Chapter 17
733 Words
The wolves of Draven Ridge fell silent.
Not because they weren’t ready to fight.
Because they realized this wasn’t an attack.
It was a hunt.
And Midnight was the prey.
Dozens of crimson eyes glowed beyond the shattered gates, shifting through the snow and darkness surrounding the estate like living nightmares.
The Shadow Eater beneath Kael’s claws grinned wider.
“They came when the mountain called.”
Kael slammed the creature into the marble hard enough to crater the floor.
“Shut up.”
The Shadow Eater laughed again.
Black blood poured from its mouth.
“You cannot protect her from the abyss, Alpha.”
Kael’s claws pressed deeper into its throat.
“Watch me.”
The mate bond surged violently through Midnight’s chest at the words.
The demon inside her stirred.
Hungry.
Possessive.
Mine.
Midnight stumbled slightly as shadows curled around her ankles.
Lucien noticed instantly.
“Kael.”
The alpha looked toward her immediately.
Wrong move.
The Shadow Eater lunged.
Kael reacted fast enough to stop its claws from reaching his throat—but not fast enough to stop the second creature crashing through the broken entrance behind him.
Everything happened at once.
Wolves roared. Furniture shattered. The smell of blood exploded through the room.
And Midnight—
Midnight froze.
Because the second Shadow Eater looked directly at her and smiled.
Not maliciously.
Reverently.
“Abyss-born Queen.”
The words hit the room like a curse.
Every wolf paused.
Kael’s expression turned murderous.
The creature bowed its head slightly toward Midnight.
“We have waited centuries.”
The demon inside her answered instantly.
Not with words.
With power.
Black smoke erupted violently from her body, flooding across the room in dark waves.
The wolves backed away instinctively.
The Shadow Eaters did not.
They stepped closer.
Drawn to her.
Kael saw it immediately.
And something savage snapped inside him.
The alpha shifted fully.
Bones cracked violently through the hall as massive silver-black fur erupted across his body. In seconds, a monstrous wolf stood between Midnight and the creatures advancing toward her.
Huge.
Terrifying.
Beautiful.
Silver eyes glowed murderously beneath layers of thick black fur while fangs bared in a snarl sharp enough to stop hearts.
Midnight stared.
Her wolf instantly surged toward him.
Mate.
The Shadow Eaters recoiled slightly.
Not fear.
Respect.
One of them hissed softly.
“The Guardian Wolf.”
Kael lunged before the creature finished speaking.
Chaos exploded again.
The alpha tore through the nearest Shadow Eater with catastrophic violence. Claws ripped black flesh apart while silver energy burned through the creature’s body like fire.
But more kept entering.
Three. Five. Ten.
Too many.
The estate became a war zone.
Midnight’s breathing turned uneven as screams and snarls echoed around her. Blood covered the marble floor now—wolf blood, black blood, human blood.
The demon inside her loved it.
The realization made her sick.
A Shadow Eater suddenly appeared directly in front of her.
Too fast.
Midnight stumbled backward instinctively.
The creature inhaled deeply near her throat.
“Abyss…”
Its crimson eyes widened with something almost worshipful.
Then its claw reached toward her face gently.
“You are ours.”
Something inside Midnight snapped.
“No.”
The word exploded from her like thunder.
Black fire burst from her body in a violent shockwave that launched the creature backward through two stone pillars.
The entire estate shook.
Every Shadow Eater turned toward her instantly.
Silence followed.
Then—
they all bowed.
Midnight’s blood ran cold.
Kael froze mid-attack.
Lucien whispered one horrified word.
“Impossible.”
The Shadow Eaters lowered themselves fully before her like soldiers kneeling before royalty.
And the thing beneath the mountain—
laughed.
The sound rolled through the estate like distant thunder.
The Hollow King’s voice echoed upward from beneath the earth.
“They remember their Queen.”
Midnight staggered backward in horror.
“No.”
The nearest Shadow Eater slowly lifted its head.
Its crimson gaze locked onto hers with terrifying devotion.
“Command us.”
Kael moved instantly.
The massive wolf shifted partially back into human form mid-step, blood covering his chest and claws as he placed himself directly between Midnight and the kneeling creatures.
Silver eyes blazing.
Protective rage pouring off him in suffocating waves.
“She commands nothing.”
The Shadow Eater smiled.
“You misunderstand, Alpha.”
Its gaze shifted back toward Midnight.
“She already is.”
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