Chapter 4: The True Heir

“The True Heir to what?” I demanded.

Kael’s hand was still on my face, his thumb burning a trail against my skin. He didn’t pull away, but his eyes darkened, the gold turning almost molten.

“To the Moon Goddess’s bloodline,” he said, his voice dropping to a low rumble. “Your mother, Seraphina, wasn’t just a pack member. She was the last of the original High Priestesses. She fled Silver Creek when you were a baby to hide you from the other packs. She died to keep you a secret.”

My stomach dropped. I remembered my mother. She had been gentle, her hands always smelling of herbs and rain. She had died when I was ten, leaving me with a father who barely looked at me and an Alpha who treated me like dirt.

“You’re lying,” I whispered, though the power still humming beneath my skin told me he wasn’t. “If I was something special, why didn’t my wolf ever show it? Why was I the weakest in the pack?”

“Because your mother bound your powers,” Kael said, pulling his hand away. The loss of his touch left a sudden, cold ache. “She put a block on your wolf to keep you from being found. But the block can only be broken by a massive emotional shock.” He looked at me pointedly. “Like a public rejection by a fated mate.”

I pressed a hand to my chest, my mind spinning. Jason’s cruelty hadn’t just broken my heart. It had shattered my mother’s spell. The very act meant to destroy me had set me free.

“My mother bound my wolf to protect me,” I said slowly, the truth settling into my bones. “And you knew. You’ve known for ten years. Why didn’t you come for me?”

“Because crossing into Silver Creek territory without proof would have started a war,” Kael said, his jaw tightening. “And because I needed you to choose to leave. I needed you to cross the river on your own. The bond only works if you accept me.”

Before I could argue, a heavy knock vibrated through the door.

“Alpha!” Vera’s voice was sharp, but this time it carried a note of panic. “We have a situation at the border.”

Kael’s expression went utterly cold. “What kind of situation?”

“Silver Creek,” she called out. “Alpha Jason is at the river with a dozen warriors. He’s demanding we hand over the traitor, or he’s declaring war.”

My blood ran cold. He came after me. But it wasn’t to apologize. It was because Jason couldn't stand the idea of his rejected mate being taken by his rival. It was a matter of pride.

“Stay here,” Kael ordered me, turning toward the door.

“No.”

Kael stopped and looked back at me, his eyes narrowing.

“I’m not hiding in this room,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. I stepped forward, the oversized black shirt hanging off my shoulders. “He humiliated me in front of everyone. He owes me a public rejection. I want to see his face when he realizes what he threw away.”

A slow, wicked smile spread across Kael’s lips. It was a terrifying, beautiful expression.

“That’s my Luna,” he murmured.

He walked back to me and stripped off his leather jacket, draping it over my shoulders. The heavy fabric swallowed me, acting like a shield. Then he offered me his hand.

I looked at his outstretched palm. The mate bond pulsed between us, warm and insistent. I placed my hand in his.

“Don’t let go,” he said.

We walked out of the packhouse together, the Blackwood wolves parting for us like a sea. I could feel their eyes on me—the Silver Creek trash, wearing the Alpha’s jacket, holding his hand. But the fear from before was gone. All I felt was the thrum of my awakened wolf, pacing with anticipation.

When we reached the river, the moon was high. On the opposite bank stood Jason and his warriors. Jason’s eyes found mine instantly, and his face twisted in absolute rage when he saw me standing beside Kael.

“Elara!” Jason roared, his voice carrying across the water. “You belong to Silver Creek! I demand you return immediately, or I will slaughter every wolf in this pack!”

Kael squeezed my hand, his voice a low, dangerous whisper in my ear.

“Go ahead, little heir. Show him what he lost.”