The next morning broke with a bitter chill. Mist clung to the edges of the forest like a warning left behind by the night.
Zaria stood at the stream behind the pack's border, hands dipped into the freezing water, trying to ground herself. Her reflection stared back,tired eyes, tear-streaked cheeks, and something else...
Something shifting.
Mate.
The whisper echoed again. Not from Kael. Not from Leon. Not even from her wolf. It came deeper from the bond itself,Wild, ancient, cursed.
She shivered and yanked her hands out of the water.
---
Back at the Pack Grounds
Leon paced outside the training grounds, jaw clenched, mind heavy with what he'd felt last night. Zaria had heard it too,the second bond. He wasn't supposed to be her mate. That wasn't how it was meant to work.
One wolf, One mate, One bond.
But Zaria was tied to two. And Kael… Kael was unraveling. From the window of the Alpha's cabin, Kael watched them both. His eyes darkened with something he couldn't name. Jealousy? Rage? Regret?
The bond was broken… yet he still felt her.
He still dreamed of her.
Still craved her scent.
She's mine.
Even if I rejected her… she's still mine.
---
The Seer's Vision
Deep in the forest, the old seer knelt before her flame once more. The ashes from last night still glowed with magic.
She pulled out a bone pendant and dropped it into the fire. Visions flickered in the smoke.
Zaria is caught between two wolves.
Kael eyes is bleeding red, power spiraling.
Leon is shielding her with his life.
And then, the moon cracked in her vision.
She must choose, the seer whispered. But the choice will not be hers alone.
A violent gust blew through the clearing, snuffing the fire.
---
Later that night, Zaria lay awake in the healer's cabin. Her wolf stirred restlessly.
She stood in a moonlit forest clearing, wearing a white cloak, her bare feet surrounded by glowing symbols. Two wolves circled her.
One black as midnight — Kael's.
One silver as starlight — Leon's.
They both growled… at each other. Zaria turned, heart pounding. And standing behind her… was herself. Or at least, another version her eyes is glowing gold, mouth moving silently. When the doppelgänger spoke, her voice echoed like prophecy:
One bond will break your soul.
One bond will save your life.
But both will demand your blood."
Zaria jolted awake, gasping.
To be continued...