Amara’s POV Pain radiates through my body as I lay curled on the cold floor, my breath coming in shallow gasps. Every inch of me ached, but nothing compared to the raw, gnawing fear twisting inside me. The moment Kael had whispered that word...mate, everything had changed. Mate. I wanted to reject it. I wanted to believe I had misheard, that my mind was playing tricks on me after everything that had happened. But the truth was undeniable. I had felt it too, that strange, electric pull, the warmth that surged through me when his fingers brushed my skin. Kael was unconscious beside me, his body battered and bruised. His face, usually strong and commanding, was pale, his breathing shallow. He had tried to protect me. He had challenged his father—the most feared Alpha—for me. Tears welled in my eyes, blurring my vision as I reached for him. My fingertips brushed his jawline, rough with stubble, and a strange, unfamiliar warmth filled my chest. Why did it have to be him? The son of
Amara’s POV When Kael left, the room felt heavy. It was so quiet that it almost hurt. My heart raced as I sat on the cold stone floor. My body was sore from what I had gone through that night. Each breath reminded me of Magnus and the pain he caused. Yet, it didn't compare to the storm brewing inside me. I hugged my arms around myself. It was like trying to block out a truth that hurt too much. Kael was my mate. But he was also the son of the man who had taken my dignity and my freedom. It felt unfair. I didn’t want this bond at all. I should have felt anger. I should have pushed away any feelings for him. But there I was, remembering how he had touched my cheek. That little gesture sent heat through my tired body, and it scared me. I clenched my fists tight. No. I refuse to let this bond run my life. The door creaked. I flinched and held my breath. Who was it now? A guard? Maybe even Magnus? But it wasn’t either. It was an older woman with sharp eyes. They looked curious but kind
Kael's POV As I walked out of Amara's room, I felt the weight of my father's call. I locked the door quietly. My mind was in chaos. It felt like a storm brewing inside. I knew I had my duty, but seeing fear in Amara’s eyes tugged at my heart. I told myself not to care. I shouldn't feel the need to protect her. But when I saw her planning to escape, I knew I had to stop her. If she tried to leave, Magnus would kill her. I couldn’t let that happen. The fortress's hallways seemed dark and eerie. Shadows stretched across the stone walls as I walked to my father's study. The heavy doors absorbed the little light that came in. The guards stepped aside when I approached, but their faces were unreadable. Everyone feared Magnus, even those who worked for him. I pushed the doors open and walked in. Magnus sat behind a big desk, fingers steepled. A fire crackled in the hearth, glowing his sharp features. The air felt thick and strange, making me uneasy. “You took your time,” he said, his v
Amara’s POV My room felt even smaller today. The walls seemed to push on me. The air was thick and heavy. I couldn’t shake Kael’s words from my head. He said there was a chance to escape. But could I trust him? What if it was all a trick? I had no time to think about it. Suddenly, the lock clicked, and the door opened slowly. I braced myself, thinking it’d be Kael walking in. But it wasn’t him. It was Magnus. He was huge. He filled the room like a dark cloud blocking out the sun. My stomach dropped. With a chilling calmness, Magnus shut the door. His smile was slow and unsettling. “My son thinks he can keep you safe from me,” he said, stepping closer. “He doesn’t know how much I enjoy destroying things.” I felt my heart race. I wanted to run, but my body felt like it was stuck in place. I couldn’t escape. Magnus reached for me, grabbing my chin hard. “You’ve got fire in you,” he said, tilting my face up to look him in the eye. “That’ll make this all the more fun for me.” I
Kael’s POV When those glowing eyes showed up in the dark, I quickly pushed Amara behind me. I was ready to protect her. My heart raced like crazy. I heard a low growl echo off the stone walls. I didn't have to see it to know it was a Shadowfang. This was bad. Magnus must have set us up. This old path wasn’t just forgotten; it was a trap! “Kael…” Amara whispered, and I could hear the fear in her voice. “Stay behind me,” I said, trying to sound calm. “No matter what happens.” The beast charged at us, its huge shape moving in the shadows. I caught a quick look at its sharp teeth glimmering in my torchlight. It crouched low, ready to spring. I grabbed my dagger, but deep down, I knew it might not be enough. Shadowfangs were no ordinary wolves. They were made to hunt and to kill. Then it lunged. I barely had time to react. Its massive claws swiped through the air where my head had just been. I ducked and tried to stab at its side. But it was too fast. The beast twisted and slammed
Amara’s POV The night surrounded us like a thick blanket. It smelled of wet dirt and pine trees. I ran next to Kael, and my heart raced like it might burst. Every breath I took burned in my lungs. But I kept going, holding tight to Kael’s hand as we sprinted after Victor through the dark forest. Branches scratched my arms. The ground under my feet was rough and tangled, but I didn’t let myself fall behind. Fear gnawed at my stomach, but I pushed it down. There was no time to be scared. Not now. Not with threats lurking behind us. Magnus’s men were probably on our trail, getting closer with every passing second. Victor was quick. He moved easily between the trees, his steps light despite his large build. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t doubt himself. It was clear he knew the way. That made me uneasy. I didn’t trust him. Just because Kael seemed to know him didn't mean we weren’t heading straight into trouble. After what felt like forever, Victor suddenly stopped. I nearly ran into Kae
