BOUND BY THE MOON’s OATH

THE POISONED BLADE

The feast was a trap.

Kael called it a peace gathering—an attempt to steady the growing tension between loyal wolves and those secretly siding with Evald. Council members arrived in cloaks of polished silk, servants poured bloodwine, and the scent of roasted elk masked the scent of danger.

Elysia didn’t eat.

She sat beside Kael, her senses sharp. Her wolf paced inside her mind—alert, suspicious.

Kael leaned close. “I don’t trust this.”

“Good,” Elysia said. “Because someone’s planning to kill you tonight.”

Kael’s fingers stilled over his goblet. “You’re sure?”

She nodded toward one of the servers. “I’ve seen him before. In the vision. He delivered coin to Evald.”

Before Kael could react, the server approached with a silver tray of carved meat.

And just as Kael reached for it—Elysia knocked the plate to the ground.

The silver blade hidden in the meat clattered onto the stone floor.

Gasps rippled through the hall. Kael rose instantly, power radiating from his body.

“Seize him!”

Guards tackled the server. The man snarled—then suddenly convulsed.

“Poison,” Kael cursed. “He took it before they could question him.”

Elysia stood, locking eyes with the other council members. “This was an assassination. And it won’t be the last.”

Evald stood, playing innocent. “You accuse us with no proof?”

Elysia stepped forward, lifting her wrist. The mark burned bright.

“I was chosen by the Moon. If you think you can kill me and take down the Alpha, you’re wrong.”

Kael’s voice was like thunder. “From this moment forward, anyone found aiding Evald or any traitor will be hunted. And executed.”

The hall fell into silence.

Later, as the guards swept the room and guests scattered, Kael turned to her.

“You just painted a target on your back.”

“I already had one.”

He stepped closer. “Then let me stand in front of it.”

For a moment, there was no bond, no revenge—only two wolves, standing side by side in the fire.

Together.