Stolen Mate

The forest whispered with news of war. Rylan and I hid in a hollowed oak, our breaths fogging the cold air, as a Silvermoon scout passed below. 

"—Alpha's lost his mind," the man muttered to his companion. "Calling a quest for a traitor? After all she's done?" 

*Traitor.* The word still cut, even now. 

Rylan's hand found mine, silent and steady. The poison's remnants lingered in my veins, but my scent—faint, fractured lavender—had drawn Kieran's howls closer each night. 

We followed the scouts to the edge of Silvermoon territory, where the pack gathered in the frostbitten clearing. Kieran stood atop the meeting rock, Lila at his side, her smile brittle as ice. 

"The Moon Goddess's will is clear," Kieran declared, his voice raw. "Elara lives. And I will find her." 

The pack erupted. 

Garrick stepped forward, his scarred face twisted. "You'd abandon us for a scentless exile? She betrayed the bond!" 

"The bond was *stolen*," Kieran snarled. "By lies. By treachery." His gaze sliced to Lila. 

She paled but lifted her chin. "The Alpha grieves," she said, voice slick as oil. "He forgets the pack's strength lies in unity. Not chasing ghosts." 

Murmurs rippled—some nodding, others scowling. 

Mara crossed her arms. "If the bond's broken, prove it. Reject her." 

Lila flinched. 

Kieran turned to her, his eyes storm-dark. "If you're true, you'll stand by me." 

A challenge. A blade in velvet. 

Lila's laugh was shrill. "Of course, my Alpha." But her fingers curled into claws. 

*** 

We retreated to a nearby cave, Rylan building a fire while I shivered. The ritual's partial success had left me aching, my scent flickering like a guttering candle. 

"They're fracturing," Rylan said, poking the flames. "Lila's losing control." 

I stared at my hands, still stained with Kieran's blood. "He's risking everything." 

"For you." 

The words hung between us, heavy as stone. 

"Does that bother you?" I asked quietly. 

He threw a branch into the fire. "Does it matter?" 

Before I could answer, howls erupted—fierce and discordant. We crept to the ridge. Below, Silvermoon was a tempest. 

Warriors clustered around Kieran, their loyalty steeled by his resolve. Others flanked Lila, their eyes wary but calculating. Garrick stood apart, torn. 

"She's divided them," I whispered. 

Rylan's jaw tightened. "She'll rally Nightshade next. Promise them blood for support." 

A chill deeper than winter seized me. "We have to stop her." 

"We will." He gripped my shoulder. "But first, you need to survive." 

*** 

That night, Kieran's howl shook the stars—a summons, a vow. *I'm coming.* 

Lila's answering snarl was pure venom. 

By dawn, the pack was gone, split into shadows.