Kira's POV
I'll go with you.
Through our completed mate bond, I feel Kieran's instant panic. No. Absolutely not.
I step forward through the burning forest toward Cassius's army.
Kira, don't! Kieran grabs my arm desperately.
Through our bond: Trust me. Please.
He releases me slowly.
I walk through silver flames. They part around me, recognizing their creator.
Smart girl, Cassius says when I reach him.
What do you want from me?
To study you. Understand what makes a Moon Child different. He gestures to equipment behind his forces. Learn what makes you so powerful.
I'll come willingly. No chains. No fighting. But you promise safe passage for everyone. Kieran, his pack, all twenty moonmarked wolves.
And in exchange?
I'll cooperate completely. Answer questions. Let you run tests.
Kieran's rage explodes through our bond.
I push calm back. This is the only way.
You'd sacrifice yourself for them? Cassius studies me.
They risked everything for me.
I accept. They go free. You come with me.
No! Kieran runs through flames, his skin blistering. I won't
I put my hand on his chest. You have to.
I just completed our bond. I can't lose you.
You won't. I place his hand over the mate mark. The bond's permanent. You'll always know where I am.
Through our connection, I show him my plan cooperate, learn what Cassius wants, escape later.
He shakes his head. Too dangerous.
Everything's dangerous. This way, everyone lives.
Rafe appears. She's right. We can't win.
Ten seconds, Cassius calls. Or I kill everyone.
I look at Kieran. Let me protect our family.
I hate this.
Trust me. I'll find my way back.
He pulls me into a fierce kiss. Love, terror, faith pour through.
Come back to me.
Always.
I walk to Cassius. His warriors surround me without chains.
As they lead me away, I look back. Kieran stands at the flames' edge, devastated.
Through our bond: Wait for me.
His response: No matter how long.
Hours later, we reach a Council encampment a temporary fortress.
Cassius leads me to a tent filled with books, scrolls, charts about moon marks.
Sit.
He cuts my arm. Silver blood fills vials.
Remarkable. Pure lunar essence. No corruption. He studies it obsessively. The other three Moon Children had black blood. Corrupted. It drove them insane.
Maybe I'm different.
Or not fully awakened. He leans forward. When did you first use power?
The ceremony. When you arrived.
Before that?
Never.
So extreme stress triggered awakening. He shows me a scroll. Do you know what happens to Moon Children who can't control their power?
He shows illustrations of destroyed cities, mass graves.
The last Moon Child destroyed three packs. Ten thousand wolves dead.
I stare, feeling sick.
That's why we study you. To teach control. Prevent disaster. He extends his hand. Work with me. We both want you to survive without killing everyone.
And the twenty moonmarked wolves?
I can help them too. End the persecution.
You're lying.
Am I? He pulls out another scroll.
A massive creature part wolf, part shadow, red eyes, dark armor.
The Shadowbeasts? Just scouts. His face goes grim. This is their master. The Void Wolf. Sealed away a thousand years ago by the last Moon Child.
My stomach drops. And?
The seal's weakening. It'll break free within weeks. He meets my eyes. That's why moon marks reappeared. Why you awakened. The Moon Goddess is preparing her champion.
To fight that?
To kill it before it destroys every wolf alive. Total extinction. He stands. Will you help me prepare you?
I stare at the Void Wolf. It's building sized.
Through our bond, Kieran senses my fear.
Are you okay?
Learning about what's hunting me. Why I was born.
You're not alone.
I know.
If I agree, everyone goes free?
You have my word.
Then teach me.
Excellent. We start at dawn. He calls a guard. Take her to quarters. She's a guest.
A tent with a bed. No chains. Door unlocked.
I lie down.
Through the bond: I'm okay.
Kieran's relief floods through.
I'm drifting off when I hear voices outside.
sure this will work?
Positive. The Moon Child trusts me.
Cassius.
I freeze.
When the Void Wolf breaks free?
We use her as bait. Let it consume her power. Then kill them both.
Ice floods my body.
The Council will be safe from both threats.
Another voice laughs. Let her think she's the hero.
By the time she realizes, it'll be too late. Cassius sounds satisfied. Let her train. Makes better bait.
What about her Alpha?
Let him come. We'll use him as additional bait. Nothing makes a Moon Child more unstable than watching their mate die.
They walk away.
I lie still, mind racing.
Cassius never intended to help. Everything was manipulation.
He plans to betray me. Use me as bait. Kill Kieran.
Through the bond, Kieran feels my panic. What's wrong?
Everything. I made a terrible mistake.
I push the conversation through.
His rage is nuclear. I'm coming. Now.
No! That's what they want.
Then what?
Give me time to figure this out.
How much time?
Not much. The Void Wolf's coming soon.
We'll face it together.
Together.
Sleep doesn't come.
Tomorrow I pretend to cooperate while planning.
Learn to control power I barely understand.
Before the Void Wolf breaks free.
Before Cassius's betrayal kills everyone.
Before I explode and level everything.
No pressure.