Sera's POV
We have forty-five minutes, I said, grabbing my jacket. Let's go.
Kael blocked the door. No. This is exactly what Viktor wants to separate us, make us vulnerable.
He has my brother!
And if we walk into his trap, he'll have all three of us. Kael's voice was firm. Nash is already assembling a team. We're going in with backup.
Viktor said come alone!
Viktor's a liar and a manipulator. We do this smart or we don't do it at all.
I wanted to scream. Every second we argued was a second closer to Jason's death. But Kael was right walking into Viktor's trap without a plan was suicide.
Fine, I said through gritted teeth. What's the plan?
Twenty minutes later, we were in Kael's war room. Nash had maps spread across the table, marking the old warehouse on the north border.
It's abandoned, Nash said. Been empty for five years since the textile company shut down. Three floors, multiple entry points, perfect for an ambush.
How many wolves can you spare? Kael asked.
Ten of our best. But Viktor will see them coming.
Not if they're in position before we arrive. Kael traced a route on the map. Sera and I go in the front. You and the team surround the building, cut off escape routes.
You're using yourselves as bait, Nash said flatly.
Yes.
That's insane.
That's the only way to save the hostages. Kael looked at me. Unless you have a better idea?
I studied the map, my mind racing. Viktor was smart. He'd expect backup. He'd have countermeasures.
But he wouldn't expect me to actually want to save Kael.
What if I go in alone? I said quietly. Like Viktor asked. But Kael follows at a distance, out of sight.
Absolutely not, Kael growled.
Listen Viktor thinks I still want you dead. He'll believe I came alone to trade you for Jason. I met Kael's eyes. We use his assumptions against him.
Nash frowned. That could work. Viktor's arrogant. He'll want to gloat before he kills you.
Which gives Kael time to get into position. I pointed to a side entrance on the map. Here. You come in from the east, find the hostages while Viktor's focused on me.
And what happens when he realizes you didn't bring me? Kael demanded.
I stall. I lie. I do whatever it takes. My voice hardened. I've been lying to survive for seven years. I can handle Viktor.
Kael and Nash exchanged a look.
I don't like it, Kael said.
You don't have to like it. You just have to trust me.
The word hung in the air between us. Trust. The one thing we didn't have.
Through the bond, I felt Kael's struggle his instinct to protect warring with the knowledge that I was right.
Fine, he finally said. But if anything goes wrong, you run. Don't try to be a hero.
Same to you.
Kael's POV
Watching Sera walk toward that warehouse alone was the hardest thing Kael had ever done.
She looked so small in the moonlight, so vulnerable. Every instinct screamed at him to go to her, protect her, keep her safe.
But she was right. This was their best chance.
In position, Nash's voice crackled through the communication unit in Kael's ear. Teams Alpha and Beta surrounding the building. No movement yet.
Copy, Kael whispered. He was crouched behind a rusted dumpster fifty feet from the side entrance. I'm going in.
Through the bond, he felt Sera's fear. But also her determination. Her absolute certainty that she could do this.
His mate was brave. Foolishly, impossibly brave.
And if Viktor hurt her, Kael would tear him apart.
Sera's POV
The warehouse door was open, waiting for me.
I stepped inside and the smell hit me first old, rust, and underneath it all, the coppery scent of blood.
Hello? My voice echoed in the darkness.
Lights flickered on, nearly blinding me. When my eyes adjusted, I saw them Lyra and Jason, tied to chairs in the center of the room. Both unconscious but breathing.
Relief crashed through me so hard I almost fell.
Right on time, little moon.
Viktor stepped from the shadows, and my blood ran cold.
He looked exactly the same as I remembered silver hair, kind eyes, the warm smile that used to make me feel safe. Uncle Viktor who gave me candy and called me his favourite girl.
The man who'd destroyed everything.
Where's Kael? Viktor asked, looking around. I distinctly said bring him.
He's coming. I just got here first.
