CHAPTER TWELVE: BLOOD ON BLACKTHORN SOIL
676 Words
The first scream came from the forest.
Kael shifted before Seraphina could blink.
Bone snapped, muscle tore, and fur exploded across his skin as his wolf surged forward in a blur of black and gold. The transformation was violent, terrifying and beautiful in its lethal precision.
“Stay behind me!” Kael roared, his voice carrying Alpha command even through fangs.
Too late.
The rival wolves lunged.
The room became chaos splintered wood, snarls, claws tearing through air thick with blood and Blood Moon energy. One attacker flew backward as Kael slammed into him, jaws locking around his shoulder with bone crushing force.
Seraphina staggered back, heart racing.
Move. Don’t freeze.
Instinct snapped her into action.
She ducked as a claw sliced where her head had been, grabbed the overturned table, and swung it hard. The impact sent the wolf crashing into the wall with a howl.
Shock flashed through her.
I did that.
Her wolf surged, thrilled.
But there was no time to process it.
The rival Alpha stepped fully into the room.
Silver eyes. Scarred muzzle. Power twisted and unnatural.
“Well trained,” he said calmly, dodging Kael’s next strike. “But still predictable.”
Kael snarled, circling him. “You crossed a line.”
The Alpha smiled. “No. I exposed one.”
His gaze flicked straight to Seraphina.
Kael felt it instantly.
The bond screamed.
“Don’t look at her,” Kael growled.
“Oh, but she’s the reason we’re here,” the Alpha replied. “The hybrid. The key.”
Seraphina’s blood went cold.
“What is he talking about?” she demanded.
Kael didn’t answer.
That silence terrified her more than the claws.
The rival Alpha’s smile widened. “You didn’t tell her?”
Kael lunged.
The fight erupted again faster, deadlier. Wolves crashed through walls, shattered furniture, and slammed into stone pillars. Kael moved like a force of nature, protecting Seraphina without ever turning his back fully on her.
But Blood Moon energy was fueling everyone.
And it was draining him.
Seraphina felt it through the bond his strength burning too hot, too fast.
He’s pushing himself.
A wolf broke through Kael’s guard.
Seraphina didn’t think.
She moved.
Her body reacted before her mind caught up—she grabbed the blade from the fallen guard’s belt, spun, and drove it into the attacker’s side. The wolf howled, collapsing.
The room went still.
Even Kael froze.
Seraphina stared at the blood on her hands, chest heaving.
The rival Alpha laughed softly. “There it is.”
Kael shifted back in a flash, grabbing Seraphina and pulling her behind him. His hands shook as he checked her, fingers brushing her arms, her waist, her face.
“You’re hurt,” he said roughly.
“I’m fine,” she snapped. “But you’re not.”
Their eyes locked.
The bond flared hot, tight, demanding.
Outside, Blackthorn warriors stormed in, overpowering the remaining intruders. Within seconds, the rivals were restrained, snarling and bleeding.
Kael stood tall, Alpha dominance flooding the space.
“Bind them,” he ordered. “Chain them in iron.”
The rival Alpha met Kael’s gaze, unafraid. “You can’t hide her forever.”
Kael’s jaw tightened. “Watch me.”
The Alpha leaned forward. “The Council already knows.”
The words hit like a blade.
Seraphina’s breath caught. “Knows what?”
Kael turned slowly.
His expression grim, conflicted sent a chill down her spine.
“That you’re not just a hybrid,” he said quietly.
Her heart pounded. “Then what am I?”
Before he could answer
A howl split the night.
Long. Ancient. Not wolf.
Every head snapped toward the forest.
The ground trembled.
Kael swore under his breath. “They found us.”
Seraphina’s blood roared in her ears.
“Found what?” she demanded.
Kael pulled her close, his voice low, urgent.
“You.”
As an ancient presence surged toward Blackthorn, Kael realized the truth was no longer protectable
and Seraphina’s bloodline was about to ignite a war no Alpha could stop.
- Writer
