The ground trembled beneath Lira's feet.
At first it was subtle—like the faint vibration of distant thunder. But within seconds the shaking grew stronger, rattling the windows of nearby buildings and sending loose stones skittering across the pavement.
Lira's heart hammered wildly in her chest.
"What's happening?" she whispered.
The witch at the end of the street only smiled wider, her glowing eyes fixed on Lira like a scientist observing a rare experiment.
"Your power is waking up," she said softly.
Kael's entire body went tense.
"Stop it," he growled.
The witch tilted her head innocently. "Stop what? I haven't done anything."
But her expression said otherwise.
Energy pulsed through the air—thick, heavy, suffocating.
Lira suddenly gasped.
A violent wave of heat exploded inside her chest.
It felt like fire spreading through her veins.
Her knees buckled.
Kael caught her instantly before she hit the ground.
"Lira!" he said sharply.
Her body trembled in his arms.
"It hurts," she whispered, gripping his shirt tightly. "Something's… wrong."
Kael looked down at her glowing wrist.
The mating mark was shining brighter now.
Too bright.
His jaw clenched.
"She's forcing your wolf to awaken early," he said darkly.
"My wolf?" Lira repeated weakly.
The witch chuckled.
"Oh please," she said. "Don't pretend she's just a wolf."
Kael's silver eyes flashed dangerously.
"Leave."
The witch didn't move.
Instead, she raised one glowing hand slightly.
The pressure in the air increased instantly.
Lira screamed.
The pain inside her body suddenly doubled.
Bones shifted painfully beneath her skin.
Her heartbeat became erratic.
Fast.
Wild.
Animalistic.
"What's happening to me?!" she cried.
Kael's voice softened slightly.
"Your wolf is trying to emerge."
"I don't have a wolf!"
Another sharp crack echoed from her body.
Lira cried out again.
Her vision blurred.
Suddenly—
She could smell everything.
The cold pavement.
The metallic scent of blood from the dead vampire.
The rain clouds gathering miles away.
And Kael.
His scent surrounded her—dark, wild, powerful.
It made her heart race even faster.
"Focus on me," Kael said quietly.
His hand gently held her face, forcing her to look at him.
Their eyes met.
His silver gaze was steady.
Commanding.
"You're stronger than this," he said.
"Fight it."
But the power inside her only grew stronger.
A violent energy surged through her veins like a storm breaking loose.
Her eyes flashed bright silver.
The witch laughed softly.
"There it is."
Kael's head snapped toward her.
"What do you want?"
The witch's smile was calm.
"I just wanted to confirm something."
Her gaze returned to Lira.
"And now I have."
She lowered her hand.
Instantly the pressure vanished.
Lira collapsed forward, gasping for breath.
Kael held her tightly.
"You're insane," he growled at the witch.
"Perhaps," she said.
Then she took a step backward.
"But the supernatural world will soon learn the truth."
Her eyes glowed with excitement.
"The Blood Moon heir has awakened."
Kael's voice dropped dangerously.
"If you tell anyone—"
"Oh, Alpha King," she interrupted.
"They already know."
Kael froze.
Lira slowly lifted her head.
"What does that mean?"
But before anyone could answer—
A terrifying howl echoed through the night.
Not one.
Dozens.
Then hundreds.
Kael's expression darkened immediately.
His senses were clearly listening to something far away.
"They're coming," he said.
Lira frowned weakly.
"Who?"
"Everyone."
The witch laughed again.
"Vampires… witches… rogue wolves…"
She spread her arms dramatically.
"All hunting the same prize."
Her gaze locked onto Lira.
"You."
Fear crawled up Lira's spine.
"Why me?"
The witch's smile turned almost sympathetic.
"Because you are the only being born under a Blood Moon in three hundred years."
Kael's grip on Lira tightened.
"Enough," he said coldly.
The witch shrugged.
"You can't hide her forever, Alpha King."
Her body slowly began dissolving into dark smoke.
"But I will enjoy watching what happens next."
Within seconds, she vanished.
Silence returned to the street.
Lira looked up at Kael with wide eyes.
"Three hundred years?" she whispered.
Kael didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he scanned the dark street carefully.
His body was tense like a soldier preparing for battle.
Finally he looked down at her again.
"You're not safe here anymore."
"What?"
"You're coming with me."
Lira blinked.
"I'm not going anywhere with—"
Suddenly Kael lifted her effortlessly into his arms.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"Put me down!"
"No."
"Are you serious?!"
"Yes."
Lira struggled slightly, but she was too exhausted to fight properly.
"Where are you taking me?" she demanded.
Kael's silver eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
"To my territory."
"Why?"
His voice was calm.
Because every predator in the supernatural world is about to start hunting you."
Lira's heart dropped.
"And the only place you might survive…"
His gaze hardened.
"…is under the protection of the Alpha King."
In the distance, more howls echoed through the night.
Closer this time.
Much closer.
And for the first time, Lira realized something terrifying.
Her life as a normal human was already over.