The clearing seemed to hold its breath, the air crackling with tension as Kael's golden gaze bore into Emilia. Every muscle in her body screamed at her to run, but her feet remained rooted to the ground. Liam and Darius moved in front of her, their shoulders squared and their postures brimming with defiance.
Kael tilted his head, his amusement unshaken. "Always the loyal guard dogs," he mused. "But this isn't your fight, is it? Step aside, and I might let you live."
Liam's growl was low and dangerous. "You'll have to go through me first."
"And me," Darius added, his tone dripping with disdain.
Kael's smirk faltered, his expression hardening. "Very well. If you insist."
Before anyone could react, he lunged forward, faster than any of them could have anticipated. The world blurred into chaos as claws clashed against claws, snarls and growls echoing through the clearing.
Emilia's heart raced as she gripped the dagger tightly, her mind a whirlwind of fear and determination. She couldn't just stand there, watching them fight for her. She had to do something.
"Emilia, stay back!" Liam's voice cut through the fray, but she ignored him.
Her instincts took over, her legs propelling her forward as she searched for an opening. Kael was a blur of dark fur and sinewy muscle, his strikes calculated and lethal. Liam and Darius fought with everything they had, but it was clear they were outmatched.
Emilia's chance came when Kael momentarily turned his back to her, his focus on Darius. Without hesitation, she raised the dagger and charged, aiming for his exposed side.
But Kael was faster.
In an instant, he spun around, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. His grip was iron, unyielding, and the dagger clattered to the ground as pain shot through her arm.
"Bold," he said, his voice a low rumble. "But foolish."
He yanked her closer, his golden eyes piercing into hers. "Do you even understand what you are? The power you hold? You think these two can protect you from the inevitable?"
"Let her go!" Liam roared, lunging at Kael with claws bared.
Kael sidestepped easily, using Emilia as a shield. Liam froze mid-attack, his gaze flickering with panic as Kael pressed a clawed hand to her throat.
"One more step, and she dies," Kael warned, his tone icy.
The clearing fell silent except for Emilia's ragged breaths. Her heart pounded as she felt the sharpness of his claws against her skin, the reality of the situation sinking in.
"Good," Kael said, his lips curling into a smirk. "Now, let's have a little chat."
He dragged Emilia backward, further into the forest. Liam and Darius followed at a distance, their movements careful and calculated.
"Stop!" Emilia gasped, struggling against his grip. "If you want to talk, then talk. But leave them out of this."
Kael laughed, the sound cold and devoid of humor. "And here I thought you didn't know your place. Perhaps there's hope for you yet."
He released her abruptly, sending her stumbling to the ground. She scrambled to her feet, her eyes darting between him and the two wolves hovering at the edge of the clearing.
"Speak," she demanded, her voice steadier than she felt.
Kael studied her for a moment, his gaze unreadable. "You don't know what you're fighting against, little wolf. The witches, the hunters, even the packs—they all want one thing: control. And you, my dear, are the key to that control."
"I didn't ask for this!" she shot back, her voice trembling with anger.
"No one ever does," he replied, his tone almost sympathetic. "But it doesn't change the facts. Your bloodline is unique—powerful. You're a weapon, whether you like it or not. And weapons are meant to be wielded."
"I'm not a weapon," Emilia said, her jaw tightening. "I'm a person. And I won't let you—or anyone else—use me."
Kael's expression darkened. "Noble. But naive. If you don't take your place at the throne, someone else will. And they won't hesitate to use you for their own gain."
"Why do you care so much about the throne?" she demanded. "What's in it for you?"
His eyes gleamed with something dangerous. "Power, of course. But not just for me. For all of us. The packs have been scattered for too long, divided by petty rivalries and archaic traditions. I intend to change that. To unite us under one rule—my rule."
"And you think I'll just… help you do that?" she asked incredulously.
Kael's smirk returned. "You don't have a choice."
Before she could respond, a howl pierced the air—a chilling, mournful sound that sent shivers down her spine.
Kael stiffened, his gaze snapping to the trees. "We're out of time."
"What's happening?" Emilia asked, fear creeping into her voice.
"The hunters," he said, his tone grim. "They've found us."
Liam and Darius materialized at her side, their expressions tense.
"We need to go," Liam said urgently, his hand gripping her arm.
Kael's eyes narrowed. "If you run, they'll only chase you down. You'll lead them straight to your precious pack."
Emilia hesitated, torn between her instincts to flee and the undeniable truth in Kael's words.
"What do you suggest?" Darius asked, his tone laced with skepticism.
Kael's smirk turned into a wolfish grin. "We fight."
The forest erupted in chaos as figures emerged from the shadows, armed with silver-tipped weapons and determination etched on their faces.
The hunters had arrived.
And Emilia knew, deep down, that
this was only the beginning.
Would she survive the night—and the secrets it would reveal?