Kael Stormfang's POV
I kill the Feral beast with my bare hands.
It used to be human—I can tell by the strange clothes hanging in tatters from its twisted body. Mira screams behind me as I rip the creature's throat out, my claws tearing through corrupted flesh. The beast falls, twitching, then goes still.
But it's too late.
Finn is on the ground, bleeding from three deep gashes across his chest. The young fox tried to protect Mira and nearly died for it. I can see the black veins already starting to spread from his wounds—Feral corruption transferred through claws.
"No," Mira breathes, dropping to her knees beside Finn. "No, no, no."
Her hands glow golden as she presses them to his chest. The light is so bright it hurts to look at, but I can't look away. The black veins scream and retreat under her touch. Within seconds, Finn's wounds close completely, the corruption purged.
He gasps and sits up, his eyes wide with shock. "You... you saved me."
"Of course I did," Mira says, but her voice shakes. Her hands are trembling. "I couldn't just let you die."
She doesn't understand what she just did. Feral corruption is supposed to be permanent. Incurable. Once those black veins start spreading, death is the only mercy.
But she cured him in seconds.
Around us, the other Feral beasts lie dead, killed by my wolves and Draven's fire. The human-turned-Feral that Mira recognized is among them. She stares at its body, tears streaming down her face.
"That was a person," she whispers. "Someone from my world. They were transported here just like me, and the curse turned them into... that."
"Mira—" I start.
"I'm not immune." She looks up at me, and the fear in her eyes makes my chest tight. "Humans can become Feral too. Which means eventually, I'll turn into one of those things."
"No." The word comes out harsh. Final. "I won't let that happen."
"You can't stop a disease—"
"I'll find a way." I crouch beside her, forcing her to meet my eyes. "You're the Blessed One. You heal others. There has to be a way to heal yourself."
"And if there isn't?"
Then I'll stay by your side until the very end. Just like I did with Sera.
The thought hits me like a physical blow. I haven't let myself think her name in years. Haven't let myself remember.
But looking at Mira's frightened face, I can't help it.
Sera. My first mate. The female I loved for three beautiful years before the curse took her from me.
"Kael?" Mira touches my arm. "Are you okay?"
"We need to get you back to the village," I say, standing quickly. "Behind the wards where you'll be safe."
"Wait." She stands too, her scientist mind already working. "That Feral that was human—how long do people usually survive after infection? Is there a timeline? Symptoms I should watch for?"
Finn answers quietly, "It varies. Some turn in days. Others fight it for years."
"The snake," Mira says suddenly. "Zephyr. He said he's been Feral for eight years. How is he still sane?"
"Willpower," Draven says, appearing from the smoke of battle. His shoulder is bleeding where the bullet grazed him, but he ignores it. "Zephyr is one of the strongest males I've ever met. But even he's running out of time."
"Then I need to heal him," Mira declares. "And everyone else infected. I need to figure out how my power works, how to control it, how to—"
"You need to rest," I interrupt. "You've used your power three times today. You're exhausted."
"People are dying—"
"And you'll die too if you burn yourself out!" The words come out louder than I intended. Everyone stares at me. I take a breath, trying to calm down. "Please, Mira. Just... let me keep you safe for one night. Tomorrow we'll figure everything else out."
She studies my face, and I wonder what she sees there. The cracks in my control? The terror that's been eating at me since the moment I caught her falling from the sky?
"Okay," she says finally. "One night."
Relief floods through me.
We make our way back to the village, my wolves forming a protective circle around Mira. Finn walks close to her, already devoted after she saved his life. Draven follows at a distance, his dragon eyes constantly scanning for threats.
When we reach the village, Elder Mako is waiting with grim news.
"Five tribes are camped outside our borders," he reports. "Panthers, bears, eagles, snakes, and a deer clan. They're demanding to see the Blessed One. Some are offering alliances. Others are threatening war if we don't share her."
"She's not property to be shared," I growl.
"They don't see it that way. They see salvation." Mako's ancient eyes are sad. "Can you blame them? How many sons have they lost to the curse? How many brothers, fathers, friends?"
Too many. We've all lost too many.
"I'll speak to them tomorrow," Mira says quietly. "I'll try to help as many as I can."
"No." I turn on her. "It's too dangerous. They'll tear you apart trying to get close—"
"Then come with me. Protect me while I heal them." Her brown eyes are determined. "I didn't ask for this power, Kael. But I have it. And I'm a doctor. Helping people is what I do."
She sounds so much like Sera in that moment it steals my breath.
Sera used to say the same thing. "I'm a healer. I can't just stand by while people suffer."
Even when she was dying, black veins spreading across her beautiful face, she tried to help others first.
I take Mira to my den—the largest in the village, carved into the base of an ancient tree. Inside, soft furs cover the floor. A fire burns in the pit, casting dancing shadows.
"You should sleep," I tell her. "You're safe here. I'll guard the entrance."
"You need rest too."
"I'll sleep when you're secure."
She looks like she wants to argue, but exhaustion wins. She curls up on the furs, and within minutes, she's asleep.
I sit by the entrance, watching her breathe.
She looks so small. So fragile. So human.
And I'm terrified.
Terrified of losing her like I lost Sera. Terrified of watching another mate succumb to the curse. Terrified that no matter how strong I am, how many enemies I kill, how many borders I defend—I won't be enough to save her.
Sera's death nearly destroyed me. I was the one who had to end her suffering when the madness took over completely. She attacked me, screaming, not recognizing my face. The curse had stolen everything that made her her.
I held her afterward and howled until my throat bled.
I can't do that again. I won't.
Movement catches my eye. Maya slips into the den, her face pale.
"Brother," she whispers. "We have a problem."
"What now?"
"The human male—Marcus. He's demanding a formal Challenge."
My blood runs cold. A Challenge is an ancient ritual where males fight to prove their worth for a female's hand. It's binding. Sacred. And I can't refuse without losing honor.
"When?"
"Three days. In the Sacred Circle, witnessed by all tribes." Maya's voice shakes. "But Kael... he's not fighting fair. He's brought weapons from his world. Guns. Explosives. Things our people have never faced."
"I don't care what weapons he has. I'll kill him."
"There's more." She hesitates. "He's not just challenging you. He's declared a Battle Royale—any male who wants to claim Mira can enter. Winner takes all."
Winner takes all. Which means Zephyr will fight. Draven will fight. Finn will fight. The four males bonded to Mira's soul will be forced to battle each other.
And only one can win.
"He's trying to make us kill each other," I realize.
"Yes. And if you all die fighting, he wins by default." Maya grips my arm. "What do we do?"
Before I can answer, Mira screams.
I'm beside her in a heartbeat. She's thrashing in her sleep, her body hot with fever. Black veins are spreading up her arm from where the Feral beast's blood splattered her earlier.
"No," I breathe. "Not you. Please, not you."
Her eyes snap open—but they're not brown anymore.
They're glowing red.
The curse is taking her. Right now. Right in front of me.
And I'm about to lose another mate to the same nightmare that destroyed the first.