Sera's POV
A branch slices across my cheek and I taste blood.
I don't stop running.
Behind me, I hear them crashing through the forest. Two massive predators hunting me like prey. Every instinct I have is screaming at me to hide, to surrender, to do anything except keep running.
But I can't stop.
The pain in my chest is unbearable now. It feels like my heart is being stretched in two different directions, trying to tear itself apart. Each step away from them makes it worse.
Sera! Kael's voice echoes through the trees. Stop running!
You can't escape us! Darius sounds closer. Too close.
My foot catches on a root and I slam into the ground hard. All the air leaves my lungs. For a second, I just lie there, gasping like a fish.
Get up. Get up. GET UP.
I force myself to stand, even though my whole body is shaking. My dress is torn to shreds. My arms are covered in scratches. I can barely see in the darkness.
But I keep moving.
The trees start to thin out. I can hear water rushing somewhere ahead. The Veil River the border between Shadowpine and Bloodmoon territories.
Maybe if I cross it, the bonds will break. Maybe if I get far enough away
I burst out of the forest and stumble to the riverbank. The water is dark and fast, reflecting the red light of the Blood Moon. On the other side is enemy territory. Bloodmoon land.
I'm trapped.
Behind me, branches snap. Footsteps. Two sets, coming from different directions.
They found me.
I spin around just as Kael steps out of the trees on my left. His eyes are glowing ice blue, and his canine teeth have extended. He's half shifted caught between human and wolf, and a thousand times more dangerous.
Don't run from me again. His voice is deeper, rougher. More animal than man.
Then Darius appears on my right, and my breath catches.
He's still fully human, but somehow he's even more terrifying than Kael. He moves like liquid death, every muscle controlled and ready. His amber eyes are locked on me like I'm the only thing in the world that matters.
I back up until my feet hit the water. Stay away from me.
Neither of them listens.
They're walking toward me slowly, carefully, like I'm a wild animal that might bolt. But then they see each other.
Both Alphas freeze.
The air gets thick with tension. I can actually feel the hatred radiating off both of them.
Bloodmoon. Kael's voice is a low growl. She's mine. Leave.
No. Darius doesn't raise his voice, but something about his tone makes my skin prickle. The bond called to me too. She belongs with me.
She belongs in Shadowpine. Her pack. Her home.
Her home? Darius laughs, but there's no humor in it. The pack that made her a slave? That calls her traitor's daughter? You think she wants to stay with you?
Kael's eyes flash dangerously. You know nothing about
I know you killed her parents! Darius snarls, and the forest goes completely silent.
The words hang in the air like poison.
Kael's face goes pale. He looks at me, and I see something that might be guilt or shame flicker across his features.
Sera he starts.
Don't. My voice cracks. Don't say my name. Don't pretend you care.
The bond says otherwise, Darius says quietly. He can't help but care now. Neither of us can.
I don't want this! I scream, and something inside me snaps.
Power explodes out of my body like a shockwave.
Both Alphas are thrown backwards, crashing into trees twenty feet away. They hit the ground hard and don't move for a second.
I stare at my hands in shock. What was that? What did I just do?
Kael pushes himself up first, his blue eyes wide. That's impossible.
Darius is on his feet a second later, staring at me like he's seeing me for the first time. She's not an omega.
What are you talking about? Kael snaps.
Omegas can't do that. Darius takes a step toward me, ignoring Kael completely. Omegas don't have that kind of power. They don't have bonds with two Alphas. His eyes narrow. What are you, Sera?
I don't know! Tears are streaming down my face now. I don't know what's happening to me. I don't understand any of this!
Kael and Darius exchange a look. For the first time, they're not focused on hating each other. They're focused on me.
We need to Kael starts.
That's when the lights appear.
Torches, dozens of them, moving through the forest behind Kael. Voices shouting. The sound of many wolves approaching fast.
No, I whisper.
Shadowpine warriors burst out of the trees. At least twenty of them, led by Marcus Thorn. Vivian is right behind him, her face twisted with rage.
They all stop when they see us standing in the river, Kael and Darius on either side like guards.
Marcus's eyes go wide. Alpha Kael, step away from the girl. She's dangerous.
Marcus, go back to the pack house, Kael orders. This doesn't concern you.
Doesn't concern me? Marcus looks genuinely shocked. Alpha, she's bewitched you! Both of you! He points at Darius. There's a Bloodmoon Alpha on our territory protecting an omega? This is dark magic!
It's not magic, Darius growls. It's the mate bond.
Impossible! Vivian shrieks. She's nothing! She's a traitor's daughter! She's using her parents' dark magic to curse them!
The warriors start spreading out, surrounding us. I can see silver chains in their handsthe kind that burn werewolf skin and drain our strength.
My heart starts racing. They're going to capture me. They're going to lock me up. Or worse.
Nobody touches her, Kael says, his voice deadly quiet.
Alpha, please. Marcus steps forward, his voice pleading. Think about what you're doing. This girl is poison. Her whole family was corrupt. The only way to break whatever spell she's cast is to
To what, Marcus? Kael's eyes are blazing now. Kill my mate?
The word hangs in the air like a bomb.
Marcus's face goes cold. If that's what it takes to save you, then yes.
He raises his hand, and the warriors move forward.
Kael and Darius both shift into attack positions, ready to defend me against Kael's own pack.
And I realize with horror that people are about to die.
Because of me.