Chapter 8
1033 Words
Kaelani POV
The last day of the month means tournament day.
Today is another students-only event, and honestly, I’m grateful for it. I want my family to see me face a real challenge when the time comes—not this. Not yet.
I’ve been trying to shove the spell tied to Kieran out of my mind so I can focus on school and the tournament, but it’s everywhere. It’s impossible to ignore.
This morning at breakfast, I passed Aliza in the dining hall and felt it—almost like a low hum radiating from her.
She feels cold, Nyra says quietly. Like Kieran.
“I know,” I reply. “But we can’t focus on that right now. We have a fight to prepare for.”
I head to the lockers to get ready. When I step into the locker room, Kaia is already there, pacing, her face tight.
“Hey,” I say carefully. “You good?”
“Lani,” she says, lowering her voice. “Have you noticed anything off about your sister?”
“Not here,” I say quickly, glancing around.
She exhales sharply. “Fine. But we’re talking about this later.”
She storms out.
When I step back into the hallway, the air feels thick—charged. My skin prickles, every instinct screaming.
Something is off, Nyra murmurs.
I shake it off and walk toward the arena.
The ranking board flashes as I approach, and my name is listed under Tier One. There are far fewer names here than before.
Today, I’m up against a boy from Liam’s pack.
This should be interesting.
I spot Liam and Kaia near the ring, whispering.
“What are we talking about?” I ask.
“We’re just worried about you,” Liam says. “With the whole Kieran and Aliza thing—”
“Not now,” I cut in. “If you want to talk about it, we’ll do it later. Definitely not here.”
I pause. “I know what the spell is. We’ll talk after.”
I turn away to watch the match before mine.
Pressure builds behind my eyes.
He’s close, Nyra warns.
I turn—and there he is.
Kieran is leaning against the wall behind me, breathing hard, sweat soaking through his shirt.
I take a step toward him.
No, Nyra snaps.
I stop and turn toward the ring. My fight is next.
Before I reach it, I hear it—low and rough, almost a growl.
“Kaelani.”
Kieran’s voice carries across the field.
Everything stops.
Heads turn. Whispers ripple through the crowd.
Aliza rushes up to him, and the wave of darkness that hits me almost knocks me to my knees.
I turn away before I can say or do something stupid.
He’s losing control, Nyra whispers.
“I know,” I say. “But I can’t help him yet.”
The announcer steps onto the platform.
“Next up, we have Kaelani Quinn of Blackridge Pack versus Tyler Sharp of Crescent Ridge Pack. Fighters to the ring.”
We approach from opposite sides.
He looks more experienced than my last opponent.
“Begin.”
We circle each other. He feints left, then swings right. I pivot and land a solid punch to his ribs before stepping back.
He recovers fast. We exchange blows—quick, sharp strikes.
He’s fast.
But I’m faster.
He grabs for me. I duck, sweep his legs out from under him. He’s back on his feet in seconds and swings hard—his fist connects with my jaw.
I spit blood and charge.
As he prepares to block, I slide under his legs, spring up behind him, and jump onto his back. I lock him in a headlock and use my momentum to flip him over my shoulder.
He hits the ground hard.
I turn, waiting to see if he’ll stand.
The bell rings.
“Winner—Kaelani Quinn.”
Kieran POV
I’ve been trying to avoid her since the locker room.
It’s getting harder to control Atlas.
Something is wrong, he growls.
“I know,” I grit out. “But what am I supposed to do?”
Mate can help, he huffs.
“No,” I snap. “She can’t.”
I smell her before I see her, and my feet start moving on their own.
“Atlas, stop,” I snarl.
Mate is close, he growls.
I see her across the field watching the match—and freeze.
My body goes heavy. Weak. Sweat breaks out along my spine.
She stiffens like she knows I’m behind her.
Mate can help, Atlas snarls again.
“NO!” I shout inside my head.
She turns toward me, takes a step—and then stops. She turns away instead.
Before I can stop him, Atlas surges forward.
“Kaelani,” he growls aloud.
She freezes.
Then—
“Kieran!”
Aliza runs up to me. “What are you doing?”
I glance at her. She looks pale. Sick.
She turns and hurries away.
Aliza tries to pull me from the ring.
“I’m watching,” I say, not moving.
I watch Kaelani fight from a distance.
Mate is good, Atlas says quietly.
What are we going to do when we have to fight her? he asks.
“We won’t,” I reply.
Keep lying to yourself, he mutters, retreating.
I don’t know what’s happening to me anymore.
After her fight, I stand near the ring.
“Kaelani,” I force myself to say.
She turns, stepping back instinctively. “Kieran, what is going on with you?”
“I don’t know,” I say—and then my legs give out.
I drop to the ground.
She moves toward me, and I throw up a hand. “Don’t.”
“I need help,” I grit out. My whole body shakes the longer I speak.
“Kieran,” she says, tears in her eyes, “I will help you. I just need more time.”
“No,” I choke. “I—I have to go.”
I force myself to my feet and run.
We’re going to lose mate, Atlas growls.
- Writer
