By the time Elara and Kael returned to the heart of the territory, the sky was streaked with dawn, and the scent of scorched earth clung to their skin. The clearing outside the pack house was already abuzz — warriors had been roused, scouts deployed, and whispers of Vael's appearance spread like wildfire.
But all eyes turned to Elara.
Her cloak was torn, her hair wind-tangled, and golden embers still danced around her fingertips. Power rolled off her in waves, not wild now — controlled, humming like a quiet storm. She had changed.
Ravynn met them at the gates, eyes narrowing at the burn marks on Elara's arms. "You fought him."
"He attacked me," Elara replied calmly. "And he's stronger than we thought."
Kael stepped forward, his voice hard. "No more secrets. Vael wants Elara because she's something more than Moonmarked. He called her Flameborn."
A ripple went through the gathered wolves. Confusion. Fear. Awe.
Then Elena emerged from the pack house. "She is both," the seer said simply. "The fire and the moon. It was never meant to happen. And yet it has."
Ravynn turned to Elara, crossing her arms. "So… what now? Do we hide you? Protect you like a relic?"
"No," Elara said, her voice ringing clear. "You train me."
The words silenced the crowd.
She looked around, her gaze fierce. "You've all fought for this land, for this pack. I've bled for it too. I'm not leaving. I'm not hiding. I want to stand beside you in this war — not as Kael's mate, not as a prophecy — but as your equal."
Kael placed his hand on hers, his voice low. "You already are."
The pack murmured their agreement, heads bowing in respect. Ravynn grinned. "Then let's see what fire can really do."
That night, under the blood-tinged moon, the pack made their oaths. Swords were sharpened. Magic summoned. Elara stood in the center, flames curling up her arms like golden vines, and the warriors howled not just for Kael — but for her.
A new Alpha's moonmate.
A weapon of light against the oncoming darkness.
And somewhere in the shadows, Vael watched… and began preparing his own army