Somewhere in the Woods of Silverclaw Clan.
The chamber was hidden beneath earth and ash, carved into the roots of the ancient forest, forgotten by the world, but not by those within it.
Nine cloaked figures sat around the long table, its surface alive with a glowing red sigil that pulsed like a heartbeat.
The flames in the sigil no longer danced purple. Now, they flared red, angry and restless. The air felt heavy, like it didn't belong to this realm.
At the head of the table stood Revenant, the sorcerer.
His pale skin bore faint blue veins that shimmered beneath the surface, glowing with the same eerie red as the sigil. His eyes were pools of molten crimson, and when he spoke, the room fell into reverent silence.
"I felt something… wrong," Revenant said, his voice rough and sharp. "A disturbance… A hand meddling where none should tread."
He raised both hands, fingers marked with ancient ink, and the flames in the sigil flared higher.
A shimmer rose from the table, forming a floating image above it. The room darkened as it revealed a glowing vision of Velmira, Seer of Silverclaw, standing over a copper basin, the marked body beside her.
The room tensed.
"Who is she?" Revenant asked coldly, his eyes fixed on her image.
"That's Velmira," The leader replied, frowning. "The Seer of Silverclaw."
"Hmmm." Revenant narrowed his eyes. "So she is the one…"
"She knows about us?" asked Voice 5, unsettled.
"She knows more than she should," Revenant said. "Far more. Things that should never be spoken."
"Wait, how did she get the body?" Voice 3 asked.
Revenant looked away from the vision. "The Alpha must be involved. There's no other way she'd get something that sacred."
"I told you guys to be careful!" the leader snapped, slamming a fist against the table with a thunderous crack. "We have spies out there, how the hell did this slip past us?"
No one answered.
The sigil flickered with agitation, as though echoing the leader's rage.
"What do we do now?" Voice 3 asked again.
Revenant's gaze darkened. "If she speaks what she knows, if she reveals what's awakening… then all we've worked for burns to ash."
"Then we end her," Voice 6 hissed.
Silence followed.
The leader looked at Voice 6.
Revenant didn't blink.
"Yes," the leader finally said. "We end her."
He looked to two figures seated opposite him, Voice 4 and Voice 7.
"You'll go pay the seer a visit.
Yes, Great commandant. Voice 4 and 7 chorused.
"If she reaches him before we reach her…"
He didn't finish.
He didn't have to.
The flames snapped out, plunging the chamber into silence once more.
L
Silverclaw Fortress – Eastern Wing, Council Hall Corridor
The walls of the eastern wing loomed high and cold, etched with the ancient runes of the Silverclaw bloodline. The footsteps of Alpha Kaelion and Beta Darian echoed alongside his six personal guards, along the stone corridor as they made their way toward the Council Hall.
Two guards opened the grand double doors ahead as they approached.
"She sent word," Beta Darian said beside him, voice low. "Velmira will arrive by evening."
Alpha Kaelion didn't look at him, but his jaw flexed. "That's great."
Make sure her entry is hideous. Alpha Kaelion said.
Yes Alpha. Beta Darian said bowing slightly.
Alpha Kaelion gave a faint nod.
"Finally, almost time to break some bones" Ravon murmured from within.
Kaelion smirked.
The two men stepped into the Council Hall, while the guards waited outside. The twelve elders and clan leads were already seated. Conversations died instantly as the Alpha entered. They all stood up and bowed.
Alpha, they all chorused.
Alpha Kaelion walked to the central throne and took his seat, Beta Darian standing just beside him.
"Let us begin," Alpha Kaelion said, voice calm, but cold.
Liora Mooncrest, Envoy of Outer Lands, rose from her seat. Draped in her silver robes, she carried the scent of travel and old parchment.
"Alpha," she began, her voice calm, steady, "I've returned from Redpine and Frostmere. Both packs are open to renewing our trade routes. Frostmere especially is willing to send medicinal herbs and ore, if we provide defensive support during winter."
Murmurs stirred among the council members.
Elder Eldric leaned forward. "And in exchange, they ask for our warriors?"
"No," Liora replied. "Just patrol oversight. They trust our strength more than their own."
Alpha Kaelion's fingers drummed once against the armrest.
"And Redpine?" Zaria Nightveil, Minister of Commerce and Trade asked.
"They want grain and wine for leather goods. Also" she hesitated slightly "they asked about the murders."
The room quieted.
"They've heard," she continued. "Rumors travel fast. They're nervous. They don't want to tie themselves to a clan under threat."
Alpha Kaelion's voice cut in, low and controlled.
"They'll tie themselves, or we'll let winter take them."
A few council heads turned sharply at that, but no one challenged him.
"I advise," Liora added gently, "we finalize at least one alliance soon. For strength and appearance."
Alpha Kaelion gave a single nod.
"We'll strengthen our outer ties. Damon, review Frostmere's offer. I want your judgment before the moon turns."
"Yes, Alpha."
Before Liora could sit, Elder Marn raised a hand.
"Alpha… if I may."
Kaelion looked toward him.
"The bodies," Bako continued. "The people are growing restless. Fear has found its way into our homes. The whispers have become loud. Who will be next? Who walks among us carrying death?"
Several heads around the room nodded in grim agreement.
Elder Eldric added, "Have your investigations found anything? Anything from the autopsy? From… the bodies?"
A stillness gripped the hall.
Alpha Kaelion finally spoke, voice hard as stone.
"I understand their fears," he stated. "And I do not blame them for it. But panic is the weapon of the enemy." "Yes, the bodies were marked. Yes, the killer walks with cunning. But we are not powerless."
