Chapter 14: The Queen’s Choice
We escaped the Moon Gate at dawn.
But something had changed.
My powers were stronger.
Too strong.
I could hear wolves miles away.
I could feel the emotions of entire packs.
And sometimes…
I could hear the Shadow Wolf.
You will be mine.
I refused to answer.
Kael noticed.
“You’ve been quiet.”
“I’m thinking.”
“About what?”
“The prophecy.”
He looked away.
“You heard it.”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t tell me everything.”
“No.”
I stopped walking.
“Kael.”
He sighed.
“I saw something too.”
“What?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“Standing on a throne.”
“And?”
“You were covered in blood.”
I stared at him.
“Did I kill you?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
“The Alpha King.”
I frowned.
“He’s already lost.”
Kael shook his head.
“His body is gone.”
I understood.
“The Shadow Wolf.”
“Yes.”
The creature had escaped.
It needed a new vessel.
The Alpha King had failed.
Kael was resisting.
Which left one person.
Me.
My mother approached.
“I know what you’re thinking.”
I looked at her.
“Can I become the vessel?”
She nodded.
“But there’s another possibility.”
“What?”
“You can destroy the Shadow Wolf permanently.”
“How?”
“The three bloodlines must unite.”
“How?”
My mother looked at Kael.
“Through the mate bond.”
Kael’s expression changed.
“What does that mean?”
“It means Elara cannot defeat it alone.”
I understood.
“We need each other.”
“Yes.”
Kael took my hand.
The marks on our palms glowed.
But suddenly, my mother’s expression changed.
She looked toward the valley.
“Someone is coming.”
We turned.
Thousands of wolves appeared beyond the mountains.
Their banners were black.
Not Black Moon.
Blackthorn.
I recognized the symbol immediately.
Damon.
My past had found me again.
—
