The Alpha who Stole Death

Chapter 6: Mine to Protect

Kael

Pain was familiar.

I'd lived with it for centuries.

Broken bones healed.

Scars faded.

Loss didn't.

The scent reached me before I opened my eyes.

Pine.

Fresh rain.

And underneath it...

Her.

My wolf stirred immediately.

Find her.

I ignored him.

With a groan, I opened my eyes to the rough wooden ceiling of the Blackwood infirmary.

"So," a familiar voice drawled, "you're finally awake."

I turned my head.

Elias lounged in a chair beside my bed with his boots propped on a table, looking far too relaxed for someone who'd spent the last day worrying about his Alpha.

"You look terrible," he said.

"I almost died."

"You've looked better after almost dying."

"I appreciate the honesty."

"It's one of my many talents."

Despite the ache in every muscle, I smirked.

It felt... normal.

For exactly three seconds.

Then everything came rushing back.

The attack.

The hospital.

The nurse.

Her blood.

I sat up too quickly, earning a sharp pain in my ribs.

"Easy," Elias warned.

"The healer said you'd try that."

"I need to leave."

"No."

"I wasn't asking."

"And I'm telling you no."

He folded his arms.

"You've been unconscious for nearly two days."

Two days.

Too long.

My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin.

She's in danger.

"I have to go."

Elias's expression darkened.

"I know."

The room fell silent.

That wasn't the response I'd expected.

"What happened?"

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"The rogues know about her."

Ice spread through my chest.

"How?"

"We don't know."

His jaw tightened.

"But someone saw what happened at the hospital."

The hospital.

I remembered fragments.

A woman leaning over me.

Soft brown eyes.

Steady hands.

The scent of rain.

And then...

Warm blood.

Her blood.

The bond.

My wolf growled.

Mine.

"No," I muttered.

Elias frowned.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Everything.

This couldn't be happening.

Not now.

Not after three hundred years.

The Moon Goddess had an awful sense of humor.

---

An hour later, I left the infirmary.

The Blackwood territory stretched endlessly before me.

Ancient pines surrounded the village, their branches swaying gently beneath the afternoon breeze.

Children chased one another between cabins.

Warriors trained near the clearing.

For a moment, everything looked peaceful.

It was an illusion.

Every wolf I passed glanced at me.

Then quickly looked away.

They knew.

Word traveled fast.

Especially bad news.

As I approached the council house, the heavy wooden doors opened before I could touch them.

Perfect.

They were waiting.

---

The council chamber smelled of cedar wood and old magic.

Seven elders sat around the circular table.

None of them smiled.

I hadn't expected them to.

Elder Magnus spoke first.

"The Alpha lives."

"Disappointed?" I asked.

A few younger warriors near the walls fought to hide their smiles.

Magnus didn't.

"You brought danger to this pack."

"I brought myself home."

"You brought the prophecy."

Silence settled over the room.

So.

We were getting straight to it.

"The human female."

Magnus's voice echoed through the chamber.

"She must die."

My wolf exploded with rage.

The growl that escaped my throat wasn't entirely human.

Several elders stiffened.

I placed both hands on the table.

"No."

Magnus met my eyes without flinching.

"The prophecy states that a human bearing the Mark of Death will bring about the fall of an Alpha."

"I know the prophecy."

"Then you understand what must be done."

"I said no."

The room trembled beneath the weight of my voice.

No one spoke.

Even Elias remained silent.

Finally, Elder Miriam sighed.

"You've never defied the council."

"I am now."

Magnus rose slowly from his chair.

"You would choose one human over your own pack?"

"I haven't chosen anyone."

That was the problem.

I didn't know why my wolf reacted to her.

I didn't know why I could still smell rain every time I closed my eyes.

I didn't know why the thought of anyone hurting her made something inside me snap.

I knew only one thing.

She wasn't a threat.

Not yet.

And I wouldn't let innocent blood be spilled because of fear.

"The council has made its decision," Magnus said coldly.

"If you refuse to act..."

He paused.

"...others will."

A chill swept through me.

"You've already sent hunters."

No one answered.

That was answer enough.

I looked at Elias.

"When?"

His face hardened.

"This morning."

My heart stopped.

Aurora.

If the hunters had reached her first—

My wolf surged forward with such force that my vision blurred.

Go.

This time...

I agreed.

Without another word, I turned and strode toward the doors.

"Kael."

Magnus's voice stopped me.

"If you protect her..."

I looked back over my shoulder.

"...you may lose everything."

I held his gaze.

"Then I'll earn it back."

I walked out before anyone could stop me.

Outside, the wind carried her scent once more.

Rain.

Jasmine.

Hope.

I shifted before I reached the forest's edge.

Bones cracked.

Muscles stretched.

Dark fur burst across my skin.

Moments later, the massive black wolf stood where I had.

My wolf lifted his head toward the human city.

She was alive.

For now.

I launched into the trees.

No council.

No prophecy.

No ancient law...

...was going to reach Aurora Hayes before I did.