Chapter 25
Chapter 25
I didnt realize how much Id been holding back until I stopped.
Damien tried to crawl away.
Stay back!he barked at me.
I
didnt stop.
You threatened a child to lure me here,l said coldly, and now you want mercy?
He shook his head. I was following orders.
Don’t give me that crap.I said. You want to say you had no choice?”
I raised my hand.
He threw his arms over his face, bracing for the hit-but it never landed.
Because Kael stepped in, he tackled Damien to the ground, knocking him unconscious in a single blow.
Youre hurt-I rushed to him.
Ill ber fine. It will heal in no time. He grinned weakly. Didnt want you to do all the dramatic herc stuff without me.
I shook my head. You idiot.
Your idiot,he murmured, stepping closer. And Im not letting you face them alone.
A low growl cut through the trees.
We both turned.
The forest darkened. The sky shifted. And from the shadows came figures-cloaked in smoke.
The Shadowborn, dozens of them.
And at their front, stood their leader, Darius, Kaels father.
He looked at us like we were insects.
I see you’ve brought the chosen to me. You’ve don’t well son. Bring her here and I promise never to hurt your niece again.Darius said.
Kael stepped in front of me.
But I pushed past him.
You don’t deserve to be called a father,l said. You want me? Then take me.
The Shadowborn leader tilted his head.
You dont understand, girl. We dont want to kill you. We will all serve under you and help you awaken
your true power, side by side we will become stronger and rule.he said, his tone hoarse and his expression fierce.
Keep your serving to yourself,l spat. I don’t need anyone to protect me and about taking over the world, I don’t need you to do that.
I took a slow breath.
Kael snarled.
Before I could stop him, he shifted into his wolf form.
Kael was no match for Darius in terms of strength. As Kael charged towards him, with one
gesture, Kael was thrown back, crashing into a tree that had a sharp edge. It pierced into his stomach through the back.
KAEL!I screamed, running to him.
He groaned, but didnt rise.
My hands trembled.
I looked up.
Darius walked forward slowly.
You feel it, dont you?he said. The pull in your chest. The fire in your blood. You were born for this
No,I whispered staring at Kael, he wasn’t moving.
You are what we prayed for.
I shook my head refusing to accept the sight In front of me.
Kael didn’t move.
What has he done to him?
Why won’t Kael respond?
It can’t be right? I thought shaking my head repeatedly.
But why isn’t he moving?
Tears started to trickle down my face and I let go.
I fell to my knees as the shift began.
I could feel every piece of myself burning and rebuilding.
My spine arched. My hands dug into the dirt.
Claws broke through my skin. My senses exploded.
When I rose, they all took a step back.
Even Darius hesitated.
They kept taking everyone away from me, first my mother, then Helena and now….. And now Kael.
You wanted ruin,l growled. Now face it.
I met the first warrior head-on, my fangs bared, my claws slicing through his armor like it was paper and he crumpled.
Another came from my left. I pivoted, slammed my shoulder into his ribs, and heard the crunch
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of them snapping.
They kept coming.
They thought numbers would make a difference.
They were wrong.
They’ve taken enough from me all because of a prophecy.
Darius watched me, his expression unreadable.
I wanted to rip it out of him.
The mark on my palm flared again, casting light over the battlefield.
My pendant cracked further, the glow now pulsing in rhythm with my heartbeat.
And then Darius stepped forward.
His voice was calm. So. Youve accepted it.
I growled.
Youre magnificent,he said. A shame it had to be this way.
Come closer,l said, and III show you how much of a shame.
On the ground laid the body of Darius’s men, only a few still stood with him. Darius knew he stood no chance against me.
He snapped his finger and from the edge of the woods, more figures emerged.
They were not from Shadowborn. They were from packs who saw me as a threat.
They all looked at me like I was a monster. Darius smirked and snuck behind them, I couldn’t go after him because I was surrounded immediately by the pack guards.
I pushed them off and went back to Kael. It was painful and heart wrenching but I had to pull Kael from the tree edge.
They all stood up wanting to attack me. I couldn’t blame them, I blamed my fate.
Despite how they stared at me with fear, none came closer.
I dropped to my knees beside him, brushing hair from his bloodstained face. Kael. Please. Stay
with me.
He groaned softly, his eyelids fluttering. Still here…
Dont move. Youre bleeding-
Youre glowing,he whispered.
I didnt answer.
Because I could feel it. The energy hadnt faded. It was still surging under my skin. Like it didnt want to be put away.
Just breathe,I said, my voice breaking. Please.
I looked over my shoulder.
The guards were still frozen. No one moved. They were all clouded in fear.
I stood up and faced them.
I didnt ask for this,I said, my voice low. I didnt choose to be born with this mark. I didnt ask for
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I didnt ask for this,I said, my voice low. I didnt choose to be born with this mark. I didnt ask for
the prophecy, or the power, or your fear. But Ive lived with it. Ive survived it. And Ive protected you -even when you turned your backs.
No one spoke.
Today, I had every reason to let you die. But I didnt. I will fight for all of us and for every wolf who thought they didnt matter. But if you still see me as a threat, then come find me. And know this what you’ll find won’t be what you expect.
