The sky broke open.
A scream—not human—ripped through the forest. The trees themselves shuddered. Even the flowers around Cassian wilted as if hiding from something greater.
Elara turned her head just in time to see wings.
Black as smoke. Sharp as blades.
Something crashed into the clearing beyond the trees. The earth shook. Birds fled. Cassian went still, his easy charm evaporating.
"He's here," he whispered.
"Elara," he said, voice lower now, cold and clipped, "whatever happens—don't show him fear. He feeds on it."
Then he vanished into the trees, as if he wanted no part in what came next.
She stood alone. Heart hammering. Legs stiff. The Mark on her collarbone was a burning brand now—her skin boiling from the inside.
And then he stepped from the smoke.
He was enormous.
Not just tall—built like a weapon, forged in fire and war. His dark armor was streaked in dried blood. His hair was raven-black, long and wild, and his face…
His face was carved in ice.
No smile.
No warmth.
Only a scar across his jaw and eyes so cold they made her shiver.
Eyes like death.
He looked at her like she was already his.
"Elara Vale," he said, voice gravel and thunder. "You don't belong here."
"I didn't choose this," she said, defiant, even as her legs trembled.
He stepped closer. "That doesn't matter."
"Who are you?" she asked, even though her soul already knew.
He didn't answer right away. Just studied her—like a soldier sizing up a threat.
Then, flatly:
> "I am Alpha Rael of the North. Slayer of Kings. Breaker of pacts. Last heir of the Ironblood line."
She swallowed. That name. She'd heard it whispered in nightmares.
Alpha Rael—the one who'd ended the last Luna War with his bare hands.
He stopped just inches from her, and without permission, he touched the Mark above her heart.
It seared against his fingertips.
His expression didn't change. "So it's true. The moon marked you."
He looked her dead in the eye.
> "You are mine now."
Elara slapped his hand away. "I belong to no one."
For the first time, something flickered in his eyes. Surprise… then amusement. The faintest smile—dangerous and impressed.
Then, from the trees, Cassian's voice cut in:
"Careful, Rael. She bites."
Rael didn't turn.
"She'll kneel. Or she'll burn."
And then—he turned his back on her.
No more words.
Just a silent command: Follow. Or die.
Elara stood frozen as the three Alpha paths finally opened before her:
Cassian, the silver-eyed trickster who plays the long game.
The unnamed Alpha of the forest—wild, angry, and already drawn to her fire.
And Rael, the Alpha of war, who would rather conquer her than love her.
And the Mark?
It wanted all of them.