The Alpha's Forgotten Heir

Chapter 17

By morning, the world felt different.

The mist had thickened overnight until it wasn’t just mist anymore—it was alive. It curled and shifted around the camp like it was watching them, whispering soft sounds that didn’t belong to the forest.

Seraphina shivered as she packed her gear, her fingers brushing over Kaelen’s pendant where it hung around her neck.

Eira’s voice was low and calm when she approached. “The Vale is waking,” she said. “This is its first warning. It will try to break you before you reach its heart.”

Seraphina swallowed hard. “And if it does?”

“Then you won’t leave alive.”

The trail narrowed as they pushed deeper into the mountains. The air grew colder, and the shadows lengthened until it felt like twilight even at midday.

Nadia kept her bow drawn, Rowan’s spear never far from his grip, but it was Seraphina who felt it first—the shift.

“Stop,” she said sharply.

The others froze.

She stepped forward, her magic rising unbidden, and the world flickered like a flame.

When the flicker faded, the trail ahead was gone. In its place was a chasm so wide she could barely see the other side.

“What the hell—” Rowan began, but Eira cut him off.

“It isn’t real,” the seer said. “The Vale is testing you.”

“Testing us how?” Nadia demanded.

Eira’s silver eyes settled on Seraphina. “Her.”

Seraphina’s breath caught. “Me?”

“This is your trial,” Eira said. “Only your light can reveal the true path.”

The weight of every gaze fell on her.

Darius stepped closer, his hand finding hers. “Then you’re not doing it alone.”

His touch steadied her enough to take the next step. She closed her eyes, pulling the magic up from deep inside until it burned through her veins.

When she opened her eyes, the chasm was gone. The trail was there again, shining faintly as though bathed in moonlight.

Nadia let out a low whistle. “Remind me never to piss you off.”

Seraphina’s knees nearly buckled, but Darius caught her, one arm sliding around her waist.

“You did it,” he said quietly, pride shining in his golden eyes.

She couldn’t look away from him. His hand was warm on her hip, anchoring her, and the world seemed to narrow to just this—his touch, his breath, the steady thrum of his pulse under his skin.

“Darius…”

Whatever she was about to say was lost when he kissed her.

This time, there was nothing careful about it.

His mouth claimed hers, rough and hungry, his other hand tangling in her hair. She melted into him, her fingers clutching at his shirt as though he was the only solid thing in this cursed forest.

When they finally broke apart, both of them breathing hard, he rested his forehead against hers.

“You scare the hell out of me,” he murmured.

Her lips curved faintly. “That makes two of us.”

That night, they found shelter in a cave hidden behind a waterfall. The sound of rushing water drowned out the world beyond, giving them a fragile bubble of peace.

Seraphina sat near the fire, her wet hair dripping down her back, while Darius tended to a shallow cut on her arm from the day’s climb.

“You don’t have to fuss over me,” she said softly.

“Not fussing,” he said, his voice gruff. “Just making sure you’re whole. You’re no good to me dead.”

She arched a brow. “So I’m only useful alive?”

His gaze lifted, golden and sharp in the firelight. “You’re everything alive.”

The words sent a shiver down her spine.

He reached up, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering against her skin.

“I keep thinking about what happens after this,” he admitted, his voice low. “If we survive. If we get Kaelen back.”

She swallowed. “And what do you see?”

“You,” he said simply.

Her chest tightened. “Darius…”

He didn’t let her finish. His mouth was on hers again, slow and deep this time, like he had all the time in the world.

The firelight threw shadows against the walls, painting their silhouettes as they kissed until the outside world ceased to exist.

But the Vale wasn’t done with them.

Somewhere in the night, a whisper rose from the darkness—Kaelen’s voice, soft and desperate.

“Mom…”

Seraphina shot to her feet, her heart slamming against her ribs. “Did you hear that?”

Darius was already on his feet, shifting his weight toward the entrance. “Stay here.”

“No,” she said fiercely, grabbing her jacket. “It’s Kaelen. He’s calling me.”

“Or it’s the Vale using him against you,” Darius countered. “That’s what it does.”

But it was too late—she was already moving, following the voice into the night.

Darius swore and went after her, the others scrambling awake as they disappeared into the mist.

The trail ended in a clearing bathed in silver light.

And there, standing at the center, was Kaelen.

Or at least, it looked like him.

“Mom,” he said again, his face pale, his eyes wide. “Help me.”

Seraphina took a step forward before Darius caught her arm.

“Look at his shadow,” he growled.

She did—and her blood ran cold.

Kaelen’s shadow didn’t move with him.

Before she could react, the figure smiled, too wide, too cruel, and the clearing erupted in black smoke.

When it cleared, Kaelen was gone.

And in his place stood Lucien.

“Closer,” he said, his voice like poisoned silk. “Just a little closer, and you might actually catch me next time.”

Then he was gone too, the mist swallowing him whole.

Seraphina stood frozen, her breath coming hard.

Darius stepped in front of her, his hands gripping her shoulders. “You can’t chase him blindly. That’s what he wants.”

Her throat was tight, her nails biting into her palms. “He used Kaelen’s voice.”

“I know,” Darius said, his own voice rough with fury. “And he’ll pay for it. But not like this. Not tonight.”

She sagged against him, and he held her there until her shaking stopped.

“We keep moving,” he said quietly. “And next time, we end him.”