Aurora’s POVThe truce with Brom ended with a snarl that still shook the air between our packs. His threat lingered, strength proved in blood.The twins moved ahead of me, like wolves guarding a border.Kael’s silence was a growl you could feel more than hear. Rael’s every step twitched, ready to strike. Their anger pressed against my skin, sharp as lightning, heavy as storm air.The pack felt it, it was weakness. Left unchecked, it would eat us alive.Their fury was the cure.I stepped closer, my voice low beneath the storm of their anger.“The pack smells your anger,” I said. “They think it is fear. They think the Alphas are wounded and circling.”Rael’s head snapped toward me, a flash of gold in his eyes. A near-silent rumble built in his chest. Kael’s gaze was a physical weight, cold and assessing.Rael’s head snapped to me, gold flashing in his eyes. A low rumble stirred in his chest. Kael’s gaze pressed cold against me, measuring.I didn’t look away. “Let them smell your sweat,
My hands gripped the map. Seraphine's advice echoed in my mind: "Find your brother an enemy he can see."But there was no enemy to find, no name, no face. Just poison, fear, and a ghost who had slipped through our halls unseen.Rael leaned against the wall, his jaw tight, his body still shaking from the curse’s aftermath. My own chest ached seeing him like that, feeling his anger and pain burning through our bond.“We can’t hunt ghosts,” I said finally, voice low. “If we let ourselves chase this, we’ll lose control entirely.”Mother stepped forward, the weight of her presence pressing down.“Control is precisely why you must meet Brom directly,” she said, voice steady, firm. “Diplomacy first. Strength behind your words. Punishment can come later once we survive the storm.”Rael spat blood lightly, shaking his head. “Diplomacy,” he rasped. “They poison us, and you want to smile and bow?”I ignored the jolt of pain in my chest, the bond flaring at his fury.“We don’t bow. We negotiate
Kael's POVAurora quickly moved to support me, slipping under my arm to hold me up. I wanted to shrug her off and act like I was fine, but my legs were shaking so much I nearly pulled us both down."Stop fighting it," she said, her voice tight with concern. "You're only making it harder."I clenched my teeth, holding back a cry as pain burned through my chest.Everything became a blur as we moved through the halls. She kept a firm grip around me, her other hand pressed against my side as if she could keep me from falling apart.By the time we reached my chamber, I was drenched in sweat. She kicked the door shut behind us and half-pulled me toward the bed. Aurora knelt in front of me, eyes fierce. “What is happening to you, Kael? Don’t tell me it’s nothing I saw your brother, I saw the blood. You both looked like you were being ripped apart.”I forced a weak laugh, though it sounded more like a choke. “We’ve had worse.”“Don’t you dare joke.” Her hands caught my face, cool against my
I couldn't stop pacing. The room felt small, the quiet between us felt heavy and solid.“Words,” I spat, turning sharp on my heel. “She thinks words will stop Brom? He asked for blood, Kael. Blood.”Kael stood still, his jaw clenched, hands curled at his sides. He was too calm."We're not giving him anyone," he said firmly. "Not this way.”A hot anger burned in my chest.“And when he brings war to our gates? When servants lie dead because you wanted to play saint?”The words came out like a growl then suddenly, my body seized up. A sharp, white pain shot through me. I couldn't breathe. My legs gave out and I crashed to the floor. I coughed violently, and blood splattered onto the stone.Not again.The connection between us tightened, pulling me deeper into the pain. My chest felt crushed, the world shrinking to nothing but agony.Blood ran from my nose, warm and metallic on my lips. My head buzzed, my sight blurred. The torchlight seemed to flare violently, making shadows dance wildly
I shoved the door open. The air in the room was thick and heavy. Kael was bent over the map, gripping the table's edge so hard his knuckles were white.Brynjar stood by the fireplace, still as a stone, arms crossed. His jaw was tight. Silas, Kael's usually calm Beta, was gone, probably already working on some plan I didn't know about yet.They both looked up as I walked in. The pressure in their stares felt like a punch.Well?” Kael’s voice was stripped of all its usual mockery. It was flat, hard. “Did you find your answers at the bottom of a bottle?”I ignored the dig and went to the table. The map showed our northern border, the villages Stonepeak had threatened to burn. Every mark was a town that could be destroyed."The bottle didn't have answers," I said, meeting his hard look. "Just more questions. We're thinking about this the wrong way.”“Enlighten us,” Kael shot back, straightening up. “Because from here, it looks like we have two and a half days before a good portion of our
Maris hummed doubtfully but stayed quiet. she watched me closely, as if waiting for me to mess up and say something wrong.I cleared my throat.“We shouldn’t linger in the halls. The guards are still watching us, even if we can’t see them. Talking like this..” I let the warning hang, deliberate.Tessa paled and nodded quickly. “You’re right.”, “Fine. But don’t expect me to stop asking questions.” Maris said I forced another smile, “Ask all you like. Just don’t do it where someone can hear you. Rumors are dangerous currency in this palace.”That shut them both up, though Maris’s eyes narrowed again, thoughtful.“I just need air,” I added, softening my tone. “It’s been… too much. I’ll be fine.”“Should we come with you?” Tessa asked immediately.I shook her head. “No. Stay. If anyone asks, tell them I went to lie down. I just… need a moment to breathe.”Maris frowned but didn’t push. “Don’t stay out too long. Eyes are everywhere right now.”I nodded, “I won't" ***The night air was c