The Bond They Could Not Deny

The valley was silent.

The only sound was the gentle rustling of leaves as the last traces of silver light faded into the morning sky.

No one moved.

Every wolf stood frozen, their eyes fixed on Clover.

The Corrupted Ancient remained on one knee before her, its sapphire eyes filled with respect instead of rage.

Clover’s breathing was uneven.

She looked at the creature, then at the glowing thread of silver light stretching between her chest and Kael’s.

“What… is this?”

She reached toward the thread, but before her fingers touched it, the light vanished.

Kael quickly stepped back.

His wolf growled in protest.

Mate.

The word echoed relentlessly in his mind.

He clenched his fists.

Not now.

Not here.

He couldn’t tell her.

Not until he understood why fate had chosen a Moon Witch for him.

Damon walked over slowly, still staring at Clover.

“Alpha…”

Kael didn’t take his eyes off her.

“I know.”

Lila smiled softly.

“I don’t think she does.”

Clover looked between them.

“Would someone please explain what’s happening?”

No one answered.

The silence was answer enough.

⸻

The journey back to Blackthorn Keep was nothing like the journey there.

No one whispered about Clover anymore.

Instead, every member of the Shadow Pack bowed their heads as she passed.

The gesture made her uncomfortable.

“You don’t have to do that,” she said.

An older warrior smiled.

“We’re not bowing because you’re a witch.”

He placed a hand over his heart.

“We’re bowing because you saved our brothers.”

Clover didn’t know what to say.

For the first time since arriving at the keep…

She felt accepted.

⸻

By sunset, Blackthorn Keep came into view.

The massive gates opened as soon as Kael approached.

The guards immediately noticed the injured warriors.

“What happened?”

“Was it rogues?”

Damon answered quietly.

“Worse.”

“The Blood Witch has returned.”

The courtyard fell silent.

Fear spread through the gathered wolves.

Everyone knew the stories.

Selene Nightshade wasn’t just a witch.

She was the reason parents warned their children never to wander into cursed forests after dark.

If she had truly returned…

War was no longer a possibility.

It was inevitable.

⸻

Inside the castle, the council gathered before nightfall.

The atmosphere was tense.

Maps covered the long oak table while messengers hurried in and out of the chamber.

Kael stood at the head of the room.

“Selene is no longer hiding.”

One of the elders frowned.

“Then we strike first.”

Another shook his head.

“Against a Blood Witch? That would be suicide.”

A third elder spoke.

“The girl should be handed over.”

The room became deathly quiet.

Clover felt every pair of eyes turn toward her.

“If Selene wants her,” the elder continued, “perhaps surrendering one life will save thousands.”

Before Clover could react—

Kael slammed his fist onto the table.

The heavy wood cracked beneath the impact.

“No.”

His voice echoed through the chamber.

“No member of this pack will ever be traded.”

The elder met his gaze.

“She’s not one of us.”

Kael looked at Clover.

Then back at the council.

“As long as she remains under my protection…”

“…she is.”

No one argued.

Not because they agreed.

Because the Alpha had spoken.

⸻

Later that night…

Unable to sleep, Clover wandered into the castle gardens.

The moon reflected across a crystal pond surrounded by white roses.

She sat beside the water.

“So this is where you’ve been.”

Kael’s deep voice broke the silence.

She smiled faintly.

“I needed to think.”

He sat beside her, leaving enough space that she wouldn’t feel trapped.

For several moments, neither of them spoke.

Finally, Clover asked quietly,

“Back in Raven Hollow…”

“…why did everyone look at us like that?”

Kael stared at the moon.

“There are old traditions among wolves.”

“What kind of traditions?”

He hesitated.

“The kind that change lives.”

She turned toward him.

“You still aren’t telling me everything.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because once I do…”

He met her eyes.

“…nothing will ever be the same again.”

Clover searched his face.

For the first time, she noticed something she hadn’t before.

Behind the fearless Alpha…

Was a man carrying the weight of an entire kingdom.

“I trust you,” she whispered.

The words caught Kael off guard.

No one had said those words to him in a very long time.

His wolf became strangely calm.

He smiled.

A real smile.

“You probably shouldn’t.”

She laughed.

“I’ve noticed you keep saying that.”

“And you keep ignoring me.”

“Maybe because you’re wrong.”

Before Kael could answer—

A deafening bell rang through the castle.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The alarm bell.

Damon burst into the gardens, breathing hard.

“Alpha!”

Kael was already on his feet.

“What happened?”

“The eastern watchtower…”

Damon’s face had gone completely pale.

“It’s gone.”

“What do you mean, gone?”

“It disappeared.”

Silence.

Then another guard came running across the courtyard.

“My Alpha!”

He dropped to one knee.

“There is… a message.”

He handed Kael a black envelope sealed with crimson wax.

Kael broke the seal.

Inside was a single sheet of paper.

Written in silver ink.

He read it once.

Then again.

His expression darkened.

Clover stepped closer.

“What does it say?”

Kael slowly handed her the letter.

Her heart pounded as she read the elegant handwriting.

Moon Queen,

Seven nights from now, when the Blood Moon rises, I will come for what belongs to me.

Bring the Shadow Alpha if you wish.

Neither of you will leave alive.

—Selene Nightshade

A cold wind swept through the gardens.

High above Blackthorn Keep…

A lone raven circled beneath the moon.

Watching.

Waiting.

The countdown to the Blood Moon had begun.