Chapter 4 Shadows at the Gate

The black mist slithered across the balcony like living smoke, curling around stone columns, swallowing the light from the torches as it passed.

Selena's heart pounded. The warmth in the air turned icy, biting into her skin despite the Dragon King's presence at her side.

"What is that?" she whispered, stepping closer to Thorne, her instincts screaming.

Thorne didn't take his eyes off the approaching shadow.

"Wraithspawn," he muttered. "Dark magic. They shouldn't be able to reach this realm."

The mist thickened, coalescing into several vaguely humanoid shapes-faceless things with glowing red eyes, limbs that stretched like smoke, and movements that were unnaturally fluid. They hovered at the edge of the balcony, hissing like a thousand whispers.

Selena felt her mark throb against her chest.

Thorne moved in front of her, wings flaring wide. "Stay behind me."

But Selena's hands clenched at her sides. "I can fight."

He glanced back at her, surprised-but pleased.

"Then don't hold back."

The wraiths lunged.

Thorne moved like lightning, a sweep of his arm sending a wave of golden fire crashing into the first two creatures. They shrieked, burning into ash midair.

The others swarmed.

Selena braced herself. The air shimmered around her palms-heat rising, swirling. The fire inside her responded to the danger, wild and instinctual.

One of the wraiths dove straight for her.

She didn't think-she just moved.

Flames erupted from her hands in a controlled blast, slamming into the shadow-creature with a force that surprised even her. It screamed as it dissolved into smoke, the balcony floor blackened where it had hovered.

Another wraith clawed toward her from the side.

Selena spun, ducked, and released a wave of flame in a wide arc, catching two more. Thorne fought beside her like a storm-each swing of his arm releasing fire, each movement sharp and precise.

Selena felt herself moving in rhythm with him, her instincts sharpening. Her wolf rose within her, not to take over-but to fuel her focus.

When the last wraith exploded into ash, the balcony went silent again.

Only then did Selena realize she was panting, her hands still glowing faintly with residual flame.

Thorne turned to her. "Well done."

She blinked, still catching her breath. "What were those things?"

"Scouts," he said grimly. "Servants of a darker force. I haven't seen their kind since the last War of Flames."

Selena stared at the charred balcony stones. "Why are they here now?"

"I don't know," Thorne said. "But their presence means one thing-someone knows you've awakened."

Her skin chilled despite the heat radiating from her.

"You think they were sent for me?"

Thorne looked at her, eyes unreadable. "I think you're no longer just a lost wolf. You're becoming a beacon."

Selena swallowed hard. "And beacons attract enemies."

"Yes."

---

The next morning, Selena stood on one of the fortress's many towers, staring at the charred ruins the wraiths had left behind. The balcony had already been repaired by the castle's sentient fire wards, but the lingering scent of ash remained.

Seraya approached quietly, her golden robes fluttering in the wind.

"You fought well," the healer said.

Selena didn't look at her. "I don't feel victorious. I feel like a target."

Seraya nodded. "Welcome to power, child. It always comes with a price."

Selena turned to her. "Why are they after me?"

"Because you are the Flamebound," Seraya said. "The prophecy speaks of one who will awaken the ancient blood and tear the veil between realms."

Selena frowned. "That sounds... terrifying."

Seraya smiled faintly. "To your enemies, yes."

Selena turned back to the view. "Do you believe in fate?"

"I believe in choice," Seraya said. "But some choices echo louder through the world. Yours has already begun."

---

Later that day, Thorne summoned Selena to the Hall of Memory-a vast chamber carved into the mountain's heart, lined with glowing murals that shifted and moved as if alive.

"This is where the truth is stored," he said, walking beside her.

The murals depicted dragons, wolves, war, and ruin. One wall showed a woman wrapped in fire, standing before a burning army.

"Is that... me?" Selena asked, stunned.

"Not yet," Thorne said. "But one day, perhaps."

They stopped before a massive stone door, etched with runes that pulsed when Selena stepped near.

"The flame in your blood is more than magic," Thorne said. "It's a key."

The door creaked open, revealing a smaller chamber filled with relics. Weapons, books, crystals. At the center stood a pedestal-and on it, a dagger with a blade made of glowing red crystal.

Selena approached it slowly. "What is this?"

"Your birthright," Thorne said. "Forged in dragonfire and tempered by the blood of the Flamebound."

Selena reached for the hilt. As her fingers closed around it, the blade flared-responding instantly to her touch.

Energy surged through her veins.

The dagger felt like it belonged to her.

Thorne watched her carefully. "You are awakening faster than I expected."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No," he said. "But it means we have less time."

Selena turned to him. "Time for what?"

"To prepare you for the war that's coming."

---

That night, as the stars burned high above the Dragon Realm, Selena stood alone on the training fields, the crystal dagger in her hand. She moved through the drills Thorne had taught her-each motion smoother, stronger.

She didn't feel like a rejected omega anymore.

She felt like something new.

Someone forged in fire.

When she stopped to rest, she sensed a presence behind her.

"You don't sleep much," Thorne said, stepping into view.

Selena gave a wry smile. "You either."

They stood in silence for a moment before she asked, "Have you always been alone here?"

Thorne's expression was unreadable. "Long enough to forget what it feels like not to be."

Selena's heart tugged. She studied him-so powerful, so ancient, but so... alone.

She took a step toward him. "You said once that someone saved you. Who was she?"

He looked away. "She was like you. Brave. Stubborn. Stronger than she knew. But she died in the last war-because I couldn't protect her."

Selena's voice was quiet. "I'm not her."

"No," he said, eyes meeting hers. "You're not. But the fire in you burns the same."

A beat passed.

Then, his hand brushed hers-barely a touch, but her skin sparked at the contact.

Their eyes locked.

Something passed between them. Not just attraction-recognition.

Selena's voice trembled. "What happens if I fall for you?"

Thorne's expression didn't change-but his eyes darkened.

"Then I'll burn the world to keep you."