Viktor's smile didn't waver. You're lying. The bond wouldn't let you be separated for long without pain. And yet you look fine. He tilted his head. Which means he's here somewhere, waiting to play hero.
My heart sank. He knew.
Smart girl, trying to trick me, Viktor continued. But I taught your father strategy. I taught you chess when you were six. Did you really think you could outmanoeuvred me?
You killed my father. The words ripped out of me. He trusted you!
Your father was weak. He wanted peace, cooperation, unity among packs. Viktor's voice filled with disgust. He didn't understand that power is the only thing that matters. So I took his power and made it mine.
By framing him. By using Kael
By being smarter than everyone else. Viktor pulled out a gun silver bullets, I saw. Lethal to wolves. And now I'll finish what I started seven years ago. I'll kill the last Ashwood. And her mate. And I'll take control of all five packs.
You're insane.
I'm ambitious. There's a difference. He aimed the gun at Lyra. Now call Kael. Tell him to come out. Or I start shooting hostages.
Don't! I stepped forward, hands raised. I'll do whatever you want. Just let them go.
Oh, Sera. You still don't understand. Viktor's smile turned cruel. I don't want them. I want you to suffer before you die. Just like I made your father suffer.
The door behind Viktor exploded inward.
Kael stood there, massive and terrifying, his eyes blazing with Alpha power. Get away from my mate.
Viktor's gun swung toward Kael. There you are. Right on schedule.
Everything happened at once.
Viktor fired. The gunshot was deafening.
I screamed and lunged forward, throwing myself between the bullet and Kael.
Pain exploded through my shoulder as silver burned into my flesh. I fell, gasping.
Through the bond, I felt Kael's rage, his terror, his absolute fury.
He shifted mid-leap, his black wolf crashing into Viktor with the force of a truck.
Then Nash and his team poured through every entrance, and chaos erupted.
I tried to get up but my shoulder was on fire, bleeding badly. Silver poison spreading through my veins.
Someone cut Jason and Lyra free. Lyra ran to me, pressing her hands over my wound.
Stay with me, she begged. Please stay with me.
My vision blurred. Through the bond, I felt Kael fighting Viktor, felt his desperation to get to me.
I'm sorry, I thought at him through the bond. I'm sorry I couldn't hate you. I'm sorry I
The thought died as darkness pulled me under.
Kael's POV
Kael felt the exact moment Sera lost consciousness.
The bond went quiet. Empty. Terrifying.
He left Viktor bleeding on the floor Nash could handle him and ran to Sera.
She was so pale. So still. Blood pooled beneath her, silver poison turning her veins black.
No, he whispered, pulling her into his arms. No, no, no. Stay with me, Sera. Please.
Lyra was crying. She jumped in front of the bullet. She saved you.
Sera had saved him. His mate, who'd come here to kill him, had taken a silver bullet to protect him.
Get a medic! Kael roared. NOW!
But he could already feel it through the bond the poison spreading, her life slipping away.
There was only one way to save her.
The mating bite. Completing the bond would give her his strength, his healing, his life force. It was forbidden to do it without permission, but she was dying.
Kael lowered his mouth to the mate mark on her shoulder.
I'm sorry, he whispered. But I'm not losing you.
He bit down.
The bond exploded between them, fully completed now. Power flooded through it his Alpha strength pouring into Sera's broken body.
Her eyes flew open, glowing silver.
Then she started screaming.
Not in pain. In power.
Silver light burst from her skin, so bright everyone had to look away. When it faded, Sera sat up, completely healed.
But her eyes were still glowing. And when she spoke, it wasn't her voice.
The Moon-Blessed awakens, she said in a voice like thunder. And she will bring justice to those who spilled innocent blood.
She turned her glowing eyes to Viktor, who was trying to crawl away.
You wanted power, Viktor Stone? Sera's voice was terrible and beautiful. Let me show you what real power looks like.
She raised her hand, and Viktor started screaming.