Amara’s POV Darkness wrapped around us like a second skin as we followed Victor deeper into the unknown. The trees, ancient and gnarled, loomed overhead, their branches stretching like skeletal fingers against the sliver of moonlight breaking through the canopy. Every step we took felt heavier, the silence stretching taut between us. Only the distant howls of Magnus’s hunters reminded us we were being chased. Victor moved with an eerie calm, his presence both reassuring and unsettling. I wanted to trust him—he had saved us—but something about him felt… off. Kael stayed close beside me, his grip on my wrist tightening every time I stumbled. He had barely spoken since we fled, but I could feel his tension and his sharp focus. He was preparing for the worst. After what felt like hours, Victor finally slowed, leading us to a cluster of jagged rock formations. Nestled between them was a narrow crevice, barely wide enough for a person to slip through. He turned to us, silver eyes glinting
Amara’s POV The cave felt smaller now, suffocating under the weight of Victor's revelation. The air was thick with uncertainty, and each breath I took felt heavier than the last. My mind swirled with everything he had said, but no matter how hard I tried to make sense of it, I kept returning to the same impossible conclusion, I was the heir to the Lunar Bloodline. It didn’t feel real. It couldn’t be real. Kael sat beside me, his expression unreadable, though I could sense the storm raging inside him. His grip on my wrist was firm, grounding, as if he thought I might disappear if he let go. But it wasn’t just fear that held him so rigid, it was something else, something dangerous brewing behind his dark eyes. Victor remained near the entrance, his posture relaxed yet alert. He was watching, waiting. He had dropped a bombshell and now expected us to piece it together on our own. Finally, Kael exhaled sharply. "If this is true if Amara is part of the Lunar Bloodline, then Magnus won’
Amara's POVThe knife went right into Kael's shoulder.My hands shook like crazy as I gripped the handle. My whole body was trembling, like a hurricane was going off inside me. This dark stuff was wrapping around my brain, holding on super tight. I couldn't even breathe.I hurt him.No, I was made to hurt him.Atta girl, Magnus said, his voice all slippery and gross. His magic was going wild through that mark on my wrist, felt like it was burning my blood, making me do what he wanted. Now, finish the job.A jolt of power ripped through me. I squeezed the knife harder, and the magic inside me was trying to force the blade in deeper.Kael grunted, his face all tight from the pain, but he didn't even try to grab the knife. He just held on to me—like I wasn't some kind of monster.Amara, he whispered, his voice shaky but like he still believed in me. I know you're in there. Don't let him take you.I gasped, and this sharp pain shot through my head. My heart was pounding so hard I couldn't
Kael's POVA scream echoed in the room, and it was me yelling, not Amara.The instant her glowing eyes locked onto mine, something deep inside me just broke. It felt like everything that made her *her* had been ripped away, and what was left was just an empty copy controlled by Magnus. I couldn't believe it. I just wouldn't.Amara, I croaked, pushing myself up even with the magic pressing down on me like crazy. I know you're still in there. You gotta fight him.Her lips parted, and for a split second, I swear I saw a hint of her come back. But then her face twisted into this cold, totally different look.She came at me fast.I barely had time to react before she grabbed my throat. She was way quicker than before, and strong too, like she had some kind of weird boost. I slammed into the wall, sending dust and bits of stone flying.Magnus laughed. She doesn't need saving, Kael. She's better.I tried to pull her fingers off, but she wouldn't budge. My inner wolf was going wild, super ang
Kael’s POVA jolt of pain shot through my chest as Magnus’s blade came at me. I managed to turn just in time, so instead of going straight through my heart, the cold metal just grazed my ribs. My whole body hurt like crazy, but I kept going. I had to.Amara was standing there like a statue, her eyes totally blank. Her body was stiff from the dark magic controlling her. Magnus grinned, stepping back and twisting the bloody knife in his hand.“Not bad, you’re pretty fast,” he said, checking out the cut he’d made. “But you’re bleeding now. And blood makes people weak.”I clenched my teeth, trying to ignore the burning pain in my side. “Think a little blood is going to stop me?”Magnus chuckled and raised an eyebrow. “Not really. But she will.”Before I could even think, Amara moved again. Super-fast. Way too fast. Her arm shot out, her fingers like claws and went for me. I barely dodged, and her nails scratched the side of my neck. She didn’t stop, she spun around and went at me with a w
