ISLA'S POV
I'm running toward Bloodmoon territory before I even realize I've made the decision.
The bond screams in my chest, pulling me forward. Through it, I feel Kade fighting. Bleeding. Losing.
Isla, STOP! Damien's voice roars behind me.
I don't stop. Can't stop. If Kade dies, I die. The bond made sure of that.
Strong arms grab me from behind. Damien spins me around, his scarred face furious.
What do you think you're doing? he demands.
They're dying! I gasp, struggling against his hold. I can feel them through the bond. Children, Damien. There are children
And you've been Queen for ONE DAY! He shakes me. You can barely fight. You have no backup. You'll die before you even reach them.
Then I'll die! The words rip from my throat. Because if Kade dies, the bond kills me anyway. At least this way, I die trying to save innocent wolves instead of hiding like a coward!
Damien's grip loosens, shock crossing his face.
Lucian appears, Theron right behind him. What's going on?
She wants to run into a rogue attack, Damien says. Alone.
Lucian's expression goes ice-cold. Absolutely not.
I don't need your permission! I shout, surprising myself. I'm Queen, remember? You said so yourself!
A Queen who dies on her first day is useless, Lucian snaps back.
Through the bond, I feel another wolf die. The pain makes me double over.
Please, I beg, tears streaming down my face. They're dying right now. If you won't help me, at least let me go.
The three prince's exchange looks. That silent conversation I'm starting to recognize.
Finally, Theron speaks. If the bond will kill her anyway, we don't have a choice. We go. Together.
This is insane, Lucian growls, but he's already moving. Fine. But Isla stays behind me at all times. Understood?
I nod frantically.
Then let's go save your worthless ex-mate, Lucian says coldly. Before I change my mind.
We run.
The scene at Bloodmoon's border is worse than I imagined.
Rogues at least thirty of them tear through the territory. Pack wolves fight back, but they're overwhelmed. Bodies litter the ground.
And there, in the center of the chaos, is Kade.
He's shifted to his wolf form, all black fur and alpha power. But he's surrounded, bleeding from a dozen wounds.
The bond screams as a rogue's claws rake across his side.
Stay here, Lucian orders me. We'll handle this.
The three princes shift into their wolf forms, and I understand why they're called the most powerful wolves in the Seven Territories.
Lucian is massive, all white fur and ice-blue eyes. Damien is dark gray with battle scars visible even in wolf form. Theron is silver, crackling with magical energy.
They crash into the rogues like a storm.
It's beautiful and terrible. Lucian moves with cold precision, each kill efficient. Damien fights like he's been waiting for this, all rage and power. Theron uses magic to throw rogues into trees, into each other.
The tide turns immediately.
But I can't take my eyes off Kade.
He's fighting three rogues at once, clearly exhausted. As I watch, one lunges for his throat.
NO! The word rips from me.
My Queen Alpha power explodes outward.
Silver light bursts from my body, so bright everyone stops fighting. The light slams into the rogue attacking Kade, sending it flying.
I stare at my glowing hands, shocked. I didn't even know I could do that.
Kade's wolf head turns toward me. Even from here, I see his eyes widen.
He recognizes me.
The bond flares between us, and I feel his shock. His disbelief.
Isla? You're... alive?
I can hear his thoughts through the bond. It's never happened before.
More than alive, I think back, not sure if he can hear me. I'm Queen.
One of the rogues recovers from my blast. It charges straight at me.
I don't think. I just react.
My combat training kicks in. I sidestep like Damien taught me, grab the rogue's neck like I've seen Lucian do, and twist.
The rogue drops, dead.
I killed it.
I just killed a wolf with my bare hands.
I should feel horrified. Instead, I feel powerful.
The remaining rogues see their pack members dead, see the three princes and a glowing Queen, and run.
Silence falls over the battlefield.
Slowly, the princes shift back to human form. So does Kade.
He's covered in blood, swaying on his feet. But his eyes are locked on me.
Isla? His voice cracks. How you're supposed to be dead. They said you died in the mountains.
I did die, I say, my voice stronger than I feel. The weak omega you rejected is gone. I'm Queen Isla Moonborne now.
Kade staggers, and I realize he's about to collapse. Instinct makes me move forward to catch him.
