Chapter 10: The Blood Oath

The Blackwood pack moved like a well-oiled machine.

Within hours of Vera’s report, the courtyard was filled with the sounds of clashing steel and shifting bones. Warriors were packing supplies, sharpening blades, and saying goodbye to their families. The air was thick with the scent of determination and the heavy, metallic tang of impending bloodshed.

I stood in the center of the war room, staring at the massive map spread across the oak table.

"You should be resting," Kael said, walking up behind me. He was already dressed in black tactical gear, a heavy silver sword strapped to his back.

"And you should be explaining why you think you're leaving me behind," I replied, not turning around.

I felt his hands land on my shoulders, his fingers digging gently into my muscles. "You just survived an ancient trial, Elara. Your body is still recovering. Besides, this is a rogue army. They fight dirty. I need you here, safe."

I spun around, looking up at him. "I am the High Priestess of the Moon Goddess, Kael. If I stay here, I’m just a target. If I fight beside you, I’m a weapon. You taught me how to leash the power. Let me use it."

He stared down at me, his jaw ticking. I could see the war raging in his eyes—the possessive Alpha desperate to protect his mate, battling against the logical leader who knew I was right.

"Besides," I added softly, reaching up to trace the line of his jaw, "if you die out there, I will follow you. You swore that to me in the arena. Don't make me keep that promise."

Kael let out a harsh breath, his hands dropping to my waist. He pulled me flush against his chest, his head dropping to my neck. He inhaled deeply, marking my scent, before pressing a fierce kiss to my pulse point.

"Fine," he growled against my skin. "But you stay in the center of the formation. You do not leave Vera's side. And if I tell you to run, you run."

"Deal."

The next two days were a blur of brutal travel. We marched north, toward the rocky canyon that marked the edge of Blackwood territory. Ten thousand wolves. It was an army large enough to stain the rivers red.

By midnight on the second day, we reached the canyon. The moon was hidden behind thick clouds, casting the jagged rocks in pitch black.

"Where are they?" Vera muttered, her bow drawn. "My scouts said they would be here."

The silence was deafening. There was no smell of a rogue army. No campfires. No howls. Just the whispering wind through the canyon.

A cold, sick feeling settled in my stomach.

"Kael," I whispered, the mate bond suddenly screaming in warning. "It's a trap."

"Formation!" Kael roared, drawing his sword.

But it was too late.

From the high ridges of the canyon, glowing red eyes suddenly flickered to life. Hundreds of them. Then thousands. The rogue army wasn't in the canyon waiting for us. They were surrounding us.

Massive boulders crashed down from the cliffs, crushing the front lines of our warriors. The screams of dying wolves filled the night air.

"Shields!" Kael shouted, grabbing my arm and yanking me behind a massive rock as arrows rained down.

My heart was pounding so hard I could barely breathe. We were pinned down.

Suddenly, a mocking laugh echoed from the ridge above us. I looked up.

Jason stood there, flanked by a terrifying, scarred rogue Alpha who was twice the size of a normal wolf.

"You walked right into it, Blackwood!" Jason screamed, his voice crazed. "You thought I wanted a battle? I just needed you out of your fortress! My strike team is already at your gates!"

The blood drained from my face. The packhouse. The elders. The children. They were completely undefended.

Kael’s eyes went wide with pure, unadulterated horror. He looked at me, and I saw the exact moment his heart shattered.

"Elara," he choked out.

"Go!" I screamed, shoving him back toward the horses. "Kael, go! I'll hold the canyon!"

"I am not leaving you!" he roared.

"You have to!" I grabbed his face, forcing him to look at me. "Save your pack. I'll buy you time."

Kael looked at the ten thousand rogues above us, and then back to me. He let out a roar of pure agony that shook the very stones around us. But then, he shifted into his massive black wolf and bolted into the darkness.

I turned back to the ridge. The rogue army was charging down the slopes.

"Vera!" I yelled. "With me!"

I closed my eyes, reached deep into my chest, and unleashed the white wolf.