Chapter 5

Kael Draven did not believe in regret.

Regret was weakness and weakness had no place in Ironclaw.

Yet, for the past three years. It was the only thing that followed him.

The training grounds echoed with the clash of bodies hitting the ground, the scent of sweat and dominance thick in the air. Wolves sparred under his watchful gaze, pushing themselves harder, faster, desperate to meet the standard he demanded.

It wasn’t enough.

“Again,” Kael ordered coldly.

A young warrior struggled to his feet, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. “Alpha, I”

“I said again.”

The wolf lunged, but his movements were sloppy, unfocused, and weak.

Kael moved before anyone could blink.

In one swift motion, he knocked the wolf flat on his back, a low growl rumbling from his chest.

“This is the best you can offer?” he demanded, his voice sharp, unforgiving. “Pathetic.”

Silence fell over the training ground.

No one dared speak. No one dared move.

Because this? This wasn’t just their Alpha.

This was something else, something colder and restless.

Kael straightened, running a hand through his dark hair, irritation simmering beneath his skin.

It had been like this for months. No, years.

Nothing satisfied him anymore, not victories, not even power.

“My Alpha.”

Selene’s voice cut through his thoughts as she approached, graceful as always, her presence drawing attention without effort.

She placed a hand lightly on his arm. “You’re pushing them too hard.”

Kael didn’t look at her.

“They are weak.”

“They’re not weak,” she countered smoothly. “You’re just distracted.”

His jaw tightened.

“I am not distracted.”

Selene’s gaze lingered on him, sharp and knowing. “Then why do you look like something is missing?”

For a moment, just a moment, something flickered in his chest

“It isn’t,” he said flatly. But the lie tasted bitter, because deep down, he knew exactly what it was.

Or rather..who.

He didn’t think about her, he didn’t say her name.

He didn’t allow himself to remember.

But that didn’t stop it from happening anyway.

The bond he had severed that night should have disappeared completely. That was how it worked. That was how it always worked.

But this one? It lingered. Faint, broken but there, like a ghost that refused to die. Sometimes, in the quiet hours of the night, he felt it.

And every time it happened, it unsettled him in a way nothing else could.

“She should be dead.”

The words left his mouth before he could stop them.

Selene stiffened slightly. “Who?”

Kael didn’t answer.

Her expression darkened.

“Lyra,” she said, “You’re still thinking about her?”

“I’m not.” But again, the lie

Selene let out a soft laugh, though there was no humor in it. “It’s been three years, Kael. Whatever connection you felt that night, it’s gone.”

It wasn’t. They both knew it.

“You made the right choice,” she continued, stepping closer. “She was weak. She would have only held you back.”

Weak.

The word echoed in his mind. But this time…It didn’t feel right.

A sudden tension coiled in his chest. And before he could respond, a warrior rushed into the training grounds, breathless.

“My Alpha!” Kael turned sharply. “Speak.”

“There’s… there’s news.” The wolf hesitated.

For a moment, fear lit his eyes.

And that alone was enough to catch Kael’s attention.

“What kind of news?”

“A new faction, Alpha. They’ve been moving through the outer territories.”

Kael’s expression hardened. “Another rogue group?”

“No, Alpha.”

The hesitation returned. But this time, it was worse.

“They’re not like rogues.

“Explain.”

“They don’t scatter. They don’t run. They don’t bow.”

The warrior swallowed hard.

“They conquer.”

Silence fell.

Selene’s hand tightened slightly at her side.

Kael's gaze darkened.

“And who leads them?”

The question came out low.

The warrior’s answer was barely above a whisper.

No one knows, Alpha. They say it’s a woman.

A woman?

Powerful enough to lead, strong enough to conquer, powerful enough to make wolves afraid.

It shouldn’t have meant anything.

And yet…

That familiar, unwanted pull stirred again. Stronger this time.

Kael’s jaw tightened. Find out who she is.

Yes, Alpha.

And if she’s a threat, bring her to me.

But far beyond Ironclaw territory…

Hidden beneath silver light and shadow…

She was already rising.

And she was not alone.