Kaelen's POV.
The festival back at the main camp was the loudest thing I'd ever heard in all my life.
I stood at the edge of the ravine, Fenrir's heavy fur cloak still draped over my shoulders.
"You said you wanted to show me the perimeter weakness," I said, not turning around.
Silas stood five feet behind me. "The guards reported a breach near the lower creek. Since you're the tactical genius now, I thought you'd want to see it personally."
"Where are the guards, Silas?" I asked. I turned slowly.
"They're nearby," Silas said. He tucked his hands into his sleeves. "You know, Linus, I really did try to help you. I gave you the poison as mercy. You could have died a prince. Now, you're going to die a traitor's plaything."
"The poison was a failure. Just like you," I said.
Silas laughed. It was a jagged, high-pitched sound. "Is that what you think? That you're winning? Look up, Linus."
On the ridges above the ravine, shadows moved.
The Shadow Wolves.
Mutated Alphas stripped of their humanity, turned into mindless killing machines.
"Jaxon provided the location," Silas said, backing away toward the narrow path out of the ravine. "And the Queen Mother provided the Wolves. They haven't been fed in three days. They can smell that Omega blood of yours from a mile away."
"You think these dogs can kill me?" I asked.
"They don't just kill," Silas said, his eyes gleaming in the red moonlight. "They rip. By the time Fenrir finds what's left of you, he won't even be able to recognize your face. And while he's mourning his little rabbit, Jaxon will be putting a sword through his heart."
"You talk too much," I said.
A low, guttural growl echoed from the rocks above. The first Shadow Wolf stepped into the light.
It looked like a nightmare with glowing eyes, its jaw dripping with black saliva.
Then a second appeared and, then a third.
"Goodbye, Linus," Silas said. He turned and bolted up the path.
The bond in my chest suddenly flared.
Fenrir.
He was close.
I reached into the folds of Fenrir's cloak and pulled out the two short-swords I had stolen from the armory that afternoon.
My arms felt light, my heart was steady.
The first Shadow Wolf leaped.
I dropped to one knee, letting the beast's momentum carry it over me. As it passed, I dragged the right-hand blade across its underbelly. Black blood sprayed across the snow.
The wolf landed hard, howling as its entrails spilled onto the rocks.
"One," I said.
Two more wolves dropped from the ridge, landing with heavy thuds that shook the ground.
They circled me, their eyes fixed on my neck.
"What's the matter?" I taunted, holding the swords in a low guard. "Never seen an Omega who bites back?"
The wolf on the left lunged. I stepped inside its reach, driving my left blade into its eye socket. I kicked the carcass away just as the third wolf snapped at my shoulder. The silver-lined cloak took the brunt of the teeth, the thick fur saving my skin.
I spun, slashing the wolf's throat. It fell, gurgling on its own blood.
Through the bond, I felt a surge of pure fury. Fenrir was at the top of the ravine. I heard the sound of his voice from above.
"Linus! Get away from them!"
He came down the slope like a falling mountain.
"I told you to stay in the tent," he shouted.
"And I told you I wasn't a spectator," I replied. I wiped a spray of black blood from my cheek. "Silas and Jaxon are moving. The Wolves were the distraction. The assassins are heading for the command tent now."
"I don't care about the tent!" Fenrir shouted. He stepped toward me, his Alpha presence so thick it made the air heavy. "You're bleeding again."
"It's not my blood," I said.
Three more Shadow Wolves emerged from the darkness, surrounding us.
"Stay behind me," Fenrir commanded.
"No," I said, stepping up to his side. "We finish this together. You take the two on the right. The one in the middle is mine."
Fenrir looked at me. "You're insane."
The wolves charged.
I met the middle wolf head-on. It was larger than the others, likely the Alpha of the pack. It lunged for my throat. I didn't dodge. I stepped into the strike, crossing my swords in an 'X' shape. The wolf's jaws clamped down on the blades.
The force nearly snapped my wrists. I felt the boy's bones creak.
"Die," I hissed.
I twisted the blades outward, shearing through the wolf's snout. As it reared back in pain, I drove both swords into its chest, pinning it to the ground.
Fenrir turned to me. He was covered in black gore, his silver hair wild. He dropped his sword and marched over to me. He grabbed the front of the cloak and hauled me toward him.
"You could have died," he said, his voice shaking with a mix of rage and relief.
"But I didn't," I said. "Where is Silas?"
"Jaxon has him. Or he thinks he does. My loyalists moved the moment I sensed you were in trouble. The coup is failing, Linus. They thought I was the only threat. They didn't count on you."
"They never do," I said.
Fenrir's grip tightened on the cloak. He looked down at me, his eyes searching mine. "Who are you?" he whispered. "Really."
"I'm the man who's going to help you keep your throne," I said. "Now, are we going to stand here and talk, or are we going to go finish the purge?"
Fenrir didn't answer. He leaned down, his mouth inches from mine. "I should lock you in the highest tower for this."
"You can try," I said, a smirk touching my lips. "But you'd have to catch me first."
He growled, a low, possessive sound, and pressed his forehead against mine. "We go back, finish Jaxon and then, you and I are going to have a very long conversation."
"I'll look forward to it," I said.
We turned and started the climb back up the ravine.
As we reached the top, I saw the lights of the command tent in the distance.
"Fenrir," I said.
"What?"
"Don't let Silas die too quickly. I want to be the one to tell him he was right about one thing."
Fenrir looked at me. "What's that?"
"That I'm a blight on this kingdom. But only for the people who deserve it."
Fenrir laughed, a dark, dangerous sound that echoed through the gorge. "I think I'm starting to like you, Linus."
"I know," I said. "And it might just be your second biggest mistake."