Sera's POV
Kael moves so fast I barely see it.
One second the warriors are advancing with their silver chains. The next second, Kael is standing directly in front of me, his body a solid wall between me and danger.
She's my mate. His voice is pure Alpha command, the kind that makes every wolf instinctively want to submit. No one touches her.
The warriors freeze, caught between their orders and their Alpha's power.
Then Darius is on my other side, just as immovable, just as deadly. Our mate. And if Shadowpine won't protect her, Bloodmoon will.
Marcus's face turns red with rage. You can't be serious! Alpha Kael, think about what you're doing! This is a Bloodmoon Alpha on our territory!
I don't care if he's the devil himself, Kael growls without looking away from his warriors. He's her mate. That makes him untouchable.
But she's
MINE! Kael's roar echoes through the forest, and every single warrior drops their eyes to the ground in submission.
Except Marcus.
Marcus stands there, staring at his Alpha like he doesn't recognize him anymore. This is the omega's dark magic talking. You're not thinking clearly.
I'm thinking perfectly clearly. Kael's eyes are still glowing blue. And if anyone tries to hurt my mate, I'll kill them myself.
So will I, Darius adds, his voice like gravel. She comes with me to Bloodmoon territory. She'll be safe there.
Like hell she will! Kael finally turns to look at Darius. She stays in Shadowpine where she belongs!
Belongs? Darius laughs bitterly. They made her a slave. They spit on her every day. You think that's belonging?
They're going to fight again. I can feel the aggression building between them, crackling in the air like lightning.
Stop it! I shout. Both of you, just stop!
Neither of them listens.
More wolves are arriving now. I can hear them crashing through the forest Bloodmoon warriors drawn by their Alpha's presence in enemy territory, Shadowpine wolves coming to defend their land.
This is going to turn into a war.
She's bewitched them both! Vivian screams from behind Marcus. Can't you all see it? An omega can't have two Alpha mates! It's impossible! She's using the same dark magic her traitor parents used!
My parents weren't traitors! The words explode out of me before I can stop them.
Everyone turns to stare at me.
They weren't, I say, my voice shaking but strong. They were loyal to Shadowpine. They loved this pack. They died for nothing.
They died because they betrayed us, Marcus says coldly. Just like you're betraying us now by bewitching our Alpha.
I didn't bewitch anyone! I don't even know what's happening!
Then explain the power! Darius gestures to the trees where he and Kael hit earlier. Explain how you threw two Alphas like they were pups. Explain the double bond.
I can't! Tears are streaming down my face again. I don't understand any of this!
The sound of footsteps makes everyone freeze.
They're different from the wolves' footsteps. Slower. More deliberate. More... ancient.
Every wolf in the clearing suddenly goes quiet. Even Kael and Darius stop arguing.
The temperature drops so fast I can see my breath.
ENOUGH.
The voice doesn't shout, but it carries across the entire clearing with absolute authority. It's a woman's voice, old and cold and terrifying.
Three figures emerge from the forest.
The one in the middle is ancient. She has to be at least two hundred years old, maybe more. Her hair is pure white, her skin like paper, but her eyes are sharp and dark and miss nothing.
Elder Cassandra Stone. Head of the Council of Elders.
The two massive men on either side of her are Council enforcers elite warriors who serve only the Council. They're both bigger than Kael and Darius, covered in scars, and they move like professional killers.
Every wolf in the clearing immediately drops to one knee. Even Kael and Darius lower their heads in respect.
I try to kneel too, but my legs won't work. I'm frozen in place, staring at this ancient creature who feels more like death than life.
Elder Cassandra's dark eyes sweep across the scene, taking in everything. Then her gaze lands on me, and I feel like I'm being examined by something inhuman.
An omega, she says slowly, with two Alpha mates. How... unnatural.
Elder Cassandra. Marcus steps forward quickly, relief flooding his face. Thank the Moon Goddess you're here. This girl has used dark magic to
Silence. Cassandra doesn't even look at him. I can see what's happened here without your babbling, Marcus Thorn.
Marcus's mouth snaps shut.
Cassandra walks toward me slowly. Every step she takes makes the air colder. When she's five feet away, I can smell something wrong about her like decay and old blood.
An omega who commands Alphas. An omega with double bonds. An omega with power. Her lips curl into something that might be a smile but looks more like a threat. You are either a miracle or an abomination. The Council will determine which.
No. Kael moves to stand beside me. She's under my protection as my mate.
And mine, Darius adds, flanking my other side.
Cassandra looks at both Alphas with disgust. You would defy the Council for this... creature?
Yes, they say together.
For a moment, I think Cassandra might actually kill all three of us on the spot.
Then she smiles. It's the coldest thing I've ever seen.
Very well. The girl will be taken into Council custody for examination. We will determine if this bond is genuine or the result of dark magic. She looks at Kael. You have three days to reject this bond, Alpha Shadowpine, or you will be declared rogue and stripped of your position.
Three days? Kael's voice is dangerous. You can't
And you, Alpha Bloodmoon. Cassandra turns to Darius. The same applies. Reject the bond or lose everything.
I'm not rejecting her, Darius growls.
Then you're both fools. Cassandra gestures to her enforcers. Take the girl.
No! Both Alphas move to block them, but Cassandra raises one hand.
Power slams into Kael and Darius like a physical force, freezing them in place. They strain against it, muscles bulging, but they can't move.
The enforcers grab my arms. Their hands burn where they touch me they're wearing silver gloves.
I scream as the silver sears my skin.
Sera! Kael is fighting the magic holding him, desperation in his eyes.
Let her go! Darius roars.
But it's too late.
The enforcers drag me backwards toward the forest. The bonds scream in agony, trying to pull me back to my mates.
The last thing I see before the darkness swallows me is Kael and Darius, both being held back by Cassandra's magic, both reaching for me.
Then everything goes black.
I wake up in a cell.
The walls, the floor, the bars everything is made of silver. My skin is already blistering where I'm touching the floor. Every breath hurts.
Through the bars, I can see a long hallway. And at the far end, I catch a glimpse of Kael being escorted away by Council wolves. He's fighting them, snarling, trying to get to me.
In the other direction, Darius is being dragged away too, bleeding from a wound on his shoulder.
They're both looking back at me with the same expression.
Helpless rage.
Then they're gone.
And I'm alone in a silver cage, waiting to be judged by creatures who think I'm an abomination.
The bonds are screaming.
My skin is burning.
And I have three days until my mates lose everything.
Because of me.