Chapter 12

As the man’s words settled into the charged atmosphere, a gust of wind swirled around us, carrying a chill that seeped into my bones. The decision I had made felt heavier than I anticipated, like a stone sinking to the bottom of a dark, unfathomable sea.

Canary stepped closer to me, his voice barely above a whisper. “Catnip, are you sure about this? We don’t even know who he is.”

I glanced at Canary, his concern warming the icy fear gripping my chest. But I couldn’t afford to hesitate now. I had spent too long questioning myself, too long stuck in a loop of indecision. “I’m sure,” I said, though my heart pounded like a war drum. “I can’t keep running, Canary. If this is a chance to take control, I have to take it.”

The stranger’s dark eyes glittered with approval as he turned and gestured for me to follow. “Then come. There’s no time to waste.”

“Wait,” I said, my voice cutting through the tension. “If I’m going with you, I need answers. Who are you? Why are you helping me?”

He paused mid-step, his profile sharp against the moonlight. For a moment, I thought he might ignore me. But then he turned, his gaze piercing as it locked onto mine. “My name is Kael,” he said, his tone low and deliberate. “And I’m helping you because you have something the Alpha Heir wants—something he’ll destroy you to possess. If you want to survive, you’ll need to learn how to fight back.”

“What does he want from me?” I demanded, my frustration boiling over. “Why can’t he just let me go?”

Kael’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening. “Because your bond isn’t ordinary, Catnip. It’s tethered to power—ancient, raw power that even the Alpha Heir doesn’t fully understand. He thinks claiming you will make him unstoppable, but that power belongs to you. And only you can decide what to do with it.”

My stomach twisted at his words. Power? That didn’t make sense. I wasn’t powerful—I was barely holding myself together. But the way he spoke made it sound like the bond wasn’t just a chain; it was something far more dangerous. Something I wasn’t ready for.

Canary stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. “And what’s in it for you, Kael? Nobody offers help without expecting something in return.”

Kael’s lips curled into a faint smile, his amusement almost mocking. “What’s in it for me is none of your concern. But know this—I’m not your enemy. The Alpha Heir is.”

That answer did little to soothe my nerves, but before I could press further, Kael started walking again, his pace steady and unrelenting. “If you want to live, follow me. If you’d rather take your chances with him, stay here.”

I hesitated for only a moment before moving to follow. Canary fell in step beside me, his posture tense. “I don’t like this,” he muttered, his voice low. “This feels like a trap.”

“It might be,” I admitted, my voice trembling. “But what choice do I have?”

As we ventured deeper into the forest, the shadows thickened, and the air grew colder. The silence between us was heavy, broken only by the crunch of leaves beneath our feet. My mind raced with questions, doubts clawing at the edges of my resolve. Was I walking into another prison? Trading one form of control for another?

Kael led us to a clearing where the moonlight illuminated a circle of ancient stones, each etched with runes that glowed faintly. He stopped in the center and turned to face me, his expression unreadable. “This is where we start.”

“Start what?” I asked, glancing around uneasily.

Kael extended a hand toward me, palm up. “Your training. If you want to break free from the Alpha Heir, you’ll need to unlock the power within you. And that starts now.”

Canary stepped forward, his stance protective. “Hold on. She’s been through enough. You can’t just throw her into this without explaining what’s going on.”

Kael’s gaze flicked to Canary, his tone sharp. “There’s no time for explanations. Every second we waste, he gets closer. If she doesn’t learn to harness her power, she’ll never be free.”

I looked between them, my chest tightening. Canary’s loyalty was unwavering, but Kael’s urgency was undeniable. And deep down, I knew he was right. I couldn’t afford to wait, to hope for answers that might never come. If there was a way to fight back, I had to take it.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward and placed my hand in Kael’s. His grip was firm, steady, and for a fleeting moment, I felt a spark of something—strength, resolve, maybe even hope.

“What do I have to do?” I asked, my voice steady despite the fear churning in my gut.

Kael’s smile was faint but genuine. “Survive.”