Sera's POV
My roar shakes the forest to its foundations.
In my Moon Blessed form, I'm not just powerful I'm power itself. Silver fur glowing like captured moonlight. Eyes burning with ancient fire. Twice the size of any normal wolf here, radiating energy that makes the air shimmer.
The enforcers stumble back, fear finally cracking their trained composure. Even Elena looks shocked, which gives me savage satisfaction.
I lunge. My instincts take over completely instincts I didn't know I had. Claws rake across an enforcer's chest, sending him flying into a tree with bone crushing force. He doesn't get back up.
Kael fights beside me, our movements perfectly synced like we've fought together for years. The bond pulses between us I feel his rage, his need to protect me, his pride in my strength. And somehow, I know exactly where he'll move next.
Use the binding spell! Elena shouts, her composure cracking. The full ritual! Now!
Three enforcers form a circle, beginning to chant. Dark magic presses down on the clearing, heavy and suffocating. It targets Kael specifically I feel it trying to drain him through our bond.
Rage explodes inside me at the thought of them hurting him. Silver light bursts from my body in a wave, raw and unstoppable. The spell shatters like glass. The enforcers fly backward, their chanting cut off by screams.
Retreat! Elena orders, her voice sharp with something that might be fear. We need reinforcements! More binding chains!
They scatter into the forest like roaches when the lights come on. I want to chase them, to hunt them down, to make them pay but Kael nudges me firmly with his massive head.
Let them go. We need to get back to Shadowfang. Now.
His voice in my head through the bond. It feels right. Natural. Like we were always meant to communicate this way.
Jason limps over, bleeding from multiple wounds but alive. He shifts back, gasping. You were magnificent. Terrifying, but magnificent.
I shift back too, suddenly exhausted. Kael shifts as well, immediately steadying me when I sway.
You were telling the truth, I say to Jason. About everything. I'm sorry I doubted you.
I was trying to protect you the only way I could, Jason says, pain in his eyes. I'm sorry it took so long. Sorry you had to suffer. Let me help you fight them now. Please.
We need to move, Kael says urgently. Elena will bring reinforcements. Shadow Council and possibly Silverpine wolves. We're exposed here.
We run back to Shadowfang territory as fast as we can. Raven and Ash wait at the border with a dozen warriors, weapons ready.
Raven sees Jason and tenses immediately, her hand going to her blade. What is he doing here?
He's with us, I say firmly, leaving no room for argument. He saved our lives.
Kael nods, and that's all the confirmation Raven needs. She accepts it, though she keeps watching Jason warily.
Elena? Ash asks, reading our expressions.
Shadow Council traitor, Kael says flatly. She's been playing us from the start.
The pack erupts in angry murmurs. Elena was trusted. Respected. The betrayal cuts deep.
How long do we have? Raven asks, always tactical.
Hours at most, I say. She knows where we are. Knows our defenses. She'll come with everything they have.
As the pack moves to fortify defenses, Kael pulls me aside. His hand is gentle on my arm despite the tension radiating from him.
You need to rest. You used a massive amount of power back there
I'm fine, I interrupt, but even I can hear the exhaustion in my voice.
You're shaking. His hand steadies me. Come. My room. You'll be safe there while we prepare.
I don't have the energy to argue. I'm too exhausted, too overwhelmed by everything that just happened.
In Kael's room, I collapse on the bed. He brings me water, food, sits beside me while I force myself to eat. The bond hums between us, comforting in its constancy.
You were incredible tonight, he says quietly. I've never seen anything like your true form. The power you have
I didn't know I could do that, I admit. It just... happened. Like my wolf knew what to do even if I didn't.
Rage triggered it. Desperation. Kael's voice drops, becoming softer. Love.
I look at him sharply. What?
You shifted to save me, he says, his silver eyes intense. When they targeted me with the binding spell. Your power responded to protect me.
The bond made me, I say quickly. Too quickly. Defensively.
Is that what you tell yourself? Kael touches my face gently, turning me to look at him. That everything you feel is just the bond? That none of it is real?
My heart races, thundering in my chest. I don't know what I feel. Everything's happening so fast. Two days ago I was getting married to Dominic. Now I'm... I gesture helplessly. This. Whatever this is.
Now you're powerful, Kael says firmly. Free. Yours. And mine, if you'll have me.
I'm not
You are. His thumb brushes my cheek with devastating gentleness. And I'm yours. That's what the chosen bond means, Sera. We belong to each other. By choice. By will. By something stronger than fate.
Elena said the bond was a trap. To control us.
Elena lied about everything else. Why believe her about this? Kael's eyes search mine, vulnerable in a way Alphas rarely are. What do you feel when I'm near? Tell me the truth.
Safe, I whisper. Strong. Less alone. Like I can face anything as long as you're beside me.
That's not the bond. That's you. Choosing me. Like I choose you. Every moment. Every breath.
He leans closer. His lips nearly touch mine. My breath catches, anticipation and fear mixing together.
A knock at the door breaks the moment. Raven's voice, urgent: Alpha, you need to see this. Now.
Kael pulls back, frustration and concern warring on his face. What is it?
A message. From Dominic. Delivered by official Council courier. You need to read it immediately.
We go to the main hall. A wolf in official Council colors waits, holding a sealed letter with multiple wax seals. Kael breaks them open and reads. His face darkens with each line, jaw clenching tighter.
What does it say? I ask, dread pooling in my stomach.
Kael's jaw clenches so hard I hear his teeth grind. The Council meeting has been moved up. It's not tomorrow anymore.
When is it?
Dawn. In six hours. He looks at me, and I see rage burning in his eyes. And there's more. Dominic's not just accusing me of kidnapping. He's formally challenging me for you.
My heart stops. Challenging you how?
Kael's eyes burn with barely controlled fury. Trial by combat. Single combat between Alphas. To the death. Winner claims you as their mate.
The room spins. But the bond we're already
Chosen bonds can be broken by force, Raven says grimly. If Dominic kills Kael, the bond shatters. And under pack law, you become Dominic's property. His to do with as he pleases.
No. I look at Kael, panic rising. You can't fight him. It's a trap. The Council wants you dead. They'll rig it somehow
I have no choice, Kael says flatly. If I refuse, they rule against me by default. You go back to Silverpine. Back to Dominic. Back to being weak and controlled.
Then I fight with you
It's single combat. One on one. Alpha against Alpha. Kael touches my face, and I see acceptance in his eyes. Determination. I won't lose you. Not to him. Not to anyone.
The courier clears his throat nervously. There's... one more thing, Alpha. The letter says if either fighter dies, their pack forfeits all territory to the winner. All resources. All wolves become property of the victor.
They're betting everything, Ash breathes, horror in his voice. Shadow fang's entire survival on one fight.
Kael looks at his pack. His family. Everything he built over years of struggle and sacrifice. Then at me.
And I see him make the choice.
I accept, he says, his voice ringing with finality.
The die is cast. In six hours, everything ends.
One way or another.