KAEL'S POV
I was in my car before the phone even finished ringing.
"Talk," I barked at Marcus.
"Nightshade Pack just mobilized. Twenty wolves heading toward Moonshadow territory." His voice was urgent. "Kael, I think they found her."
My foot slammed the accelerator to the floor. "How far?"
"Thirty minutes if you drive like a sane person. Fifteen if you drive like you."
"I'll be there in ten."
I hung up and pushed the car faster, weaving through traffic. The bond in my chest burned—not dimming anymore, but blazing with Sera's fear. She was terrified. In danger.
And I was too far away.
Faster! Shadow roared. Our mate needs us!
The photo Theron had sent haunted me. Sera unconscious in another Alpha's arms. The text: "She's mine now."
Over my dead body.
My phone rang again. Unknown number. I almost ignored it, then recognized the voice when I answered.
"Alpha Stormridge. So predictable." Lyanna's laugh was vicious. "Racing to save your precious mate?"
"Where are you?" I snarled.
"Outside a lovely little hospital in Moonshadow territory. Surrounded by my Nightshade friends. About to give your mate a choice—come with us peacefully, or watch everyone inside burn."
My blood turned to ice. "Touch her and—"
"And what? You'll kill me? Please, Kael. You couldn't even kill me when you found out I betrayed you. You're too soft. Too controlled. Too afraid to actually FEEL anything." Her voice turned mocking. "But don't worry. We'll take good care of Sera. Train her power. Use her to destroy everything you love. Starting with that baby."
The call ended.
I drove faster, the engine screaming. Ten minutes to Moonshadow territory. Ten minutes too long.
My phone rang a third time. I answered without looking.
"Kael." The ancient voice from the hospital—Theron's mother. "Listen carefully. Lyanna's pack has surrounded the hospital. Theron's trying to evacuate, but they won't get everyone out in time. Sera's inside, weak from the flight, baby at risk. She can't fight."
"I'm seven minutes away—"
"That's too long. Lyanna will force her hand before then." The old woman paused. "There's one thing that might buy time. The mate bond. If you open yourself to it completely, Sera might feel your presence. Know you're coming. It could give her the strength to hold on."
"I destroyed that bond. Pushed her away for three months."
"Then FIX IT!" Her voice cracked like thunder. "Stop being a coward and CLAIM YOUR MATE. Not through coldness. Not through contracts. Through the bond the Moon Goddess gave you. Let her feel everything you've been hiding. The fear. The love. The regret. ALL OF IT."
My hands tightened on the wheel. Opening the bond meant vulnerability. Meant letting Sera see every broken piece of me. Every weakness. Every fear that made me cruel.
It meant risking everything.
DO IT! Shadow demanded. She's dying because of us! SAVE HER!
I closed my eyes for one second—just one—and tore down every wall I'd built.
The bond exploded open.
Sera's emotions flooded through me—terror, pain, determination to protect our baby. But also... hope. Tiny, flickering hope that maybe, just maybe, she wasn't alone.
I sent everything back through the bond. Every ounce of regret. Every moment I'd wanted to hold her but didn't. The truth I'd been too afraid to speak.
I love you. I'm coming. Hold on.
Through the bond, I felt her gasp. Felt her recognize me.
Kael?
I'm here. I'm coming. Don't give up.
They're going to hurt everyone. The hospital—
Let them try. You're MY mate. MY Luna. And I'm going to tear apart anyone who touches you.
I felt her fear ease slightly. Felt her draw strength from the bond.
Then I felt her make a decision.
No, I sent desperately. Sera, whatever you're thinking—
I have to protect them. The patients. Sarah. Theron. They helped me when you wouldn't. Her determination blazed through the bond. I won't let innocents die for me.
SERA, NO!
The bond flared bright—then went completely silent.
She'd blocked me out.
I screamed in rage and fear, pushing the car even faster. Six minutes. She just needed to hold on for six more minutes.
I burst into Moonshadow territory and immediately smelled smoke. Fire. The hospital was burning.
"NO!"
I abandoned the car and shifted mid-run, Shadow tearing free with a roar that shook the trees. We ran faster than we'd ever run before, following Sera's scent through the chaos.
The hospital came into view—half of it already in flames. Wolves fighting everywhere. Theron in his massive silver form battling three Nightshade wolves at once. Bodies on the ground, some moving, some not.
And in the center of it all, Sera.
She stood facing Lyanna, silver light pouring from her skin, her hands raised. But she was swaying on her feet, clearly exhausted. Blood stained her hospital gown.
"There's the Alpha," Lyanna called out, spotting me. "Just in time to watch."
"Watch what?" I snarled, stalking closer.
"Watch your mate make the ultimate sacrifice." Lyanna's smile was cruel. "She's agreed to come with us. Surrender herself to save these worthless lives. Isn't that noble?"
"Sera, don't—"
"I have to." Sera's voice was barely a whisper. She looked at me with those devastating violet eyes, and I saw acceptance there. "They'll kill everyone if I don't go. I can't... I won't let innocents die for me."
"I won't let them take you!"
"You don't have a choice." Tears streamed down her face. "This is the only way."
"NO!" I shifted back to human, standing between her and Lyanna. "You want her? You go through me first."
Lyanna laughed. "Gladly."
She lunged—not at me, but around me. Toward Sera.
I threw myself in front of the attack. Claws meant for Sera's throat tore into my chest instead. I went down hard, blood pouring from the wound.
"KAEL!" Sera's scream echoed through the clearing.
Through fading vision, I saw silver light explode from her—brighter than anything before. Lyanna flew backward, crashing into a burning building.
Sera dropped to her knees beside me, hands pressing against my wounds. "No, no, no. You can't die. Please don't die."
"Not... planning to," I gasped. "But you need... to run."
"I'm not leaving you!"
"Sera..." I reached up, touched her face. "I love you. Should've said it... sooner. I'm sorry. For everything."
Her tears fell on my face. "I love you too, you idiot. Now stay alive so I can yell at you properly."
The silver light around her pulsed—and suddenly, I felt warmth flooding through my wounds. Healing. Impossible, but happening.
"What are you doing?" I breathed.
"Saving you." Her eyes glowed pure silver. "Like you saved me."
The wounds sealed. The pain faded. And through the bond, I felt her pouring her own life force into me.
"Sera, stop! You'll kill yourself!"
"Then we die together." She smiled through her tears. "I'm not losing you now that I finally have you back."
A roar shattered the moment. Lyanna emerged from the flames—but she wasn't alone anymore.
Behind her, a massive black wolf appeared. Easily twice the size of any normal Alpha, with red eyes that glowed with ancient power.
"The Nightshade Alpha," Theron gasped, limping toward us. "He came himself."
The black wolf shifted to human form—a scarred, terrifying man with dead eyes.
"Enough games," he said. His voice was like grinding stone. "The Silver Wolf comes with me. Now. Or I kill every living soul here, starting with your unborn child."
He raised his hand—
And fifty more wolves emerged from the forest, surrounding us completely.
We were outnumbered. Outmatched. Trapped.