The room felt suddenly too small.
Kael's words hung in the air like a blade.
Ere
"Then I die with you."
Lyra stared at him, her breath shallow. She had only known this man for a handful of hours, yet the weight of his admission pressed on her chest like a storm.
"That doesn't make sense," she whispered. "How can my life be tied to yours? I don't even know you."
Kael looked away, jaw tight.
"You weren't meant to know me. You weren't meant to step into this world at all."
"Then why me?"
He hesitated.
Lyra stepped closer. "Kael—why me?"
His silver eyes lifted to hers, burning.
"Because the Oath chose you long before you were born."
She froze. "Before… I was born?"
Kael moved toward her, slow, careful, as if approaching something fragile.
Or dangerous.
He stopped a few steps away.
"Show me the mark," he said quietly.
Lyra hesitated, then pushed back her sleeve. The crescent-shaped birthmark gleamed faintly, pulsing in rhythm with her heartbeat.
Kael inhaled sharply.
"Moon Seer," he murmured. "I should have known the moment I saw you."
"What does that even mean?"
"Your bloodline was thought extinct. A Moon Seer can sense the future, heal beyond natural limits, and…"
He paused.
"And what?" she pressed.
"And undo ancient magic."
He stepped closer, lifting her wrist with surprising gentleness. His fingers were warm, rough, careful.
"The Silverblood Oath was created centuries ago to bind an Alpha to the moon's chosen Seer. It grants him immense power…" His voice softened. "…and a death sentence."
Lyra felt her pulse quicken under his touch. "Why would they create something like that?"
"Control. Fear. And protection." His thumb brushed lightly over the glowing mark. "An Alpha becomes unstoppable when bound to the Seer meant for him. But if she dies…"
"…you die too," Lyra finished, her chest tightening.
Kael released her wrist slowly, almost reluctantly.
"Yes."
Lyra stepped back. "This is too much. I didn't ask for this. I didn't choose this."
"No one ever chooses prophecy," Kael said.
"But you aren't a prisoner. You're free to leave this territory whenever you want."
Her eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes," he said simply. "But understand this—if you walk out…"
His voice deepened.
"…the Darkfangs will find you, and they will not spare you."
Lyra shivered.
Kael ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "I'm trying to give you a choice. Even though your existence has taken away mine."
She looked up sharply. "Kael…"
He turned toward the window, the moonlight outlining his strong frame.
"When the Oath awakened, I felt it." His voice was distant. "A pull. A burn in my blood. And then—your heartbeat. I can hear it now, even across the territory."
Lyra's breath caught.
"Why?"
"Because you are the one the moon bound me to." He looked over his shoulder at her. "Your pain is my pain. Your fear is my fear. Your death…"
He swallowed, hard.
"…would end me."
Silence fell.
Lyra's mind raced.
Bound.
Connected.
Linked by ancient magic she didn't understand.
"It's not fair," she whispered, her voice cracking. "You shouldn't have to die because of me."
Kael turned fully to her then, his expression unreadable.
"I'm not afraid of dying. I'm afraid of failing."
"Failing what?"
He stepped closer—too close—his presence wrapping around her like heated shadows.
"Failing to protect the one person fate has given me."
Lyra's breath caught.
He wasn't saying he wanted her.
He wasn't saying he loved her.
But something fierce burned beneath his tone.
A promise.
A curse.
A bond.
Before she could respond, a loud knock shattered the moment.
Kael stiffened. "Enter."
The door opened, and the scarred warrior from earlier—Ronan—stepped inside, bowing quickly.
"Alpha. Scouts spotted Darkfang movement near the eastern ridge."
Kael's eyes sharpened instantly. "How many?"
"A small group. But they're searching for something." Ronan's gaze flicked briefly to Lyra.
Kael growled low. "They won't have her."
Ronan nodded once. "Your orders?"
Kael's eyes lifted to Lyra.
"Get Marwen. Strengthen the wards. No one enters this hall without my permission."
Ronan disappeared down the corridor.
Kael turned back to Lyra.
"You stay inside this room," he said. "Do not open the door for anyone but me."
Lyra stepped forward. "Kael—what if something happens to you while you're out there?"
He stopped in the doorway, glancing over his shoulder.
For the first time, a small, dark smile touched his lips—sad, tired, but real.
"Then you'll feel it," he said.
Lyra's heartbeat stuttered.
"Kael—"
"I'll be back," he promised, eyes glowing.
"I always come back to what the moon binds to me."
And just like that, he walked into the shadows.
Leaving Lyra alone with a glowing mark, a pounding heart, and a bond that terrified her more than any wolf outside.