Aria's POV
I woke to screaming.
Not my screams. Distant ones, carried on the wind from the direction of the checkpoint.
My eyes snapped open. Dawn light filtered into the cave—gray and weak. I'd slept maybe three hours.
The bond mark over my heart pulsed warm. Kael was awake.
He materialized beside me, more solid than he'd been last night. We have a problem.
Just one? I sat up, every muscle aching.
They're executing your friend at sunrise. I can hear the preparations. His face was grim. Matthias moved up the timeline. He's using her as bait to draw you out.
My blood went cold. Raven.
If you go back, you'll be walking into a trap. Fifty guards minimum. Matthias himself. They're expecting you. Kael studied me. We're not ready for that fight. You've barely begun training.
I don't care. I stood, grabbing my stolen sword. She followed me into the Forsaken Lands. She's only in danger because of me. I'm not letting her die.
You'll die too. Then I die. Then no one gets revenge.
Then teach me! I whirled on him. You said you'd train me. Make me powerful. So do it! We have— I checked the sun's position. Maybe an hour before they kill her. Make me strong enough in one hour.
Kael laughed. Cold and sharp. That's impossible.
You're an Alpha King who's been trapped between life and death for five years. I'm a True Keeper who activated your tomb. We're literally impossible. I stepped closer. So stop telling me what can't be done and tell me what can.
He stared at me for a long moment. Then his smile turned genuine—impressed and slightly predatory.
Alright. One hour. But you do exactly what I say, no questions, no hesitation. Understood?
Yes.
Good. He moved behind me, his presence wrapping around mine through the bond. First lesson: you're not weak. You never were. The Council sealed your power as a child because they feared what you'd become.
His hands—more solid now—gripped my shoulders.
Feel the pressure in your chest? That's not anxiety. That's dormant Alpha power trying to break free. The seals are fracturing. But you're fighting it. Pushing it down out of fear.
Because it hurts!
Pain means it's working. His voice turned commanding. Stop resisting. Let it out. All of it. NOW.
Something in his tone—pure Alpha authority—made my body obey before my brain could protest.
I stopped fighting the pressure.
It exploded.
Power erupted from my core like a dam breaking. Blue light consumed my vision. My bones felt like they were reforming. My senses amplified until I could hear heartbeats miles away, smell the rain from last night, feel every vibration in the earth.
I screamed.
Don't fight it! Kael's voice cut through the pain. Ride it! Channel it! This is your birthright!
The power reached a crescendo and then... settled. Still there, still massive, but no longer trying to tear me apart.
I collapsed to my knees, gasping. But I felt different. Stronger. Every nerve was alive.
What... what did you do?
I didn't do anything. You did. Kael knelt in front of me. Your seals just shattered completely. You're a full Alpha now. Untrained, but powerful.
I looked at my hands. Blue light still crackled faintly between my fingers.
Can I fight now?
You can try not to die. He stood. Lesson two: our bond is a weapon. When we're in sync, you can channel my combat experience, my power, my knowledge. But it requires trust.
I barely know you.
Then learn fast. He extended his hand. Let me in completely. No walls. No resistance. Total surrender.
Every survival instinct screamed not to. Letting someone into your head—your soul—was dangerous.
But Raven was going to die in less than an hour.
I grabbed his hand.
The bond exploded between us. His consciousness flooded mine—centuries of battle experience, tactical knowledge, fighting techniques. It was overwhelming. Too much information at once.
Focus! Kael commanded. Don't try to absorb everything. Just let it flow through you. When you fight, my instincts will guide your body.
I felt him more clearly now. Not just his knowledge, but his emotions. The rage at his betrayal. The five years of agonizing isolation. The desperate need for revenge.
And underneath it all—loneliness. Deep, crushing loneliness.
He'd been alone for so long.
So have you, he said quietly, responding to my thoughts through our open connection. We're both ghosts. Both thrown away by people who should have protected us.
Then let's haunt them properly.
His smile was sharp. Now you're thinking like a True Keeper.
We spent the next forty minutes in brutal training. He taught me to move with Alpha speed, to channel power through strikes, to use our bond to anticipate attacks.
I fell. Got up. Fell again. Bled. Kept going.
Time's up, Kael finally said. We need to move.
I was exhausted, bruised, and half-dead. But I was also faster than I'd ever been. Stronger. Connected to an Alpha King who wanted revenge as badly as I did.
We ran toward the checkpoint.
As we got closer, I saw it. A wooden platform. Raven kneeling in the center, hands bound. Matthias stood beside her, flanked by fifty guards.
The sun crept toward the horizon. Minutes away.
There's too many, I whispered.
Yes. Kael's form flickered beside me. So we don't fight them all. We create chaos, grab your friend, and run.
How do we create chaos?
He grinned. You're a newly awakened Alpha with unstable power. You're chaos incarnate. Just point yourself at them and explode.
That's your plan? Explode?
Trust me.
Below, Matthias raised his hand. Any last words, Omega?
Raven spit at his feet. Yeah. When Aria comes back, she's going to kill you all.
Matthias laughed. Your friend is hiding in a cave, terrified. She won't—
MATTHIAS! My voice boomed across the clearing, amplified by Alpha power.
Every head turned.
I stepped out from the rocks, blue light crackling around me. Kael was invisible to them, but his power merged with mine, making me seem twice as large. Twice as dangerous.
You wanted me? I called. Here I am.
Matthias's face twisted with rage. Seize her!
Guards rushed forward.
Now, Kael said calmly in my mind. Explode.
I let go of all control.
Power detonated from my core. Blue and gold light erupted in a massive wave that sent guards flying like leaves. The platform cracked. Wood splintered.
I ran into the chaos, moving with Kael's speed and precision. Dodged one guard. Disarmed another. Grabbed Raven and cut her bonds.
Miss me? I grinned.
You're insane! But she was grinning too.
RUN! Kael's voice was urgent. I can't maintain this much longer!
We ran. Guards scrambled to follow, but the explosion had scattered them.
An arrow whistled past my ear.
Faster! Kael urged.
We burst into the wasteland. Behind us, Matthias's furious voice: AFTER THEM! I WANT THEM BOTH!
We ran until my lungs burned and my legs screamed. Finally collapsed behind a rock formation.
Raven stared at me. What happened to you? You're... different. Glowing.
Long story. I gasped for breath. Involves a dead king and a magical bond and—
She woke me, Kael said, materializing.
Raven screamed and scrambled backward. GHOST!
Not a ghost. Alpha King Kael Nightfang. He bowed mockingly. Pleasure to meet the friend who got captured trying to help my bonded partner.
Your WHAT?
I showed her the glowing mark over my heart. Also long story.
Before Raven could respond, the ground trembled. A massive howl split the air—not wolf, but something else. Something ancient and wrong.
Kael's face went white. No. They didn't.
Didn't what? I demanded.
Matthias just released the Void Hounds. His voice was tight with fear. Magical constructs designed to hunt specific targets. They were used in the old wars. Once released, they don't stop until their prey is dead or they are.
Another howl, closer. The sound made my bones ache.
How do we stop them? Raven asked.
We don't. Kael met my eyes. We run until I can teach you how to fight them. And hope they don't catch us first.
Three massive shapes appeared on the horizon. They looked like wolves made of shadow and starlight, each one the size of a horse. Their eyes glowed red.
And all six eyes locked onto me.
RUN! Kael shouted.
We ran.
Behind us, the Void Hounds howled in unison—a sound that promised death was coming.
And it wouldn't stop until it caught us.