The whispers persisted.
It stayed with me, a continual, sneaky buzz under my consciousness. Though it felt as though it had always been there, waiting, this voice neither belonged to my wolf nor me.
You are not what they produced.
I had no idea what that implied.
Not sure if I wanted to.
I disregarded it for several days. emphasising instruction. On becoming ever more powerful. But the more I attempted to stifle it, the more the voice pushed against my ideas, calling me to pay attention.
The visions started then as well.
Fleeting first—flashes of glittering light, of war, of wolves bending in servitude.
Of blood dumped under a full moon.
I informed no one. Not with Kai. None Raine. Not even me, honestly. Admitting it meant realising something inside of me was evolving.
I was not prepared for that either.
Not yet.
That evening, I entered the war room and discovered that the air was charged. Surrounded by a big oak table, maps and paperwork, warriors and pack leaders stood.
Kai stood at the head, arms crossed, sharp and incomprehensible silver eyes.
Every one turned as I walked in.
I turned my attention to Kai, disregarded their looks. " What's going on?"
His eyes strayed over me then he nodded at the maps. Silver fang is getting ready for war.
I stop.
Sebastian here.
I started to tighten my hands. "Why?," asked
Kai had a keen smile. "Because you humiliated him." For you have made him seem frail. And because he can't stand the idea that you're standing on your own."
I burst out in a sour laugh. "I ought to have known.."
Sebastian was not the kind to let his errors stink. He was the kind who burned the ground around him until there was no proof he had ever failed.
And just now I was the scar he yearned to be gone.
I straightened and spoke with a solid voice. "What is the scheme?"
Kai nodded favourably after briefly studying me. We are ready.
The room murmured in agreement. But I could feel it—the doubt lingering in some of their eyes. I wasn't one of them. Not yet.
One of the warriors, a broad-shouldered man named Tobias, leaned forward. "We need to strike first."
Raine snorted. "And play right into their hands? That's exactly what Sebastian wants."
Tobias scowled. "And waiting will do what? Let them build their numbers?"
Kai lifted a hand, silencing the debate. "No one is attacking. Not yet." His gaze shifted to me. "Sebastian isn't just looking for a fight. He's looking for you."
A shiver ran down my spine.
"He doesn't get to have me," I said, voice cold.
Kai's smirk returned. "That's what I wanted to hear."
I sat at the head of the war table, listening to my Beta argue with my generals.
"She's not coming back, Sebastian." Kieran's voice was low, edged with frustration. "You can't force this."
I clenched my jaw. "I'm not forcing anything. I'm taking back what's mine."
Kieran scoffed. "She's not yours anymore."
A sharp growl rumbled in my chest. My wolf was pacing, restless, furious.
"She belongs to Shadow Moon now," Kieran continued, his tone gentler. "And you know as well as I do that Kai won't just hand her over."
Kai.
The name was a curse on my tongue.
I hated that he had her. That he had seen her strength before I did. That he had stood beside her while I had turned my back.
I inhaled deeply, forcing my anger under control. "This isn't about jealousy."
Kieran raised an eyebrow. "Isn't it?"
I shot him a glare, but he didn't back down. He never did.
"This is about the pack," I continued. "Zaia knows our weaknesses. Our defences. If she chooses to fight against us—"
Kieran exhaled sharply. "She's not coming for us, Sebastian. We're the ones going after her."
I didn't respond.
Because he was right.
And I didn't care.
Zaia wasn't meant to be with Shadow Moon.
She wasn't meant to be his.
I would tear Kai's pack apart before I let that happen.
I stood in the centre of the field, sparring with Raine as the pack watched.
It wasn't a fight. It was a demonstration.
A reminder that I wasn't weak anymore.
Raine lunged, her movements quick and brutal, but I dodged, twisting around her strike and landing a solid kick to her ribs.
She stumbled but grinned. "Finally learning."
I didn't answer. I was too focused. Too aware of the tension hanging in the air.
The pack was watching me. Judging me.
I had spent weeks training, proving myself, but I wasn't one of them yet.
They needed to see something more.
Something undeniable.
Raine feinted left before aiming a sharp strike at my side. This time, I didn't dodge. I caught her wrist mid-air.
Gasps echoed through the crowd.
Before she could react, I twisted, flipping her over my shoulder and slamming her into the dirt.
Silence.
Then—
A single clap.
I turned, chest heaving, to see Kai standing at the edge of the field.
His silver eyes gleamed as he stepped forward. "Well done."
Something in my chest tightened at his approval.
I stepped back, releasing Raine's wrist as she grumbled, "Show-off."
Kai stopped in front of me, his voice low. "You're ready."
I frowned. "For what?"
His smirk was sharp, wicked. "For war."
The scout returned just before midnight, his face pale.
"Alpha," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "Shadow Moon is preparing for war."
My hands clenched into fists.
Kai wasn't backing down.
Good.
I didn't want him to.
I wanted him to fight for her.
So I could rip him apart for thinking he ever had a chance.
I turned to Kieran. "Gather the warriors."
Kieran hesitated. "Sebastian—"
"Now."
He exhaled sharply but nodded, leaving to follow my orders.
I stared at the map before me, my mind racing.
Zaia had chosen them.
But she had made a mistake.
Because if she wouldn't come back to me willingly, I would make sure there was no place left for her to run.
I woke with a start.
The whispering was louder now.
Urgent.
"He's coming."
I bolted upright, my heart hammering in my chest.
A knock at my door made me jump.
I exhaled sharply before opening it to find Kai standing there, his face unreadable.
His voice was calm, but there was something dangerous beneath it.
"It's time," he said.
I swallowed hard.
Because I already knew.
Sebastian was coming.
And this time, there would be no turning back.