Chapter 35

We left the Exiled Ones before dawn.

The temple’s shadows still clung to my skin, the echoes of Orion’s voice lodged in my chest like a blade.

"I don’t know."

I held him closer, feeling his small fingers clutch at my tunic.

Kael walked ahead, his golden eyes scanning the horizon, his posture rigid, tense.

Neither of us spoke.

Because there was nothing left to say.

We weren’t going home.

We weren’t safe.

And something was coming for us.

I could feel it.

We moved swiftly through the dense forest, keeping to the shadows, avoiding the main paths.

The Exiled Ones had given us provisions, but no promise of safety.

Because they knew—no place was safe now.

The moment Orion’s power had awakened, the moment the shadows had whispered his name.

Something had been set into motion.

And we had no idea how to stop it.

Kael’s voice was low, edged with exhaustion.

"We need to find shelter before nightfall."

I nodded, my grip tightening around Orion.

Sienna and Axel walked beside me, their small hands clinging to my cloak.

They had been silent since we left the temple.

They could sense it too.

The weight of something watching. Waiting.

Kael suddenly stopped.

His entire body coiled with tension.

I stiffened, my wolf rising to the surface.

Then—I heard it.

A rustling in the trees.

Too fast.

Too controlled.

Not an animal.

Not human.

Something hunting.

The moment the arrow pierced the tree beside me, I lunged forward, shielding Orion with my body.

Kael roared, his claws unsheathing, his golden eyes blazing as he moved in front of us.

Ronan had already drawn his blade, his stance braced for impact.

Another arrow flew—this time toward Kael.

He dodged, his body a blur of motion, snarling as he turned toward the trees.

Then—they appeared.

Figures draped in black armor, their faces hidden beneath wolf-shaped masks.

Silent. Calculated. Deadly.

Kael’s breath came harsh.

"The Bloodborn," he growled.

My stomach plummeted.

Not them.

Not now.

The Bloodborn weren’t just warriors.

They were assassins.

Hired by the highest bidder. Feared by entire packs.

And if they were here—someone wanted us dead.

Kael lifted his chin, his voice cold, lethal.

"Who sent you?"

The leader stepped forward, his silver-plated gauntlets gleaming.

His voice was low, unhurried.

"Does it matter?"

Then—he moved.

Faster than I expected.

A blade slashed toward Kael’s throat.

Kael blocked it just in time, their weapons clashing, sparks flying.

I turned, pressing Orion into Axel’s arms.

"Stay together," I ordered. "Don’t move."

Then—I faced my enemy.

The moment I moved, my wolf rose to the surface, muscles tensing, claws unsheathing.

One of the Bloodborn lunged toward me, his blade flashing.

I ducked low, twisting my body—my claws raking across his side.

A sharp grunt.

Then another came.

And another.

The forest exploded into chaos.

Kael was a force of nature, his movements calculated, brutal, his golden eyes flashing with every strike, every dodge.

Ronan fought beside him, his sword a blur of silver.

But the Bloodborn weren’t just strong.

They were trained.

And for every one we cut down—two more took their place.

I turned sharply, my chest heaving, scanning for the children.

And froze.

Orion was standing still.

His silver eyes locked onto the battle, his tiny fists clenched at his sides.

The shadows around him moved.

Not his own.

Something else.

My blood ran cold.

"Orion."

His small lips parted.

His voice was soft, distant.

"They want me."

A sharp, sudden realization slammed into me.

They weren’t here to kill us.

They were here to take him.

I lunged forward, grabbing Orion’s shoulders.

"No one is taking you," I whispered fiercely. "Do you hear me? No one."

His silver eyes flickered.

Then—the air around us shifted.

A cold, sharp pulse of energy rippled outward, knocking one of the Bloodborn warriors off his feet.

Kael turned sharply, his golden eyes locking onto Orion.

The power was rising again.

The thing inside him—waking up.

A shadow curled around his fingertips.

And for a single, terrifying moment.

I wasn’t sure if my son was still my son.

Kael snarled, slicing through the last warrior, his chest rising and falling heavily.

The Bloodborn were dead.

But their presence meant something dangerous.

Someone had sent them.

Someone who knew exactly what Orion was.

Kael wiped the blood from his jaw, turning toward me.

His golden eyes flickered between me—and Orion.

I saw it then.

The hesitation.

The uncertainty.

The same look he had in the Elders’ Hall.

The same fear.

My stomach twisted.

"You’re thinking about it," I whispered.

Kael’s throat worked. "Ayla."

"You’re thinking about leaving him behind."

The words came out sharper than a blade.

Kael didn’t deny it.

He didn’t say no.

And that was enough.

A cold, sharp crack formed in my chest.

Because I knew.

Kael might have loved our son.

But he was afraid of him more.

I swallowed hard, my hands tightening around Orion.

My voice was low, steady.

"If you can’t protect him," I said softly, "then I will."

Kael exhaled sharply. "Ayla."

I turned away.

We had bigger problems.

The Bloodborn were only the beginning.

And whoever sent them—would send more.

We needed to move.

Because the real enemy?

Was still watching.

And I wasn’t sure if Kael was still on my side.