**Kael's POV**
The bond with my mate had always been strong—stronger than I could have ever imagined. It was a connection deeper than blood, deeper than thought.
When Seraphina wasn’t in her studio apartment or the café where she often spent her time, I knew something was wrong. This was more than worry or paranoia as I could feel her sharp and raw pain, her fear tugging at the edges of my soul.
I exhaled sharply, trying to calm the storm raging inside me, allowing myself to enjoy a fleeting moment of peace. But then it came—an unbidden connection to her thoughts. Black magic. The words echoed in my mind, laced with dread.
Moments later, another thought pierced through—Descendant. My heart tightened as the puzzle pieces fell into place.
Without wasting another second, I stormed into my father’s library, the room heavy with the scent of aged parchment and forgotten memories. He had defeated them before, the practitioners of the dark arts, and I prayed his knowledge would be enough to guide me now. My hands flew over the shelves until they landed on his old leather-bound diary. I blow off the dust, this book has been here untouched for ages, flipped through the fragile pages, my eyes scanning for anything that could help.
Dagger, Blood of the descendants, Location.
The answer was there, clear as day. I snapped the book shut and called for my warriors, gathering them swiftly. Every second mattered. As we prepared to leave, unease curled in my gut. Fear clawed at me, whispering doubts. Would I overcome? Could I save her? Thousands of lives hung in the balance, but Seraphina’s fate was all I could think about.
We reached the forest, its shadows long and oppressive under the fading sun. The moment we arrived, my warriors moved with precision, striking swiftly and efficiently. The elder’s warriors fell easily; they were no match without his magic to sustain them. Yet, the elder himself was far from weak. His black magic turned the tide against us, and the air thickened with the weight of his power.
Amid the chaos, my eyes found her. Seraphina stood by the edge of the battlefield, her gray eyes wide and frantic, her face marred by bruises that filled me with a burning rage.
But there was no time to dwell on my anger. I pushed forward, dodging an incoming attack and reaching her side.
“We need to perform the ritual,” I said urgently, explaining what had to be done. Her trembling hands met mine, and together, we prepared.
The elder, distracted by the battle, didn’t see us strike until it was too late. The dagger, imbued with the blood of his own lineage, pierced through his defenses. His magic faltered, and his strength waned. The victory was ours—for now.
"Retreat!" I commanded, knowing his magic could regenerate. We had to get back to the palace before he regained his strength.
But just as we began to move, Seraphina collapsed. My heart clenched as I caught her limp body in my arms. Her skin was pale, her breath shallow.
“Collins!” I barked, my voice sharp with urgency. My beta hurried to my side. “Put her on my back,” I ordered.
Without hesitation, he obeyed, securing her as I shifted into my wolf form. We raced back to the palace, the pounding of my paws mirroring the frantic rhythm of my heart.
When we arrived, I shifted back, cradling her as I carried her to a guest room. Gently, I laid her on the bed ,her skin was so pale as her face gleamed with innocence, her lifeless appearance gnawing at my composure.
“Get the physician,” I commanded, and minutes later, he arrived.
He examined her with a grim expression, his silence stretching unbearably long. Finally, he spoke. “Your Majesty, she’s lost a significant amount of blood and is critically weak. I will monitor her closely, but she needs rest.”
Weakly, I nodded, the weight of his words gnawing down on me. Leaving her in his care, I walked to my chamber, exhaustion pulling at every fiber of my being.
As I opened the door, Lunara was waiting for me. Draped in sheer, delicate lingerie, her bare skin glowed under the soft light of the room. The fabric clung to her curves, leaving little to the imagination.
“Kael,” she greeted, her voice sweet, her eyes soft. “Welcome back.”
“Thank you,” I muttered, moving past her as I began unbuttoning my shirt.
Before I could take another step, she wrapped her arms around me from behind, her warmth pressing into my back. “I’m sorry about earlier,” she murmured, her hot breath brushing against my skin.
“It’s fine, Lunara,” I said, turning to face her. “But I need you to stay calm. You’re not just my Luna—you’re my woman. Always remember that.”
Her lips curved into a pout. “I know, but I can’t help feeling like I might lose everything... My place, you.”
“You won’t,” I assured her, pulling her closer.
She leaned up, her lips meeting mine in a soft kiss that quickly deepened. Her hands gripped my shoulders, but I gently pulled them away.
“Lunara,” I whispered, “I’m exhausted. I’ve been fighting all day.”
Her eyes narrowed, anger flashing across her face. “You’re avoiding me, aren’t you?” she snapped. “Ever since you found your mate, you don’t want me anymore!”
“Lunara, stop,” I said sharply, frustration building in my chest. “I’m not avoiding you. I just need rest. And instead of asking how I am after risking my life for this kingdom, you’re making this about yourself.”
Her face hardened. “I don’t care about the kingdom. All I care about is keeping my place.”
I stared at her, stunned by her words. Without another word, she climbed into bed and pulled the duvet over herself.
Anger simmering beneath my skin, I retreated to the bathroom, the cold water doing little to cool my rising temper. When I returned, she was fast asleep. I climbed into bed beside her, but the warmth I once felt was gone, replaced by a hollow ache.
Morning came with a hurried knock on the door. “Your Majesty!” a guard’s voice called, his tone urgent.
“What is it?” I asked, pulling on a robe as I moved to the door.
“It’s your guest,” he said, his voice trembling. “She’s...acting strange.”
I ran down the hallway, my footsteps heavy with dread. The guards outside her room looked pale, fear etched into their faces. Pushing the door open, I froze.
The room was in chaos, furniture overturned, and in the center stood Seraphina. Her gray eyes were now a blazing red, her body radiating dangerous power.
Before I could speak, her hand lifted, and a knife hurtled toward me. I dodged, but the blade grazed my ear, leaving a stinging cut.
My blood ran cold. This wasn’t her.
It was exactly like a dream.
She possessed the power.
Black magic.