Se connecterThe settlement had changed overnight. Twenty unfamiliar wolves now occupied the eastern section, their families settling into empty shelters while Kael's wolves watched them cautiously. Rovan stood near the central fire with Kael. "You understand this isn't surrender," the Alpha of Ash Ridge said. Kael nodded. "I didn't ask for surrender." "You expect us to fight beside you if the Shadow King comes?" "If that's what you choose." Rovan studied him. "You really mean that." Kael looked toward the wolves around them. "Choice is the reason you're here." Rovan gave a slow nod. "Then perhaps we can work with that." He walked away. Kael remained where he was. But his attention had shifted. Lyra noticed. "You're thinking about your father." Kael looked at her. "Yes." She stepped closer. "Then let's find the truth." --- Kael's father's old belongings had been kept in a locked room beneath the main house. The room hadn't been opened in years. Dust covered everything.
The next morning, Kael stood at the settlement's eastern gate. Three wolves were missing. Again. This time, there were no signs of a struggle. They had taken food, supplies, and their winter clothes. They had chosen to leave. Rowan approached. "They went south." Kael's eyes narrowed. "The same direction the Shadow King offered us." Finn nodded. "He wants your refusal to look like a mistake." Kael stared at the empty trail. "Then we won't give him that." --- By midday, Kael gathered the settlement. He told them everything. The Shadow King's offer. The promise of protection. And his refusal. Fear spread through the crowd. One wolf finally shouted: "Then why should we stay?" Kael looked at him. "You don't have to." The courtyard fell silent. Lyra glanced at him. Kael continued. "I'm not going to force anyone to stay because I'm Alpha." His voice hardened. "But if you stay, I'll fight beside you." A few wolves exchanged uncertain looks. Kael stepped down f
The name Aurelia stayed with Kael long after the others left. He stood inside the small chamber, staring at the piece of cloth in his hand. Lyra remained beside him. She had gone quiet the moment she saw her mother's name. "Do you think she knew them?" she asked. Kael looked at her. "I don't know." "You're worried." "Yes." Lyra reached for his hand. "Then we'll find out." Kael's fingers tightened around hers. Together. The word settled something inside him. Before either could say more, a sharp whistle came from outside. Rowan entered. "Kael." His expression was serious. "There's someone at the eastern boundary." "One of ours?" Rowan shook his head. "No." --- They reached the boundary within minutes. A single figure stood beyond the trees. No weapons. No guards. Just a black cloak and a sealed letter. Kael stepped forward. "Who sent you?" The stranger placed the letter on a fallen tree. "The Shadow King." Lyra's express
"Rowan." The name seemed to drain the warmth from the room. Kael stared at Aria. "You're certain?" Aria nodded. "I felt the same influence in the patrol wolves. But Rowan's is different." Finn immediately looked toward the doorway. "Where is he?" Kael's expression hardened. "With the eastern patrol." He turned toward the exit. "Find him." --- They found Rowan near the outer watchtower. He was alone. His back was turned toward the settlement. Kael approached first. "Rowan." The Beta turned. For a moment, nothing seemed wrong. Then Aria stepped forward. Her eyes narrowed. "The mark is there." Rowan's expression changed. He looked at his wrist. A thin black line had appeared beneath his skin. "I didn't know." Kael stopped. "You didn't know what?" Rowan looked at him. "I've been hearing a voice." Finn's claws emerged. "What voice?" Rowan shook his head. "I thought it was my own thoughts." Aria stepped closer. "How l
"We were invited." The words settled over the clearing. Kael's eyes narrowed. "By whom?" The patrol leader looked toward the trees again. "I don't know." Finn stepped forward. "You expect us to believe that?" "I don't expect anything." The wolf pulled back his sleeve. A faint dark mark circled his wrist. "I only know that when the voice spoke to us, leaving felt like our own idea." Aria moved closer. "Don't touch him." Finn stopped. Aria studied the mark. "It's different from the bond we saw before." Eren nodded. "Because it's incomplete." Kael looked at him. "Meaning?" "The person who created it didn't want control." Eren's gaze hardened. "They wanted influence." Lyra frowned. "Why?" "To make the victim choose something they wouldn't normally choose." Kael looked toward the forest. "So someone convinced six wolves to abandon their Alpha." "Yes." "Why?" Eren's answer was quiet. "To test whether it worked." --- They
Morning came quietly to the mountain settlement. Too quietly. Kael stood near the eastern gate, staring at the empty trail disappearing into the forest. Six wolves had left before sunrise. None had returned. Rowan approached from behind. "Still nothing." Kael's jaw tightened. "How long?" "Nearly eight hours." Finn joined them, Eren following close behind. "Six wolves don't simply vanish." Kael looked toward the trees. "Not without a reason." A movement caught his attention. A wolf stumbled from the forest. Blood covered his shoulder. "Help me." Kael rushed forward and caught him before he collapsed. "Where are the others?" The wolf struggled to breathe. "Dead?" Finn asked. The wolf shook his head. "No." He looked toward the settlement. "They left." Kael's expression hardened. "Why?" The wolf hesitated. "They said they were done running." "Running from what?" "From you." Silence. Kael released him slowly. "Explain."







