THREE FORCES
1028 Words
The valley did not stay quiet for long.
Within minutes, movement filled the forest below the summit cliffs. Shadows slipped between the ancient trees, fast and organized.
Kaelen recognized the pattern immediately.
Wolf soldiers.
They moved in disciplined formation, spreading across the valley floor like a tightening net.
Aria stood beside him at the entrance of the hall, watching them approach.
“Well,” she muttered, “your welcome committee is here.”
Kaelen’s jaw tightened.
“They are not here to welcome me.”
Behind them, Lucien stepped into the doorway.
His crimson eyes moved calmly over the advancing wolves.
“They came faster than expected.”
Kaelen glanced at him.
“Wolves do not waste time when something threatens the pack.”
Lucien nodded once.
“That is what worries me.”
A low growl rolled across the valley.
One of the wolves below shifted mid-run, transforming into human form as he climbed the rocky path toward the summit.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and heavily scarred.
Aria recognized him instantly.
“Oh.”
She groaned.
“That’s not good.”
Kaelen’s voice was quiet.
“Commander Rhys.”
Rhys reached the top of the cliff moments later, flanked by several armed wolves.
His sharp gray eyes landed immediately on Kaelen.
Then on Lucien.
His expression darkened.
“So the rumors were true.”
Kaelen stepped forward.
“Commander.”
Rhys gave a short nod.
“Prince.”
His gaze moved slowly between Kaelen and Lucien again.
“The Dominion received word of a… situation.”
Aria folded her arms.
“That’s a polite way to describe it.”
Rhys ignored her.
He focused entirely on Kaelen.
“You will return with us immediately.”
Kaelen didn’t move.
“No.”
The word hung heavily in the air.
Rhys’s eyes narrowed.
“This is not a request.”
Kaelen’s wolf stirred beneath his skin.
“I am aware.”
Behind Rhys, the wolves shifted uneasily.
The tension between their prince and their commander was unmistakable.
Rhys lowered his voice.
“The Alpha King has issued a direct order.”
Kaelen’s gaze hardened.
“My father is not here.”
Rhys’s patience thinned.
“You are bound to a vampire.”
The words echoed across the cliff.
Several wolves behind him growled softly.
Lucien remained perfectly still.
Rhys continued.
“That bond is a threat to the Dominion.”
Kaelen stepped closer.
“It is not your decision to make.”
Rhys’s expression grew colder.
“It is the pack’s decision.”
Before Kaelen could respond—
A cold voice cut through the tension.
“I’m afraid the pack is not the only one with opinions.”
Everyone turned.
Across the valley ridge, dark figures appeared along the rocks.
Vampires.
Dozens of them.
Their silver armor glinted under the rising sun.
Aria sighed loudly.
“Right on schedule.”
At their center stood a tall figure in elegant black robes.
Lucien recognized him instantly.
“Lord Cassian.”
The vampire noble stepped forward slowly, his long dark cloak trailing behind him.
“Lucien Vale.”
His voice carried easily across the distance.
“You have caused quite a disturbance.”
Lucien’s expression remained calm.
“Good morning to you as well.”
Cassian’s eyes flicked briefly toward Kaelen.
“So this is the Alpha.”
Kaelen met his gaze without flinching.
Cassian smiled faintly.
“The Court was hoping the rumors were exaggerated.”
Lucien tilted his head slightly.
“They rarely are.”
Cassian’s smile disappeared.
“You will come with us.”
Lucien shook his head.
“No.”
Rhys scoffed.
“So both of you intend to ignore your own people.”
Aria muttered under her breath.
“This is going exactly how I expected.”
The wind shifted suddenly.
A strange scent drifted through the air.
Something unfamiliar.
Not wolf.
Not vampire.
Seris appeared beside them again, watching the valley with quiet interest.
“They’re here.”
Kaelen frowned.
“Who?”
Seris pointed toward the northern hills.
At first there was nothing.
Then figures began appearing along the ridgeline.
Dozens.
Then hundreds.
Moving silently through the tall grass.
Aria blinked.
“…those are not wolves.”
Rhys turned sharply.
His soldiers stiffened immediately.
Cassian’s vampires also noticed.
Lucien spoke quietly.
“The hybrids.”
The approaching figures were unlike anything either faction had seen before.
Some moved with the speed of wolves.
Others carried the pale elegance of vampires.
But they were neither.
They were both.
Seris smiled slightly.
“Our people.”
The valley fell into stunned silence.
Three armies now faced each other across the open land.
Wolves on one side.
Vampires on the other.
Hybrids in the center.
And standing above them all—
Kaelen and Lucien.
The bond pulsed again.
Stronger than ever.
Cassian’s voice broke the silence.
“This was not part of the agreement.”
Rhys growled.
“There was no agreement.”
Seris crossed her arms.
“Exactly.”
Aria looked around at the gathering forces.
“Okay,” she said slowly, “this is officially the worst summit in history.”
Kaelen exhaled slowly.
If one side attacked now—
The war would begin again.
Lucien stepped forward beside him.
The movement drew every eye in the valley.
Cassian frowned.
“Lucien.”
Rhys growled.
“Prince.”
Seris watched with interest.
Lucien’s voice carried clearly across the cliff.
“Everyone seems eager to fight.”
No one interrupted him.
Lucien continued calmly.
“But if you start a war today…”
His crimson eyes swept across wolves, vampires, and hybrids alike.
“…you will prove exactly why this world has been broken for centuries.”
The bond flared between him and Kaelen like a pulse of light.
Lucien’s voice softened.
“So the question is simple.”
He looked directly at the leaders below.
“Are you here to kill us…”
A pause.
“…or are you ready to see what happens if you don’t?”
The wind swept through the valley.
Three armies waited.
And for the first time in centuries—
The future of the world balanced on a single moment.
- Writer
