Chapter 5

Seraphina Thorne POV:

The Rogue-Kael, as I would later learn his name was-tried to push himself to his feet. The effort made him stagger, and he fell back against the wall, the weakness in his silver-poisoned leg betraying his powerful frame.

I watched him, my arms crossed, keeping a careful distance. I offered no help.

His molten gold eyes fixed on me. "That power of yours," he said, his voice a low baritone. "It's not healing. It's like... a purification. I've never seen anything like it."

A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said, my voice flat.

A ghost of a smile, sharp and probing, touched his lips. "Really? Then perhaps you can explain how a lone Omega is standing so calmly in the presence of an Alpha." As he spoke, a palpable wave of pressure rolled off him, an invisible force designed to make lesser wolves cower.

It was heavy, a crushing weight on my shoulders, but the cold power within me rose to meet it, forming a shield of ice around my mind. The Alpha's command washed over me, and I barely felt it. I only frowned.

His eyes widened, his surprise genuine now.

*He tests us,* my inner wolf snarled. *Show him a glimpse of the storm.*

I decided I was done being reactive. "You have a lot of nerve for a wounded Rogue on the run," I said, my voice dripping with ice. "Maybe I should have turned you over to those warriors. I'm sure the bounty would be useful."

Before the last word left my mouth, he moved. Despite his injury, he was a blur of motion. The silver dagger was in his hand, its tip aimed directly for my throat. It was a test, a violent, deadly question to see how I would react.

My reaction surprised us both. I didn't flinch or scream. Instinct took over. I twisted my body, the silver blade passing a hair's breadth from my skin. At the same time, I brought my elbow up, striking his wrist with a sharp, precise blow.

He grunted in pain, his grip on the dagger loosening for a split second. He was faster, recovering instantly, his other hand reaching to grab my shoulder.

We fell into a short, brutal dance in the cramped space. He was wounded, unable to use his full strength. My movements were raw, guided by a wild intuition I didn't know I possessed-a fusion of the self-defense Gideon had insisted I learn and the predatory grace of the wolf inside me.

The dagger's edge sliced a shallow line across my forearm, the silver burning like fire. But in the same moment, my foot shot out, connecting solidly with his injured thigh.

We both let out muffled sounds of pain and sprang apart, putting distance between us once more.

He looked down at his leg, then back up at me, his golden eyes now holding a new, profound gravity. He had completely underestimated me.

I clutched my bleeding arm, the sting of the silver making me light-headed.

He slowly sheathed the dagger and held up his hands in a universal sign of truce.

"Alright," he rasped, his breathing heavy. "I concede. You're no ordinary Omega." His gaze was intense. "I have no wish to be your enemy. In fact... I may need more of your help."

"What kind of help?" I asked, my voice wary.

"This wound needs to be dealt with. The silver has to come out. If you can continue to mask my scent until I'm clear of this territory, I'll add another reward to the one you already hold."

*His silver weapon is a threat,* my inner wolf cautioned. *But he is more valuable alive.*

I considered his offer. "Fine," I said. "But your weapon. I'll hold onto it until you leave."

He hesitated for a long moment, his jaw tight. Giving up his only weapon was an act of immense trust, or immense desperation. Finally, he unclipped the sheath from his boot and tossed it to me.

I caught it, the silver radiating a palpable heat that stung my skin even through the leather. I quickly wrapped it in a piece of cloth from my ruined bundle.

Just as our new, fragile alliance was formed, his head snapped up, listening to something I couldn't hear. His expression changed. "My people are here. I have to go."

He moved toward a collapsed section of the back wall, his limp still pronounced but his movements suddenly more urgent and agile.

He glanced back at me one last time. "Remember our deal. I'll be back for you."

And then he was gone, vanishing into the night as if he were a phantom. I was left alone in the silent warehouse, with a burning cut on my arm, a mysterious royal token, and a deadly silver dagger.