~Kaida Orion POV~
My heart pounds like a war drum as I stand before the green lantern. It pulses, casting strange shadows across the mossy space. The whisper still rings in my ears: "Tonight… your bride will bleed…"
Lupus is beside me, silent and tense. His amber gaze scans the trees. The scout guards crouch, weapons ready but hesitant.
I swallow hard, and my cheeks go cold, which makes my throat tight.
"What did they mean?" I whisper, voice trembling.
Lupus's jaw tightens. He scowls at the lantern. "That's a threat. They want to scare us."
I shake. "Why… why say 'bride'? Not alpha?"
He places a strong hand on my shoulder. "Because you are the anchor. If they attack you, it will break me."
My breath hitches, as I close my eyes. I feel the bond pulsing, like someone's hand tightening around my heart.
"What! I'm not… just his wife," I say softly. "Why would they do that? But... This won't break me."
He presses my cheek to his chest. "Do not panic, I'm here with you."
