POV: Raevan
The moment Zarek demands Soraya, something in me snaps.
The desert wind howls across the dunes, sweeping sand between us like a battlefield drawing itself. Zarek sits tall on his pale stallion, golden armor gleaming in the moonlight. His men form a crescent behind him—an army disguised as an escort.
Kaide stands beside me, tense as stretched bowstring.
Soraya clings to my sleeve, trembling.
I step forward.
“Zarek,” I say, voice low and lethal, “I will give you one chance. Turn your men around. Leave the dunes. Forget her name. Forget her existence.”
Zarek tilts his head, amused. “Do you think I fear you?”
“No,” I growl. “You should fear what I’ll do if you touch her again.”
He smirks—calm, arrogant, certain of his advantage. “The desert recognizes sovereignty, Raevan. You stand in neutral territory. Any hostile action from you is an act of war.”
“And abducting Ashra scouts?” I snap. “Kidnapping my wolves, taking Soraya—what do YOU call that?”
“A political misunderstanding,” he answers smoothly.
A few scouts gasp behind me. My vision turns red.
Kaide whispers urgently, “Raevan. He wants you to strike first.”
“I don’t give a damn,” I snarl. “If he thinks he’s getting within breathing distance of Soraya, he dies.”
Zarek’s smile sharpens. “So predictable. You always were ruled by emotion.”
“I’m ruled by loyalty,” I spit. “Something you know nothing about.”
His eyes flicker. For the first time, I see a crack—thin, hairline, but real. A shadow beneath his mask.
He shifts in his saddle. “You have no claim over the Zehrael girl.”
“She’s not a girl,” I snap. “She is MY responsibility.”
Zarek laughs, slow and taunting. “Your responsibility? She fled you. She ran to me. Perhaps she prefers a future queen’s crown to your dungeon cellars.”
Soraya stiffens behind me.
My blood boils so violently I almost shift.
“And perhaps,” I say softly, “I’ll tear your tongue out for speaking about her.”
Saren guards step forward instantly, weapons drawn.
Kaide curses. “This is spiraling—fast.”
I understand why he's worried. I know Soraya behind me feels the air shift, the way the moon shines on us, almost as if it's watching to see what's going to happen next. This can either turn into a full blown war, or…
Zarek raises a hand, halting his soldiers. “Raevan Ashra, dread wolf of the desert…” His smirk widens. “Tell me truthfully. If I reach for her right now—will you kill me?”
I take one step closer. The sand trembles.
“If you reach for her,” I say, voice vibrating with the wolf beneath my skin,
“I won’t kill you.”
Zarek blinks.
“I’ll make you beg for death.”
A ripple of fear runs through the scouting soldiers. Even Zarek’s stallion shifts nervously.
Zarek straightens. “Bold. Reckless. Exactly why you will lose this desert in the end.”
My lips curl. “Then let’s lose it together.”
His expression darkens. “Hand her over.”
“No.”
“Return the scouts.”
“No.”
“Then—”
“Zarek,” I cut in, “one more step, and I swear by the moons you will not leave these dunes in human form.”
A gust of wind roars between us.
The political mask drops. The personal hatred erupts.
Zarek draws his blade.
Kaide swears loudly. “Gods, he actually did it—”
I step forward, claws extending through my fingertips. “Very well.”
“Raevan, WAIT—” Kaide reaches for me.
Too late.
I launch myself at Zarek.
The desert erupts.
Our bodies collide in a violent clash—steel against claws, fury against arrogance. Zarek swings down from his horse, blade slicing past my cheek. I dodge, sand kicking into the air.
“You’re unhinged,” Zarek snarls, striking again.
“I learned from watching you,” I growl, slashing for his ribs.
His blade sparks against my claws. He ducks, twisting behind me. I pivot, slamming my shoulder into him. We tumble across the sand, grappling for control.
Around us, guards shout. Kaide draws his blade. The scouts form a shield around Soraya.
Zarek pins me for a moment, eyes blazing. “You cannot protect her forever.”
“I can protect her long enough to kill YOU.”
I flip him, burying him in the sand. My claws press to his throat.
One more push. One more breath. And the desert would be rid of Zarek forever.
But then—an explosion of power behind me.
A scream—Soraya’s. Light floods the dunes. I turn—and everything stops.