wolf felt mine and didn't know whether to fight or surrender.

Ayla gasped, arched, and fell onto all fours. Her head snapped upward, and she released a sharp cry.

Her back cracked first, then her fingers. Her bones began twisting and shifting... she was turning too fast. If she continued like this, she could get hurt.

"Ayla," I growled softly before letting my wolf instincts take over, just enough to push my presence and dominance out to calm her.

Her bones began reversing. Her breath slowed, and she was finally turning back to her normal human form.

By the time she was normal again, her clothes had torn around her like shredded paper. I sighed and turned to take my leave, because if I stared for a second longer-especially now that she was half-naked-I fear control might not be on the list of things I'd do to her.

"You should be fine now. Get dressed and-"

I didn't finish because Ayla's hands suddenly fisted the front of my shirt, and her lips crashed into mine.