Liana couldn't breathe.
Evan stepped into the moonlight, his red eyes burning with obsession. His aura crackled like black fire, filling the room with choking pressure.
"How… how did you get in here?" she whispered.
A twisted smile curled his lips.
"You forget who taught this kingdom how to build wards before Kael banished me?"
His voice deepened. "I know every weakness. Every crack. Every shadow."
He took one step closer.
Liana stumbled back until her spine hit the bedpost.
Evan's smile widened.
"You belong with me. You always have."
"No," Liana breathed. "I don't—"
"Yes," he growled. "And Kael thinks he can claim you? Hide you? Protect you?"
His fingers rose—dark magic swirling around them.
"He doesn't even understand what you are."
Liana squeezed her eyes shut, terrified—
---
Meanwhile, in the Alpha Council Hall…
Kael was talking with three elders, his voice deep and controlled—but then—
He froze.
His wolf lunged forward inside him with a vicious snarl.
Mine.
In danger.
Now.
Kael's chest tightened violently, like invisible claws dragged across his ribs.
Elder Theron frowned.
"Alpha? What is it?"
Kael's eyes flickered gold—then blazed pure, furious white.
"She's afraid."
The air trembled as Kael's power surged uncontrollably, rattling the walls. A painting fell and shattered.
The elders stepped back immediately.
"Alpha—control your form—"
But Kael wasn't listening.
His claws broke through his skin. His fangs lengthened. His wolf howled inside his bones.
"He found her."
And without another word, Kael vanished—disappearing in a flash of blinding gold.
---
Back in the room…
Evan reached out slowly, almost tenderly, his fingers brushing Liana's cheek.
She flinched, heart racing.
"Don't be scared," he whispered. "They corrupted me, controlled me… but the power in your blood—"
His hand slid down to her jaw, possessive.
"—it woke everything they tried to bury."
Tears stung Liana's eyes.
"Evan, don't do this."
"I have to," he said, voice cracking with something broken. "It's the only way to keep you. The witches will come for you. Kael will use you. But me… I loved you first."
His magic darkened the room, shadows crawling across the ceiling.
"Come with me."
He extended his hand.
"No," she whispered.
Evan's expression twisted—hurt, fury, heartbreak mixing.
"You choose him?"
Before she could answer—
A deafening crack split the air.
The windows exploded inward, a wave of golden power blasting through the room.
Evan was thrown back into the wall with a violent thud.
Liana gasped, shielding her face as glowing dust swirled around her.
When the air cleared—
Kael stood in the center of the room, chest heaving, eyes glowing like a supernova.
His voice was not human anymore.
"GET. AWAY. FROM. MY. MATE."
Evan coughed, struggling to stand.
"So the Alpha dog arrived."
Kael's lip curled in a deadly snarl.
"You touched her."
Evan smirked. "Barely."
Kael lunged.
Evan vanished into shadow, reappearing beside the balcony.
"You can't protect her forever, Kael. You can't protect her from her destiny."
Kael's jaw clenched, fury shaking the room.
"Run while you can," he growled, "because next time—"
Glow deepened into lethal gold.
"—I won't let you leave alive."
Evan's red eyes softened—for Liana, not Kael.
"This isn't over."
Then he disappeared in a ripple of dark magic.
---
Silence.
The room finally stopped trembling.
Liana's knees buckled.
But Kael was already there—catching her before she fell, pulling her against his chest with shaking hands.
His voice was raw, almost broken.
"I'm sorry," he whispered into her hair. "I should've never left you alone."
Liana clutched his shirt.
"Kael… how did you know?"
His hand slid to her cheek, thumb brushing away her tear.
"Because I felt you scream inside me."
Her breath hitched.
"The bond," he whispered.
"It woke."
Her heart stopped.
"Bond?"
Kael's eyes glowed, softer now—devoted and terrifying.
"Yes, Liana."
"You're not just some girl I'm protecting."
His forehead touched hers.
"You're my destined mate."