Kael's POV
There she was, standing in the middle of the arena. My russet red warrior—the wolf I'd once known was gone, replaced by this stronger, fiercer creature I had created.
The snow fell heavily, spreading white, however, the arena remained black—old werewolf magic. Solemn cries sliced through the stench of blood and sweat, through the eerie silence—a praise for the victor and a lament for the dead he-wolf.
Her wolf crumbled, falling to its side, blood gushing from the nasty bite the he-wolf had given her. I could hear her rugged breaths; she was still on the verge of death. Panic brought me to my feet, my heart slamming in response. My wolf cried to be with her, I almost adhered… almost jumped down the platform—the urge strong.
But I was Alpha. And she wasn't my chosen anymore.
"Get the healer." I swallowed, fists clenching by my sides.
Liam gave me a look. "You know we can't. It's against tradition." He explained. "The injured victor would have to see the healer himself… without aid."
She will die." The words cracked, revealing the raw fear beneath. I forced my voice back to its Alpha depth. "She won't be able to make it."
Her breaths slowed… I could hear it echo in my ear.
"But…"
I snapped. "If you don't, I will go down to her, pick her up and take her to the healer myself."
"But, you can't," Liam's eyebrows shot up. "It will cause an uproar."
"It's your call, Liam."
A pause.
Her shallow breaths.
No response.
And I lost my patience.
I dashed forward and jumped off the railing.
"Kael!" The wind carried Liam's voice away. However, I ignored his voice of reason.
My boot clad feet landed on the snow with a soft thud, eyes on Jade. The second I found my bearings, my legs carried me faster than I could think, towards the red heap on the black ground.
"Jade?" I gasped, kneeling beside her wolf. I shook her slightly—she was unconscious, her pulse slowing.
My arms went around her bloodied wolf and lifted her up with a oof—her wolf had definitely gained a lot of weight as well. I cradled her firmly in my arms, rising to my feet.
"Kael!" It was Liam's.
Yet again, I ignored it, along with the murmurs that weaved into the cold air, disbelief and surprise tainting the atmosphere—I was supposed to be their Alpha—keeper and enforcer of the werewolf laws and traditions, and I had just stepped out of line.
——
Jade's POV
Bright white lights. I winced, squeezing my eyes closed. I didn't try opening them again. Instead, I let my body embrace the softness and warmth of the mattress with a sigh. The petunias lingering on the pillows and in the air. A satisfied smile appeared on my face. Until…
I don't use petunias in my room.
I immediately jolted upright, eyes tearing open. I wasn't in my bedroom, rather, I was in a strangely familiar place. Looked like a log cabin.
The air in the log cabin was still and sacred, thick with the scent of petunias, drying herbs, and old magic. Moonlight streamed through a single, large window, illuminating dancing dust motes and gleaming on polished wooden surfaces. Bunches of herbs hung from the crossbeams, and neatly labeled clay pots and glass jars filled with roots, petals, and tinctures lined sturdy shelves. A large, crackling fireplace dominated one wall, its heat a comforting presence. It seemed like a place of quiet power, where the very silence seemed to hum with healing energy.
"I wondered when you would wake up." A small voice echoed.
My heart skipped a beat. I turned to my right, teeth bare, and there sat a rather beautiful blonde woman. She looked almost ethereal in her icy blue dress.
"Where am I?" I growled. My wolf sensed her wolf.
Her brown eyes gleamed with mischief. "So, you don't remember?" She scoffed. "I mean, the healer did mend your wounds pretty good."
My hand shot up to my shoulder and my eyes widened—no scar, no blood, no pain.
And that was when it dawned on me; I had passed out after the duel and had been taken to the healer's cabin, it was why the cabin looked familiar—Kael used to take me here whenever I had sustained an injury from our constant friendly duel.
"I guess she couldn't fix your mind." The she-wolf smirked. "You must still be in shock."
I snapped at her, eyes glowing red. "Watch your mouth, Blondie."
"You really don't know who I am." She glared at me.
I snarled. "I. Don't. Care."
Her gaze intensified and her voice rose."Oh! You should care, omega! I am Sasha Romanov! Daughter of the alpha of Scarred Moon! Kael's Chosen!"
"What?" I couldn't explain what it felt like I had been slapped in the face. "Kael's chosen?"
"Yes." Sasha hissed, baring her white canines at me. "And it had better sink in your wolf brain. He is mine. Not yours."
"Wow." It was all I could say.
"Wow, indeed." She continued—I barely listened, stuck in a daze; I couldn't get why I was so surprised by the revelation. "So, you better stay away from him. I do not need him stepping out of line again because of you. Are we clear?"
He really got himself a chosen after what he did to me? So, he could actually still love after everything, whereas I never went on a date; official or not, for seven years. The bastard!
"Are we clear?"
I snapped. "Fuck off!"
Sasha fell quiet, taken aback.
"I don't care who you are to him." My voice hardened. "Or if he loses his authority. I don't give two fucks. I'm here for business. And it will be best if you both stayed out of my way. Clear?"
She snorted. "Watch your back, omega. Else you would get stabbed."
"I will."
And she exited the cabin, letting a soft thud echo in the space.