Chapter 13
862 Words
The answering force slammed through Midnight like lightning.
She screamed as black energy erupted from her body in violent waves, shattering the remaining windows across the estate.
Kael grabbed her instantly.
“Midnight!”
Too late.
Something ancient had connected.
Not physically.
Deeper.
The Hollow King threw its head back with a roar that shook the mountain while the chains around its body burned bright crimson.
The shadows in the room surged toward Midnight like living creatures trying to touch their queen.
Wolves staggered backward.
Some dropped to one knee instinctively.
Not submission.
Overwhelming pressure.
Kael planted himself directly in front of Midnight despite it all, silver eyes blazing as he fought against the force pouring from her.
“Stay with me.”
Midnight could barely hear him.
The world around her blurred violently.
Visions slammed into her mind one after another.
War.
Entire forests burning black beneath crimson skies.
Wolves torn apart by creatures made of smoke and claws.
A massive gate opening between realms.
And standing in front of it—
her.
Not human.
Not wolf.
Something crowned in shadow with burning red eyes and wings stretching across the battlefield.
The Hollow King kneeling before her.
“No—”
Midnight gasped hard, jerking violently back into reality.
Kael caught her face between both hands immediately.
“Look at me.”
Her glowing eyes snapped to his.
The visions weakened instantly.
Kael noticed.
So did the Hollow King.
Interesting.
The creature’s expression darkened.
“You interrupt the awakening.”
Kael’s voice turned ice cold.
“Good.”
The Hollow King’s chains strained harder.
“You do not understand what she is.”
Kael stepped closer to the edge of the pit.
Every wolf in the room tensed instantly.
The alpha looked absolutely lethal now.
“She is not your weapon.”
The Hollow King smiled slowly.
“She already was long before you touched her.”
The demon inside Midnight stirred violently at that.
Not angry.
Conflicted.
Like it recognized truth in both of them.
Midnight pressed trembling hands against her chest.
She could feel the power growing inside her now.
Actually feel it.
Like another heartbeat beneath her own.
And worse—
part of her liked it.
The realization made her sick.
Kael sensed it instantly through the bond.
His gaze snapped toward her.
“Don’t spiral.”
Midnight let out a broken laugh. “I literally just saw myself ending the world.”
“That was a vision.”
“It felt real.”
Kael moved toward her immediately.
Steady.
Certain.
“Visions show possibilities. Not fate.”
The Hollow King laughed darkly.
“You still believe choice matters.”
Kael ignored him completely.
His attention stayed on Midnight.
“Listen to me.”
The alpha grip in his voice wrapped around her mind again, forcing her focus onto him.
“You are not doomed to become what they fear.”
Midnight swallowed hard.
“How do you know?”
Kael’s expression shifted slightly.
Something raw flickered there for half a second.
“Because monsters do not fear becoming monsters.”
The words hit her like a physical blow.
The Hollow King went silent.
Lucien did too.
Because Kael was right.
Midnight was terrified.
Terrified of hurting people. Terrified of losing herself. Terrified of wanting power.
And maybe that fear mattered.
The Hollow King’s crimson eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
“You love her already.”
The room froze.
Kael didn’t answer.
Didn’t deny it either.
Midnight’s heart stuttered painfully.
The mate bond pulsed hard enough to make her dizzy.
Lucien muttered softly, “Oh, that’s a problem.”
Kael finally looked toward the pit again.
“What do you want?”
The Hollow King’s smile returned instantly.
“At last.”
Its chains rattled slowly.
“The girl was not created merely to free me.”
Midnight’s stomach tightened.
“Then what was I created for?”
The creature’s crimson gaze locked onto hers.
“To replace me.”
Silence crashed through the estate.
Even the mountain seemed to hold its breath.
Midnight stared at the thing beneath the pit.
“What?”
The Hollow King leaned forward slightly.
“The abyss requires balance. A ruler. A vessel strong enough to survive both realms.”
Its smile widened.
“I was the first.”
Cold terror spread through her body.
“No.”
“You carry stronger blood than I ever did.”
The shadows around the room curled toward her again.
Hungry.
Obedient.
“You were designed to become the next King of the Abyss.”
Kael’s growl shook the hall instantly.
“She is not becoming anything for you.”
The Hollow King ignored him.
“Your mother understood eventually.”
Midnight froze.
The creature’s voice softened slightly.
“She died trying to keep you human.”
Pain exploded through Midnight’s chest so hard she staggered.
Kael caught her immediately.
“She failed,” the Hollow King finished quietly.
Rage answered before grief could.
The demon surged violently.
The entire estate shook.
Kael grabbed Midnight harder.
“Breathe.”
But her eyes had already turned fully crimson.
The Hollow King smiled slowly.
“There she is.”
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