Sera's POV
I didn't sleep after Viktor's message.
I sat by the window all night, curtains closed, knife in hand Lyra had brought me a kitchen knife with breakfast yesterday, not knowing I wanted it as a weapon. Every shadow outside made my heart race. Every sound made me jump.
Viktor was here. Somewhere in this compound. Watching.
When morning finally came, I realized Kael was gone. The bond stretched between us like a rubber band pulled too tight, making my head pound. My wolf whined, wanting to find him.
Stop it, I muttered. We don't need him.
But the bond said otherwise. It pulled me toward the connecting door like a magnet.
I yanked it open, needing to at least see his space, to ease the aching
And ran straight into Nash.
Going somewhere? Kael's Beta stood in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes cold.
I stumbled back. I was just
Looking for Kael? He's in meetings. All day. Nash stepped into my room without being invited. Which gives us time to talk.
My fingers tightened on the knife hidden behind my back. About what?
About who you really are, Sera Ashwood.
My blood ran cold. Kael told you.
Kael tells me everything. We've been brothers since we were kids. Nash moved closer, and I felt the power rolling off him. Beta power. Second only to an Alpha. So here's what I want to know are you here to kill him? Or are you playing a longer game?
I'm not playing anything.
Liar. His eyes flashed. You came to the Gathering with a weapon. You've been trained to fight I saw you take down that attacker. And now you're bonded to the man you blame for your father's death. He tilted his head. What's your plan, little wolf?
I could lie. But Nash looked like the kind of person who'd see right through it.
I don't have a plan anymore, I said honestly. Everything's changed.
Because of the bond?
Because of Viktor. I pulled out my phone and showed him the messages. He's here. Inside Blood Moon. And he's going to kill Kael in I checked the time. Less than two days.
Nash's face went hard. He grabbed my phone, reading the messages. Why didn't you tell Kael?
Because I don't know who to trust! Viktor's been manipulating everyone for years. He could have people inside this pack.
Not in Blood Moon, Nash said firmly. Kael's father was a monster, but he taught us one thing trust no one outside the pack. We vet everyone. We're loyal.
Then how did Viktor take that photo? I gestured to the window. How did he get close enough to watch me sleep?
Nash's jaw clenched. I don't know. But I'm going to find out. He headed for the door. Stay here. Don't leave this room.
Wait you believe me?
He paused. You're Kael's mate. That means I protect you, whether I like you or not. And right now, you're telling the truth I can smell it. He looked back. But Sera? If you hurt him, bond or no bond, I'll kill you myself.
The door slammed behind him.
I stood there, shaking. Then I grabbed my jacket and left anyway.
If Viktor was in this compound, I needed to know the layout. Needed to find his hiding spots. Needed to be ready.
Kael's POV
Kael couldn't focus on a single word being said in the council meeting.
All he could feel was Sera. Through the bond, her fear crashed into him in waves. Her determination. Her anger. Her confusion.
And underneath it all, a loneliness that matched his own.
Kael? Nash's voice cut through his thoughts. Did you hear me?
No. Repeat it.
Nash gave him a look that said they'd be talking about this later. The attackers from the Gathering we've identified three of them. All rogues with no pack affiliation. But they were too organized to be random.
Someone hired them, Kael said.
Exactly. And I think I know who. Nash pulled out a phone Sera's phone. Your mate received some interesting messages last night.
Kael's wolf surged forward, protective and angry. You went through her things?
She showed them to me. Viktor Stone is here, Kael. Inside Blood Moon. And he's planning to kill you in less than two days.
The room went silent.
Kael read the messages, his blood turning to ice. Viktor had been watching Sera sleep. Had threatened her. Had ordered her to help him kill Kael.
Rage burned through him so hot he had to grip the table to keep from shifting.
Lock down the compound, he ordered. No one in or out. Search every building, every room. Find him.
The other wolves scattered to follow orders.
Nash stayed behind. There's something else. Sera didn't tell you about these messages. She kept them secret.
Because she doesn't trust me yet.
Or because she's still planning to help Viktor kill you.
Kael's jaw tightened. Through the bond, he could feel Sera's fear for him. Her desperate need to keep him safe, even though she hated him.
She's not working with Viktor, Kael said quietly.
How do you know?
Because the bond doesn't lie. And what I feel from her... He paused. She's terrified of losing me. Even though she wishes she wasn't.
Nash studied him. You're falling for her.
