A week passed, and the moon waned, inching toward the promised meeting beneath the Eclipse Tree. Each night, Elara trained harder — not with steel, but with fire. Under Elena's guidance, she began to harness the warmth within her, shaping it, taming it. She learned how to call it with breath, to channel it through emotion without letting it consume her.
But still, the fire frightened her.
On the eve of the parley, the pack gathered in solemn silence as Elara prepared to leave. She wore no armor, no weapons — just a simple black cloak and a silver pendant from Kael, etched with the symbol of the Moon Goddess.
Kael stood before her, his eyes stormy. "Say the word, and I'll tear him apart myself."
She gave him a faint smile. "You'll get your chance. But tonight, we see what he wants."
Kael stepped close, brushing his thumb along her cheek. "Promise me if anything feels wrong—"
"I run. I know." Her voice was soft but steady. "I'll come back to you."
"You'd better," he said, then pulled her into a kiss — fierce, desperate, and full of the things they hadn't said.
Then, she turned and walked into the forest alone.
The path to the Eclipse Tree was ancient, carved by moonlight and time. No creatures stirred. The air was thick with magic, the trees whispering secrets only the old gods knew.
When Elara reached the clearing, the tree stood tall and haunting — its branches bare, bark silver-black, its roots like claws digging into the earth. And beneath it stood Vael.
He was beautiful, in a way that made the blood freeze — tall, pale, dressed in onyx armor, his eyes like cracked ice. His aura pulsed with dark magic, the kind that felt wrong just to breathe.
"Elara," he said, smiling as if greeting an old friend. "Or should I say… Flameborn."
Her heart stilled. "You know what I am?"
He stepped closer, unfazed. "Of course. I've been waiting for you. We were destined to meet. You're not just the Alpha's mate."
He leaned in, voice low and dangerous.
"You were meant to rule."