The night should have been quiet.
Instead, it felt like the forest itself was holding its breath.
Kael hadn't slept.
Not really.
Every time he closed his eyes, the same restless energy surged through his veins again. His wolf paced beneath his skin, claws scratching at the inside of his bones, desperate to be released.
The Blood Moon was getting closer.
Too close.
Across the small cabin, Lucien stood near the window, watching the dark forest beyond the glass.
Kael could feel him through the bond.
Awake.
Alert.
Waiting.
"You're staring holes into the trees," Kael muttered from the bed.
Lucien didn't turn.
"They're still out there."
Kael already knew who he meant.
The silver-haired Alpha and his pack.
Watching.
Waiting for weakness.
Kael sat up slowly, rubbing his face.
"How long?"
"Since midnight."
Kael cursed under his breath.
"Persistent."
Lucien finally turned toward him, crimson eyes faintly glowing in the dim light.
"They're not the only problem."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Meaning?"
Lucien studied him carefully.
"You're losing control."
Kael stiffened.
"My wolf is restless. That's normal."
Lucien didn't argue.
But he didn't look convinced either.
The bond pulsed suddenly.
Sharp.
Violent.
Pain exploded through Kael's chest.
He doubled forward, gripping the edge of the bed.
"Kael."
Lucien crossed the room instantly.
The moment he grabbed Kael's arm, the pain lessened slightly.
But something else replaced it.
Heat.
Raw.
Animal.
Kael's breathing became rough.
His wolf surged forward with sudden hunger.
Lucien felt it too.
The bond carried the instinct between them.
Predatory.
Dangerous.
Lucien's grip tightened.
"You need to calm down."
Kael laughed harshly.
"You think I'm doing this on purpose?"
His nails scraped against the wooden bedframe.
For a moment—
They lengthened.
Not fully claws.
But close.
Lucien saw it.
"That's not normal."
"No kidding."
Kael forced himself to stand.
The room suddenly felt too small.
Too close.
The bond buzzed violently between them.
Lucien stepped closer instinctively.
The moment he did—
Kael's wolf reacted.
Fast.
Too fast.
In one movement Kael grabbed Lucien and pushed him against the wall.
The impact shook the cabin.
Lucien didn't fight back.
But his eyes sharpened.
"Kael."
Kael's breathing was heavy.
His pupils had turned almost completely gold.
Lucien could feel the struggle inside him.
Wolf versus control.
The bond fed the instinct.
Fed the hunger.
"You smell different tonight," Kael muttered hoarsely.
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"That's because your senses are heightened."
Kael leaned closer.
Too close.
Lucien's heartbeat remained slow.
But the bond carried the tension between them like electricity.
"Careful," Lucien murmured.
"You're testing dangerous instincts."
Kael's fingers tightened against the wall beside Lucien's head.
"Then maybe you shouldn't stand so close."
Lucien's lips curved slightly.
"You pulled me here."
That was true.
Kael's wolf liked that fact far too much.
Outside—
A branch snapped.
Both of them froze.
The moment shattered instantly.
Kael stepped back.
The bond protested again.
Lucien turned toward the window.
"They're moving."
Kael forced his breathing to steady.
"How many?"
"Two."
Kael's eyes darkened.
"Scouts."
Lucien nodded.
"Watching the Alpha lose control."
Kael's wolf growled deep in his chest.
"I'm not giving them that show."
Lucien looked at him calmly.
"Then prove it."
Kael grabbed his jacket and moved toward the door.
Lucien followed.
The cold night air hit them as they stepped outside.
The forest felt alive again.
Silent.
Watching.
Kael closed his eyes briefly.
His wolf surged forward, senses expanding through the trees.
There.
Two wolves hiding near the ridge.
Watching the cabin.
Waiting.
Kael opened his eyes.
"Found them."
Lucien crossed his arms.
"And?"
Kael's smile was sharp.
"Time to remind them whose territory this is."
Before Lucien could reply—
Kael shifted.
The transformation was fast.
Violent.
Bones cracked.
Muscles expanded.
Golden fur burst across his skin.
Within seconds a massive black wolf stood where Kael had been.
Bigger than most Alphas.
Stronger.
But tonight—
Unstable.
Lucien watched carefully.
The wolf paced once across the clearing.
Then lifted its head.
And howled.
The sound tore through the forest like thunder.
Not a challenge.
A warning.
Deep in the trees—
The two watching wolves retreated immediately.
Lucien exhaled slowly.
Good.
But when the wolf turned back toward him—
Something in its eyes made Lucien pause.
Too bright.
Too wild.
Kael's control was slipping.
The wolf stepped closer.
Slow.
Predatory.
Lucien did not move.
The bond pulsed again.
Hungry.
The wolf lowered its head slightly, studying him.
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"Don't even think about it."
The wolf huffed softly.
But didn't attack.
Instead—
It lay down beside him.
Close enough that its massive body pressed lightly against Lucien's leg.
Lucien blinked.
"Well."
The wolf's tail flicked once.
Lucien sighed.
"You are impossible."
The wolf's golden eyes closed slowly.
The bond finally settled again.
For now.
But above them—
The Moon was turning deeper red.
And the Blood Moon was only two nights away.