Chapter 18: Blood and Shadows

The night after the battle felt too calm. The air was still, heavy with the scent of wet earth and ash. Lena could not sleep. Every sound made her tense. Every rustle in the trees reminded her of Kieran’s face.

She sat by the dying campfire, watching the last embers fade. Jace joined her quietly, carrying two cups of water.

“You look like you haven’t slept in days,” he said, handing her one.

“I haven’t,” she answered, her eyes fixed on the flames.

“Thinking about him?”

Lena sighed. “I saw my brother die. I buried him. And now he’s out there, leading the same monsters who destroyed our home.”

Jace nodded slowly. “People change when they survive things like that.”

“He’s not the same person anymore,” Lena whispered. “He looked at me like I was a stranger.”

“You’re not the same either,” Jace said gently. “You’ve become something else. Stronger maybe, colder definitely.”

She gave a faint smile. “Cold keeps me alive.”

The silence stretched between them until Damian stepped out from the shadows. His shirt was open at the chest, the bandage visible but clean.

“You shouldn’t be walking around,” she said.

“I’m fine.” His voice was calm but carried that quiet power that always made everyone listen. “We need to talk.”

Jace stood up. “I’ll give you two a minute.” He walked away, leaving them in the flickering light.

Damian sat down across from her. “The scouts found tracks beyond the northern ridge. Rogues, maybe fifty or more. Kieran’s regrouping.”

Lena’s jaw tightened. “Then he’s planning another attack.”

“Yes,” Damian said. “And this time, he’s not hiding in the trees. He wants us to come to him.”

She looked up sharply. “You think it’s a trap.”

“I know it is,” he replied. “But we can’t ignore it. If we wait, he’ll strike first.”

Lena leaned forward. “Then let me go ahead of you. I know how he moves. I can find his camp.”

“No,” Damian said at once. “You’re not going anywhere near him.”

She frowned. “You can’t order me to stay behind.”

“I’m not ordering you. I’m asking you.”

Her voice softened slightly. “Why?”

“Because I can’t fight him if I’m worrying about you.”

Lena’s heart skipped. She wanted to argue, but his tone left no space for defiance.

“You think I’ll break,” she said quietly.

He looked at her, his eyes unreadable. “I think you’ll do anything to save him. Even if it kills you.”

The truth hit harder than any blow.

She looked away, unable to meet his gaze. “He’s my brother.”

“I know,” Damian said. “But he’s also the enemy now. You need to remember that.”

Lena clenched her fists. “You talk like you don’t understand, but you do. You lost people too.”

Damian didn’t reply. The silence between them grew thick.

Finally, Lena stood. “If you won’t let me scout, then at least let me help plan.”

He nodded once. “Fine. We meet at dawn.”

---

The next morning, the war tent was crowded. Maps spread across the table, marked with stones and lines. Elliot traced one with his finger.

“The rogues are camped in the ravine near the river,” he said. “Natural defenses. It’ll be hard to get close.”

Damian nodded. “We’ll hit them from both sides. Divide their forces.”

Lena studied the map. “They’ll expect that. Kieran knows your tactics. You need to surprise him.”

Jace grinned. “You got something better?”

She tapped a point near the river bend. “There’s a narrow path here. Hard to see, but it leads straight behind the ravine. I can take a small group through it while you attack from the front.”

“No,” Damian said again.

“Damian—”

“I said no,” his tone sharp now.

Elliot looked between them. “She’s right. It’s a good plan.”

Damian’s glare silenced him. “I won’t risk her life for a surprise attack.”

Lena slammed her hand on the table. “You’re risking everyone’s life by ignoring me!”

The room went silent.

Damian met her gaze. “You forget who you’re talking to.”

She stepped closer, unafraid. “No, I remember exactly who you are. The Alpha who thinks he can control everything, even people’s choices.”

For a long moment, no one moved. Then Damian exhaled slowly. “Fine,” he said at last. “You’ll lead the flank. But you take Jace and four others with you. No one moves until I give the signal.”

Lena nodded, her anger fading into determination. “Deal.”

---

By nightfall, the plan was in motion. The forest was quiet again, the air cool and sharp with the scent of rain. Lena crouched beside Jace on the narrow trail leading toward the ravine.

