The forest was unnaturally silent.
Maria felt it the moment her foot crossed into the ravine,the air was thick, heavy, as though the land itself was holding its breath.
Moonlight filtered weakly through the twisted trees, barely showing the narrow path ahead.
"This doesn't feel right," Kael said, hand tightening on his weapon.
Before Maria could answer, the ground exploded.
Black chains came from the earth, snapping around Kael's legs and arms with terrifying speed.
He roared as they pushed him backward, slamming him into the stone wall of the ravine.
"Kael!" Maria screamed.
She lunged forward, Moonlight flaring violently, but the shadows surged to meet her, forming a wall of darkness that slammed into her chest and sent her falling .
Laughter echoed through the ravine.
Slow. Amused.
The Ashen King stepped from the shadows, skeletal crown gleaming beneath the dim Moon. His hollow eyes fixed on Maria with hunger.
"A Luna who bleeds," he mused. "And a Lycan who loves."
Kael struggled against the chains, muscles straining as dark magic burned into his skin.
"Run, Maria!" he shouted. "It's a trap!"
She forced herself to her feet, silver eyes blazing. "Let him go."
The Ashen King smiled wider. "A fair exchange," he said softly.
Moonlight surged around Maria, but the chains tightened, feeding on her fear, her rage.
The land itself pulsed with dark magic, smothering her power.
Kael met her gaze, calm despite the pain.
Do not break, his voice echoed through their bond.
"I will find you," Maria whispered, tears burning her eyes.
The Ashen King flicked his hand.
The shadows pushed Kael into the darkness, chains dragging him screaming into earth.
The ground sealed instantly, leaving nothing but scorched stone behind.
"No!" Maria screamed.
Her howl shattered the night, echoing across the mountains.
Birds fled. Wolves in distant packs lifted their heads, feeling the agony of their Luna.
She collapsed to her knees where he had stood moments before, fingers digging into the earth until they bled.
The Ashen King's voice lingered in the air.
"Come to me, Luna. Or watch him die.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Maria clenched her fists, silver fire burning beneath her tears.
He had taken Kael.
And for that, she would burn his world to ash.