I was always going to fall for my mate. The bond made sure of that. Kael stood. But Sera's fighting it with everything she has. And I don't blame her. I killed her father, Nash. I destroyed her whole world.
You were manipulated
Doesn't matter. The result is the same. Kael moved toward the door. Where is she now?
I told her to stay in her room.
Through the bond, Kael felt Sera moving through the compound, exploring. She didn't listen.
Of course not, Nash muttered. She's as stubborn as you are.
Sera's POV
The compound was massive. I'd been walking for an hour and still hadn't seen everything.
I passed the training grounds where warriors practiced. The kitchens where omegas prepared meals. The medical wing. The arsenal.
And everywhere I went, wolves stared.
That's her, I heard someone whisper. The Alpha's mate.
She doesn't look like much.
I heard she's from a dead pack. Silver Crest.
I kept my head down and kept walking.
In the gardens, I found an old woman sitting on a bench, feeding birds. She had white hair and eyes that seemed to see everything.
Sera Ashwood, she said without looking up. I've been waiting for you.
I froze. Who are you?
Elder Moira. We met at the Gathering, though you probably don't remember. She patted the bench beside her. Sit, child. We need to talk.
I sat, wary. About what?
About what you are. Moira turned those ancient eyes on me. You're Moon-Blessed. I can see it in your aura. That's why the bond is so strong. The Moon Goddess chose you for a purpose.
I don't want a purpose. I want my father back.
Your father is dead. But his truth isn't. She pulled a leather journal from her bag. Pack records from seven years ago. Letters, reports, witness statements. Everything about the Silver Crest incident.
My hands shook as I took it. Why are you giving this to me?
Because you need to seek the truth before you act on old pain. Moira stood. The enemy isn't always who we think it is, child. And sometimes the Moon Goddess binds together those who need each other most, even if they don't see it yet.
She left me alone with the journal.
I opened it with shaking hands and started reading.
Reports from Kael's scouts. Intelligence about my father planning to assassinate the Alpha Council. Letters supposedly written by my father, filled with rage and plans for violence.
But something was wrong.
The handwriting. It looked like my father's, but the letters were too perfect. Too even. Like someone had practiced copying his writing.
I flipped through more pages and found witness statements wolves claiming they'd heard my father talking about killing the other Alphas.
But I didn't recognize any of the names. These wolves weren't part of Silver Crest Pack.
Were they lying? Or were they manipulated too?
I was so focused on reading that I didn't hear footsteps behind me.
Find anything interesting?
I spun around. Kael stood there, hands in his pockets, watching me with unreadable eyes.
I'm sorry, I said quickly. Moira gave me this, and I
It's fine. I wanted you to see it eventually. He sat beside me on the bench. I need you to understand that I didn't attack Silver Crest because I'm a monster. I did it because I truly believed your father was a threat.
But he wasn't.
No. He wasn't. Kael's pain bled through the bond. I was used, Sera. Just like you were. Viktor played us both.
I looked at the journal. At the fake letters. At the lies that had destroyed both our lives.
Why? I whispered. Why would Viktor do this?
That's what we need to figure out. Kael stood and offered his hand. Together. If you're willing.
I stared at his hand. Taking it meant choosing to trust him. Choosing to let go of seven years of hate.
But it also meant having someone on my side against Viktor.
I was about to take his hand when my phone buzzed.
Viktor's message had three words and a photo: Too late, little moon.
The photo showed Lyra sweet, kind Lyra who'd brought me food tied to a chair in a dark room, terror in her eyes.
Below it: She dies in one hour unless you bring me Kael. Alone. The old warehouse, north border. Come alone or I slit her throat.
My hands shook so hard I dropped the phone.
Kael picked it up and read the message. His face went deadly calm. It's a trap.
I know.
You're not going.
I have to! He'll kill her!
And he'll kill you. Kael's eyes blazed. I won't let that happen.
She's innocent
So are you!
We stared at each other, the bond crackling between us.
We go together, Kael finally said. We save Lyra. And we end Viktor. Tonight.
He said come alone.
I don't care what he said. Kael's voice was steel. You're my mate. Where you go, I go.
Before I could argue, another message came through.
This one was a video.
Viktor's face filled the screen, smiling. Hello, Sera. Hello, Kael. I know you're reading these together the bond makes mates so predictable. His smile widened. One hour. Come alone, Sera, or Lyra dies. And after her? Everyone else you care about. Starting with your brother Jason.
The video cut to Jason, unconscious and chained in the same room as Lyra.
Viktor had my brother.