Chapter 3 The Flame Within

Amelia stumbled backward, her mind spinning. Kael's words echoed in her head like a thunderclap.

"You belong to me."

She didn't know whether to slap him, run, or scream. Her pulse thundered in her ears, and her voice came out sharper than she intended.

"I don't belong to anyone," she snapped, her hands curling into fists.

Kael only smirked, the corners of his mouth twitching with amusement. There was something unnerving about that expression it wasn't entirely human.

"Spoken like a true Fireborn," he said quietly, his deep voice laced with an edge she couldn't place. "But you don't understand the weight of what's happened. That mark you wear... it's not just mine. It's a blood bond. Ancient. Dangerous."

Amelia tugged down her sleeve instinctively, hiding the strange burn-like mark that had appeared on her wrist days ago. "You've got the wrong girl. I'm not Fireborn or Moonkissed, or whatever fantasy thing you think I am. I'm human. I live in town. I do normal things like paying bills and eating cereal."

But Kael stepped closer-not as the intimidating Alpha she had seen before, but as someone who looked... concerned. Almost protective.

"You're not normal, Amelia. You never were. That mark wouldn't have chosen you unless your blood called to it. You're one of us, even if your soul hasn't caught up yet."

Before she could fire back, a long, mournful howl split the night air. It rolled through the forest like a shiver, rattling her bones.

Kael stiffened instantly, his golden eyes darkening into something dangerous. "We don't have time. They've sensed you."

"Who-who's they?" Amelia asked, her voice trembling despite her best effort to stay calm.

"The rogues," he growled. "Outlaws. Wolves who would kill to break a prophecy like yours before it takes root."

Prophecy? The word slammed into her chest, heavy with meaning she didn't want to understand.

Kael reached for her wrist again. This time, she didn't pull away.

"Come with me if you want to survive the night."

Before she could answer, Kael's body began to shift. She watched, wide-eyed, as bones cracked, muscles rippled, and silver fur burst across his skin. Within seconds, the man standing before her was gone-replaced by a massive wolf, his coat shimmering like molten moonlight.

Amelia's breath caught in her throat. "You've got to be kidding me," she whispered.

The wolf lowered his body, nudging her gently with his massive head. Another howl echoed through the trees-closer this time.

Her mind screamed at her to run in the opposite direction, but instinct whispered something else entirely. She swung a leg over his broad back, clutching his fur tightly.

The moment they took off, the wind tore at her hair, the forest blurring around them. Her heart raced-not just from fear, but from the unshakable, terrifying feeling that her life was no longer hers to control.

She didn't know what tomorrow would bring. She didn't even know if she'd live to see the morning.

But one thing was clear-her ordinary life had just gone up in flames.