Chapter 6 Marked Twice

Kalen's POV

The moment he saw it, his heart stopped. There are just beneath the crescent birthmark on Elara's chest, a second symbol had begun to etch itself into her skin, darker, sharper.

It curved like a fang, glowing faint red in the moonlight. The Alpha's Mark, but not just any Alpha. My mark.

"No," I whispered, backing away. it not possible.

" Elara clutch her cloak tighter around herself, shivering despite the heat pulsing off the glowing brand.

"What's happening to me?"

"I don't know," I lied. Because I did not know.

That mark was sacred.

It only ever appeared on the chosen mate of a bloodborn Alpha, and only once the bond was fully claimed. It was said to be carved into the soul by the Moon herself.

And yet I hadn't claimed her. Not fully. Not even close. Unless... I turned away, jaw clenching. Unless the bond is evolving on its own.

Her magic. My curse. The old blood. Something ancient was waking her.

Something the Bone Priest wanted, no, feared.

"I need answers," Elara said behind me. Her voice was quiet, tight. "You knew him, didn't you? That masked man.

" I didn't turn".

"Not personally. But I know what he is. What he was.""Tell me."

I sighed, learning on a gnarled tree. The moon filtered through the branches like cold fire. "His real name was Rivan Thorne. My uncle."

Elara gasped softly.

"He was once the pack's seer. A gifted one, born under a blood moon. He spoke in riddles, saw through time, and everyone feared him.

My father, the last Alpha, trusted him too much.

Until Rivan started whispering about a new order. A cleansing. Said the Moon had spoken to him. That the old ways had to die."

I looked over my shoulder. "He tried to poison our entire bloodline, my parents, my siblings, the elders.

Only a few of us survived." Elara's hand flew to her mouth. "You mean?.

"I watched him kill my sister," I said. "I watched him smile while doing it."

Silence.

Elara stepped closer. "Then why didn't you tell me?" "Because you already have too many scars that are not yours to carry." She flinch, but didn't speak.

He walked through the woods quietly. The night closed and around him like a heavy blanket. Every now and then, he noticed her looking at the mark shining through her shirt.

"She said I was moonborn," she murmured. "Do you think is true?" "I don't know." Another lie.

I knew exactly what she was. The Moon's fire didn't just wake up in someone.

It called to its other half. Just like the curse in me called to her.

Two halves of something older than pack law.

Older than fate. "I'm scared, Kalen," she said, stopping. I turned to face her. Her eyes shimmering something closed to panic.

"I don't want to lose my life on this," she whispered. "I don't want to become something I don't recognized."

I stepped closer, slowly. "You won't." "You don't know that." "I do."She looked at me, searching my face.

"Why?"

"Because I won't let you." We stood there for a long, close enough to feel the bond between us humming, alive, electric, wild.

I reached for her hand.

She let me take it. But just as our fingers touched, a howl shattered the silence. Low, guttural.Wrong.

"Rogues," I said, pulling her behind me.From the trees, glowing eyes

emerged.

One wolf,

Then two.

Then seven. But these were not just rogues. They were Bloodshadows.

Creatures twisted by dark magic. Created by Rivan himself, long ago, as a failed experiment to mimic the power of Alpha blood without the soul. Dead eyes. Silver foam. Blackened fangs.

"Run," I said. "I'm not leaving you, "Elara. Run.

I willhold them." She hesitated.

Then nodded. He shifted, bones breaking, tearing through skin, and launched at the first wolf, my claws sinking deep.

They swarmed. Snarling. Biting. Snapping. I felt one tear into my shoulder, another rip at my flank.

But I held the line.

I had to. Behind me, I heard Elara running.

Then, A scream. I turned too late. One of the Bloodshadows had broken off from the pack. It slammed into Elara, pinning her down.

I roared.

But before I could reach her, light exploded from her chest.

A wave of silver fire surged outward, blasting the creature off her. It hit a tree with a sickening crunch and didn't move.

The remaining rogues froze. Then whimpered.

And fled.

He shift back, breath ragged. Elara stood in the moonlight. Her eyes shone silver-white. Her hair whipped around her like a storm.

The mark on her chest bourn like a brand. And then, A voice echoed through the clearing. Not hers. Not mine. Out something old. Female.

Divine. "The blood has awakened. The bond is claimed. The end begins." Elara collapsed.

As Kalen hurried to catch her, the ground underneath them cracked. From the shadows, another figure emerged

Mira.

Ashen?" I breathed, barely believing it.

His eyes met mine with intensity. They showed a mix of conflict and protection. Behind him, three warriors from his pack stood ready, weapons drawn and suspicion visible in their eyes.

Kalen stepped forward, shoulders tense. "This isn't your territory."

Ashen's voice was sharp. "She's mine to protect. You should've never touched her."

"I am not something to be owned," I snapped, heart pounding.

But Ashen didn't look at me. He stared at the glowing runes and the phantom version of Mira.

"What did you do to her?"

"She was never just a healer," Kalen said coldly.

The chamber thrummed with rising magic, the kind that made my blood ache.

"I came here to bring you home, Elara," Ashen said, softer now. "Before it's too late."

"And if I don't want to go?" I asked.

He didn't answer. But his men raised their blades.

Kalen moved in front of me, ready to fight.

And Mira's echoing voice whispered, "The bond has begun. The blood must choose."

Suddenly, the runes burst into bright light and threw us into chaos. A forgotten power stirred beneath our feet.

His eyes were not kind. And he was holding a blade Kalen recognized.The dagger used in ancient rites of exile.