Don't touch him, Lucian's cold voice stops me. He rejected you, remember? Let his chosen mate take care of him.
I turn to see Vivian standing in the doorway of the pack house. She's completely unharmed, not a scratch on her.
She didn't fight. She hid while her pack died.
You came back, Vivian says, and she actually sounds surprised. After everything we did to you, you came back to save us.
I didn't come back for you, I say coldly. I came back because innocent wolves were dying. Because children were screaming. Not because any of you deserve it.
I look at the pack members gathering around us. Some I recognize wolves who used to ignore me, who watched me get rejected and said nothing.
They're all staring at me like I'm a stranger.
Good. Because I am.
Your Majesty. An older wolf steps forward. I recognize him Elder Thomas, one of the pack council members. Thank you. We owe you our lives.
You owe me nothing, I say. This was a one-time thing. Next time Bloodmoon Pack is attacked, save yourselves.
I turn to leave, but Kade's hand catches my wrist.
Isla, wait. Please. I need to talk.
The bond pulses at his touch. I feel everything through it his pain, his regret, his desperate need to explain.
There's nothing to talk about, I say quietly, pulling my hand free. You made your choice six months ago.
I made a mistake! Kade's voice breaks. The worst mistake of my life. Please, just give me five minutes
No. Lucian's hand lands on my shoulder, possessive and protective. The Queen has already wasted enough time on you. We're leaving.
Kade's eyes move from my face to Lucian's hand on my shoulder. I watch something dangerous flash in his expression.
Who are you to tell my mate?
She's not your mate, Lucian interrupts coldly. You rejected her, remember? Or did you hit your head too hard in that fight?
The bond is still there, Kade says desperately, looking at me. You feel it too, don't you? It never broke. That means the Moon Goddess still wants us together
The Moon Goddess doesn't get a vote anymore, I say. I do. And I choose to leave.
I walk away, the three princes flanking me like guards.
Behind us, I hear Kade collapse. Hear Vivian's fake concern, the pack members rushing to help him.
Through the bond, I feel his heartbreak.
Good. Now he knows how it feels.
We're halfway back to the Royal Court when Theron speaks.
That was incredibly brave and incredibly stupid, he says, but he's smiling. You killed a rogue on your first day. Most queens take years to make their first kill.
I didn't think, I admit. I just reacted.
That's what makes you dangerous, Damien says with approval. You don't freeze. You act.
Lucian stays silent until we reach the Court. Then he pulls me aside, away from his brothers.
Don't ever do that again, he says quietly. His ice-blue eyes are blazing.
Do what? I ask.
Risk yourself for him. For any of them. Lucian's hand cups my face. You're Queen now. Your life matters more than anyone's. Including his.
I couldn't let them die
I know. Lucian's thumb brushes my cheek. That's what makes you a good queen. But it also makes you vulnerable. And I He stops, jaw clenching.
You what? I whisper.
I can't watch you throw yourself into danger for the wolf who rejected you, Lucian says finally. It makes me want to kill him myself.
Before I can respond, he kisses me.
It's different from any kiss I've imagined. Desperate. Claiming. Like he's trying to brand himself into my soul where Kade used to be.
When we break apart, Lucian looks as shocked as I feel.
I shouldn't have he starts.
Don't, I interrupt. Don't apologize for something that felt right.
It's not right, Lucian says roughly. You're my Queen. I'm supposed to protect you, train you, not
Not fall for me? I finish.
Lucian's expression cracks. I've been falling since the day we found you in the snow. Fighting it every day. But tonight, watching you risk everything for wolves who threw you away I can't fight it anymore.
My heart pounds. Lucian
I'm broken, Isla, he admits. I don't know how to love without destroying things. But I'm already falling for you, and I'm terrified of what that means.
I touch his face, feeling the ice-cold mask he shows the world.
Then we'll be broken together, I whisper.
Lucian pulls me close, and for the first time, I feel safe.
But through the bond, I feel Kade.
He's awake. And he's not giving up.
Through our connection, I hear his voice one more time:
I'll get you back, Isla. Whatever it takes. You're my mate, and I'll prove I deserve you.
The bond pulses with his determination.
And I realize with cold certainty:
The war for my heart has just begun.