Night descended without ceremony, swallowing the canyon in thick, oppressive darkness. Clouds drifted lazily across the moon, veiling its pale glow in fragments, as though even the sky was reluctant to witness what was about to unfold. Kael sat at the edge of the cliff, back straight, senses stretched to their limits. The bond pulsed steadily between him and her—quiet now, but never truly at rest.
She slept a few steps behind him, curled close to the stone wall, breath slow but shallow. Even in rest, her body remained tense, claws half-formed, instincts refusing to fully surrender. Kael could feel her dreams through the bond—disjointed flashes of crimson eyes, echoing footsteps, and the suffocating pressure of unseen watchers.
He shared her unease.
"You're thinking too loudly," came a low voice from the shadows.
Kael didn't turn. "And you walk too quietly."
The silver-eyed wolf-blooded male stepped into view, moonlight catching faintly on the scar that ran along his jaw. "Old habits," he replied. His gaze shifted briefly to the sleeping girl. "The bond grows faster than I anticipated."
Kael's jaw tightened. "Is that a problem?"
"It is… dangerous," the male said carefully. "The council won't ignore it any longer. They've already sent observers."
Kael rose to his feet. "Observers don't lurk in the dark."
"No," the male agreed. "Executioners do."
The bond flared sharply, a spike of warning so sudden that Kael's breath hitched. He extended a hand instinctively, waking her before fear could take hold.
"They're close," she whispered, eyes snapping open. Her amber irises glowed faintly, pupils narrowing. "I can feel them."
The air shifted.
At first, it was subtle—like the weight of humidity before a storm. Then came the pressure. Not physical, but oppressive, coiling around Kael's chest and sinking into his bones. Power. Ancient. Refined.
Figures stepped out from between the trees lining the canyon's edge—three of them, robed in dark crimson and black. Their movements were unhurried, arrogant. Vampires.
At their center walked a taller figure, his presence suffocating. Pale hair tied back neatly, crimson eyes glowing faintly beneath a calm, almost bored expression.
"The council sends its regards," he said, voice smooth as silk. "And its disappointment."
Kael stepped forward, placing himself between them and her. "You're trespassing."
The vampire smiled faintly. "This land has never belonged to wolves. Not truly."
The silver-eyed male growled low in his throat, muscles coiling. "This isn't a negotiation ground."
"No," the vampire agreed. "It's an evaluation."
The bond surged violently now, heat flooding Kael's veins. He felt her fear, her anger, her resolve—all of it blending into a single, volatile force.
The vampire's eyes flicked to her, interest sparking. "Fascinating. The resonance is even stronger than the reports claimed."
"You don't get to study her," Kael snarled.
"I don't need to," the vampire replied calmly. "The outcome is already decided. The council does not tolerate anomalies. Especially ones capable of upsetting the balance."
The other two vampires spread out, forming a loose arc around them. Kael counted distances, angles, escape routes. None were good.
"Kael…" she murmured through the bond, uncertainty bleeding through. What do we do?
We don't bend, he sent back, steadying her. We endure.
The silver-eyed male took a step back, eyes darting between the enemies. "This fight will draw attention. Too much."
"Then we finish it quickly," Kael said.
The vampire sighed. "Predictable."
He moved.
Not fast—instant. One moment he stood still, the next he was directly in front of Kael, fingers inches from his throat. Kael barely raised his dagger in time, metal screeching as claws scraped against it.
The impact sent shockwaves through the canyon floor. Kael slid backward several feet, boots carving trenches into stone.
"Strength is there," the vampire mused. "But control? Lacking."
The other two vampires lunged.
The silver-eyed male intercepted one in a blur of motion, claws tearing into flesh as he drove the vampire into the cliff wall. Stone shattered under the impact.
Kael spun, dragging power from the bond. The world sharpened—every sound, every movement slowed as instinct and bond aligned. He parried an incoming strike, pivoted, and slammed his elbow into the attacker's ribs, hearing the sickening crack as bone fractured.
She joined the fray without hesitation.
Guided by the bond, she moved with newfound precision—ducking beneath a swipe, raking claws across a vampire's chest, spinning away before retaliation could land. Her fear burned away, replaced by fierce focus.
Kael felt a flicker of pride… and dread.
Because the vampire leader was watching.
"Beautiful," he murmured. "You see why the council fears this."
He raised a hand.
The air froze.
Invisible force slammed into Kael like a tidal wave, pinning him against the cliff. The same power seized her mid-motion, suspending her helplessly several feet off the ground.
"Stop!" Kael roared, veins burning as he fought the pressure.
The vampire approached her slowly, examining her like a rare artifact. "So young. So powerful. So unaware of what you've become."
Her eyes met Kael's, panic flooding through the bond.
I can't move.
You can, Kael sent desperately. Feel me. Follow the bond.
The vampire laughed softly. "It won't help. The council's blood arts sever even primal bonds."
But he was wrong.
The bond surged—not violently, but harmoniously. Kael felt her heartbeat sync with his, her fear anchoring into his resolve. The pressure cracked.
She screamed—not in terror, but defiance—and the bond erupted in a shockwave of raw energy.
The vampires staggered. The leader took a step back, genuine surprise flashing across his face.
Kael broke free.
In a heartbeat, he was on his feet, dagger pressed to the vampire's throat. The silver-eyed male stood at his side, bloodied but unbowed.
Silence fell heavy.
The vampire leader smiled slowly. "Interesting," he said. "Very interesting."
He raised his hands slightly. "This ends here. For now."
The other vampires withdrew, melting into the shadows as if they had never been there.
The leader's eyes lingered on her one last time. "Enjoy this illusion of freedom. The council will not forget you."
Then he vanished.
The canyon was deathly quiet once more.
She collapsed to her knees, breath ragged. Kael rushed to her side, gripping her shoulders.
"Are you hurt?"
She shook her head, eyes still glowing faintly. "No… but they'll come back."
"Yes," the silver-eyed male said grimly. "And next time, they won't be testing you."
Kael stared into the darkness where the vampires had disappeared, the weight of their words settling heavily in his chest.
The council now knew the truth.
And there would be no turning back.