The Mark of Septarch

Chapter 9

Nergal's Pov

I lay on my bed, my mind racing. Her sweet scent still lingered in the air, intoxicating and familiar. Ever since I found her, my wolf had been unreasonably calm—except when I was far away from her.

Tonight, every part of me ached to watch her as she slept, just like every other night. Without a second thought, I left my room and made my way to hers.

There she was, lying peacefully, undisturbed.

I carefully adjusted the blanket, which was already slipping from her body due to her restless movements. She was a messy sleeper. A small frown creased her face as she murmured something in her sleep, turning onto her side. I wondered what she could be dreaming about to make her frown like that.

My gaze drifted down until it settled on her lips—small, heart-shaped, and rosy. My wolf stirred, restless. Every part of me craved her.

I leaned forward, drawn to her, our lips just inches apart—

The door burst open.

"Apologies for the intrusion, Alpha," George said, stepping inside.

I exhaled sharply, irritation flashing through me. "Is there anything better you can do besides barging in every time?"

"I didn’t mean to—"

"Speak! What is it?"

George hesitated before answering. "There are strange movements outside. I think they’ve found us or followed us here. The scent is different—oddly different. I’ve assembled our best men. They await your command before the enemy gets too close."

I was tense. "How do they keep finding us?" I strode toward the balcony, scanning the darkness.

George’s gaze flickered toward Azirah, who remained asleep. "Alpha, if I may—"

"I know what you’re thinking, George. It isn’t her. I know it."

George’s expression remained uncertain. He hesitated before pressing further. "That band she wears—it might not be the only thing linking them to her."

I turned to Azirah, then back to George. "We’ll deal with that later. Right now, we need to keep them away from this vicinity."

"Understood." George bowed slightly.

"Head out immediately. Stand your ground. Do not attack yet—watch every move they make. I’ll be right behind you."

"Yes, Alpha." George turned to leave but hesitated at the door.

"Call Lena on your way out. She is staying back."

"She’s not going to like that," George muttered.

I raised an eyebrow. "She stays," I ordered firmly, leaving no room for argument.

George nodded and left.

I turned back to Azirah, studying her. There was nothing different about her—just the fragile human she appeared to be.

I sat down, unwilling to leave. But as I settled in, she shifted in her sleep, the blanket slipping from her body, revealing the soft curve of her collarbone.

I froze.

My throat went dry as my gaze locked onto her exposed skin. My fangs ached, the primal urge to claim her nearly unbearable. But something about her made me hesitate. I wanted to be gentle with her.

Then—just before I turned away—I noticed it.

A dark mark on her wrist.

I frowned, reaching out, but before I could touch it, I sensed movement. My instincts flared.

I moved at lightning speed. Nothing.

"Lena?" I called out cautiously, scanning the shadows. My brows furrowed as I rose from the chair.

A flicker of movement.

A growl rumbled deep in my chest. "Who’s there?"

The shadow shifted. I followed, but not before glancing back at Azirah to make sure she was still safe.

"Alpha?" Lena’s voice echoed as I moved through the hallway, my steps swift and silent.

"Go back to your room and stand watch," I ordered without looking at her. "Do not let any harm come to her. Let me know the moment anything happens."

"But I want to come too—"

"Lena!" I snapped, my tone sharp.

She stiffened. "Yes, Alpha," she muttered.

I caught the resentment in her voice, and it stung. Our friendship had been fading, strained by too many unspoken words.

But I didn’t have time to dwell on it.

The shadow was still ahead of me, slipping further into the night. The faster I moved, the farther it seemed to drift. It toyed with me for a long while causing me to lose my patients, leading me away. Then, without warning—it vanished.

I ran around, shadows did not move around or just vanish. They wanted something and he will get to it. I halted when I sighted my men. They were all alarmed.

“Alpha! You are here. Is there something you need?” George asks as he steps forward being the Beta of the pack.

“Did you notice any movement?” I asked. My eyes sharp and my ear picking every sounds.

“No!”

“Accept for some odd smell, which I and Lena had tried searching…”

“Lena?” I asked furiously as I looked around and that's when I saw her.

"Lena?" My voice was sharp as I approached. "How did you get here?"

Lena frowned. "This is where you assigned me today. I’ve been here all along."

I turned to George. "Didn’t you tell her to stay back like I ordered?"

George looked puzzled. "We haven’t spoken today, Alpha. We’ve been stationed here all day."

My stomach dropped. I should have known. It was a trap to lure me out of the mansion.

“Azirah!”

My head snapped toward the old mansion—toward her room.

And there—at the balcony where she loved to stand—Azirah stood.

For a heartbeat, she was just there. And then—she fell.

Panic slammed into me.

A howl tore from my throat as I sprinted forward, my wolf threatening to take over. Bones cracked, my body shifting as I pushed beyond my limits. My pack howled behind me, but I barely heard them.

My heart pounded violently.

I saw the stream ahead—the place she had fallen. Without hesitation, I dove in, the cold water swallowing me whole.

Deeper. Deeper.

Then—I saw her.

Her body floated in the abyss, her eyes closed.

I reached for her, pulling her into my arms, kicking toward the surface. As soon as I broke through, I laid her on my thigh, checking her breathing. Nothing.

Lena rushed toward us, but I snarled, stopping her in her tracks. My anger was raw, untamed.

"Let me, Alpha," she urged.

I bared my teeth.

"I might be able to help—if you let me."

A tense pause. Then, I gave a sharp nod.

Lena dropped beside Azirah, tilting her head back. She pinched her nose shut and gave two rescue breaths. Then, she placed both hands at the center of Azirah’s chest, pressing down hard and fast. Another two breaths. Another round of compressions.

Still—nothing.

A furious growl ripped from my throat as I slammed my claws into a nearby tree, leaving deep marks in the bark.

Lena, undeterred, shifted Azirah onto her side. Then, she tore the fabric of her dress—

She gasped.

I turned, my breath catching in my throat.

There—etched into her skin—was a mark.

Ancient. Mystical. A seven-pointed star.

Six of the points were dark, but one gleamed silver. And before my very eyes, another shifted—turning silver as though something unseen was awakening.

Azirah gasped violently, coughing out water.

Lena turned to me, her expression grim yet knowing.

"It looks like our Luna," she said, "bears the Mark of the Septarch."