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Chapter 17 - The Crimson Warning

Eli stepped outside the bakery road was quiet-eerily so. But something was off. His eyes caught something nailed to the bakery window. A piece of paper sticks blood stain words. ''Your mate will die under the next moon.'' 

Eli froze. He stumbled backward, heart pounding, and ran. Eli feal something ya someone standing behind, but it was Caleb. When Caleb read the message, his jaw clenched. His eyes shimmered gold beneath the sunlight. 

''He's here. Near. Watching.'' 

''What does he mean by 'mate? Me?'' Eli asked, breath short. 

Caleb didn't answer immediately. He paced, his muscles tensing. ''Wolves....we don't love like humans do. When we bond, it's deeper. Soul-deep. Permanent. 

Eli looked up, confused. ''So...you think I'm your mate?'' 

Caleb grab Eli face ''No. I know you are.'' am choosing you as may mate. 

Silence. Then Caleb turned away, his voice lower, rougher. 

''But if he kills you. I''ll break. I won't survive that bond shattering.''

That night, Caleb didn't rest. He patrolled outside Eli's house in wolf form --eyes sharp, seance flaring. His wounds still weren't fully healed, but it didn't matter. He would die before letting harm comes to Eli. Eli, meanwhile, sat inside, clutching a small pendant Caleb had left on the table for him--a charm of protection made from old wolf magic.

His thought was chaos fear, confusion, and something he hadn't dared name until now...love. 

''I can't lose him,'' he whispered to himself. ''Not now.''

''And far off in the woods, under the light of a clouded moon-red eyes gleamed in the shadows. 

''Soon,'' a voice growled, low and venomous. ''He'll come for you...and you'll choose who dies.''

Full Moon, Blood Moon-----------------

Today full moon night. Caleb had known from the moment he opened his eyes that something was wrong. The air was too still, too silent. Every breath felt like it carried a warning. That morning, he didn't leave Eli's side for a second. They opened the bakery together like always, pretending it was just another day--but Caleb's eyes were sharp, constantly flicking to the door, his senses on edge. Eli teased him softly, ''You're acting like I'm goanna vanish.'' Caleb smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. ''I just have a bad feeling.'' 

And he was right. 

It happened so fast. A delivery boy came by around non. Eli stepped outside to collect the package, and...he didn't come back. At first Caleb thought maybe he just got caught up in small talk. But then something. snapped in his chest. He stepped out the door and found Eli's apron on the ground, a drop of blood staining the corner. 

Panic exploded in his chest. ''Eli?'' Caleb's voice cracked as he ran into the alley. Nothing. Silence. The air was heavy, too still. Caleb's heart thundered. He sniffed in the air ----the faintest trace of blood. And fear. 

Caleb shifted instantly and bolted through the streets, scenting for Eli, but the trial was faint. Covered. Someone had taken time to mask it. He ran toward the forest, calling for him, heart breaking with every unanswered shout. When he reached his pack's edge, only Lyra and Daren--his Cousino and mate---were there. The rest of the pack was away, hunting. Caleb didn't waste time explaining. One look at him, and they understood. Eli was gone. And there was only one name that echoed in Caleb's mind like thunder--Riven. 

 They ran deeper into the woods. The tree grew dense, and the wind howled like something ancient was stirring. Finally, they saw him--Eli, tired beneath a gnarled old tree, blood on his arms, a bruise forming along his jaw. Riven stood over him, not smiling, not angry. Just .... hollow. ''You took everything from me,'' he said 

''You should've stayed away,'' Riven said quietly, a sinister smile playing on his lips. ''He was mine. Me fated mate. I was the one born to rule beside him. Not you-a fragile little human.'' 

''Caleb mine. Moon told me am mate.'' Riven's from blurred and twisted, shifting into black wolf, his fur gleaming like dark, his fangs long and deadly. He growled and lunged. 

But Caleb slammed into him mid-air. 

The fight was violent, teeth and claws and blood. Lyra and Daren joined in, trying to flank Riven, but he fought like a creature possessed. He slashed Lyra across the stomach---she screamed and fell. Daren lunged in fury but Riven spun and tore his throat open. Daren dropped to the ground beside his mate, lifeless. ''No!'' Caleb roared, grief and rage blinding him.

He launched at Riven with a fury that split the forest open. They tore into each other --- claws ripping flesh, bones cracking. Caleb fought like a wolf protecting his soul. but Riven was still dangerous, fast and brutal. He dug his claws into Caleb's chest, sending him crashing into the tress. But Caleb didn't stop. He leapt again, going straight for the eyes. One claw caught true--Riven screamed as blood spilled from his left eye. 

Still, he shifted back to human, barely standing, face twisted in hate. ''You chose him over you kind. A weak human. Why, Caleb?! I was meant for you!'' 

Caleb shifted too, breath heaving, wounds pouring blood. He looked at Riven, not with anger --- but pity. ''Because he's the only one who ever made me feel human,'' Caleb said. ''The only one who saw me - not just the wolf.''

Riven screamed and turned to Eli again, his last attempt --- desperate, violent. 

But the hundred howls ripped through the trees. 

The rest of the pack had arrived. Wolves filled the clearing, surrounding them, teeth bared. The elders stepped forward. ''The ends now,'' one of them growled. ''Riven, you've broken every law. If ever come near Caleb or his mate again, you will face the fury of all us.'' 

Riven, bloodies and half- blind, looked around. He was outnumbered. His madness still burned, but even he knew he couldn't win. He shifted and ran, limping into the shadows of the forest, disappearing into darkness. The silence that followed was painful. Caleb fell to his knees beside Eli, trembling. He untied him with shaking hands pulled him close. Eli's arms wrapped tightly around his neck. ''You're hurt,'' Eli whispered, voice cracking. ''So are you,'' Caleb said, kissing his temple. ''But we're alive.'' 

Then he saw Layra and Daren---lifeless on the ground. Caleb stood slowly, walking to them, his heart breaking all over again. He kneeled beside Lyra, brushing hair from her blood-steaked face. ''I'm sorry,'' he whispered. ''You protected what mattered most. I won't forget.'' 

They pack surrounded them, mourning quietly. 

They had won.

But it had come at cost that would leave scars on their hearts forever.......

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