Chapter 65: The Rune's Warning

Lila

When my ears picked up the warning cry, my first instinct was that it came from the pack house. But as I started moving with the others, another cry rang through the night—this time from the east border.

That howl—raw, guttural—sent ice splintering through my veins. It was the kind of sound that made your instincts seize, the kind that whispered death was near.

Jaxon stiffened, his eyes snapping toward the direction of the call. Leah’s head tilted slightly, listening, her body already shifting into a defensive stance. For a brief second, we were all just wolves—predators assessing danger, our rivalry momentarily forgotten.

But the tension between us snapped back just as quickly.

Leah’s gaze flicked back to me, sharp with suspicion. “You better not have brought something into our territory, Lila. We all know you to be a harbinger of bad luck.”

I sneered, masking the flicker of unease curling in my chest. “Don’t flatter yourself. If I wanted to bring something in, you’d already be dead.”

Another howl. Closer. More frantic.

Jaxon growled low in his throat. “Enough. Both of you. We move. Now.”

He shifted before I could argue, his powerful black wolf bounding through the trees. Leah shifted next—sleek, silver, and swift—chasing after him.

I hesitated, my wolf pacing inside me, torn between the call of danger and the lingering echoes of that woman’s voice in my mind. Power. Revenge. Aria’s downfall.

But the howl came again—this time followed by a chorus of others.

A patrol call.

Something was wrong. Very wrong.

My skin rippled, bones cracking as I let my wolf take over. Midnight fur covered me in an instant, my senses sharpening with the change. I took off after Jaxon and Leah, weaving through the dense forest with practiced ease. The wind carried the scent of blood—fresh and potent.

My heart slammed against my ribcage.

As we burst into a clearing, the metallic tang thickened, clinging to the air like a curse. Wolves from the night patrol were scattered, panting, eyes wide with unease. One of them—Elena—shifted back into her human form, her chest heaving as she pointed toward the riverbank.

“Body. Near the border. It’s… it’s not one of ours.”

Jaxon growled, his hackles raised. “Stay sharp.”

We advanced as a unit, muscles coiled tight. I kept to the side, observing, my mind racing. A rogue attack? No. This was something else. The air carried more than blood—it carried magic. The kind that whispered of ancient things best left undisturbed.

The kind that reminded me of her. The strange woman from earlier.

The body was slumped at the water’s edge—twisted and mangled beyond recognition. Limbs bent in ways that defied nature, flesh marred with deep gouges, but it was the chest that made my breath hitch. Burned into the skin was a symbol—an ancient rune, pulsing faintly with dark energy.

Leah gasped. “What the hell is that?”

Jaxon’s fur bristled. “Witchcraft.”

My heart stammered. The woman. Could this be her work? A message? How pleasant!

The runes seemed to writhe under our gaze like living things, and for a moment, I swore I heard a whisper. My wolf flinched, but my human side… my human side was intrigued. Elated.

Power.

The others didn’t notice the hunger sparking in my eyes. They were too consumed by fear. But I saw the truth. This wasn’t just an attack. It was a warning. A promise.

And I wanted to be on the side that delivered it.

Jaxon turned to us, his eyes hard. “We need to report this to Alpha Connor. Double the patrols along the border. No one goes out alone.”

Leah nodded, her gaze lingering on me. She still didn’t trust me. Good. She shouldn’t.

As we prepared to leave, I felt it—an invisible brush against my mind. A presence, cold and ancient. I froze.

“Soon, child,” the woman’s voice slithered through my thoughts. “Soon.”

My wolf tensed, but I didn’t flinch. I welcomed it.

Let them fear the shadows. I would master them.

As we retreated back to the pack house, Jaxon and Leah discussing strategy, I walked a step behind, a wicked smile curling at my lips.

The pieces were falling into place.

And when the time came, I would watch Aria—and everyone she loved—burn.

—-

The moment we stepped into the grand hall, we found the Beta waiting. He looked us over, his expression unreadable. “You have something to report?”

Jaxon nodded. “It’s urgent.”

Without another word, he led us up the winding staircase to the Alpha’s chamber. I trailed closely behind, keeping to the shadows, my sharp eyes observing everything—the flickers of worry in their faces, the slight hesitations in their movements.

As we stepped inside, my breath caught in my throat.

Sitting upright on the bed, propped against pillows, was the woman whose face mirrored mine, save for a few subtle differences.

Ivy.

Connor was beside her, perched on a chair, his expression filled with something that made my stomach churn—adoration. Fear. Devotion. Like she was something precious. Like she was fragile.

“Alpha,” the Beta greeted, his voice steady but cautious. Connor’s eyes flickered toward us, momentarily landing on me. He hesitated, anger flashing in his gaze before shifting back to the others.

“What happened? You look rattled,” the Beta asked, stepping forward.

Connor let out a long breath, dragging a hand through his hair. “I panicked. Thought I lost her again or that she was missing… but she was just in the bathroom.”

Ivy let out a soft chuckle. “And you barged in looking like a ghost was after you.”

I clenched my fists. Is this supposed to be a goddamn lovers reunion?

The way Ivy smiled, the way Connor’s eyes softened at her every word—it made me sick. Everyone had always looked at me like that, never at Ivy. I had always been the cherished one, the beloved one.

And Ivy? She was nothing more than my shadow.

The Beta exhaled in relief. “I’m glad she’s okay. But Alpha, there’s something else. Jaxon and Leah have something to report.”

Connor’s expression shifted instantly. The warmth drained from his features, replaced by sharp, cold focus. “Go on.”

Jaxon took a step forward. “We found a body near the east border. It’s not one of ours. It was mutilated… but the worst part was the rune. Burned into its chest. It was still glowing.”

Connor’s eyes darkened. “Dark magic.”

Leah nodded. “We don’t know what kind, but it felt… ancient.”

Connor stood abruptly, but halfway to his feet, he hesitated. His gaze flickered toward Ivy, as though remembering her presence. Slowly, he sank back into his chair.

“On second thought,” he said, glancing at the Beta, “go with them and see for yourself. Then report back to me. And take Kate with you. She’ll know if it’s truly magic.”

“You don’t have to hesitate because of me,” Ivy spoke up suddenly, tilting her head toward him. “The pack comes first. You can go with them. I’ll be fine.”

Connor shook his head. “I’m not leaving you alone.”

Ivy smiled—a knowing, sickeningly sweet smile. “Then have someone stay with me if that makes you feel better.”

I could barely keep the sneer off my face. How very nice to be reunited with your mate. How very nice indeed. 

But it would be even sweeter when I finally plunged a dagger into their hearts and watched the life drain from their eyes.

Connor hesitated for a moment before sighing. “Alright. Leah will stay with you while—”

“No.”

The single word cut through the air, halting everything.

Ivy turned her head, her eyes locking onto mine. A strange madness flickered there, something dark and knowing. Slowly, she lifted a finger and pointed directly at me.

“I want her.”

My breath stilled.

“I want Lila to stay with me.”