Rise of the Underdogs: KADEN

Soul Song

A sudden, sharp intake of breath drew my gaze towards the deeper shadows cast by the mansion. Instinctively, I sniffed the air once more, quickly registering Austin’s distinct scent. It wasn’t unpleasant by any means. It carried the crispness of grass and the purity of mountain air.

There was something undeniably alluring about his scent—its invitation was subtle yet compelling. At the same time, it carried an underlying danger, a warning to anyone who might not be strong enough to withstand or challenge him. Austin’s presence was magnetic, but also a test of strength, drawing in those who might not be prepared for what they would face.

Intermingling with Austin’s scent was another, softer fragrance: Mariana’s. Sand and spice. The scent reminded me of a cherished childhood memory. The time Dad brought Dreson, Mom, and me to a Cinco de Mayo celebration years ago.

Logan was someone I genuinely liked. His intelligence set him apart, and there was a remarkable softness to his demeanour that drew me in. Despite his gentle nature, I sensed something unique about him, something that went beyond what was visible on the surface.

Deep down, I knew Logan was different. He stood at the crossroads between his mother and father, occupying a space that made him distinct within his family. He was their only child, the sole pup born during their eight years as Mates. A fact that shaped both who he was and how others perceived him. While looking like his mother, he read a room like his father.

Not a bad thing, but something that would eventually make him unpredictable and, possibly, a guard.

Remaining close, I made sure to keep my attention firmly fixed on Austin, ever watchful for any subtle changes in his mood or tone. I had been warned to do so, and I intended to heed that advice, knowing how quickly the atmosphere could shift around him.

It was then that my focus shifted to someone else entirely. A small figure whose presence quietly commanded the scene. The Runt’s gentle voice called out for his mother, and in that moment, he managed to slip in between the adults. He did so with such natural ease that it was almost imperceptible he was trying to shield the woman he called Madre. Even more striking was how he managed to draw his father’s ire, all the while concealing a small but significant untruth. The child’s ability to navigate the tension in the room, protecting his mother and masking his own intentions, was remarkable.

I had caught the lie. Subtle, but clear to those who truly paid attention. The Runt – Logan. His name was Logan. His words rang out with a gentle innocence, but beneath his plea for his mother, I sensed the truth twisting beneath the surface. His ability to shield his mother while concealing the deception was nothing short of remarkable.

Dark looks flickered behind Austin’s eyes, betraying hidden motives and simmering tension. The air itself seemed charged, thick with a crackling energy that lingered like stale lightning ready to strike at any moment.

Then, Austin growled. A sound deep and low, vibrating with warning. His words drifted toward me, laced with threat and an undercurrent of something far uglier. Behind his outward calm, I could sense the harsh reality he worked so hard to keep hidden. A truth masked by a veneer of complacency.

As Austin’s smile curled across his lips, an icy shiver ran down my spine. There was no warmth in his expression. Only a calculated intent that made it clear he was plotting something and, whatever it was, it wouldn’t bode well. The air between us thickened, charged with unspoken tension and a sense of foreboding that settled heavily over the room.

Despite the warning signs would be when most people would likely step in.

Not me.

Just as Austin’s hand twitched in that familiar ‘someone’s getting hurt today’ action, I chose that moment to step off the veranda and intercepted him. My actions were deliberate. A bold approach, even as I knew it would draw attention and potential consequences. I didn’t hesitate to let my stance and words serve as a warning. I threatened him outright, fully aware that it might land me in trouble or earn me a stern lecture later. Still, protecting what mattered was worth the risk. In that instant, standing my ground felt more important than avoiding confrontation or reprimand.

He called me an Omega, and I almost laughed at the way he sneered it. What hardly anyone knew was that I asked for the position. And when I asked for anything that was within his power to grant, Dreson went to bat for me. He got me the position I wanted.

A position that allowed me to keep the lower ranks of the pack clean. Safe.

He thought I was weak. Thought I would let violence against women and children slide. When, not if. Never if. But when I got my hands on him legally?

