Chapter 18: Shadows Over the Border

"If Kade thinks a few desperate warriors can break through our northern defenses, he's about to find out what a real Alpha does to trespassers."

The war horns sounded across Obsidian Fang, breaking the silence of the freezing night. Guards rushed toward the northern walls while warriors grabbed their weapons and hurried into formation. Silas stood in the armoury, strapping his heavy iron broadsword across his chest as a messenger delivered the latest report.

"Alpha, Red Moon scouts have crossed the northern marker. They're moving through the trees and approaching the ravine."

Silas tightened the leather strap around his sword. "How many?"

"At least twenty, possibly more following behind them. Their leader appears to be Alpha Kade."

A dangerous expression crossed Silas's face. "So the fool has finally decided to stop sending letters and start a war."

Outside, the snow-covered courtyard had become a scene of hurried activity. Warriors mounted their patrol wolves, archers took positions along the walls, and the elite Obsidian Guard gathered beneath their commander's orders. Nobody needed to ask why the war horns had sounded.

Elara arrived at the northern ramparts with her cloak pulled tightly around her shoulders. The wind whipped through her hair, but she barely noticed the cold. From the high ice-covered walls, she could see the distant forest and the narrow snowy ravine separating the two territories.

Milo stood beside her, his newly awakened silver wolf fully manifested. Silver energy crackled around his body, and his eyes followed every movement below. He looked different from the frightened kitchen boy who had once struggled to carry a tray.

"Are you ready?" Elara asked, glancing at him.

Milo nodded firmly. "They won't get past me, Luna. Not after everything they did."

"Good. But remember, protecting the pack doesn't mean rushing into danger without thinking."

"I know. I just want to prove that I belong here."

Elara placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You already belong here, Milo. You don't have to earn your place by getting yourself killed."

He managed a small smile. "I'll try to remember that."

A sudden howl came from the forest, followed by the unmistakable sound of approaching boots crushing fresh snow. Elara stepped closer to the edge of the ramparts, her white royal aura beginning to shimmer around her. The light cut through the blizzard like a beacon, illuminating the frozen walls.

Below, Red Moon warriors emerged between the trees. Their dark uniforms blended into the night, but their weapons reflected the pale moonlight. At their head stood Kade Stone, his face drawn and his eyes wild.

He looked up at the fortress and immediately spotted Elara.

"ELARA!" His voice carried across the snowy ravine. "Come down here! I know you're hiding behind Silas!"

Elara didn't move.

Kade stepped farther into the open, ignoring the warnings of the warriors surrounding him. "You can't keep avoiding me forever! We need to talk!"

Milo's silver wolf growled. "Does he really think he can come here and give orders?"

"He has mistaken desperation for authority," Elara replied.

Kade raised his voice again. "Elara, show yourself properly! I didn't come all this way to speak to your guards. I came for you!"

Silas appeared on the ramparts, his broadsword resting against his shoulder. His grey eyes settled on Kade, but he showed no interest in entertaining the man's demands.

"He's standing on our territory without permission," one of the guards reported. "Shall we give him a warning?"

Silas glanced toward the ravine. "No warning is necessary."

He lifted one hand and flicked his wrist.

Within seconds, the elite Obsidian Guard emerged from hidden positions among the trees. Warriors surrounded the Red Moon group from both sides, while archers appeared along the ridge above them. The northern patrol blocked the narrow path behind Kade, leaving the intruders trapped between the ravine and the fortress.

Red Moon warriors began looking around nervously.

"Alpha, we've been surrounded!" one of them shouted.

Kade spun around, his expression twisting with anger. "Hold your positions! Don't let them intimidate you!"

Silas finally descended the ramparts, walking toward the northern gate with several guards following behind him. The gate opened just enough to allow him through before closing again. His presence alone made the Obsidian warriors straighten their backs.

"Kade Stone," he called. "You have crossed my border with armed warriors. Explain yourself before I decide what to do with you."

Kade glared at him. "I'm here for my mate."

Silas's expression remained cold. "Your mate?"

"Elara belongs with me. Whatever happened between us doesn't change that."

A low growl escaped Silas's throat. "You rejected her in front of an entire pack. You humiliated her, allowed your people to mistreat her, and now you think you can march into my territory and claim her again?"

Kade clenched his fists. "I made a mistake."

"That is not my problem."

"Then let me speak to her!"

Silas didn't turn toward the ramparts. "You have already disturbed my pack, threatened my border, and brought armed warriors into territory that doesn't belong to you. You will not make demands here."

Kade tried to take another step, but a sudden pain seized his chest. He stumbled, clutching his shirt as blood spilled from his mouth. His knees nearly gave way, and the freezing air seemed to make the rejection backlash worse.

One of his warriors rushed forward. "Alpha!"

Kade pushed him away, struggling to remain upright. "I'm fine!"

But he wasn't. His broken bond backlash flared violently, and his wolf howled in agony somewhere deep inside him. The pain had become unbearable, especially whenever he stood near the border of the pack where Elara now belonged.

He looked up toward the ramparts again.

"Elara! Please!"

Elara stood motionless above him. Her white royal aura glowed around her shoulders, but there was no softness in her expression. She remembered the rejection ceremony, the humiliation, and the future she had narrowly escaped.

Kade had once watched her suffer without offering a hand. Now he stood in the snow, coughing blood and begging for the attention he had thrown away.

"Just give me one moment," he pleaded. "I know I hurt you, but I can make things right. I'll give you half my territory. I'll do anything you want."

Milo looked at Elara, waiting for her response. "Luna, do you want me to bring him closer?"

"No."

Her answer was quiet, but it carried across the ramparts.

Kade's face lifted hopefully. "Elara..."

She looked down at him with cold detachment. "You came here with weapons, Kade. Don't pretend this was a request for forgiveness."

His mouth opened, but no words came out.

"I gave you a chance to respect me when I was still in your pack. You chose to reject me, and now you expect me to abandon everything I've built because your life has become difficult."

Kade shook his head desperately. "I didn't know what you would become!"

"Exactly. You only value what you think you can no longer have."

Silas watched her quietly, pride filling his eyes. He knew Elara had every reason to hate the man standing below them, but he was pleased she no longer allowed Kade's presence to shake her.

Kade tried to move closer to the fortress, but two Obsidian guards immediately blocked his path. His warriors shifted uneasily, realizing their Alpha had brought them into a battle they could not win.

"Please, Elara!" Kade shouted again. "Don't leave me like this!"

She turned away.

Milo stepped forward, his silver aura flickering around his shoulders. "You heard the Luna. It's time for you to leave."

Kade stared at the young boy, recognition slowly dawning as he noticed the silver markings. Before he could question him, Silas raised his hand, and the guards tightened their formation.

Elara descended from the ramparts and stopped beside Silas. She didn't spare Kade another glance as she delivered her command.

"Drag him back to the other side of the marker, and if any Red Moon wolf crosses this line again, feed them to the mountain hounds.”