Kael was caught off guard. Magnus's knife flashed, aimed right at his heart. But then, Amara moved quicker than anyone expected. She cried out, a sound ripped from her, throwing herself in the path of the blade; an instinct that Magnus clearly hadn't counted on. The knife went into her side, not Kael's chest.No! Kael yelled, grabbing her as she fell. He pressed his hands against the wound, her blood soaking his fingers. Hot.Magnus stumbled, shocked. That wasn't the plan at all.Amara gasped, shaking. It wasn't just because of the stab wound; something else was going on. The mark on her wrist pulsed weirdly, the light flickering between red and bright white. A strange sound came from her, part pain, but also something deeper.Kael held her tight as a weird feeling passed between them, making his skin rigid . A burning heat seared him. He felt his wolf howl, but not from hurt as such, more like knowing something big.Kael... Amara whispered, her eyes meeting his with a focus not seen
Kael’s heart pounded like a war drum as he locked eyes with Magnus. The knife in the Alpha’s hand gleamed in the dim torchlight, its curved blade dripping with something darker than blood—something unnatural. The rune on Amara’s wrist pulsed, its glow intensifying with each passing second. She stood motionless, her body rigid, her eyes empty. It was as if she wasn’t there at all. “Let her go,” Kael growled, his voice low, dangerous. Magnus merely chuckled. “You still don’t understand, do you?” He dragged the tip of the blade along Amara’s wrist, making her shudder. “She belongs to me now.” A snarl ripped from Kael’s throat as he lunged forward, but before he could reach them, Amara suddenly moved. Not of her own free will—but by Magnus’s command. She stepped between them, raising her hands as if to shield Magnus. Kael’s breath caught. “Amara.” She didn’t respond. Instead, she turned to him with vacant, glassy eyes. A stranger wearing her face. Magnus smirked. “You see, Alp
Kael’s POVThe second I got outside, the cold night air smacked me in the face, like a warning shot. It smelled like rain mixed with something way worse—blood. A storm was coming, and it wasn't just the weather kind. There was a war brewing, but we were almost out of time. If I didn't hurry, a lot of people would get hurt.I was moving fast through the trees. The wolf inside me was growling, like it wanted to get out and fight. My heart was pounding super hard. The vision of Magnus's last move kept repeating in my mind. He'd made it clear what he wanted, but I figured something else was going on. I couldn't put my finger on it. He didn't just want to be in control; I think he was setting a trap, and I can't figure out how to stop him.The sky flashed with lightning, lighting up the path. My group of fighters was already spread out, and their eyes were lit up with excitement for a fight. You could cut the tension in the air with a knife. I don't understand why everyone wants to fight a
Kael's POVThe night felt thick, like you could cut it with a knife. I felt the weight of what was coming pressing down. The torches around the yard flickered, throwing weird shadows on the stones. It felt like we were on a battlefield right before the fight started. I knew Magnus wouldn't let things slide after what went down in the throne room, not after I stood up to him.And now Amara was stuck in the middle of it.The sound of boots echoed as warriors moved into position, building a wall between me and whatever evil idea Magnus had cooked up. I was wound up tight, my body ready for the fight. But I didn't want to act without thinking. I couldn't mess this up.Then I heard it—a voice, smooth and slick like a knife.Kael.I turned and saw Magnus standing at the yard entrance, his dark cloak swirling around him. I couldn't read his face, but his eyes held a spark of fun, of challenge. He loved moments like these, where he could mess with his enemies like a cat playing with a mouse.
Kael's POVThorne didn't even get a chance to grin smugly before I was all over him, slamming into him with every ounce of strength I could find. We both went down hard, and you could hear the thud echo through the stone room. My fists just started flying, like I didn't even have to think about it. It was pure anger, desperation, and something even deeper, something animal taking over.Even with me hitting him so hard, Thorne managed to twist out from under me like a snake. He was back on his feet in a second, grinning like it was all a joke. Kael, he said, rolling his shoulders like he was just brushing off some dust. So predictable, really.I didn't bother wasting my breath talking. I just went for him again, claws out, aiming for his throat. But man, he was quick – too quick. He dodged to the side, and my claws barely scratched him before he hit back, slamming a fist into my ribs. My side exploded with pain, but I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of seeing me stumble.I co
Kael's POVEverything blurred. Magnus had his hand on Amara’s throat, squeezing. She gasped for air. The sweaty, bloody smell was strong. The ground was rough and cold under me. My heart went wild , but I stayed put, trying to think straight.Pick, Magnus said, sounding calm, like he knew what I’d do. Like I was just a piece in his game.Amara looked right at me, hard and clear. She didn’t beg or cry. But her eyes screamed: Don’t do it.I squeezed my hands, shaking with anger. I wanted to charge, tear Magnus apart, end this mess. But I knew he wasn’t bluffing. If I fought, he’d hurt her in ways I couldn't even imagine.He wanted to break me, to make me break myself.I took a deep breath. Let her go.Magnus smirked. So, what’s your answer?I tried to keep my voice steady. You want me gone, I said, picking each word carefully. But come on, Magnus. You want to control me.”His smirk faded a little.I kept going. If I leave, what’s stopping me from coming back? What if I Come back stronge