Kael’s presence was like a constant shadow over Bella. Since the spies’ revelation about her bloodline, he had barely left her side. Every time she moved, his sharp eyes were on her, his protective instincts on high alert. At first, she had appreciated the closeness, the warmth that Kael’s presence offered, but now it was starting to feel suffocating.
She needed space to think, to process everything she had learned, but no matter where she went, Kael was there, hovering, watching her every move.
“Kael,” Bella said one evening, as they walked together near the pack’s borders. “You don’t have to stay by my side all the time.”
He glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “You’re not safe, Bella. Not anymore.” His voice was low, almost like a warning. “Until we figure out what’s going on, I can’t let you out of my sight.”
Bella sighed, frustration creeping into her chest. The weight of the world seemed to rest on her shoulders, and Kael’s constant protection, though well-meaning, made it feel heavier. How was she supposed to figure out what she was, or what Shadowbound wanted, if she couldn’t even breathe without Kael watching her?
“I don’t need a babysitter,” she muttered under her breath.
Kael’s sharp hearing caught her words, and he gave her a soft smile, his lips barely curving upward. “You might feel differently when Nyxthorn decides to make its move.”
“Nyxthorn,” Bella murmured, the name still bitter on her tongue. “They want me. But why? What does Shadowbound see in me?”
Kael didn’t answer immediately, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked out at the darkening horizon. He had a thousand reasons to be worried, a thousand things he wanted to protect her from. But something about her bloodline… something about the prophecy had made him hesitate.
“I don’t have the answers, Bella,” he finally said, his voice heavy with something Bella couldn’t place. “But I’ll keep you safe. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Bella was about to respond when the sound of footsteps approaching caught her attention. She tensed, instinctively stepping closer to Kael, though she knew it wasn’t out of fear but out of a strange sense of security.
From the shadows of the trees, a figure emerged, tall and lean, with a posture that exuded strength and danger. Bella’s breath hitched when she recognized him.
Zeryth.
The rogue wolf who had warned her before. His eyes gleamed with intensity, and his usual playful smirk was gone, replaced by a seriousness that made Bella’s heart race.
“Zeryth,” Kael growled, his protective stance instantly shifting. “What are you doing here?”
Zeryth gave Kael a mocking look, though it was devoid of humor. “I’m here to warn her,” he said, his gaze shifting to Bella. “You’re not safe. Nyxthorn plans to attack, and soon.”
Kael’s body stiffened, and Bella could feel the shift in the air around them. “What do you mean? What kind of attack?” Kael demanded, his voice sharp.
Zeryth glanced at Bella, as if weighing his next words carefully. “They won’t come for you directly, not yet. But they’re making their move. They’ll provoke Crescent Howl until you’re at war. And once that happens…” He trailed off, shaking his head as if he didn’t need to finish the sentence.
Kael stepped forward, his voice cold with warning. “I won’t let them destroy this pack. Not over her.”
Zeryth’s eyes flicked to Bella again, narrowing slightly. “You don’t understand, Kael. They’re coming for her. And you need to listen to me, Bella.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Your bloodline… it’s the key to stopping them. You’re more than just a wolf. They’re going to try to use your power to control everything. And when they do, Crescent Howl will fall.”
Bella felt her head spin with everything Zeryth had just said. Her bloodline. The key to stopping Nyxthorn. It all felt like too much to take in. She had always known something was different about her, but this? This was beyond anything she had ever imagined.
“Wait,” Bella said, her voice trembling slightly. “What do you mean I’m more than just a wolf? I’m… I’m not a rogue, but I’m not like you. I don’t have all the answers. What am I?”
Zeryth’s eyes flashed, a strange emotion flickering in his gaze. His lips curled into a faint, almost sad smile. “You’re something more than a wolf, Bella. You’re part of a bloodline that can either save or destroy everything. It’s not just your powers Shadowbound wants. It’s what’s inside of you. And whether you like it or not, you’re going to have to face it.”
Bella’s breath caught in her throat. What was inside of her? What kind of power did she have that could either save or destroy? And why had the elders kept this from her? Why had Kael, someone who supposedly cared for her, kept her in the dark?
“I don’t understand,” Bella whispered, feeling overwhelmed by everything she had learned, by everything she didn’t know.
Zeryth stepped back, his expression turning somber. “You will,” he said, his voice low and grave. “But time is running out. Nyxthorn won’t wait much longer. And when they come for you, you’ll have to decide what kind of wolf you’re going to be.”