I felt giddy. The anticipation pulling at me in ways that felt almost Tainted in its clawing. I felt… nothing. Nothing at all as I glared at the so-called pack Warrior who had already caused more pain and suffering than was necessary.

Just as the energy of the evening began to ebb and the festivities reached their gentle conclusion, my attention was drawn once more. My cousin, radiant and confident, was in her element. She was making an impression as the Luna Princess, her presence undeniable to all who watched. But it was the familiar scent that caught me off guard, threading through the air and demanding my focus.

The aroma, the same tantalizing blend of honey and smoke, was utterly irresistible. Unable to suppress my reaction any longer, I found myself compelled to speak. Drawn in by the intoxicating fragrance that lingered in the night.

My mistake.

I’d been close enough to Neil at that point that he’d grabbed me. Throwing me off the veranda, he shoved me into the direction of the scent that had Malachite dancing. His behind and middle were swaying with excitement. His front paws tapping out a rhythm as his tongue lolled back and forth from his opened maw.

‘King is laughing! My Alpha is laughing for the first time in years! This is paw-some!’ He, apparently, was thrilled.

‘Yeah?’ I asked, running my hands through my curly brown hair. ‘Well, don’t get too excited. We haven’t met her yet.

He sobered instantly, allowing me a moment to focus on something other than the shared humour my wolf and I indulged in so much it was second nature. We – yes, we – loved tipping scales. We loved making our friends and family laugh and enjoy life without a thought. And we absolutely loved trying to circumvent Alpha orders.

It was life-threatening, yes, but it was so much fun!

What? Chite was part of me and vice versa. Don’t like it? Get outta Dodge.

I inhaled deeply, letting the scent wind its way through every sense and muscle. It did not simply touch my heart. It cut deeper. Reaching straight into the marrow and the core of my soul. This was the unmistakable sign of discovering a True Mate. Not chosen. Not some girly, objectified version of an honest connection.

It was real.

True.

The connection that formed between a True Mated pair was far stronger than anything experienced with a simple Mate bond. Those who shared a True bond understood the depth of it, knowing they possessed something infinitely more powerful. This bond did not just connect; it brought out the absolute best in both partners and elevated their spirits beyond what they had ever known before.

The resonance scared me. Not in a “ha-ha, yeah, you got me” kind of way. It pulsed through my blood. It sang in the deepest reserves of my heart. Like I was walking a minefield in search of treasure while trying not to get blown into the afterlife.

What the heck was so frightening? No idea.

Not a f*****g clue, Scooby-Doo.

I saw her then. Her skin a unique tawny shade, somewhere between umber and tree bark brown. The colour was striking, captivating in its peculiarity, and she looked irresistible in that way reserved for life’s finest things. As I approached, her honey-brown eyes caught my attention. They were deep and beautiful, reflecting light with wildness. A hint of a feral spirit restrained by human form. She was reading, a detail that immediately resonated with me since it was something we both clearly enjoyed.

It was important to me that my True Mate wouldn’t be dull, yet I also didn’t want someone who was always seeking conflict. She seemed to strike that perfect balance—interesting and engaged, yet not combative, just as I had hoped.

Her hair stood out as well. Milky white, almost platinum blond, glimmering with gold and blue strands woven throughout. It was reminiscent of sunlight glinting off Arctic ice. It was braided and adorned with charms and feathers, hinting that there was more to her than met the eye.

Malachite stilled, sitting as she looked up from her place on the ground. His eyes went wide at the exact moment that mine did. At the exact moment I felt the creeping chill of terror that lanced through her. ‘She’s afraid. Alpha-born, but scared of what this bond means.’

‘I figured that,’ I answered. See what not many knew was I had the ability to commune with Malachite all along. Being half Druid, I had the pride of knowing I was classed as Special because I was perfectly aligned with both halves of my nature.

She lifted her head, her eyes wide and jaw slack. “I… I…”

Without thinking, without waiting to see what she would say, I snapped my mouth closed. Teeth rattling in my head as I felt the colour drain from me. Then I likely did the stupidest thing I could ever have done.

I f*****g ran away.