Chapter 4 The Shadow in the Trees

Nara's body froze.

The creature lunged at her.

Instinct took over. She tried to run, but her legs refused to obey. Her chest burned, lungs screaming for air. The glowing eyes of the predator, red like molten fire, glinted from the shadows, moving faster than her mind could process.

A shadow slammed into the wolf mid-air.

The force knocked Nara to the ground. Dirt and leaves filled her mouth. Pain shot through her shoulder as she tried to push herself up.

"Get back!" a deep voice thundered.

Kael.

He landed between her and the wolf. Shadows wrapped around his form, thick, alive, swirling like black smoke that lunged at the creature. The red-eyed wolf yelped, recoiling from the force that threw it back.

"You shouldn't be here!" Kael shouted, fangs bared, eyes silver and glowing. "Why weren't you under protection? I said stay in the packhouse!"

Nara didn't answer. She could barely breathe. She didn't even understand how she had ended up in this situation. She only knew one thing:

She was helpless. Helpless and alone-except for him.

Kael lunged at the wolf, claws slicing the air. The beast snarled and leapt, dodging him with terrifying agility.

It was fast. Too fast.

Kael growled, hitting it with brute strength. The creature yelped and scrambled back. Nara could hear the impact echo in her bones. Blood? She didn't dare look.

Instead, she felt the bond thrumming in her chest, sharp and insistent. It pulled her attention to Kael. To the danger surrounding him. To the fire in him.

He's hurting. He's tired. He shouldn't be doing this alone.

Her hands twitched. She didn't know why, but she wanted to help. Something inside her screamed-I can do something. I have to do something.

Kael glanced at her. His silver eyes, bright and piercing, locked on hers.

"Nara!" His voice sliced through the fear, sharp and commanding. "Now!"

Her body responded before her mind could protest. She crouched, muscles shaking, and focused on the bond-the strange pull that refused to leave her chest. Her hands brushed against the dirt.

Then it happened.

A burst of energy, white and bright, shot from her palms. It slammed into the red-eyed wolf. The creature screeched, stumbling back, smoke curling from its fur. Its eyes went wide with shock.

Kael's jaw dropped.

"What-how-?" he muttered, lunging forward to protect her.

But Nara didn't step back. She didn't run.

The fire in her chest spread outward, radiating from her hands. Every red-eyed wolf within twenty feet staggered, forced to retreat. She didn't understand how she had done it. She only knew it had worked.

Kael stared at her, a mixture of awe and something else-something deeper-flickering across his face.

"You..." he whispered. His silver eyes glimmered in the moonlight. "You're... awakening."

Before she could ask what he meant, the white wolf-the one older, taller, more terrifying-stepped into view.

It had been hiding, observing. Waiting.

"You've done more than I expected," it purred. Its voice was soft but dangerous, echoing in her mind. "The Shadowblood awakens faster than anticipated."

Nara's stomach twisted.

"Shadowblood?" she whispered. "I don't... I don't understand."

Kael growled low in his throat. "Don't listen to it," he snapped. "It's lying."

The white wolf tilted its head. "I am not lying, Alpha Kael. The child you rejected is of the line that could either save you... or destroy you. And she doesn't even know it yet."

Nara's heart pounded. She tried to speak, tried to ask questions, but her throat went dry.

Kael's silver eyes softened, just slightly, as he stepped closer. "Nara," he said, voice low and urgent. "Listen to me carefully. You are not safe here. Not for one more second. If they catch you unprotected again..."

He didn't finish. The unspoken threat hung between them like a knife.

"I... I can't-" she started, fear clutching her throat.

"Yes, you can," Kael snapped. "And you will, because I will not let you die. Not today. Not ever."

Nara swallowed. His words... they weren't comforting. They were fierce, like steel cutting through fear. Somehow, she understood: she had no choice. He would not leave her behind.

But then the white wolf stepped forward, fully revealing itself under the moonlight.

Its fur gleamed white, but its eyes... oh, its eyes were red and burning, filled with hunger and knowledge that chilled her to the bone.

"You belong to us tonight," it hissed. "And there is no Alpha here who can save you."

Kael's stance hardened. Shadows wrapped around him like armor, every muscle coiled, every sense alert.

"Try me," he growled.

The white wolf snarled, and with a swift movement, it charged.

Kael met it head-on, claws flashing, shadows twisting like living blades around him.

Nara froze, chest tightening, fear suffocating her. She wanted to help, wanted to run, wanted to scream. But she had no strength. None.

Her body refused to move.

And then she felt it-the bond inside her chest, pulling, burning, demanding action.

Without knowing how, she crouched again. Her hands glowed with that strange energy. The bond screamed, and she let it surge outward.

The white wolf staggered back, hissing. Its companions, watching from the shadows, yelped and lunged, only to stumble as Nara's energy expanded.

Kael's jaw dropped again, eyes wide. "You... you're controlling it..."

Nara didn't answer. She had no words. She could only feel the power inside her, raw and untamed. It frightened her... and thrilled her... all at once.

The wolves stopped. They hesitated, exchanging quick, silent signals.

Then the white wolf stepped forward again, slower this time. Its voice was calm, almost amused.

"You cannot stop what is coming," it said. "You cannot hide the truth of your blood. The Shadowblood line has awakened. And tonight... the prophecy begins."

Nara froze.

"Prophecy?" she whispered.

Kael's face darkened. He stepped in front of her, protective as ever. "Ignore it. I don't care what they say. You are mine to protect. And I swear, no one will touch you while I breathe."

The white wolf smiled, teeth glinting. "Bold words, Alpha. But even you cannot stop destiny. Soon... you will have to choose. Will you claim her, or will she be taken from you forever?"

Nara felt her chest tighten. She didn't understand the words, didn't understand the magic, didn't understand what the prophecy could mean.

All she knew was this: she was not strong. She was not ready.

And yet... somehow, for the first time in her life, she had power.

Her energy pulsed again, brighter, stronger, answering the white wolf's challenge.

Kael's eyes softened as he noticed her trembling hands glowing with raw force.

"You're stronger than you know," he said quietly.

Nara blinked, tears in her eyes. "I... I don't even know what this is."

"You will," Kael said, voice low, dangerous, and commanding. "But first... we survive tonight."

The white wolf and its pack began to circle them, moving with calculated precision.

Kael's shadow wrapped around him tighter, growing longer, sharper. Every movement was a promise of death.

Nara felt her pulse quicken. Her energy pulsed in response, stronger than ever.

This was the moment her life changed forever.

She was no longer the weak Omega everyone had ignored. She was... something else. Something dangerous. Something hunted.

And she would not be able to run from it for much longer.

The wind shifted. The red-eyed wolves lunged.

Kael growled.

Nara screamed.

And together, they leapt into the fight.