The carriage lurched forward, the muffled thud of massive paws hitting cobblestone marking our rhythm.
Kael set me down on the cushioned seat opposite him, but only after making sure the door was locked from the inside. I pressed my back to the wall, ready to leap if I saw the smallest chance.
"You can stop glaring," he said lazily, leaning back with one arm draped across the seat. "It won't open until we arrive."
"I'm not glaring," I lied. "I'm calculating how many ways I can kill you in this box."
One corner of his mouth twitched—half amusement, half challenge. "You could try."
I gripped my dagger tighter, tempted. "Don't think I won't."
The silver in his eyes flared briefly. "You wouldn't make it past the first strike."
We stared each other down for several heartbeats, the sway of the carriage the only movement between us. My wolf stirred restlessly under my skin, and I hated that it wasn't entirely from anger.
Finally, I broke the silence. "Who's the Shadow Alpha?"
Kael's jaw flexed. "Someone who shouldn't know you exist."
"That's not an answer."
"It's all you're getting."
I rolled my eyes and glanced toward the curtained window. The night outside was a blur, shadows of trees whipping past. I had no idea where we were going.
"You could at least tell me why they want me."
"They don't want you," he said, leaning forward. "They want the power in your blood."
The words made my skin prickle. "What power?"
"You really don't know, do you?"
"Know what?"
He studied me for a long moment, as if weighing the cost of telling me. Then he sat back, crossing his arms. "Your mother wasn't just a wolf. She was something… more. And that makes you dangerous."
My heart skipped. "Dangerous to who?"
"To everyone."
Before I could demand more, the carriage hit a rough patch of road. I grabbed the edge of the seat to steady myself, but Kael's hand shot out, catching mine before I could fall forward.
His palm was warm, too warm, and the moment our skin touched, that strange electric pull surged again.
I jerked my hand back like I'd been burned. "Stop doing that."
"I'm not doing anything." His voice was low, steady, and infuriatingly calm. "It's the bond."
"I don't have a bond with you."
His eyes softened just enough to make me uneasy. "You keep telling yourself that, little wolf."
The carriage slowed. My pulse jumped.
"Where are we?" I asked.
Kael glanced toward the window. "Home."
I moved to peek out, but before I could, the door swung open. Cold night air rushed in, carrying the scent of pine, stone, and something ancient.
And behind it all—looming against the moonlight—was the fortress.
It wasn't a castle of delicate towers and pretty banners. It was brutal, black stone and jagged edges, a fortress meant to keep enemies out… and maybe keep me in.
Kael stepped down first, then offered me his hand like we were arriving at a royal ball instead of a prison.
"Welcome to your new cage," I muttered, ignoring his hand and jumping down myself.
His smirk followed me up the stone steps. "We'll see how long you call it that."