13. The Mark of the Oath

Dawn brings with it an unsettling silence, as if the air itself is holding its breath before a scream. Shadow has barely slept—and neither have I. Since he sealed the oath with his father, something in him has changed. I don’t know if it’s the tension in his shoulders or the dull gleam in his eyes, but I feel like a part of him is no longer here with me.

“You shouldn’t have done it,” I say for the third time, watching as he dresses quickly.

“I had no choice, Amelia,” he replies without looking at me, tugging his jacket on with sharp movements. “Caleb must be close by, and I have to be ready.”

“And what if that oath forces you to do something against me?” The words slip out before I can stop them, trembling with fear and frustration.

Shadow freezes, his hands clenching into fists. At last, he turns to face me, his eyes burning with an intensity that steals my breath.

“I would never hurt you.”

“But what if you can’t choose?” I press, my heart pounding. “That oath binds you to him, doesn’t it? What if he forces you to betray me?”

“Amelia!” His voice rises—not with anger, but desperation. “You have no idea what this means to me. But I did it because you’re the only thing that matters.”

His words hit me like a fist, and for a moment, I can only stare at him, fighting back the tears that threaten to spill.

“Then why does it feel like I’m already losing you?” I whisper at last.

Shadow falters, as if my words have reached some buried part of him. He steps closer, his trembling hands taking mine.

“You’re not losing me, Amelia.” His voice is a breath filled with emotion. “I’m right here. I’ll always be here.”

Before I can answer, a deafening sound shatters the silence—a blood-curdling howl that seems to come from everywhere at once. Shadow tenses instantly, his golden eyes flaring with fury and alertness.

“It’s Caleb,” he says, more to himself than to me.

“He’s here?” I ask, barely a whisper.

“No. Still outside. But he won’t stay out for long.”

His father’s house seems to come alive with Caleb’s arrival. The walls groan, and the air fills with a sharp scent—like iron and ash. Shadow leads me to an interior room, where his father is already waiting.

“Ready, pup?” the man asks with his usual mocking tone, though a flicker of concern crosses his eyes.

“I don’t have a choice, do I?” Shadow’s voice is icy.

“There are always choices. Just rarely easy ones.”

The man studies us for a moment, then turns to me.

“Listen, human girl. This isn’t a game. Caleb doesn’t just want you—he wants to destroy him. If you want to survive, you’ll have to be smarter than he is.”

“I’m not a girl. And I won’t hide while they kill each other.” My voice comes out steadier than I expected, and the man raises an eyebrow, surprised.

“You’re brave, I’ll give you that. But bravery won’t stop claws and fangs.”

“Enough,” Shadow cuts in, stepping between us. “Don’t drag her into this more than necessary.”

“She’s already neck-deep, son.” The man sighs before continuing. “Caleb’s coming for both of you—but especially for her. If you want a chance, you’ll have to use everything you’ve got.”

“Everything?” Shadow asks, his voice edged with suspicion.

The man smiles, but says nothing more.

When we finally step outside, the scene feels pulled from a nightmare. Caleb stands in the middle of the clearing, a half-smile on his lips. He’s tall and muscular, radiating danger like a heatwave that bends the air around him. His deep red eyes lock onto mine as if he can see straight through to my soul.

“So this is the famous Amelia,” he says, his voice soft but laced with threat. “The human who tamed the wildest wolf of all.”

“Stay away from her,” Shadow growls, stepping in front of me.

Caleb smiles wider, flashing a hint of fangs.

“Relax, pup. I just wanted to see her for myself.”

“You’re not welcome here,” Shadow’s father cuts in, his voice sharp.

“Oh really?” Caleb laughs, a dark sound that seems to thicken the air. “And what are you going to do about it, old man?”

The tension is nearly tangible. I can feel danger in every twitch of Caleb’s body—but also the unbreakable resolve in Shadow.

“I won’t let you take her,” Shadow declares, his voice unwavering.

“We’ll see about that.” Caleb smiles again, and before I can react, he charges toward us with impossible speed.

What follows is chaos.

Shadow and Caleb clash in a brutal, savage battle. Their bodies move too fast for my eyes to follow, a blur of claws, snarls, and muscle. The air is filled with the sound of tearing flesh, growls, and the earth trembling under their fury.

“Amelia!” Shadow’s father grabs my arm. “You have to get out—now!”

“I’m not leaving him!” I scream, struggling against his grip.

“If you stay, he dies. Is that what you want?”

The words hit hard, and even though every part of me wants to run to Shadow, I know he’s right. If I stay, I’ll only be a distraction—and Caleb will use that against him.

Tears streaming down my face, I let myself be pulled into the forest’s edge, knowing I’m leaving behind the man I love to fight a battle he may not win.

I run without direction, stumbling over roots and rocks as my vision blurs with grief. Every fiber of me wants to turn back, but the old man’s words echo in my mind.

Finally, I collapse to my knees in a small clearing, my chest heaving with broken breaths. Guilt and fear consume me—but something else rises, too: a fierce determination.

No matter what it takes, I won’t lose Shadow.

If I have to face Caleb myself—I will.

But first, I need to get stronger.

And to do that, I’ll have to do something I never thought possible:

Seek help from those who hunt werewolves.