Alistair's Pov
The moment the wards rippled, every instinct in me snapped to attention.
Someone new had entered Sarafina's room.
Not Cassian.
Not Thalen.
Someone else.
The pulse of her magic jolted through the air,faint, strained, but unmistakably hers.
I almost tore through the barrier by sheer will alone.
"Alistair…" Cassian grabbed my arm.
I jerked away.
"Let go."
"Listen to me…"
"No," I hissed. "She's in there with someone we can't see. And we're out here doing nothing."
I slammed my palm against the ward.
It rejected me instantly, sparks crackling outward like lightning striking water.
Cassian winced. "You're destabilizing the entire lower level…."
"Good."
"Alistair…,"
"Good," I snapped, voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "If the Arcanum won't let me in, I'll bring the entire building down around them."
Cassian stiffened. "That's not a solution…"
"It's the only one I have!"
He opened his mouth to argue—but the air changed.
A scent hit me first.
Cold forest.
Wet earth.
Steel.
Old moonlight.
Wolves.
Before I even turned, I heard the soft crunch of boots behind us.
Cassian drew up short beside me.
"Don't," he whispered. "Don't turn around."
I did anyway.
A line of Moonveil wolves stood at the end of the corridor, half-shifted, eyes glowing ice-blue, bodies massive and silent.
And in front of them…
Elder Rhyssa.
Of course.
Her presence hit like a blade of winter wind, slicing clean through the smoke of my fury.
She grinned at me like a wolf baring teeth.
"Alistair Draven," she purred. "You've caused quite the disturbance tonight."
Cassian went tense, stepping subtly closer to me, not protective, but ready.
I didn't look at him.
My eyes were locked on Rhyssa.
"Move," I said.
Rhyssa tutted. "Such disrespect. And after we tracked you across half the city."
I curled my fingers into fists.
"Rhyssa," Cassian said quietly, "we're not looking for a fight…"
"But I am," she replied brightly.
She pointed her staff at me.
"On behalf of the Moonveil Pack, I bring you the Elders' decree."
Cassian inhaled sharply.
I didn't move.
"Go on," I said.
"Your actions tonight have broken three wards, awakened a sealed bloodline, and triggered a prophecy ripple we have long feared."
Her smile widened.
"You are hereby given a choice."
I laughed once, humorless.
"Of course I am."
She leaned forward.
"Choice one: abandon the girl."
Cassian stiffened.
I didn't blink.
"You walk away," Rhyssa continued, "you let the world take her, you sever whatever bond you think you have with her, and the pack will allow you to live."
I stared at her.
She held my gaze, hers glittering with malicious satisfaction.
"And the second choice?" I asked softly.
"Oh," she whispered, eyes glowing.
Her smile sharpened.
"We hunt you until you stop breathing."
Cassian inhaled sharply. "That's not…"
I cut him off without looking at him.
"I choose neither."
Rhyssa laughed. "Of course you do. You've always been a disappointment."
"I won't abandon her."
"Then you embrace death?"
I stepped forward.
Cassian's hand shot out to stop me, but I kept walking.
Closer to her.
Closer to the wolves behind her growling low and hungry.
"No," I said quietly. "I am choosing war."
A ripple went through the pack.
Rhyssa's smile died.
"This is not a threat you survive, hybrid."
"I don't need to survive," I said. "I only need to reach her."
Cassian hissed a curse under his breath.
Rhyssa tilted her head. "You care for the girl? Enough to defy us?"
I didn't answer with words.
I answered by stepping closer..
until her staff pressed against my chest.
Her expression flickered.
"…You'd die for her."
It wasn't a question.
I held her gaze.
"I already have."
Silence snapped through the corridor like a broken bone.
Cassian sucked in a short breath.
Rhyssa's eyes widened, fury and shock flaring in equal measure.
"You—" she choked. "You held her at her death—?"
I didn't flinch.
"Get out of my way," I said softly. "I won't say it again."
The wolves behind her bristled, growls erupting like thunder.
Cassian's voice was low and shaking. "Alistair..this is suicide, you have to stop."
I didn't listen.
I stepped forward—pressing my chest harder against her staff forcing her to either strike or move.
Her eyes burned bright with rage.
"You defy the Moonveil," she hissed.
"I defy anyone who stands between me and her."
We stared at each other—the world narrowing to breath, heat, rage
and the feel of Sarafina's magic trembling faintly behind that ward.
Rhyssa stepped back.
Barely.
But enough.
Her staff lowered one inch.
Just one.
It was all I needed.
She glared, voice a razor.
"Then the Moonveil marks you for death."
The wolves snarled.
Cassian tensed.
I breathed once, steady.
"Then they'd better hurry," I said. "Because I'm going to her first."
I turned—and ran.
Straight toward the ward.
Toward Sarafina.
Toward whoever the hell was in that room with her.
And the Moonveil pack howled behind me.