CHAPTER 7
1344 Words
Seeds of discord
“Go faster, Elara!” The sound of Kieran's voice was like a sharp knife cutting through the cool morning air. “In a real fight, you're dead if you hold back.”
As Elara slammed her fists together and charged forward, her arms hurt and shadows wrapped around her fingers. She didn't stop, even though sweat was running down her forehead. She couldn’t.
The way Kieran moved was precise and controlled, so he easily avoided her attack. “Your shadows are powerful, but they’re wild. “Take charge of them or they'll take over you.”
“I am trying!” Elara lost her cool, her anger rising in her chest. The shadows moved around in response to how she felt, getting darker and less stable.
“Trying isn’t enough.” Kieran closed the space between them in a moment, holding her wrist and causing her to look into his eyes. “Focus. Feel their pull, but don’t let them dominate you.”
Elara closed her eyes, drawing a shaky breath. The shadows hummed, living with energy, but instead of fighting them, she tried to lead them. Slowly, they merged into a single tendril, wrapping around her arm like a snake.
“There,” Kieran said, his tone quieter but still firm. “Now strike.”
She moved, the shadows thrusting forward like a spear. The power was exhilarating, and for a moment, Elara felt invincible. But then, the shadows swerved off course, slamming into a nearby wolf who had been watching the training.
A sharp cry split the air as the wolf was thrown back, falling with a painful thud. Blood stained the ground beneath him.
“No!” Elara’s voice trembled as she ran toward the hurt pack member, fear pulling at her throat. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Step back, Elara!” Kieran barked, kneeling beside the wolf. His hands glowed softly as he worked to fix the damage. “You’re too emotional. That’s why you lost control.”
Tears blurred her view as she backed away, her heart racing. “I… I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”
Kieran stood, his face unreadable. “Intentions don’t matter in a fight. Results do. You need to get a grip on your skills before someone else gets hurt—or worse.”
His words cut deep, and Elara felt the weight of every sad glance from the surrounding pack members. She turned and fled, unable to bear their judgment.
Elara stumbled into the forest, the shadows around her glowing like burning coals. She sank to her knees, hiding her face in her hands. “What’s wrong with me?” she whispered.
“Nothing’s wrong with you, child.”
Elara’s head snapped up, her breath catching as a figure emerged from the trees. Lysandra, the seer, moved with a strange ease, her eyes glowing slightly in the dim light.
“You’re just afraid of what you might become,” Lysandra said, her voice soft yet forceful.
“What do you want?” Elara asked, her tone protective. She stood, brushing dirt off her hands.
“To warn you,” Lysandra answered. “Your powers are awakening, but they’re untamed. If you don’t master them soon, they’ll consume you and those you care about.”
“I already know that,” Elara mumbled, looking away. “Kieran reminds me every chance he gets.”
“This isn’t just about control,” Lysandra continued, ignoring her anger. “A storm is coming, one of betrayal and blood. You must be ready.”
Elara frowned. “What kind of storm?”
Lysandra stepped closer, her look piercing. “The kind that will test your loyalties. Those you trust will turn against you. And if you’re not prepared, you’ll lose everything.”
The words sent a chill down Elara’s spine. “Who’s going to betray me?”
Lysandra’s lips twisted into a sad smile. “That’s for you to discover. But know this: your shadows are not your enemy. They are your shield. Use them wisely.”
Before Elara could answer, Lysandra faded into the mist, leaving her alone with the weight of her warning. Elara clenched her hands, determination hardening her resolve. If treachery was coming, she wouldn’t be caught off guard.
“I don’t care what it takes,” Aldric growled, his voice low and threatening. “Kieran’s hold on the pack needs to crumble.”
Cassandra leaned against the tunnel wall, her arms crossed. A sly smile played on her lips. “And you think spreading a little discord will do the trick?”
“It’s already working,” Aldric said, his eyes sparkling. “The pack is questioning his judgment because of Elara. All we need is a push.”
“And what do you plan to do about her?” Cassandra asked, raising an eyebrow. “She’s not just some ordinary wolf. That mark on her—”
“I know what the mark means,” Aldric snapped. “That’s why she’s the perfect weapon. Kieran’s too busy trying to protect her. It’s only a matter of time before he slips.”
Cassandra laughed, the sound cold and calculating. “We’re playing a dangerous game, Aldric. If Kieran finds out what we’re doing—”
“He won’t,” Aldric interrupted. “Not until it’s too late.”
Cassandra’s smile widened. “You’re bold. I’ll give you that. But daring won’t matter if we don’t move soon. The longer Elara stays, the more she becomes a sign of his weakness.”
Aldric stepped closer, his voice a harsh whisper. “Then we strike now. Spread more stories, plant seeds of doubt. When the pack turns on him, he’ll be weak. That’s when we make our move.”
“And Elara?” Cassandra asked, her tone curious.
Aldric’s face darkened. “She’ll either join us—or she’ll fall with him.”
Later that night, Elara returned to the packhouse, her mind still spinning from Lysandra’s warning. The hallways were quiet, the air heavy with dread. She headed toward her room, but noises from the war room stopped her in her tracks.
She pressed herself against the wall, her heart racing as she listened.
“…losing faith in Kieran. They’re scared, Cassandra. Scared of what Elara’s presence means.”
“It’s only a matter of time before the pack demands he banish her,” Cassandra’s voice answered, cold and planned. “And if he doesn’t, they’ll turn on him.”
Elara’s breath hitched. They were scheming against Kieran—and against her.
A sudden creak made her freeze. The door opened slightly, and Cassandra stepped out, her eyes instantly locking onto Elara.
“Well, well,” Cassandra said, her lips curling into a hungry smile. “Eavesdropping again, are we?”
Elara straightened, pushing herself to look calm. “What are you planning, Cassandra?”
Cassandra stepped closer, her voice falling to a whisper. “You should worry less about me and more about yourself, little girl. The pack doesn’t want you here. And soon, neither will Kieran.”
Elara’s shadows flickered around her, a response to her rising anger. “You don’t scare me.”
“You should be scared,” Cassandra said, her smile widening. “Because when the time comes, no one will stand by you. Not even him.”
Before Elara could answer, Cassandra walked away, leaving her shaking with anger and fear.
Elara turned toward Kieran’s rooms, her mind rushing. She needed to warn him. But as she reached his door, a thought stopped her.
What if Lysandra was right? What if treason was closer than she realized?
She paused, her hand hanging over the doorknob. Inside, Kieran’s words rang out, sharp and authoritative. “We need to act now. Elara can’t know what’s at stake.”
Her blood ran cold. What was he hiding from her?
The shadows around her pulsed, pushing her to flee. For the first time, she wondered if the storm wasn’t coming—but already here.
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