Aria
The rogue leader staggered, pinned beneath the coiling energy of my wolf and Kael's combined force. His dark aura flickered, unstable, but he wasn't finished yet.
I could feel the bond thrumming violently, pulsing through me like a living heartbeat. My wolf growled low, sensing danger, coiling tightly around me.
"You… you cannot control it forever," he hissed, voice like jagged stone. "The Starborn Blood will consume you. You cannot survive it!"
I swallowed hard, energy coiling in my hands, wolf surging. "I… will control it!" I shouted, voice trembling with fury and determination.
The rogue leader's eyes glinted with dark knowledge. "Then show me… child. Show me what the Starborn Blood can truly do!"
Before I could respond, he struck. Dark energy flared outward, twisting reality, warping the ground beneath our feet. The force of it surged toward me, sharp, destructive, designed to overwhelm.
My wolf growled, energy responding instinctively, but I felt fear curling in my stomach. For a moment, I hesitated—and the rogue's strike was nearly upon me.
Kael's hand shot out, grasping mine, energy flowing between us, grounding, anchoring. The bond flared violently, coiling around both of us.
"Focus, Aria," he growled. "Your wolf listens. You control it. You survive!"
I swallowed, closing my eyes, feeling the bond, feeling my wolf, feeling Kael's presence steady me. Slowly, I drew the energy inward, coiling, shaping, controlling.
The rogue's attack slammed into me—but instead of hitting, it shattered against an invisible wall of energy formed by the bond, my will, and my wolf's power.
Kael
The surge of her power hit me like a shockwave. The bond pulsed violently, hungry, alive, screaming with raw potential. I could feel the wolf inside her responding to me, obeying her commands. Together, our energy intertwined, coiled, and exploded outward with the force of a hurricane.
The rogue leader staggered, dark aura flickering, as the combined force slammed into him. He roared, a sound like grinding stone. He had underestimated her.
"Alpha Blackthorn!" he hissed, eyes glowing red. "The Starborn Blood… it's stronger than I expected. But strength without wisdom will destroy her!"
I growled low, wolf coiling protectively, energy coiling around Aria. "Then I will teach her," I said, voice low, dangerous. "She will survive. And you will not touch her."
The rogue leader faltered under the bond's surge. I could feel his fear, his anticipation, his calculation. He was experienced, clever, but the bond… the bond was alive, unpredictable, and feeding Aria's strength.
Aria
I inhaled sharply, focusing. The bond pulsed violently, feeding my energy, my instincts, my wolf's hunger. I could feel every emotion, every heartbeat, every instinct coiling together into a storm of power.
I could sense the rogue leader's fear now. He was strong, yes, but the bond was stronger. He had underestimated it.
"Kael," I whispered, voice trembling but strong. "I… I think I can… push him back. Fully."
His silver eyes met mine, sharp and commanding. "Are you ready to risk it?"
I hesitated for a moment. My wolf surged, impatient, hungry, demanding action. My pulse quickened. Every instinct screamed yes.
"I'm ready," I said finally, hands glowing, energy coiling like fire. "Let's end this."
Kael
I nodded once, wolf coiling around her, energy intertwining. The bond screamed, alive and powerful, a bridge between our strengths. Together, we surged forward, coiling energy and wolf instinct into a single, unstoppable force.
The rogue leader raised his hands, dark energy twisting, attempting to counter us—but it was too late. The Starborn Blood inside Aria erupted, coiling outward in pure, raw power.
I felt it, surging through the bond, through her wolf, through her soul. Energy twisted reality, shaking the ground, scattering debris.
Her wolf howled, a pure sound of power and victory, coiling around the rogue leader like a living storm. I mirrored her movement, coiling, striking, protective and lethal.
The rogue leader screamed, energy flaring violently, but the Starborn Blood was overwhelming. His dark aura shattered, dissipating in sparks and smoke.
Aria
I gasped, chest heaving, energy fading but leaving a humming warmth inside me. My wolf coiled, satisfied, yet alert. I had done it. The rogue leader was defeated.
Kael knelt beside me, energy still thrumming faintly around him. "You did it," he said quietly, voice low but full of pride. "You controlled the bond. You controlled your wolf. You… survived."
I sank to my knees, trembling, hands glowing faintly as the energy dissipated. "I… I can't believe it," I whispered. "I really did it…"
His silver eyes softened, a flicker of emotion breaking through the usual stoicism. "Yes. You did. And you'll do more. But this… this is only the beginning."
I frowned, confused. "The beginning? But he's… gone."
Kael's expression darkened. "He's defeated… for now. But the rogue leader was only a test. A shadow of the power that's hunting you. The Starborn Blood… it attracts enemies. Ancient enemies. Ones who will stop at nothing to claim you and your power."
My chest tightened. "Then… we're not safe?"
"No," he admitted. "Not for a long time. But now… you're ready to fight. And survive."
Kael POV Intensifies
I watched her, chest heaving, wolf coiled, energy still lingering faintly around her hands. She was no longer the frightened, untrained girl from days ago. She was awakening. Rising. Powerful. Dangerous.
And yet… dangerous to herself as well. The bond pulsed between us, alive, demanding, teasing, warning. It wasn't just a tool—it was a force that could consume us both if not respected.
I knew, deep down, that the rogue leader's defeat had only scratched the surface. There were others. Darker. More cunning. More deadly. Ones who knew about her parents, about the Starborn Blood, about the prophecy.
And the bond… the bond would demand more of us.
I clenched my fists. My wolf growled, coiling around her instinctively, protective and predatory. She is mine to protect. I will not fail.
Aria POV—Bond Awakening
I sank to the ground, still trembling, still glowing faintly, energy humming in my veins. My wolf curled around me, alert, loyal, protective. The bond was alive, vibrating against my skin, against my mind, against my soul.
I could feel Kael beside me, controlling, protective, alive. The bond pulsed violently—warning me, urging me, demanding me.
I survived. I'm alive. I'm strong.
And yet, deep in my heart, I knew it wasn't over. The rogue leader's warning echoed in my mind: "The Starborn Blood is only the beginning…"
A shiver ran through me. The bond had awakened fully, but so had the enemies. Darker, more ancient forces were coming for me.
And Kael… he would be there. Bonded to me, tied to me, walking this path with me.
I looked at him, and for the first time, I realized: this wasn't just survival. It was destiny.
Cliffhanger
As the dust settled in the training hall, the rogue leader vanished, leaving only whispers of dark energy and bloodied stone. The bond pulsed violently, alive, hungry, warning us of the storm yet to come.
Kael's wolf coiled protectively around me, energy glowing faintly, alert to the slightest movement. My wolf mirrored his, powerful and ready.
The Starborn Blood inside me hummed, pulsing, whispering truths I didn't yet understand:
"The prophecy is real. The enemies are real. And you… are the key."
Outside the packhouse, shadows stirred. Ancient, predatory, and relentless.
And I knew, without a doubt: this was only the beginning.