CHAPTER THREE:Among Wolves
1073 Words
Seraphina learned very quickly that fear had a scent.
It clung to her skin like invisible smoke, drifting into every corner of the Black Moon stronghold. Wolves turned their heads as she passed, nostrils flaring, eyes narrowing with suspicion and disgust.
Human.
Weak.
Unwanted.
She felt it in every stare.
The stone corridor stretched endlessly before her, cold beneath her bare feet. She followed silently behind Kael, her steps small and hesitant beside his long, powerful strides. His presence alone silenced the halls, warriors bowing their heads as he passed.
But their eyes followed her.
Hatred burned there.
Contempt.
Something darker.
She clutched the thin cloak tighter around her shoulders, wishing she could disappear into its folds.
No one spoke.
They didn’t have to.
Their silence screamed.
Kael led her into a massive hall carved from black stone. Tall pillars reached toward the vaulted ceiling, etched with glowing runes. Long wooden tables stretched across the floor, lined with warriors mid-meal.
The moment she entered, everything stopped.
Cutlery clattered.
Low growls rippled across the room.
Seraphina froze.
Her heart pounded violently in her chest.
Every instinct screamed at her to flee — but there was nowhere to run.
Kael stepped forward, placing himself subtly in front of her.
“This is the pack hall,” he said, voice calm but edged with warning. “You will eat here.”
Murmurs broke out immediately.
“A human at our tables?”
“She taints our space.”
“She doesn’t belong here.”
Kael’s eyes flashed.
Silence slammed down instantly.
“Anyone who disrespects her,” he said coldly, “disrespects me.”
No one argued.
But hatred still burned.
Seraphina swallowed hard.
They took seats at the head of the hall. Food was placed before her — roasted meat, dark bread, bowls of steaming stew.
Her stomach twisted.
She could barely breathe.
Kael noticed.
“Eat,” he murmured quietly.
“I’m not hungry.”
His gaze softened a fraction.
“You must keep your strength.”
She forced down a few bites, each swallow heavy and difficult.
Across the hall, glowing eyes watched her.
Waiting.
Judging.
One woman stood.
She was tall, beautiful, her presence commanding immediate attention. Long silver hair fell down her back, her eyes burning molten amber. Power rolled off her in waves.
“She is unworthy,” the woman said clearly. “A fragile human cannot stand beside an Alpha. This bond insults our bloodline.”
Kael’s posture stiffened.
“Sit,” he ordered.
She did not.
“I challenge her claim,” the woman continued. “By ancient law, a mate may be tested.”
Seraphina’s blood ran cold.
Tested?
Kael’s eyes darkened dangerously. “You will not touch her.”
“Then you fear she will fail.”
A ripple of interest spread through the hall.
Seraphina trembled.
Kael turned to her. “You do not have to do this.”
“What happens if I refuse?” she whispered.
“They will never stop,” he said quietly.
She closed her eyes.
Then nodded.
“I’ll do it.”
Silence fell.
The woman smiled.
The training grounds lay deep within the mountain — a vast cavern where torches blazed and warriors sharpened their blades. Wolves gathered along the edges, eager for blood.
Seraphina stood alone in the center.
The stone was freezing beneath her feet.
Her hands shook.
The woman stepped forward, removing her cloak.
“My name is Nyra,” she said. “And I will show you what it means to challenge a wolf.”
She moved in a blur.
Pain exploded across Seraphina’s ribs.
She cried out, stumbling backward.
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
Nyra struck again — faster, stronger.
Seraphina hit the ground hard.
Her vision swam.
“Get up,” Nyra snarled. “Is this all the Moon chose?”
Seraphina forced herself to stand.
Her legs wobbled violently.
Another blow.
Another fall.
Bruises bloomed across her skin, pain screaming through every nerve.
Kael’s fists clenched at his sides.
His wolf howled.
“Enough,” he growled.
“Not yet,” Nyra replied coldly.
Seraphina dragged herself upright, tears blurring her vision.
“I won’t break,” she whispered.
Nyra hesitated.
Then struck harder.
Something inside Seraphina snapped.
Heat surged violently through her veins.
The air pulsed.
A shockwave erupted from her body, hurling Nyra backward across the arena. She slammed into the stone wall, collapsing in stunned silence.
The entire cavern froze.
Seraphina stared at her hands.
They glowed faintly — silver, shimmering, alive.
Gasps erupted.
“She has power…”
“A human?”
“Impossible.”
Kael moved instantly, pulling her into his arms.
Her body shook violently.
“What is happening to me?” she sobbed.
His grip tightened.
“I don’t know,” he whispered.
But fear darkened his gaze.
Later, in the quiet of his chambers, Seraphina sat on the edge of the bed, wrapped in fresh linens. Bruises marred her skin, but most of her injuries had already begun to fade — unnaturally fast.
Kael knelt before her, carefully applying salve to her ribs.
His touch was gentle — reverent.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
Her throat tightened.
“You didn’t hurt me.”
“I brought you into this.”
Silence settled between them.
“Why does your kind hate humans so much?” she asked softly.
His jaw tightened.
“Because humans once betrayed us. They hunted our kind. Burned our dens. Slaughtered our children.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I would never—”
“I know.”
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Their gazes locked.
Something shifted.
A fragile bridge forming between two broken worlds.
His thumb brushed accidentally against her bare skin.
Heat surged.
Both of them froze.
Her breath caught.
The bond pulsed violently.
Kael ripped his hand away, standing abruptly.
“This cannot happen,” he said harshly.
Confusion and hurt flickered across her face.
“I didn’t—”
“I am not rejecting you,” he said, voice strained. “I am protecting you.”
“From what?”
“Myself.”
Silence stretched thick and aching.
“Sleep,” he said quietly. “Tomorrow will be worse.”
He turned away.
But as Seraphina lay back against the pillows, tears sliding silently into the fur beneath her, she felt it again.
That invisible thread.
Pulling.
Binding.
Claiming.
- Writer
