MAGNUS'S POV
The prophecy.
Of all the secrets to spill, Vesper chooses the one that could destroy everything.
I feel Thea's eyes on me, demanding answers. But how do I explain that her existence is tied to a prophecy that could either save or annihilate every werewolf alive?
"You're lying," I tell Vesper coldly. "There's no prophecy."
"Oh, Magnus." She tsk-tsks. "You know better. Dorian told you. That's why he made you swear never to claim her. Because if you complete the mate bond, the prophecy activates." She spreads her hands dramatically. "Then we find out if my darling daughter is our salvation or our extinction."
Thea's hand slips from mine. "Magnus. Is she telling the truth?"
I can't lie anymore. Not about this.
"Yes," I force out. "There's a prophecy. About a True Mate pair—an Alpha and an Alpha-born female whose bond would reshape our species. Either unite all werewolf packs, ending centuries of war..." I pause, hating every word. "Or destroy the mate bond itself for every wolf alive, making us monsters who can never love."
Thea staggers backward. "And you didn't think to MENTION this?"
"Your father made me swear—"
"My father is CHAINED IN A BASEMENT!" she screams. "Stop hiding behind his promises! You knew what I was and you kissed me anyway!"
"I shouldn't have. But I—" The words stick.
"But you what?"
"I'm tired of pretending you don't mean everything to me," I snap. "Tired of lying about the mate bond. Tired of watching you suffer while I keep my distance because of some prophecy that might not even be real!"
"Oh, it's real," Vesper interjects. "Want to know the fun part? The prophecy activates when the True Mates complete their bond—when Magnus claims you, Thea. Marks you." She smiles. "So all I have to do is force that bond, and we see which way it swings."
Ice floods my veins. "You can't force a mate bond."
"Can't I?" Vesper snaps her fingers.
Two wolves drag someone out. It's Cade—beaten, bloody, alive. They throw him at our feet.
"Boss," Cade gasps. "Don't do it—"
A wolf kicks him. Bones crack.
"Here's the deal," Vesper says. "Complete the mate bond right here, right now. Mark her. Claim her. Or I execute Cade, then move on to the rest of your pack. I have twenty-three of them. One every five minutes."
"You're insane."
"I'm practical." Vesper pulls out a remote. "I still have bombs everywhere. Not just here. The hospital treating your wounded. The school where pack children learn. The homes of every Thornhaven family." She shows her phone—camera feeds of sleeping babies in a nursery, packages under each crib. "One button. That's all it takes."
Thea's face goes white. "Magnus—"
"She can," I say quietly. "And she will."
"So claim Thea right now," Vesper continues, "or I start with the nursery. Your choice."
Thea's shaking. I feel her terror through our bond—not for herself. For the children.
"Don't," Cade groans. "She'll kill them anyway."
He's right. But if we refuse, she kills everyone now.
We're trapped.
"I need proof Dorian's alive," I stall.
Vesper gestures inside. "Basement. Two minutes."
Obviously a trap. But we have no choice.
Thea and I enter together. Inside, stairs lead down. We descend carefully.
The basement is lit by one bulb. Dorian hangs from chains, unconscious but breathing.
"Dad!" Thea rushes forward.
"WAIT!" I grab her arm, stopping her at a tripwire. "Trapped."
She freezes. Invisible wires crisscross the entire floor.
"Clever boy," Vesper's voice echoes from above. The door slams shut. Locks click. "But not clever enough. You're locked in. The only way out? Complete the mate bond—True Mate magic is strong enough to break those walls. So claim each other and escape, or stay trapped while I murder your pack." She pauses. "Oh, and there's a gas leak. Ten minutes before toxic fumes kill even werewolves. Tick tock!"
The intercom dies.
Thea and I stare at each other.
"She's forcing our hand," Thea whispers. "If we complete the bond, the prophecy activates. If we don't, we die and everyone else dies too."
"There has to be another way—"
"There ISN'T!" Her voice cracks. "I can smell the gas already."
She's right. The sickly-sweet smell grows stronger.
"Your father—"
"He made you promise not to claim me for exactly this reason," Thea interrupts. "Because he knew someone would force the prophecy. Would use me as a weapon." Tears stream down her face. "But if we die here, it was all for nothing."
I pull her close, mind racing. "There has to be—"
She kisses me.
Desperate and scared and filled with everything unsaid. When she pulls back, her eyes are determined.
"Claim me," she whispers. "Complete the bond. Whatever comes, we face it together."
"Thea—"
"I choose YOU, Magnus. Not because Vesper is forcing us. Not because of prophecy. Because you're mine and I'm yours and I'm done pretending." Her hand cups my face. "So claim me. Mark me. Make me your mate."
My wolf howls in triumph.
"The prophecy could—"
"I don't care." She tilts her head, exposing her neck. Ultimate trust. "I trust you. I trust us. Now claim me before we die from gas."
Every instinct screams yes. My wolf demands it.
But Dorian's voice echoes: "Promise me, Magnus."
I look at my best friend, unconscious and chained. The man who saved my life.
Then at Thea—fierce, brave, beautiful—offering herself completely.
I make my choice.
I pull her close, fangs extending, and sink them into her neck.
The mate bond EXPLODES.
Power floods through us both. I feel everything she feels. Her fear. Her love. Her certainty this is right.
The walls crack around us.
Then the world turns white.
When my vision clears, we're somewhere else entirely.
A massive throne room made of silver and moonlight. A woman sits on a throne of bones—ancient and young simultaneously.
"Finally," she says, voice echoing with power. "The True Mates have bonded. The prophecy begins."
She stands. Behind her are thousands of wolves. All with glowing eyes. All waiting.
"Who are you?" Thea demands.
The woman smiles. "I am the Moon Goddess. Creator of your kind. And you, True Mates, are about to decide the fate of every werewolf who has ever lived." Her smile widens. "But first, you must pass three trials. Fail even one, and every werewolf loses their ability to love forever. Succeed, and you unite all packs under your rule." She pauses. "Your first trial begins now. One of you must die."