Aria's POV
You think you can break it? Kael's voice was rough with disbelief. Right now?
Silver light danced around my fingers. The power felt natural, like breathing. Like it had been waiting my whole life to wake up.
I don't know, I admitted. But I have to try.
No. Kael grabbed my glowing hand, and sparks shot between us. He jerked back, staring at his palm. You don't understand. The curse is ancient magic. Trying to break it without preparation could kill you.
Your pack is dying. How much time do we have for preparation?
His jaw clenched. Not enough. But losing you won't save them either.
The mate bond flared at his words. He cared. Actually cared if I lived or died.
Then teach me, I said. Show me what to do.
Kael looked at me for a long moment. Then he made a decision.
Get in the car.
Minutes later, we pulled up to the packhouse. It was massive dark stone and ancient wood, built into the mountain itself. Wolves appeared from everywhere, drawn by their Alpha's return.
And they all stopped and stared at me.
I felt their shock through the pack bond. The new Luna. The human. The outsider.
Then one by one, they started to bow.
Luna, they murmured. Welcome, Luna.
A tall man approached dark skin, kind eyes, powerful build. He bowed deeply.
Dante, Kael said. My Beta. He'll protect you with his life.
Welcome, Luna. Dante's smile was genuine. We've waited a long time for you.
I didn't know what to say. At Silvercrest, no one had ever welcomed me anywhere.
Thank you, I managed.
Kael's hand pressed against my lower back, guiding me forward. The touch sent electricity through me.
River, he called. Where is he?
Healing room, Alpha, someone answered. With Thomas.
Kael's expression darkened. How bad?
Hours. Maybe less.
My heart clenched. I could feel Thomas through the pack bond. A young wolf, barely twenty-five, his life force flickering like a dying candle.
Take me to him, I said.
Kael looked down at me. Aria
Now. Please.
He studied my face, then nodded. This way.
The packhouse was beautiful inside warm and lived-in, so different from Silvercrest's cold perfection. But I barely noticed. I was focused on the pull of the dying wolf.
Kael led me down a hallway and pushed open a door.
The room smelled like death and herbs. A young man lay on a bed, his skin gray, his breathing shallow. A woman sat beside him crying. And standing over them both was a man with long dark hair and eyes that seemed to see everything.
River, Kael said. This is Aria. My mate. The one we've been searching for.
River turned to look at me. His eyes went completely white for a second. When they cleared, he was staring at me like I was a ghost.
It's true, he whispered. The First Luna walks again.
He dropped to one knee.
Get up, I said quickly, uncomfortable. Please. There's no time for that.
I moved to the bed. Thomas's mate looked up at me with desperate, hopeful eyes.
Can you help him? she begged. Please. We just got married last month.
I looked at Thomas. Through the pack bond, I could see the curse black tendrils wrapped around his heart, squeezing, killing.
I don't know how, I admitted. But I'll try.
I placed my hands on Thomas's chest. The bracelet blazed hot. Power surged through me, wild and fierce.
Aria, wait River started.
Too late. The power poured out of me, silver light flooding into Thomas.
I could see the curse fighting back, trying to hold on. So I pushed harder. The silver light burned brighter, hotter, until it was blinding.
Burn, I commanded it. Leave him. NOW.
The curse screamed actually screamed as it dissolved. The black tendrils turned to ash and vanished.
Thomas gasped and sat up, color returning to his face.
His mate screamed in joy and threw herself at him.
I stumbled backward, drained. Kael caught me before I fell.
What did you do? he demanded.
I... I burned it away. The room spun. The curse. I could see it and I just... destroyed it.
River was examining Thomas, his eyes wide. Impossible. The curse is completely gone. He's healed. Fully healed.
Thomas looked at me with tears streaming down his face. Luna. Thank you. You saved my life.
The pack bond exploded with emotion. Every wolf in the packhouse felt what happened. Felt their Luna save one of their own.
Hope. Pure, desperate hope flooded through the bond.
She can break the curse, someone whispered.
The Luna can save us.
Kael lifted me into his arms. You need to rest. Now.
But there are more I can feel others dying
Tomorrow, he said firmly. You just used power you don't understand. You could have killed yourself.
He carried me out of the healing room and up stairs. The pack members we passed all bowed, their eyes full of wonder.
Kael pushed open a door to a huge bedroom. He set me gently on the bed.
This is your room, he said. Mine is next door. If you need anything
Stay. The word came out before I could stop it. Please. Just... just for a minute.
He hesitated. Then sat on the edge of the bed, keeping careful distance between us.
You were amazing, he said quietly. What you did for Thomas no one's ever broken the curse before. Not even partially.
I could feel it killing him. I just... reacted.
Your power is instinctive. Natural. His eyes met mine. You're stronger than you know.
I'm terrified, I admitted. Of the power. Of failing. Of all those wolves depending on me.
Then we're both terrified. A ghost of a smile. I've been afraid for ten years. Watching my people die. Being powerless. His hand reached out, then stopped. But for the first time, I have hope.
The mate bond pulled between us like a living thing.
Sleep, Kael said, standing. Tomorrow, River will help you learn to control your power. We'll save them all.
He walked to the door.
Kael?
He turned.
Thank you. For believing I could do this.
His eyes softened. You're my mate, Aria. My Luna. I'll always believe in you.
He left, closing the door softly.
I lay back on the enormous bed, exhausted but not alone. Through the wall, I could sense Kael in the next room. Feel him through the bond.
For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged somewhere.
I was drifting off to sleep when I heard it.
Screaming.
Not from the packhouse. From outside. Distant but getting closer.
I ran to the window. In the forest, I saw lights. Torches. Dozens of them.
And wolves. But not Shadowfang wolves.
My door slammed open. Kael stood there, eyes blazing gold, fury radiating off him in waves.
We're under attack, he snarled. Silvercrest is here. And they've brought an army.