Sage's POV
Twenty minutes into the drive, Kael passed out.
One second he was sitting beside me, tense and silent. The next, his eyes rolled back and he collapsed against the window.
Kael! I grabbed his arm. His skin burned like lava.
It's the poison, Cole said from the driver's seat, knuckles white on the steering wheel. Moving faster now that he used his strength earlier. We need to get him home. Fast.
The SUV accelerated. Trees became a blur outside the windows. I pressed my glowing hands to Kael's chest, trying to slow the black veins crawling up his neck, but they kept spreading.
Why isn't it working? Panic clawed at my throat.
You're buying him time, Lyra said from the front seat. That's all we can ask.
It wasn't enough. I could feel him slipping away, the bond between us screaming in protest.
We burst out of the forest into a clearing, and my breath caught.
Shadowpeak Lodge rose before us like something out of a dream. Stone and wood, massive and ancient, built into the mountainside itself. Lights blazed from dozens of windows. Armed guards patrolled the grounds. And everywhere I saw eyes watching from the darkness.
Wolves. Dozens of them. Some in human form, some still in fur, all staring at the SUV with glowing eyes.
They can smell you, Cole said quietly. They know what you are before they even see the Mark.
What am I to them?
Hope. He pulled up to the entrance. Or a threat. Depends on who you ask.
The doors flew open before we even stopped. People poured out guards, healers, pack members all shouting at once. Cole jumped out and wrenched open Kael's door.
Get him inside! Now!
Hands reached in, lifting Kael's unconscious body. I scrambled out after him, my heart hammering. A massive man with scarred arms blocked my path.
Who's the girl?
The healer, Cole said. Move.
The man's eyes narrowed, but he stepped aside. I pushed through the crowd, following Kael's body as they carried him inside. The Lodge was chaos people running, shouting, the smell of herbs and blood thick in the air.
They laid Kael on a bed in a room filled with medical equipment. His breathing rattled. The black veins covered half his face now.
Lyra appeared beside me, her white hair wild. Let me see your shoulder.
What?
Your Mark. Show me.
I pulled down my collar. The crescent moon pattern glowed silver-bright on my skin. Lyra's face went pale.
By the Moon Mother, she breathed. You're a Lunar Healer. A real one. I thought you were all dead.
What does that mean? I grabbed her arm. What am I?
Before she could answer, Kael screamed.
The sound ripped through the room like a knife. His back arched off the bed. The black veins pulsed, spreading faster, crawling toward his heart.
He's dying! someone shouted.
Hold him down! Lyra ordered.
Guards rushed forward, pinning Kael's thrashing body. His eyes snapped open pure silver, wild with pain and rage. His wolf was fighting to surface, trying to save him the only way it knew how.
If he shifts like this, the poison will kill him instantly, Lyra said. Sage, you have to stop it. Now.
I didn't think. I threw myself onto the bed, pressing my hands to his chest. Golden light exploded from my palms, brighter than ever before. The poison fought back, burning through me like acid.
More, Lyra urged. Give him more!
I don't know how!
The Mark! Use the Mark!
I didn't know what she meant, but the Mark on my shoulder blazed in response. Power poured through me not just from my hands, but from the Mark itself, ancient and furious and unstoppable.
The poison retreated. Kael's screaming stopped. His breathing evened out. The black veins faded to thin lines.
Then his hand shot up and grabbed my wrist.
His eyes locked onto mine still silver, still wild, but aware now. Aware of me.
Don't leave, he rasped. Promise me you won't leave.
I promised one week, I said, my voice shaking.
Not enough. His grip tightened. The bond between us pulsed with desperation. I'll die without you.
You'll die WITH me if I keep draining the poison like this! I pulled my hands away. They were shaking, covered in black residue that burned my skin. This isn't a cure. It's a bandage.
Lyra stepped forward. She's right. We need to find the source of the poison. Find who made it. Otherwise, she'll kill herself trying to keep you alive.
Then we hunt, Cole said from the doorway. Behind him, a dozen wolves stood at attention. We find whoever did this and we make them talk.
It's someone close, I said suddenly. Everyone turned to look at me. The poison it's too specific. They know pack routines, guard rotations. They sent that wolf to my door as a test.
The room went silent.
You're saying the poisoner is in the pack, Cole said quietly.
I'm saying the person trying to kill your Alpha is someone you trust.
Kael's hand found mine again. Then you need protection. Cole, assign her guards. No one gets near her without clearance.
I don't need guards, I protested.
Yes, you do. Kael's voice was steel. Because whoever poisoned me will come for you next.
A chill ran down my spine.
He was right. I was the only thing keeping him alive. Which made me the poisoner's biggest problem.
And somewhere in this massive lodge, surrounded by hundreds of wolves I didn't know
Someone was planning to kill me.