Chapter 9 Under oath

The council's hall was colder than she imagined - long stone walls, black banners, and no windows. The torches flickered with blue flames, casting eerie shadows.

Mira stood in the center, arms crossed, lips pressed into a tight line. Her wrists were wrapped in silver-threaded cuffs that dulled her power, but didn't silence her wolf - it paced and snarled beneath her skin.

Three elders sat before her, eyes ancient and judging.

Varya stood off to the side, unreadable. Kade wasn't allowed inside - but Mira could feel him, like a heartbeat just outside the door, vibrating in her bones.

"You used forbidden power," Elder Thorne said. "Blood magic has been outlawed since the Flame War. Are you aware of this?"

"Yes," she said calmly.

"And yet you chose to summon it?"

"I didn't summon anything," Mira replied. "It summoned me."

A pause.

The second elder, a woman with storm-gray hair, leaned forward. "You showed no remorse for the kill."

"I saved your Alpha."

"Because he's your mate?" the third asked.

The question landed like a blow.

Mira didn't flinch. "Yes."

"You admit it?"

"I feel it in my blood," she said, voice low. "I didn't choose it. The bond chose us."

"Do you understand how dangerous that is?" Thorne asked. "You are unstable. And now you're bonded to a wolf who could destroy kingdoms."

Mira's voice turned sharp. "Then maybe your kingdom needs destroying."

Gasps rippled through the chamber.

Varya's lips twitched - but she said nothing.

⸻

Kade paced outside like a caged animal. Lucien tried to calm him, but it was pointless.

"She's been in there too long," Kade growled.

"You barging in won't help," Lucien warned. "The council is trying to provoke her. They want her to snap."

"If they hurt her-"

"They won't."

"She's mine, Lucien."

Lucien sighed. "That's the problem."

⸻

Later, Mira was escorted back to her dorm with her powers still muted, but her mind racing. The second the guards left, she felt Kade behind her.

He stepped into her room without a word and locked the door.

Neither of them spoke.

They didn't need to.

Kade crossed the space in three long strides and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her flush against him. Mira gasped, her breath caught in her throat.

"You stood alone in front of them," he whispered. "You didn't beg. Didn't break."

"I don't beg," she whispered back.

He smirked. "I know."

And then his lips were on hers - fire, force, frustration. His hands gripped her hips, lifting her onto the desk. Her legs wrapped around his waist instinctively. His mouth was rough, desperate. Her claws scraped down his back.

Their bond flared - too intense. Too dangerous.

When he kissed down her throat, Mira moaned, shivering under his touch.

But something shifted.

Her wolf howled.

Her eyes turned black again - only this time, Kade didn't stop.

"Let it happen," he said into her skin. "Don't fight it."

Their energies collided.

Her magic wrapped around his alpha power like vines around flame, wild and pulsing. She arched against him, her voice raw with need. This wasn't just sex. It wasn't even just love.

It was war.

Between fate and fury.

And in that war, they were both winning.

⸻

Far below the academy, deep in the earth where the ancient seals lay, a glowing mark pulsed awake...

The curse had been triggered.

The prophecy had begun.