Marked by My Enemy Alpha

Chapter 20 – The Blood That Binds

The fire crackled low in the Alpha’s chamber, casting trembling light over Aria’s pale skin. The mark on her collarbone glowed faintly, the symbol alive with veins of crimson and gold. Kael paced near the window, his jaw locked tight, every muscle in his body tense.

He had seen many things — death, betrayal, even the wrath of the moon goddess — but nothing terrified him more than watching Aria suffer.

“It’s changing again,” he muttered.

Aria’s voice was barely a whisper. “Kael… it’s not just me.”

He turned sharply. “What do you mean?”

Her gaze flicked toward the door — toward where Rylan had left only moments ago.

Kael’s eyes darkened. “No. Don’t tell me—”

“I felt it,” she interrupted, trembling. “When my mark burned, his did too. It’s like our energy connected for a second. Kael, I don’t understand—”

“You don’t need to,” he snapped, his control slipping for the first time. “Whatever connection you think you feel with him, you will break it.”

Aria’s heart cracked at his tone. “You think I want this?” she shot back. “You think I chose to be marked by you and haunted by him?”

Silence fell between them, thick as smoke.

Kael turned away, fists clenched. “You’re mine, Aria. My mate. My Luna.”

She wanted to believe that was enough — but deep inside, the mark pulsed again, whispering something ancient and cold.

“The second marked one will awaken… and the Alpha’s blood will decide who lives.”

The voice wasn’t hers — it was the same one that haunted her dreams.

Before she could speak, a loud crash echoed through the hallway.

Kael stormed out, with Aria following close behind. The air reeked of magic — wild and tainted. When they reached the main hall, Rylan was already there, his hands glowing faintly blue, his eyes wolf-bright.

Behind him lay a warrior — lifeless, marked with the same dark rune that had appeared in Aria’s earlier vision.

“Rylan,” Kael growled, “what did you do?”

Rylan looked up slowly, eyes burning with fury and guilt. “It wasn’t me. He attacked first. Look at his neck — he’s been branded.”

Aria knelt beside the dead man. The rune was still searing into his skin, twisting like a living thing.

She reached out to touch it — and the moment her fingers brushed the mark, a surge of energy threw her back.

Kael caught her midair, but she wasn’t the same when her eyes opened. They glowed with silver light, and when she spoke, her voice was not her own.

“The bloodline is breaking. The mark chooses another.”

And then she collapsed.

Kael’s heart stopped for a moment. He turned to Rylan, fury burning behind his grief. “If she dies because of you—”

Rylan stepped closer, voice steady but eyes full of conflict. “If she dies, we both lose her. And you know it.”

For the first time, Kael didn’t deny it.

The brothers stood over her, both bound to the same destiny — and neither realizing that Aria’s awakening had only begun.