The moment Liana collapsed, panic ripped through Kael's chest.
"Liana! Stay with me—Liana!"
Her body was ice-cold, her breathing shallow. Kael lifted her into his arms immediately and rushed toward his private room, ignoring the whispers, the elders, the guards—everyone.
He didn't care.
She came first.
The wolves stepped aside quickly, fear and confusion in their eyes.
No one had ever seen Liana use that much power… or bleed on purpose to break a spell meant for entire warriors.
Inside Kael's room, he laid her gently on the bed.
She didn't move.
Her fingers twitched. Her eyelids fluttered. Her breathing stopped… then resumed… then stopped again.
"Liana," Kael whispered, brushing her cold cheek with shaking hands. "Come back to me… please."
Suddenly—
Her body arched.
Her eyes flew open—glowing faint silver then fading back instantly.
Kael froze.
"Liana?" he whispered.
But she wasn't fully awake.
She stared upward, unfocused, like she was trapped in some invisible force pulling her deeper.
Kael sat beside her and held her tightly.
"You're safe," he murmured. "You're with me."
Slowly… slowly… her breathing steadied.
Her hand reached out blindly and found his.
Kael squeezed it.
Minutes passed in silence until her voice finally broke through, weak and shaky:
"Kael… I'm tired… so tired."
"I know," he whispered. "Rest."
But Liana shook her head slightly.
Her lips trembled.
"I saw something…" she breathed. "Before I passed out."
Kael leaned closer.
"What did you see?"
She swallowed hard.
"I… I felt them watching us. Even after they disappeared. They didn't leave. They were still close. Hiding."
Kael's eyes darkened.
Exactly what she felt… he felt it too.
He stroked her hair slowly.
"You did well today. You saved everyone."
Liana shook her head slowly.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"It wasn't bravery… Kael. It was instinct. I didn't even think. My body just moved on its own. I shouldn't be able to do those things."
Kael brushed a tear off her cheek.
"Maybe your gifts are finally awakening."
But that made her start to cry harder.
"Kael… I don't know who I am," she whispered. "I don't know what I am. And every time something happens… it keeps getting worse."
Kael held her tightly against his chest.
"You're Liana. That's who you are. And you're mine."
She closed her eyes at his voice—finding comfort but still trembling.
After a long silence, Kael exhaled deeply and stood up.
"I will return soon," he said softly. "I must speak with the elders and reinforce security. I won't let anyone touch you again."
Liana nodded weakly and lay back down.
Kael opened the door—
But then her voice stopped him.
"Kael… take me with you."
He turned, confused and concerned.
"You need rest."
"I don't want to be alone."
Her voice cracked.
Kael walked back slowly.
"Liana…" he tried to reason gently.
But she clenched her fingers into the bedsheets.
"Today… someone froze an entire hall. Someone tried to touch me. Someone tried to kill you. I don't feel safe here alone."
That broke Kael.
He pulled her into his arms again.
"Fine," he whispered. "You'll come."
He helped her stand—she was weak but standing.
He wrapped his arm around her waist, keeping her close.
They left the room.
As soon as they entered the hallway, wolves bowed with respect but also fear.
They had seen what she did.
They had seen the man's interest in her.
And news had already spread fast:
Liana wasn't just the Alpha's chosen mate…
She was something more.
When they reached the meeting hall, only a few elders were waiting.
One elder stepped forward.
"Alpha… the unknown visitor—"
Kael cut him off sharply.
"You all will tighten the borders, double patrols, no one enters or leaves without my approval. Anyone who breaks this—will face me."
Everyone nodded, stiff and afraid.
But then—
One elder, the same one who opposed the marriage, stepped forward.
"Alpha, with all due respect… marrying someone with an unstable power—"
Kael's growl shook the room.
"Finish that sentence," he warned.
Liana stepped slightly behind him, but her eyes were sharp.
The elder swallowed.
"I only mean… her origin is unclear. The hall witnessed terrifying abilities… even the unknown visitor was interested in her. We must proceed carefully."
Before Kael could speak, Liana did.
"I didn't ask for these powers," she said firmly. "But if you think I'm a threat, I can leave."
Kael spun to her immediately—eyes flaring.
"You're not leaving."
Liana held his gaze.
"I won't be the reason your people mistrust you."
"You're not going anywhere, Liana," Kael repeated, voice sharp. "You're mine. And anyone who questions that answers to me."
The elder lowered his head, but his fists tightened behind him.
Liana noticed.
A sudden chill ran through her.
And then—
She heard something.
A whisper.
A voice.
"…she will destroy him…"
"…they can't be together…"
"…remove her… before it's too late…"
She flinched.
Kael grabbed her hand immediately.
"Liana? What's wrong?"
She shook her head quickly.
"Nothing… just dizzy."
But her heart pounded.
She could hear minds.
She just didn't want to admit it yet.
Before Kael could press further—
Her knees buckled.
Kael caught her fast.
"Liana!"
Her eyes rolled slightly as exhaustion crashed into her again.
"Kael… I'm sorry… I just… I feel everything…"
And with that—
She fainted in his arms.
Kael lifted her gently, fire burning in his eyes.
"No more meetings today," he said coldly. "Anyone who opposes this union—will face my wrath."
He carried her out, ignoring everyone.
And as they watched him disappear into the corridor with Liana in his arms…
None of them noticed:
A faint shadow lingered in the corner—
Invisible to all…
Except Liana.
Even in unconsciousness…
Her body shivered.
She could feel them.
They were still here.
Watching.
Waiting.
Planning.