Theron Blackhide shook his head. "Until then, Alpha, you must show them control still lives here. If the people believe death walks faster than their Alpha's judgment, they'll start taking matters into their own hands."
Alpha Kaelion's voice turned sharp. "Let them try, and they will answer to me. This is still my fortress. My pack. And I will not be ruled by fear or fools."
He stood, his robe sweeping behind him. "This meeting is over."
Silverclaw Fortress – The High Balcony, Late Afternoon
The sun hung low, casting warm gold across the fortress walls. From the high balcony overlooking the dense Silverclaw woods, the wind carried scents of pine, smoke, and something distant, almost peaceful.
Alpha Kaelion leaned back on his seat, his robe loosened, a rare moment of calm on his face, softening his features, revealing handsomeness on its own. Across from him sat Rowan Hale, his longtime friend and Second Blade after Darian. A glass of dark liquor rested in Rowan's hand, and his boots were propped against the low balcony wall.
"Remember that time you shifted mid-hunt and ran straight into a thorn bush?" Rowan chuckled, eyes glinting with mischief.
Alpha Kaelion exhaled a rare laugh, shaking his head. "I remember dragging thorns out of my ass for three days."
Rowan grinned. "Those were easier days."
"They were," Alpha Kaelion agreed, his tone softening. "Before titles. Before blood and politics."
Rowan raised his glass in mock salute. "To being reckless pups who didn't know what the world will ask of them."
Alpha Kaelion smirked, clinking his glass lightly before taking a slow sip.
"Let's go for a run," Rowan suggested suddenly, sitting up. "You need it. I need it. Maybe we can drag Darian out too before he forgets what freedom feels like."
Kaelion's smile faded a little. "I would, Ravon will kill to be out, but not today. Velmira's arriving by evening. I need to hear what she's uncovered."
Rowan nodded slowly, his expression sobering. "Fair. But after? You need to run, Kael. You're not just Alpha, you're still a person, let Rovan out sometimes."
Rovan will grin if he hears you. Kaelion chuckles lightly.
Before Rowan could respond, a different scent reached their nostrils, footsteps approached, measured, soft, familiar.
Thalia.
She stepped into view, her long braid swinging gently behind her, a fitted gown hugging her figure. A subtle smile on her lips.
"I see you two found the best view in the fortress and enjoying by yourselves." she teased gently, voice smooth as she approached.
Rowan gave a short laugh.
We were reminiscing. Trying to convince Kael to shift and breathe like a normal wolf.
Thalia's eyes rested on Kaelion. "He never did things the easy way."
Kaelion shrugged, leaning back. "There's always something."
Thalia stepped closer, arms folding gently. "There will always be something. But you don't have to carry it all alone, Kael."
His eyes met hers, brief but telling. She meant more than the words.
Rowan, ever observant, caught the shift in energy. He stood and gave Kaelion's shoulder a light pat. "I'll check in later," he said with a knowing glance. "Don't forget the wolf in you."
He left without another word, the sound of his boots fading.
Thalia watched Kaelion for a little moment, then sat beside him. "You're still the same Kael," she said quietly, pouring herself a drink.
Alpha Kaelion raised a brow. "How so?"
"You carry the world on your shoulders," she replied, sipping. "But when you laugh… when you let yourself breathe… I see him. The boy who once ran wild through these woods, fearless."
A faint smile curved his lips. "That boy didn't know the weight of blood and thrones."
She stood slowly and walked to him, her fingers brushing his arm as she sat on his laps, her eyes never leaving his. "He's still in there."
Alpha Kaelion's hand reached up, gently cupping her cheek. Her skin was warm, her breath soft.
"Thalia…" he murmured, warning and longing in one.
But she leaned in, brushing her lips lightly against his. Not claiming, just reminding.
Kaelion's hand found her chin, drawing her in. Their lips met slow at first, then deepening with a hunger that had waited too long. The air between them thickened, charged with heat and memory.
His hand slid to the back of her neck, deepening the kiss.
For a moment, the world quieted. No war. No weight. Just two souls, bound by history… and something neither had ever said aloud.
He stood, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist. their mouths locked in a kiss, intensed with desire.
The hallway blurred around them as Alpha Kaelion carried her toward his chambers, hands exploring, breaths quickening.
Thaila hands were all over his body, tugging at the fabric between them with urgency. Her touch was fire, his restraint was thread thin.
By the time they reached his room, the door barely closed behind them before Kaelion dropped his robe in a sweep, revealing the sculptured form of an Alpha, bare chested, broad and structured, six packs, he is left in only pants.
He moved to her with intent.
Thalia waited, eyes dark with hunger, staring lustfully, lips parted in silent invitation.
They began devouring each other, in a matter of seconds, clothes slipped away like leaves in the wind; his hands practiced, hers eager.
In seconds, only bare skin and breath remained between them.
He pressed her against the bed, his mouth finding hers again, deeper.
He moved down her body, placing kisses all over her skin and with a full thrust, he entered into her.
Fuck. Kaelion growled. His movements, stronger, deeper and faster with each thrust. Their bodies moved in sync, drawn together by something more primal than words.
Kael, his name escaped her lips in broken gasps as she moaned in pleasure, grabbing the sheets of the bed as Kaelion rode her faster.
At that moment, the world cease to exist, as Thalia's moan drove Kaelion crazy as he thrust harder and deeper into her. They're both filled with heat and hunger.
Pleasure coiled deep within Thalia, winding tighter and tighter until it snapped, she cried out in orgasm.
Kaelion kept on thrusting until a deep growl escaped his chest and his hot release inside Thalia.
They both stayed there, bodies together. A rare stillness settled between them, warm and fleeting.
But miles away, at Velmira's place,
The winds had shifted.
And everything was about to change.