The Hollow felt different by nightfall.
Tense.
Too many guards.
Too many whispers.
Everywhere I walked, people stared.
Some curious.
Some nervous.
Some looked at me like I was a disaster waiting to happen.
Honestly?
Fair.
I stood near one of the high stone balconies overlooking the city below.
Silver lights glowed across the mountain walls.
Beautiful.
Quiet.
Deceptive.
Kael stepped beside me silently.
"You should rest."
I didn't look at him.
"You say that every time things get worse."
"And yet you never listen."
"Correct."
A brief silence followed.
Comfortable this time.
Strange.
Another pulse hit my chest.
Sharp.
Closer.
I closed my eyes briefly.
Kael noticed immediately.
"They crossed into Hollow territory."
I opened my eyes slowly.
"You can tell?"
"I can tell from your expression."
Rude.
Again.
I leaned against the stone railing.
"This is insane."
"A little."
"A little?"
Kael glanced toward the gates below.
"I'm trying not to alarm you."
I stared at him.
"That's somehow more alarming."
That earned a quiet laugh.
Small.
But real.
Dangerous sound.
Very dangerous sound.
A horn suddenly echoed through the city.
Loud.
Urgent.
Every guard below instantly moved.
My stomach dropped.
"No."
Kael's expression hardened immediately.
"They're here."
Of course they were.
Because peace clearly hated me personally.
More horns sounded.
The city shifted into chaos.
Warriors rushed through the streets.
Silver barriers flickered awake around the walls.
Ancient energy filled the air.
I stepped away from the balcony.
"What exactly happens now?"
Kael looked at me carefully.
"That depends."
"On what?"
A pause.
"Whether they came for you peacefully."
I blinked once.
Then laughed softly.
"Do any of the men in my life do anything peacefully?"
"Fair point."
A second later
The city gates shook violently.
The impact echoed through the mountain.
The crowd below went silent.
Then
A familiar voice thundered through The Hollow.
"Return Diana."
The Alpha.
Even from this distance, the command in his voice hit hard.
Powerful.
Demanding.
Possessive.
I hated that my wolf reacted at all.
Kael stepped slightly in front of me.
Protective again.
Interesting habit.
Another voice followed immediately.
Smoother.
Sharper.
"She doesn't belong to you."
The Beta.
Great.
They came together.
That felt unhealthy.
Then
A third voice cut through the air.
Calm.
Dangerous.
"You're both late."
The enemy.
And somehow
His voice affected the bond the strongest.
I hated that information immediately.
Kael looked toward the gates carefully.
"They shouldn't be working together."
I crossed my arms.
"Well, apparently my terrible luck inspires teamwork."
The gates shook again.
Harder this time.
Silver cracks spread briefly across the barrier.
The ancient stranger appeared beside us instantly.
Expression cold.
"They're forcing entry."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"They're stronger than expected."
I looked between them.
"You both keep saying terrifying things very casually."
Neither responded.
Rude.
Another impact hit the gates.
The entire balcony trembled slightly.
Okay.
That one was concerning.
Voices rose below us.
The Hollow warriors were preparing for battle.
Because of me.
Fantastic.
I rubbed my forehead tiredly.
"I miss being ignored."
Kael glanced at me.
"No, you don't."
"…Fair."
The ancient stranger turned toward me.
"You need to leave."
I frowned instantly.
"Excuse me?"
"If they breach the gates, they will sense your exact location."
Kael nodded once.
"He's right."
I looked at both of them.
"You expect me to run again?"
"Yes."
I stared flatly.
"I'm developing abandonment issues."
That almost made Kael smile again.
Almost.
Another crash exploded through the city.
Then
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Kael's expression changed instantly.
Bad sign.
Very bad sign.
"What happened?" I asked quietly.
No one answered immediately.
Then the ancient stranger spoke.
"The barrier broke."
Cold spread through my chest.
Below us
The massive city gates slowly opened.
And three familiar figures stepped into The Hollow.