Mag-log in[KAEL]The bond hit like lightning beneath my skin.Every nerve ending flared hot and insistent, connecting directly to her—to Rhiannon standing in my arms with her pulse hammering against my chest and her fear mixing with hope in a way that made my wolf surge forward with territorial certainty.'Claim her,' Saen demanded. 'Now. She's ours. She wants this. Stop waiting.'I could feel everything. Not just physically—though her warmth pressed against me was its own kind of torture—but deeper. Emotional. The bond had opened something between us that went beyond touch, beyond words.Her fear tasted like ash on my tongue. Old wounds. Old rejections. The ghost of a golden-haired bastard who'd broken something in her that she was still trying to repair.Beneath that fear lived hope. Fragile. Desperate. Wanting to believe that this time—this bond, this mate—would be different.'She's terrified,' I told Saen.'She's ready,' he countered. 'I can feel her wolf. She wants us. Stop overthinking.'
[RHIANNON]I moved toward the oven without thinking—habit and confidence carrying me forward.Arie had already grabbed the oven mitts, but I waved her off. "I've got it."The oven door swung open. Heat rushed out, wrapping around me like summer air. I reached inside for the first pan, movements automatic, mind still half-focused on conversation.Pain exploded across my forearm.White-hot. Searing.I jerked back with a sharp inhale, nearly dropping the pan. Managed to set it on the counter before my hands started shaking.The burn ran from wrist to elbow where my skin had brushed the oven's edge. Already turning angry red."Rhiannon!" Arie grabbed my shoulders. "Are you okay?""Fine. Just—" I breathed through the sting. "Wasn't paying attention."The kitchen door slammed open.Kael stood in the doorway, chest heaving like he'd run the entire length of the manor. His eyes locked on me immediately—storm-grey, sharp with something between panic and fury."Were you just standing outside?"
[RHIANNON]I'd been moving since dawn.Not running. Not hiding. Just... moving.The healing wing needed fresh bandages. Mira's herb stores needed restocking. Isolde was coordinating supply deliveries to families who'd lost warriors, and extra hands made everything easier.Staying busy felt safer than sitting still with thoughts that kept circling back to one place.One person.Kael had been asleep when I'd slipped from his quarters this morning. Storm-grey eyes finally closed, face peaceful in a way it rarely was during waking hours. I'd watched him for too long—memorizing the way silver undertones caught early light and how his breathing deepened when true rest finally claimed him.Then I'd left before he could wake and see too much in my expression.'Coward,' Nyx observed from somewhere behind my ribs.'Cautious.''Same thing when you're running from what you want.'I ignored her and focused on folding clean linens in the supply room. The repetitive task grounded me—fabric beneath m
[EMRYS]The bodies were already cooling when I knelt beside the first one.Dawn was still hours away. The clearing where we'd dragged the rogue corpses smelled like copper and pine resin—blood mixing with sap from broken branches. Most of the warriors had already returned to the packhouse to clean their wounds and check on their family.I'd volunteered to stay behind. Someone needed to catalog what we'd found, and I'd always been better with details than comfort.My gloves were stained dark as I turned the rogue's left arm, examining the crude tattoos and scars that marked most outcasts. Nothing unusual at first glance. Years of violence and survival etched into skin that would never heal properly without pack bonds.Then I saw it.Small. Deliberate. Hidden just beneath the shoulder blade where armor or clothing would normally cover it.A brand. Not a tattoo.The design was simple—three crossed lines—similar to the one we found a few months back.My breath caught.I'd seen this before
[KAEL]I found her in the healing wing.Rhiannon moved between cots with quiet efficiency; her blue dress traded for practical healer's robes. She checked bandages, adjusted pillows, and offered water and comfort in equal measure.Jace lay on the nearest cot, his chest heavily wrapped. Rhiannon sat beside him; one hand pressed gently over the worst of the wounds.Her eyes were closed. Concentration creased her forehead.I watched as she whispered words of healing and peace, her touch soothing and reassuring, though still developing but undeniably powerful. Jace's breathing eased. Color returned to his face.One thing was certain—Rhiannon's skills as a healer were matched only by her compassion and dedication to those in need.When Rhiannon finally pulled back, she looked exhausted.Then she scented me.Her head snapped around. Those hazel eyes found mine across the room—and everything else disappeared.I didn't remember crossing the distance. Didn't remember deciding to move.One mome
[KAEL]The war room was crowded when we finally made it back.Marcus had returned with his team—three injured, none dead. Emrys came in moments later with similar numbers.I lowered myself into a chair before my legs could give out. Someone pressed a cup of water into my hands. I drank without tasting it."Report." My voice sounded hollowed out.Marcus went first. "Six rogues on the northern border. Coordinated attack pattern. We drove them back, but they retreated in formation, not panic.""East was similar," Emrys added. "Eight total. They withdrew when we engaged, like they'd achieved their objective just by making us respond."I stared at the map. At the three marked positions that suddenly looked less like random attacks and more like calculated probes."They were testing us." The words came out flat. "Measuring response times. Assessing our strength.""To what end?" Marcus asked."I don't know yet." I leaned forward, pressing my elbows on my knees. "But someone sent them. Someon







