6. The Blood Between Us

Rhea

Kael’s voice cracked through the chaos like a lightning bolt.

“Rhea—run!”

But I couldn’t. Not just because my legs refused to move, but because something in me-something buried deep—didn’t want to.

I wanted to understand.

Why were they fighting? Who were they? And how the hell did I become part of this?

Violet pushed me back sharply. “Move!” she snapped, and it broke the trance.

I stumbled behind a fallen log, ducking as claws scraped bark and snarls cracked the air. My ears rang. I was shaking all over, but not from fear this time.

From recognition.

The black wolf — Varek — moved like he was born from shadows, every strike aimed to kill. Kael met him blow for blow, silver fur flashing like moonlight on steel. I had never seen two creatures fight like that — so much fury, so much hate.

Violet fought too, her hands glowing faintly with witchlight, hurling sigils that exploded mid-air and forced Alder to retreat, snarling and snapping his fangs.

But the third one—the cold-eyed one—he hadn’t attacked yet.

He was circling.

Watching.

His gaze found me again, and for a second, I felt like I knew him.

Not his name.

But his loneliness.

Like whatever side he’d chosen, he didn’t believe in it anymore.

I didn’t get long to think about it because suddenly Kael let out a yelp — not of pain, but of rage.

Varek had shifted mid-strike, back into his human form, blood smeared across his face and chest.

“You’re losing your edge, brother,” he spat, panting. “This the best Ashwood’s Alpha can do?”

Kael shifted seconds later, still breathing heavy but holding his ground.

“You don’t want to finish this in front of her,” he said.

Varek’s gaze drifted to me.

And for the first time, his face changed.

Something flickered behind those rust-colored eyes. Curiosity. Recognition.

“You brought her?” he said softly. “I heard rumors, but I didn’t think you were that stupid.”

Violet stepped in. “Back off, Varek. You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”

Varek tilted his head like a predator sizing up a meal.

“Oh, I think I do. That scent… That blood…”

He took one step closer, and Violet instantly raised her hand, her spell igniting.

“Don’t. Take. Another. Step.”

But he didn’t stop.

Until the third wolf — the cold-eyed one — suddenly spoke.

“Enough.”

His voice was low but carried like thunder. Even Varek paused.

“Alder,” he said without looking back, “grab him.”

Alder, still licking a gash on his shoulder, looked confused.

“What?”

“We’re leaving.”

Varek narrowed his eyes. “You’re getting soft, Fenrak.”

So that was his name. Fenrak.

He turned his gaze toward me again. Not cruel. Not mocking. Just… tired.

And then he said something I would remember forever.

“These woods don’t forget, girl. And they never forgive.”

He turned and disappeared into the trees.

Alder cursed under his breath and followed.

Varek stayed the longest.

“I’ll see you again, Kael,” he said, already backing into shadow. “And next time… you’ll wish I hadn’t.”

And just like that — they were gone.

Only silence remained.

Violet’s breathing slowed as she lowered her hand.

Kael didn’t speak. He just stood there, chest rising and falling, eyes still burning faintly from the shift.

And me?

I couldn’t speak either.

Not because I was scared anymore.

Because deep down — under the fear, the confusion, the chaos — something inside me stirred.

Like I’d seen this before.

Not in real life.

But in the dream.

And I whispered it before I could stop myself.

“The red eyes… it wasn’t just a nightmare.”

Kael turned sharply. “What did you say?”

Violet looked between us. “Rhea… what did you see?”

I backed away, the air in my lungs suddenly gone.

“I think… I’ve seen him. Before. In the dream. And Elara… she saw it too.”

Kael didn’t speak for a long time. He just stood there, jaw clenched, eyes fixed on the path where Varek had vanished. The tension in his shoulders, the twitch in his fingers — everything about him screamed restraint. Like he was holding back something savage.

Violet exhaled hard, muttering a spell under her breath as her glowing hand dimmed. The light evaporated from the clearing, but the weight didn’t.

My voice came out hoarse.

“Who… who the hell were they?”

Kael turned to me, and for a moment, I saw it again—those faint glimmers of silver in his eyes. The wolf just beneath the surface.

“Trouble,” he said. “And they won’t stop coming.”

“Why me?” I asked. “Why do they care that I’m here?”

He glanced at Violet. A silent exchange passed between them. One that made my stomach twist.

“She deserves to know,” Violet said quietly.

Kael didn’t agree.

But he didn’t argue either.

He walked toward me slowly, like he was afraid I might bolt.

“You asked me once what I was. Now I’m asking you to believe me when I say this… Rhea, you’re not just some girl who stumbled into Ashwood.”

I blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“Your sister knew. She didn’t die in an accident. She was hunted.”

I stepped back like he’d slapped me.

“No—Elara drowned. The police—”

“They found her body in the river,” he interrupted. “But she didn’t die there. She was killed in the woods. I was too late.”

My throat tightened. “You’re lying.”

“I wish I was.”

Violet stepped closer. Her voice was softer, gentler. “Rhea, Elara was trying to protect you. That’s why she came back to Ashwood in the first place. She found something… something tied to your family bloodline. To the Crimson name.”

“Elara didn’t believe in that stuff,” I whispered. “She thought it was all stories.”

“Stories come from somewhere,” Kael said. “And this one’s older than the trees.”

My heart was pounding. It felt like I was falling down a tunnel with no bottom.

“So what? I’m supposed to believe I’m cursed now? That some psychotic wolf guy wants to kill me because of my last name?”

Kael didn’t flinch.

“Because of your blood. You’re Crimson-born. And that means something in this world.”

I shook my head. “No. No, this isn’t real. None of this is. That thing I saw in my dream—”

Kael stiffened.

“You saw it too?”

“I see it every time I close my eyes. The red eyes. The fog. The wolves…”

Violet looked almost afraid.

“That’s not a dream, Rhea. That’s a memory. Or a warning. Either way—it’s real.”

A chill raced down my spine.

Kael stepped closer. “You need to understand… the thing you saw? That wasn’t just any monster. It’s a name we don’t speak lightly.”

“A name?”

He nodded.

“AURA.”

The word hit the air like thunder.

My knees gave out, and I sat hard on the ground, Elara’s journal still clutched in my hand.

Kael crouched beside me. “There’s more. Too much for tonight. But you’re in danger. And I won’t let them touch you. Not Varek. Not anyone.”

His voice softened then, almost a whisper. “I promise.”

I looked up at him, at the strange fire behind his calm.

“Why do you care?”

His jaw tightened. Like he wanted to say something but didn’t.

Violet spoke instead.

“Because you’re more than just the girl he’s trying to protect.”

I looked between them both.

And for the first time… I wasn’t sure if I should feel comforted. Or completely terrified.

“If monsters wear faces, then I’ve seen mine in theirs… and I’m starting to wonder which side of the dark I truly belong to.”