Sera's POV
Sera Ashwood. Kael said my real name slowly, like he was tasting poison. Alpha Marcus Ashwood's daughter.
I couldn't breathe. Couldn't move. The paper with Viktor's message trembled in Kael's hand.
Nash stood frozen in the doorway, his eyes wide with shock. That's impossible. Marcus Ashwood's daughter died seven years ago. Everyone knows that.
Apparently not, Kael said quietly. His silver-blue eyes locked on mine. Is it true?
I could lie. The bond would hurt, but I could try.
But what was the point? Viktor had already exposed me.
Yes, I whispered. I'm Sera Ashwood.
Kael's face went completely blank. Through the bond, I felt the hit shock, guilt, pain so deep it made my own chest ache.
You came here to kill me, he said. Not a question. A fact.
Yes.
The omega act. The fake name. Getting into Frost River Pack. His voice was flat, emotionless. All of it was to get close enough to murder me.
Yes.
Nash swore viciously. Kael, she's dangerous. We need to
Leave us, Kael ordered, not taking his eyes off me.
But
Now, Nash.
Nash looked between us, jaw tight, then left. The tent flap fell closed, leaving me alone with the man I'd sworn to kill.
The man who was now my mate.
Kael stood there, perfectly still, and I felt the storm raging inside him through the bond. Guilt. Rage. Confusion. And underneath it all, a pain that matched my own.
I killed your father, he finally said.
Yes.
And now we're bonded. He laughed, but it sounded broken. The Moon Goddess has a cruel sense of humour.
There's nothing funny about this!
No, Kael agreed. There really isn't. He moved closer and I tensed. But here we are. Bonded. And according to Viktor's message, this was his plan all along. Why would he want us bonded, Sera?
Hearing my real name from his lips felt wrong. Too intimate.
I don't know.
The bond twisted. I was telling the truth this time, but Kael still looked sceptical.
You don't know, he repeated. Viktor sends you a message saying the bond was always part of his plan, and you don't know why?
No! I don't even know how Viktor is alive! My voice rose. Gray told me Viktor killed my father, not you. But I saw you standing over his body. I saw the blood on your hands!
Kael flinched like I'd hit him. I did kill your father. In single combat. But I didn't murder him, Sera. I thought I was preventing a war.
You thought wrong.
Apparently. His jaw clenched. Someone gave me false intelligence. Made it look like your father was planning to assassinate the Alpha Council. I had documents, messages, and proof
Proof Viktor faked, I interrupted. Gray had evidence. Documents showing Viktor manipulated everything to make you attack Silver Crest.
Kael's eyes widened. Where's this evidence?
Gray is dead. Murdered before he could show me everything. My throat tightened. Someone's been watching me for weeks. Following me. And now Viktor's playing games.
Which brings us back to the bond. Kael ran a hand through his hair. Why would Viktor want us bonded?
Before I could answer, Elder Moira pushed into the tent.
I thought I'd find you two here, she said. Her ancient eyes studied us both. You're wondering about the bond.
Among other things, Kael said dryly.
Pack law is clear. You have three days to accept or reject the mating bond. Moira looked at me. Rejection means death for both of you. The Moon Goddess doesn't take back her gifts lightly.
Gift? I choked out. This is a curse!
Is it? Moira's gaze was knowing. Or is it exactly what you both need?
I need him dead, I said flatly.
Kael's pain slammed through the bond so hard I gasped. He felt it my honest desire to see him die. And it was killing him.
Good. Let him hurt like I've hurt.
But the bond made me feel his pain like it was my own, and I hated that too.
Three days, Moira repeated. Choose wisely. The Moon Goddess makes no mistakes, even when we think she does. She left as quickly as she'd arrived.
Kael and I stood in heavy silence.
I won't force you to accept this bond, he finally said. If you truly want me dead, we can reject it. We'll die, but at least you'll have your revenge.
I stared at him. You'd die rather than force me to stay?
Yes. No hesitation. Through the bond, I felt the truth of it. I've done enough damage to your life. If death is what you want, I owe you that much.
Something in my chest cracked. This wasn't what I expected. Monsters didn't offer to die for their victims.