“Still think this is a good idea?” he whispered.

“No,” she said. “But it’s the only one we’ve got.”

He chuckled softly. “That’s what I like about you. Always the optimist.”

She smirked. “You don’t know me very well.”

They moved in silence after that, shadows slipping between trees. The sound of the river grew louder as they approached. From below, faint light glimmered — the rogues’ campfires.

Lena raised her hand, signaling for the group to stop. She peered down, spotting dozens of rogues scattered across the clearing. But no sign of Kieran.

Jace leaned closer. “Where is he?”

“He’s here,” she whispered. “He’s waiting for me.”

Before he could reply, a voice rose from the darkness below.

“You should have stayed with your Alpha, Lena.”

Kieran stepped into the open, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. “You always did like walking into traps.”

Lena cursed under her breath. “Fall back!” she shouted.

But it was too late. Rogues burst from the shadows around them.

Jace swung his blade, cutting one down, but another tackled him from behind. The forest exploded with movement and sound.

Lena fought hard, her blade flashing through the dark. She could hear Jace yelling orders, the clash of steel, the growls of wolves. But she only had one focus now — Kieran.

He stood a few feet away, calm, waiting.

She lunged at him. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because he destroyed us,” Kieran said, blocking her strike with ease. “Because you’ve forgotten who you are.”

“I remember everything,” she hissed, attacking again.

He caught her wrist, twisting it hard until her dagger fell. “You think you know the truth,” he said softly, “but you’ve only heard his version.”

“Then tell me yours!” she shouted.

He hesitated for a second. “Our father didn’t betray the treaty. Damian did. He used the war as an excuse to take power. He slaughtered everyone who stood in his way, including our family.”

Lena shook her head, tears burning in her eyes. “No. He wouldn’t.”

“Ask him,” Kieran said. “Ask your Alpha how he became one.”

Before she could answer, a low growl echoed through the trees.

Damian.

He charged into the clearing, golden eyes blazing, his warriors right behind him. The fight shifted instantly. Rogues scattered under the new attack.

“Kieran!” Damian roared. “You want me? Come take me!”

Kieran smiled coldly. “With pleasure.”

They clashed with a sound like thunder.

Lena stumbled back, breathless, watching them. Damian fought with raw power, every strike driven by fury. Kieran was faster, precise, his movements graceful and cruel.

They were evenly matched.

Jace grabbed her arm. “We have to move!”

“No,” she said. “He’ll kill Damian.”

“Or Damian will kill him,” Jace said grimly.

Lena’s heart twisted. She couldn’t let either die.

As they fought, Kieran’s blade cut deep into Damian’s side. Damian growled, slashing back, forcing Kieran to retreat.

Lena ran forward, shouting. “Stop it! Both of you!”

Neither listened. The world narrowed to blood, light, and rage.

Finally, Kieran caught Damian’s shoulder and pinned him against a tree. “You ruined everything,” he snarled. “You made her your soldier, your weapon.”

“I made her my equal,” Damian spat.

Kieran froze for just a second, and Damian drove his blade into his side.

Kieran staggered back, blood spilling from the wound. His eyes met Lena’s. “He’ll destroy you too,” he whispered.

Then he disappeared into the trees, leaving only silence and the sound of his fading footsteps.

Damian dropped to one knee, blood dripping from his side. Lena rushed to him. “You’re hurt again.”

“I’ve had worse,” he said weakly.

“You keep saying that,” she murmured, pressing her hand to the wound. “One day, you won’t.”

He managed a faint smile. “If I die, I’ll haunt you.”

She gave a short laugh through her tears. “You already do.”

Jace and the others gathered around, breathless but alive. “He’s gone,” Jace said. “He took most of his men with him.”

Lena looked toward the trees, where her brother had vanished. “He’ll be back.”

Damian’s hand brushed hers. “Then we’ll be ready.”

She looked down at him, her heart heavy. “You keep saying we, but this isn’t your fight anymore. It’s mine.”

“No,” Damian said firmly. “It’s ours. Always.”

And in that moment, under the pale light of the moon, Lena knew he meant it.

She didn’t know how this war would end, or who would survive it. But for the first time, she wasn’t afraid.

Because whatever came next, they would face it together.