Kira's POV
The Shadowbeast's breath is hot and rotten on my neck.
I run faster through the pitch black forest, branches tearing at my skin. Everything is darkness except for my moon mark's silver glow a beacon screaming come eat me!
The beast roars behind me. Closer than before.
I risk a glance back. It's massive eight feet tall, black fur matted with old blood, red eyes glowing with hunger, claws like daggers.
Shadowbeasts aren't supposed to exist. They're bedtime stories parents tell to scare children into obedience.
Except this one is very real and very hungry, and I'm about to be dinner.
My foot catches on a root. I go down hard, tasting blood.
The beast is on me in seconds, claws raised for the killing blow.
I throw my hands up instinctively. No!
Silver light erupts from my palms, hitting it square in the chest with enough force to crack stone. It flies backward, slamming into a tree with a wet crunch.
I stare at my hands, trembling. What the hell
The beast stands. Shakes itself off. Not dead. Not even close.
Just angry.
It charges with murder in its eyes.
I reach desperately for the power again. Nothing happens. The well is empty.
Its claws are inches from my face when something huge crashes into the beast from the side.
A massive brown wolf. Kieran.
They collide in a whirlwind of teeth and fury. The beast is bigger, but Kieran's faster, more experienced. He goes for the throat.
The beast's claws rake across Kieran's side, tearing deep. He yelps, blood spraying.
Through our bond, I feel his pain like it's my own. Feel his ribs crack.
No! Power floods through me not panic this time. Pure, focused rage.
My mark blazes white hot. Silver fire shoots from my palms like a weapon, hitting the beast dead center. It screams as my power burns it from the inside out, consuming it.
When the light fades, only ash remains. The smell of burnt meat hangs in the air.
I collapse, gasping for air. Completely drained.
Kieran shifts to human form, bleeding heavily from the gashes. You saved us both. Shadowbeasts are nearly impossible to kill without moon magic.
Why did you come? I almost killed you back at Elena's.
You think that would stop me? He staggers toward me, leaving a trail of blood. I'd chase you through hell itself if I had to.
Because of the contract. Thirty days to breed me like livestock.
Kieran's face hardens. You heard that.
All of it. Five years I thought you actually cared. But I'm just property to you. An investment.
That's not true
Then why make the deal? Why agree to breed me?
Because Cassius would have taken you that very night! His voice cracks with emotion. You passed out. Your power was killing you. I had two choices let him drag you to a lab to dissect you, or buy time to find another way.
I stare at him, searching his face for lies. So the breeding
Is never happening unless you want it. I swear on my life. He meets my eyes. I bought thirty days to find a way to break the contract and keep you safe. That's all.
You promise?
I swear it on everything I am.
The mate bond hums between us. Through it, I feel his sincerity. His desperation. His love.
Oh gods. He actually loves me.
Kieran
Howls erupt from multiple directions. Wolves approaching fast.
My pack. Kieran tries to stand, then collapses. The wounds are worse than I thought. Too much blood.
Don't move. I can heal. I press my hands to the worst gash, trying to remember how the power felt.
You're exhausted
Shut up and let me save you.
I focus on the warmth in my moon mark, imagining it flowing into Kieran like water. Silver light glows between my palms. The wounds begin closing, flesh knitting back together.
Kira, he breathes, staring at me with wonder.
I know. I'm amazing.
Rafe bursts through the trees with a dozen warriors, weapons drawn. He sees the pile of ash and freezes. Is that a Shadowbeast?
Was, Kieran says, getting to his feet. Kira killed it.
The warriors stare at me a mix of terror and awe on their faces.
We need to get back, Rafe says urgently. Lydia called an emergency pack meeting. She's demanding answers about what happened at the ceremony.
We head back, warriors forming a protective circle around us.
Then I smell it. Smoke. Thick and acrid.
We run.
My cottage is engulfed in flames, the entire structure collapsing inward.
Lydia Bloodmoon stands in front of the inferno, torch still in hand, smiling like she's just done something wonderful.
About time, nephew. Her voice drips with false sweetness. I was just cleaning house. Getting rid of cursed things that don't belong here.
Kieran's dominance explodes outward. What did you do?
What you should have done five years ago. The pack voted while you were gone. The moonmarked leaves today, or I challenge you for Alpha. She gestures to the crowd.
Fifty more wolves emerge from the shadows. Her supporters. Nearly half the pack.
Rafe curses under his breath. This is bad.
You dare challenge me? Kieran's voice drops to something deadly.
I dare. Lydia's eyes gleam with triumph. The pack is tired of supporting a cursed outsider who gives nothing back. Choose, Kieran. Your pack or your obsession.
The crowd murmurs agreement. Some look guilty, but others nod vigorously.
Lydia's eyes find mine with cold calculation. Leave, moonmarked. Walk away now. Or stay and watch your precious Alpha die defending you in a challenge he can't win. Not after that Shadowbeast fight.
She knows he's weakened. This is an execution dressed as pack politics.
Power flickers across my skin in warning.
Kieran turns to me. Through the bond, I feel his internal war his duty to his pack versus his need to protect me.
Don't, I tell him, my voice steady. Don't sacrifice everything for me.
Kira
You keep your pack. I keep my freedom. I step back, each step killing me. Everyone wins.
I lose you. His voice breaks, and the mighty Alpha looks devastated.
The mate bond screams in protest. Every step away from him feels like tearing out my own heart piece by piece.
But I won't destroy his pack. Won't make him choose between hundreds of lives and one cursed wolf.
Goodbye, Kieran.
I walk toward the dark forest, not letting myself look back.
Ten agonizing steps.
Oh, one more thing. Lydia's voice stops me cold, dripping with poison. The Council? I called them an hour ago. Elder Cassius is already on his way with his full guard.
My blood turns to ice.
You what? Kieran roars, lunging toward her.
Warriors hold him back.
The pack's safety comes first. Even before family. Lydia smiles victoriously. He'll be here in minutes.
In the distance horses galloping. Vehicles rumbling. The sound of an army approaching.
Council forces. Coming for me.
Kieran grabs my hand desperately. Run. Now. I'll hold them off
With what army? Lydia laughs, the sound cruel. Half your warriors stand with me. The rest won't fight the Council. You're powerless.
She's right. We're completely trapped.
Council forces crest the hill like a dark wave. A hundred warriors on horseback. Three times Bloodmoon's number, and twice as armed.
Leading them on a massive black horse Elder Cassius.
His dead eyes find me immediately, and he smiles.
Kira Ashwood, his voice carries across the clearing like a death sentence. Your thirty days are up. You're coming with me. He draws a silver blade. Alive or in pieces. Your choice.