I don't understand you, I whispered.
I don't understand you either. But we have three days to try. He moved toward the tent entrance. Come on. The Council is calling an emergency meeting.
Where are we going?
You're coming with me to Blood Moon territory. Pack law says you're my mate now, which means you're under my protection.
I don't want your protection!
Too bad. Viktor's after you, and I'm not letting him get you.
Why do you even care?
Kael turned, his eyes intense. Because you're my mate. Bond or no bond, revenge or no revenge, I protect what's mine.
The Council meeting was chaos.
All five Alphas were demanding answers. Who organized the attack? Why target them specifically? How did the attackers get past security?
I stood behind Kael, trying to be invisible while every wolf in the tent kept staring at me. The omega bonded to the strongest Alpha. The daughter of a dead pack leader who'd supposedly betrayed them all.
Blood Moon will investigate, Kael announced. This was coordinated. Professional. Someone wants pack society to fall into war.
And your new mate just happens to show up right before the attack? Alpha Cormac glared at me. Convenient.
Careful, Kael's voice dropped to a dangerous growl. You're talking about my mate.
Your mate is Sera Ashwood! Her pack was destroyed for treason!
My father was innocent! I shouted before I could stop myself.
The tent went silent.
Sera, Kael warned quietly.
But I was done being quiet. My father never planned to hurt anyone. He was framed. And I'm going to prove it.
Alpha Cormac sneered. With what evidence? The word of a girl who's been hiding for seven years?
With Viktor Stone's head on a spike, I snapped.
More shocked silence.
Then Elder Moira spoke: The girl speaks truth. Viktor Stone has been manipulating pack politics for decades. And now he's made his move.
If that's true, another Alpha said, then we're all in danger. Viktor knows our weaknesses. Our secrets.
Which is why we all return to our territories immediately, Moira declared. Protect your packs. Trust no one. And pray the Moon Goddess guides us through this storm.
The meeting ended quickly after that. Alphas scattered to their pack groups, already planning defences.
Elena found me in the crowd.
You lying little she grabbed my arm hard enough to bruise. You came here to destroy everything. To steal him!
I don't want him, I said through clenched teeth.
Liar! You're bonded to the most powerful Alpha in the territories and you expect me to believe
Elena. Kael appeared beside us, his presence making Elena instantly release me. Touch my mate again and we'll have a problem.
Elena's eyes filled with tears. I loved you. For years, I loved you.
I know. I'm sorry. His voice was surprisingly gentle. But the Moon Goddess chose her. Not you.
Elena looked at me with such hate that I actually stepped back. This isn't over, she hissed, then disappeared into the crowd.
She's going to be a problem, I muttered.
She's the least of our problems. Kael guided me toward a sleek black car. Nash was already in the driver's seat. Get in.
I hesitated at the door. Getting in that car meant leaving Frost River behind. Meant going deep into Blood Moon territory. Meant being completely at Kael's mercy.
I won't hurt you, Kael said quietly, reading my fear through the bond. Whatever happens in three days, whatever you decide about the bond, I promise you're safe with me.
I wanted to believe him. The bond was screaming at me to trust him.
But seven years of hate didn't disappear in one night.
I got in the car.
Kael slid in beside me, careful not to touch me. The door closed. Nash started driving.
And just like that, I was heading into the territory of my greatest enemy.
I stared out the window, watching the Gathering Stones disappear behind us. My hand drifted to where my knife should be, but it was gone. Lost in the battle.
I was trapped. Unarmed. Bonded to a man I was supposed to kill.
Through the bond, I felt Kael's exhaustion, his confusion, his desperate hope that somehow we'd figure this out.
I closed my eyes and tried to block him out.
Sera, Kael said softly.
Don't. Just... don't.
He went quiet, but the bond hummed between us. Growing stronger with every mile that brought us closer to Blood Moon.
My phone buzzed in my pocket somehow it had survived the battle.
Unknown number. My blood ran cold.
The message was one line: Three days isn't enough time to fall in love. But it's plenty of time to watch him die. Tick tock, little moon. V
Viktor was watching. Listening. Planning.
And he was going to kill Kael in three days.