Sera's POV
The howl cuts through the night again. Longer this time. More wolves joining in, their voices creating a chorus of threat and demand.
Kael's whole-body tenses like a coiled spring. His eyes glow goldhis Alpha is rising to the surface, barely contained. Stay here, he commands, and the Alpha power in his voice makes my wolf want to submit.
What's happening?
Silverpine wolves at our border. He moves toward the door with predatory purpose. They're demanding your return.
My heart races, emotions warring inside me. Dominic came for me?
Kael stops. Turns. His expression is unreadable, dangerous. Does that matter?
I don't know, I whisper. And it's the brutal truth. Part of me the stupid, naive part that still remembers loving Dominic wants it to mean he regrets rejecting me. But the rest of me, the part that's bleeding and broken, knows better.
Stay in this room, Kael says, his voice leaving no room for argument. Lock the door. Don't come out until I return.
You're leaving me alone? Panic edges into my voice.
You just agreed to stay for three months. I'm trusting you to keep your word. His eyes pierce into mine, searching. Don't make me regret it.
Then he's gone. The door closes behind him with a heavy thud that sounds final.
I stand there, shaking. The silver light from when we touched still tingles in my palm, a constant reminder of the impossible. A mate bond forming. It can't be real. But I felt it.
Outside, I hear shouting. Wolves growling, the sounds of a pack preparing for battle. The air itself feels charged with violence waiting to happen.
I should lock the door like Kael said. Should hide. Should be the weak, obedient wolf everyone thinks I am. But my feet move on their own, carrying me to the window like they have a will of their own.
Below, the Shadowfang compound is controlled chaos. Wolves gathering at the main gate in defensive lines, teeth bared, ready for war.
Beyond the gate: Silverpine wolves. Twenty of them at least. At the front, a gray wolf with white markings I'd recognize anywhere.
Jason.
My chest tightens painfully. He came for me. My brother actually came.
Kael walks out in wolf form massive, midnight black, silver eyes glowing with Alpha power. He shifts to face them, radiating authority.
Jason shifts too, and seeing his human face makes my throat close. Return Sera Silverpine. We'll leave peacefully.
Your Alpha rejected her; Kael says coldly. Publicly. Broadcast to every pack in the region. She's no longer your concern.
She's my sister. I'm taking her home.
Home? Kael's laugh is bitter. The pack that watched her destroyed? The family that supported her rejection online within an hour?
Jason flinches like he's been slapped. That wasn't my choice
You didn't fight hard enough. Kael steps closer, aggression rolling off him in waves. I watched the video. You let two wolves hold you back. You could have broken free. Could have stopped it. But you didn't. She's under my protection now.
I'm not leaving without her.
Then you'll die trying.
Wait! I scream before I can stop myself. Both Alphas look up, their eyes finding me instantly. Stop!
Sera! Jason's face floods with relief, with something that might be love. Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?
I'm fine. Nobody hurt me.
Then come home. Please. His voice cracks. I'm sorry I didn't fight harder for you. I'm sorry I let you down. But come home and we'll fix this
But you didn't fight, I interrupt, and each word tastes like ash. None of you did. You watched him destroy me and you did nothing.
She made a choice, Kael says flatly, possessively.
What choice? Jason demands, anger bleeding into his voice. What lies did you tell her?
I could go home. Back to the pack that rejected me, to the family that abandoned me online. Or I could stay with the Alpha who sees something in me that no one else ever has.
I'm staying. For now.
Jason goes pale, like I just stabbed him. You don't know what you're saying. He's the enemy. He's killed our wolves, Sera. He's dangerous
He's the only one who offered me a choice, I interrupt. Dominic threw me away like garbage. You did nothing. Our parents released a statement supporting him. But Kael offered me something.
What? What could he possibly offer you?
Revenge.
The word hangs in the air like a death sentence. Jason stares at me like he doesn't recognize me anymore.
Whatever he's promising, it's a lie. He's using you. Can't you see that? Come home before it's too late.
Dominic rejected me in front of the entire world. He chose another woman at our wedding. He doesn't get to care where I go now.
He made a mistake. He wants to explain
He chose Lydia, I say, and something in my voice makes even the Shadowfang wolves shift uncomfortably. He can have her.
Kael smiles. It's a predator's smile, all teeth and triumph. You heard her, Silverpine. Now leave my territory before I make you.
Jason looks at me one more time. His eyes are wet, desperate. I love you, Sera. I'm your brother. I'm sorry I let you down. But this staying with him it's going to destroy you.
I'm already destroyed, I whisper, and the truth of it echoes in my hollow chest. At least this way, I get to take them down with me.
Jason's face crumples. He shifts back to wolf form, and the Silverpine pack retreats into the forest, their howls fading into the distance.
I watch them go until they disappear into the trees. My chest aches, but not from the broken bond this time. From the look on Jason's face. From knowing I just chose my enemy over my family. From becoming someone I don't recognize.
A knock at the door makes me jump. Kael's voice comes through, gentler now. Can I come in?
I wipe my eyes quickly, refusing to look weak. Yes.
He enters, back in human form, and his expression is softer than before. Almost tender. You didn't have to do that.
Do what?
Choose to stay. I would have let you go if you wanted. I meant what I said.
I turn to face him fully. Would you? Really?
Kael hesitates, and I appreciate the honesty in that pause. Honestly? I don't know. Part of me wants to keep you here by force. Lock you in this room and never let you leave. But the other part... He trails off.
What?
Wants you to want to stay. His eyes meet mine, vulnerable in a way I didn't think Alphas could be. Not because you're afraid. Not because you have nowhere else to go. But because you choose me.
My heart pounds dangerously. Why does that matter to you?
I don't know. He steps closer, and the air between us feels electric. But it does.
We stare at each other. The bond hums between us, impossible and undeniable. Whatever this is, it's real.
A phone rings, shattering the moment. Kael pulls it from his pocket and frowns at the screen, his expression darkening with each passing second.
What is it?
His jaw clenches so hard I hear his teeth grind. A message from Dominic. He's calling an emergency Alpha Council meeting.
Ice floods my veins. Why?
Kael shows me the screen. The message is short and devastating:
The Shadowfang Alpha has kidnapped my mate. I demand her immediate return under pack law. If he refuses, it's an act of war.
My blood runs cold. But he rejected me. I'm not his mate anymore. Everyone saw it
Technically, the rejection has to be accepted by both parties to be complete. Kael's expression is grim, resigned. And you never formally accepted it.
What does that mean?
It means, Kael says slowly, each word weighted with consequences, that in the eyes of pack law, you're still his mate. And by keeping you here, I've committed the worst crime an Alpha can commit.
My voice comes out barely above a whisper. What crime?
Kael's silver eyes burn into mine, and I see the future collapsing around us.
Stealing another Alpha's mate.