Chapter 22

SERA

The tree exploded, I stared at my hands, silver light still popping around my fingers. Three weeks ago, I'd destroyed a tree by accident, lost in panic and fear. Today, I'd done it on purpose, with control.

"Better," Kade said from behind me. "Much better."

I turned to face him, unable to hide my smile. "I actually controlled it, I meant to do that."

"I noticed." His lips twitched in what might have been pride. "Again, this time, just the branches, leave the trunk standing."

I focused on the next tree, feeling the power coil inside me like a living thing. Before, it had felt wild, dangerous, like trying to hold lightning. Now, after weeks of training, I understood it better. It wasn't something to fight or fear, It was part of me.

I released the power in a controlled burst. Silver light shot forward, shearing off branches cleanly while leaving the trunk untouched, perfect.

"Excellent." Kade moved closer, examining my work. "Your control has improved dramatically, a month ago, you couldn't sneeze without accidentally making someone kneel."

"A month ago, I didn't know what I was doing."

"And now?"

I thought about it, "now I'm starting to understand. The power isn't separate from me, It's just... me, an extension of who I am."

Something flickered in Kade's expression. Approval, maybe or something deeper.

"That's exactly right," he said. "Most wolves with power treat it like a tool, something external but Silver Bloods.." He paused. "Your power is your essence, the more you accept that, the stronger you'll become."

We moved through more exercises, controlling the intensity of my power, directing it precisely, pulling it back at will. Everything that had seemed impossible weeks ago was becoming natural.

"Take a break," Kade finally said. "You've earned it."

I collapsed onto the grass, breathing hard but happy. My shoulder gave a dull throb, still healing, but so much better than before.

Elena had explained it yesterday when I'd asked why I wasn't healing as fast as other wolves. As an Omega, my baseline healing had always been weaker than Alphas or Betas and my Silver Blood power was still awakening, still integrating with my wolf. Right now, my body was prioritizing dramatic abilities, the power, the strength, the control. Eventually, as I grew stronger, my healing would improve rapidly too.

It made sense, I could feel the changes happening inside me, not just the power, but everything. I was stronger, faster, more aware. My senses were sharper, even my wolf felt different, more present, more confident.

I was evolving.

"You're smiling," Kade observed.

"I'm happy," I admitted. "For the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm becoming who I'm supposed to be."

He sat down beside me, maintaining a careful distance. We'd been doing that lately, staying close but not too close, aware of the tension between us but not acting on it.

"Who are you supposed to be?" he asked.

I thought about it. "Not the invisible Omega, not the rejected mate, not someone who's afraid of her own shadow." I looked at my hands, still faintly glowing silver. "Someone strong, someone who matters."

"You always mattered," Kade said quietly. You just didn't know it.

We sat in comfortable silence, watching the sun move across the sky. A month ago, this would have been awkward, now, it felt natural.

"Sera!"

I turned to see one of the younger rogues running toward us. His name was Finn, eager and friendly.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Marcus wants to see you, he said it's important."

Kade and I exchanged glances. Important usually meant threats or danger.

We found Marcus in the strategy room, maps spread across the table. Elena was already there, her expression serious.

"What's wrong?" Kade asked.

"Maybe nothing, maybe something." Marcus pointed to the map, "Our scouts report unusual movement near the Silvermoon Pack border, not Council wolves, silvermoon wolves."

My stomach tightened. "How many?"

"Just one, an Alpha, traveling alone toward our territory."

Thorne, It had to be.

"When?" Kade's voice had gone cold.

"He'll reach our borders by tomorrow if he maintains his pace." Marcus looked at me, "he's coming to see you Sera, It has to be."

I didn't know what to feel. Anger? Fear? Part of me wanted to refuse to see him, the other part was curious about what he could possibly have to say.

"He can turn around and go home," Kade said flatly, she doesn't owe him anything.

"I know," I said quietly. Maybe I should hear what he has to say.

Kade's eyes flashed gold. "Why?"

"Because I need to face him eventually, running away doesn't solve anything." I met his gaze, and because I want him to see what I've become.

Elena made a sound that might have been approval.

"You don't have to prove anything to him," Kade said.

"I'm not doing it for him, I'm doing it for me." I stood straight feeling the power beneath my skin. "A month ago, I would have hidden, been scared but I'm not that person anymore."

Kade studied my face for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Your choice but I'll be there, and if he says one wrong thing.."

"I can handle Thorne," I interrupted. Not arrogantly, just stating fact because I could. The man who'd rejected me had no power over me anymore. I'd cried over him, raged over him, broken over him but I'd also rebuilt myself into something stronger.

Marcus cleared his throat, "There's something else. Our contacts reported that Clearwater has been gathering Council forces."

"How big?" Kade asked.

"Army sized big. He's pulling in wolves from multiple territories," Marcus's expression was hard. "Whatever he's planning, it's happening very soon."

The room went quiet, we all knew what that meant. Clearwater was coming for me, the question was when, not if.

"We'll be ready," Kade said finally. "Double the patrols, start running battle drills, I want every wolf in this compound prepared."

"Already done," Marcus said.

I looked at the maps, at the markers showing Council territories and allied packs. Somewhere out there, my grandfather…the man who'd killed his own mate was planning my death.

A month ago, that thought would have terrified me.

Now, it just made me angry.

Let him come, let them all come. I wasn't the powerless Omega they expected.

I was a Silver Blood, the last of my line and I was done being afraid.

"Sera," Elena said gently. "You should rest, big day tomorrow with Thorne arriving."

I nodded and left the strategy room. Outside, the compound was busy with activity. Rogues training, patrol teams organizing, everyone preparing.

I walked to my room and stood at the window, looking out over the territory I'd begin to think of as home.

Everything was about to change again but this time, I was ready, I was strong enough to face it.

I lifted my hand and watched silver light dance across my fingers, controlled, purposeful, mine.

I smiled, let them come.